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188
DUTY AND INCLINATION.

which is perceived by those who have overcome themselves and surmounted affliction.

Oriana rejoiced at her sister's recovery; the confidence she reposed in her, even from the first commencement of her attachment to Philimore, had heightened the natural claim she held over her affections. Rosilia had ever proved herself her sweet consoler; she had sympathized in every her least pain or pleasure, and those more lively ones she had experienced whenever she received a letter from her beloved Philimore; the danger and risk attending detection from the means she made use of to obtain those letters, might seem even to enhance their value.

On account of the inconvenience of going herself to the village post-office, which was at some distance from her residence, at the appointed period, secure in the punctuality of her lover, Oriana practised many little stratagems that might enable her to send a messenger. Sometimes calling off a shepherd's lad from tending his flock, she would offer him a bribe to repair with all diligence to the village with a written paper, demanding the letter, under the feigned name by which it was addressed to her, whilst, during the interval, seated upon the turf, resembling a shepherdess of ancient fable,