Sociable Letters 299 



And I remember, I was so doubtful of every meat you 

 did eat, as you were used to tell me, I was Sanca- 

 pancha's doctor; neither could I let you pray in 

 quiet, for I have often knocked at your closet door, 

 when I thought you were longer at your prayers than 

 usual, or at least, I did think the time longer; so as 

 I could not forbear to ask you how you did, and 

 whether you were well, and many the like impertin- 

 ences which my extraordinary love troubled you 

 with; of which trouble you are now quit, Hving so 

 far asunder. But though I am too far off to watch, 

 yet I pray for your health and long Hfe, and though 

 I thought it was impossible I could love any creature 

 better than you, yet I find by experience, I do, for 

 since I am married, I love my husband a degree above 

 you; yet howsoever; my several affections are like 

 God and nature, both infinite, and if love lives in the 

 soul, and the soul never dies, my several affections 

 may be eternal. But you may say, if my love was so 

 troublesome to you, what is it to my husband? I 

 must tell you, I have some more discretion now than 

 I had then, and though extraordinary love will hardly 

 allow, or admit discretion, yet reason doth perswade 

 love, and brings many arguments not to be impertin- 

 ently troublesom. But though I do not ask my 

 husband so many impertinent questions as I did you, 

 yet my love for him is not less watchful, careful, and 

 fearful, but rather more, if more can be ; and all the 

 powers and endeavours of my life are ready to serve 

 him and you. Only he must be served first, which I 

 am confident you will take no exception at, but 

 approve of; for you are a wife, and know what the 

 love to a husband is. And so leaving you to your 

 beloved husband, I rest. 



Your most affectionate sister. 



