Page:An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals - Hume (1751).djvu/238

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224
A DIALOGUE.

been describ'd, I concluded, that such an Epithet must necessarily be the greatest Reproach in the World; and was extremely surpriz'd to find one, in a public Company, apply it to a Person, with whom he liv'd in the strictest Intimacy and Friendship. You fancy, said I, one Day, to an Acquaintance, that Changuis is your mortal Enemy: I love to extinguish Quarrels; and I must, therefore, tell you, that Heard him talk of you in the most advantageous Manner. But to my great Astonishment, when I repeated Changuis's Words, tho' I had both remember'd and understood them perfectly, I found, that they were taken for the most mortal Affront, and that I had very innocently render'd the Breach betwixt these Persons altogether irreparable.

As it was my Fortune to come amongst this People on a very advantageous Footing, I was immediately introduc'd to the best Company; and being desir'd to live with Alcheic, I readily accepted his Invitation, as I found him universally esteem'd for his personal Merit; and indeed regarded by every one in Fourli, as a perfect Character.

One Evening he invited me, as an Amusement, to bear him Company in a Serenade, which he intended to give Gulki, with whom, he told me, he was extremely enamour'd; and I soon found hisTaste