loſs of Deidamia. I do not mean by death, for had heaven ordained it ſo, that would have been far more eligible: But, alas! ſhe is loſt both to herſelf and all of us; and, ſhe is, ſince your departure, perverted to hereſy and turned an obſtinate Hugonot; which whilſt we endeavoured to reclaim her from, by conſenting, upon the advice of your Chaplain, father Antonio, that ſhe ſhould be put into a nunnery, ſhe is eſcaped from thence no one knows whither. The thoughts thereof have filled the hearts of myſelf and wife, with ſuch inexpreſſible grief and ſorrow as hath rendered us altogether unconſolable. Our only remaining hope is, that ſhe may be gone to you; and that if you have not already, you may yet hear of her in a few days; for ſhe left behind her in her chamber, at the nunnery of St. Bridget's, whether Fronovius and Antonio conducted her, the following note:"
"HAving been forced to this place againſt troubled that I have found means to ſet myſelf at liberty; and am gone to him, who, no doubt, will right me of the injury done me by my treacherous ſervants.DEIDAMIA."
"It is this note alone that gives us ground to hope that you may ſee her again; and, I pray God, it may fall out accordingly. And, when ever this loſt ſheep ſhall be found again, I doubt you will lay her in your boſom, according to the example of our great Shepherd; and, by your wonted love and tenderneſs towards her, endeavour to reſtore her again to the true fold and church of Chriſt; to whoſe protection I commit you, and ſo farewell.J. Montaign."
The
