ambition........and in this greater........... every meaner consideration was lost..

All happened precisely as Theoclea foretold.......In the morning I was led before the Viceroy......I had meditated an appeal to this worthy Prince in favor of the Christians, but found him so surrounded by his court......that he either wanted time.......or inclination........to afford me an opportunity of delivering it.

Having asked me one or two questions.......and my replies being calculated to confirm the representations of Theoclea.....he smiled ironically..... and dismissed me, as a character from whom the public tranquillity had nothing to apprehend.....but ordered me instantly to quit the province of Syria, and on no pretence whatever to collect any unlawful assembly in future. Of the complaint........made against me by my relations.......no notice was

picion, that

taken.......and I am not without a susmy dear Theoclea,..... who was a partner with her brother in the profits of their trade.......had privately silenced the Viceroy on the subject of my hereditary estate.

Thus ended this troublesome affair... and I had, at least, the consolation to find, my relations not benefited by their perfidy.

I have said I could not avoid seeing Theoclea........She impatiently awaited my dismissal.......and, when I went to the appointed place, she received me with open arms... Indeed, such was the extravagance of her undissembled joy ......I could perceive my resolution falter.....The awkward constraint of my behaviour alarmed this singular woman. She discovered extreme uneasiness ...and, to soothe her, I had recourse to lies........lies which looked most like truth......or which, indeed, had some truth mingled with them.

This was a sort of conscientious roguery!

I now complained of her cruelty in imposing those vows she had extorted from me the preceding evening....... which I assured her were painful in the extreme.....and did much violence to the sentiments she had long inspired me with.

Her reply was calmly deliberate...... She said, I might obtain from her heart concessions in my favor......if I proved worthy of them.

Our conversation led to past remembrances...Imperceptibly....I grew warmer and warmer.....till at last I was so perfectly at the disposal of this all-conquering woman..........that she might have made my retreat impracticable by the slightest condescension, had she retained a doubt of my intended infidelity.

I escaped by a miracle......for while

my whole soul was melting under the impression of those blissful hours we had mutually enjoyed in the Fairy Palace of Mamilia.....I felt the impossibility of persisting in deception........and my 'willing heart would have removed with eagerness any scruple she might .....in such a moment.....have expres→ sed.

Happily.......however........Theoclea was conscious of the weakness of her own heart.......and the powerful influence of such tender recollections....She therefore...artfully...and with that winning delicacy which so eminently distinguished all her graceful actions .....drew me from the subject, by particularising the most remarkable occurrences which had happened to her during the seven years of our separation.

This was exactly what saved me..... for the confidence she vested me with

opened my eyes.......anew......to the versatility of her mimic powers.....and was the strongest confirmation of the perpetual danger which would hang over a man with my infirmity.....and make it impossible.....in so finished an adept....to distinguish between Nature and Art.

On the third day, I was to quit Antioch......Theoclea had arranged every thing for our departure......and the intermediate time was employed in seeing each other as often as possible.

Kerinthus waited for us at Damascus...On the fourth night of our journey.......when we reached the inn....... Theoclea complained of excessive fatigue, and retired almost immediately to her chamber.

Now was my time....or never! Luckily, we had a warm dispute the preceding day on the subject of hypocrisy.....and the result of this argu