have forgotten, madam,’ said she, ‘that the generous rival has sent him word he is your lover:’ for _Antonet_ was waiting at the reading of that letter, nor was there any thing the open-hearted _Sylvia_ concealed from that servant; and women who have made a breach in their honour, are seldom so careful of their rest of fame, as those who have a stock entire; and _Sylvia_ believed after she had entrusted the secret of one amour to her discretion, she might conceal none. ’.ee, madam,’ says _Antonet_, ‘here is a letter yet unread:’ _Sylvia_, who had been a great while impatient for the return of _Octavio_’. answer from _Philander_, expecting from thence the confirmation of all her doubts, hastily snatched the letter out of _Antonet_’. hand, and read it, hoping to have found something there to have eased her soul one way or other; a soul the most raging and haughty by nature that ever possessed a body: the words were these. OCTAVIO _to_ SYLVIA. At least you will pity me, oh charming _Sylvia_, when you shall call to mind the cruel services I am obliged to render you, to be the messenger of love from him, whom beauty and that god plead so strongly for already in your heart. If, after this, you can propose a torture that yet may speak my passion and obedience in any higher measure, command and try my fortitude; for I too well divine, O rigorous beauty, the business of your love-sick slave will be only to give you proofs how much he does adore you, and never to taste a joy, even in a distant hope; like lamps in urns my lasting fire must burn, without one kind material to supply it. Ah _Sylvia_, if ever it be thy wretched fate to see the lord of all your vows given to another’s arms----when you shall see in those soft eyes that you adore, a languishment and joy if you but name another beauty to him;----when you behold his blushes fade and rise at the approaches of another mistress,----hear broken sighs and unassured replies, whenever he answers some new conqueress; tremblings, and pantings seizing every part at the warm touch as of a second charmer: ah, _Sylvia_, do but do me justice then, and sighing say--I pity poor _Octavio_. Take here a letter from the blest _Philander_, which I had brought myself, but cannot bear the torment of that joy that I shall see advancing in your eyes when you shall read it over--no--it is too much that I imagine all! Yet bless that patient fondness of my passion that makes me still your slave, and your adorer, OCTAVIO. * * * * *