CCXI sociable letters written by the thrice noble, illustrious, and excellent princess, the Lady Marchioness of Newcastle.

XCII.

MADAM,

IN your last Letter you were pleased to tell me, that Sir A. M. was to Visit you, and hearing that the Lady B. V. was come to See you, he started from the Place he sate, and went away as in Hast, in my Opinion it was Strange he should do so, since he professes to Love her so much, as the Extremity makes him Unhappy, for though some may Run away through Fear, yet not for Love, for whatsoever is Loved or Beloved, is Sought after, & what men are Afraid of, they Fly from, and what they Love, they Fly to; so that Love Pursues, and Hate or Fear is as it were Pursued; but perchance he is a Despairing Lover, and Despair is beyond all other Passions; besides, Despair proceeds from Fear, for Fear is the Father that begets Despair; or perchance he was afraid that his Presence in her Company might Injure her Reputation, be∣ing Known to be her Lover; or he might fear his Presence might Displease her, and Lovers had rather Grieve Themselves, than Injure or Anger their Beloved; or else he was afraid that the Sight of her would Increase his Torments, or Tormenting Love: But howsoever, certainly Fear was the cause of his sudden Departure, and 'tis to be feared, that his Love is mixt with an Unlawful Desire, that he was afraid to See her

whom he had no Hopes to Injoy. But leaving Sr. A. M. to Despair, and her to her Chast Virtue, I rest,

Madam,

Your very faithful Friend and Servant.