But very much surprised we were when, being come thither, we first
heard, then found, they were become Quakers; a people we had no
knowledge of, and a name we had till then scarce heard of.
So great a change, from a free, debonair, and courtly sort of
behaviour, which we formerly had found them in, to so strict a
gravity as they now received us with did not a little amuse us, and
disappoint our expectation of such a pleasant visit as we used to
have, and had now promised ourselves. Nor could my father have any
opportunity, by a private conference with them, to understand the
ground or occasion of this change, there being some other strangers
with them (related to Isaac Penington), who came that morning from
London to visit them also.
For my part I sought and at length found means to cast myself into
the company of the daughter, whom I found gathering some flowers in
the garden, attended by her maid, who was also a Quaker. But when I
addressed myself to her after my accustomed manner, with intention
to engage her in some discourse which might introduce conversation
on the footing of our former acquaintance, though she treated me
with a courteous mien, yet, as young as she was, the gravity of her
look and behaviour struck such an awe upon me, that I found myself
not so much master of myself as to pursue any further converse with
her.
Pages:
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36