Page:ThePrincessofCleves.djvu/200

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188
THE FRUITLESS

honour of his family, catched hold of her, and bid her make no disturbance, but go along with him. The terror and surprize she was in would not suffer her to have presence enough of mind to form any excuse, if there had been a possibility of making one for such a visit; and a house being near, over the master of which my father had an influence, he thrust her in: my husband followed, but was too much overwhelmed with wonder to ask the meaning of what he saw, 'till my father eased him of it, by calling the poor trembling wench all the opprobrious names his fury could invent; such as the bawd of her mistress's shame, and witness of her dishonour; and not doubting but she had some letter about her, searching for it, he immediately found one in her bosom, which contained enough to make him imagine himself confirmed in the truth of what he feared. I have had it too often repeated to be capable of forgetting it; the words were these:

"TO go about to inform you of the raptures with which I received yours, would be as vain an endeavour as it is to represent my impatience for that dear hour, which is to put me in possession of a blessing I have so long languished for. To think that I shall see Anziana again, and be permitted to converse with her as I have done when no curst ties made her another's right, is such a profusion, such an extravagance of delight, as is almost fatal to me; and I have scarce breath to speak my thanks. But our kind confidante, who sees my transports, will be better able to make a description of them, than all I can say. Depend on every thing, thou sovereign of my soul! that you would wish to find in

The most faithful, and most
obsequious of mankind,
Lorenzo."