were prepared to attend, the other was not prepared to begin, and so both walked many silent turns about the garden. _Sebastian_ had a mind to ask a thousand questions of his nephew, who he found, maugre all his vows of deserting _Sylvia_, had no power of doing it: he had a mind to urge him to marry the widow, but durst not now press it, though he used to do so, lest he should take it for jealousy in him; nor durst he now forbid him seeing her, lest he should betray the secrets of his soul: he began every moment to love him less, as he loved _Sylvia_ more, and beholds him as an enemy to his repose, nay his very life. At last the old man (who thought if he brought his nephew forth under pretence of a secret, and said nothing to him, it would have looked ill) began to speak. ‘_Octavio_,’ said he, ‘I have hitherto found you so just in all you have said, that it were a sin to doubt you in what relates to _Sylvia_. You have told me she is nobly born; and you have with infinite imprecations convinced me she is virtuous; and lastly, you have sworn she was not married’----At this he sighed and paused, and left _Octavio_ trembling with fear of the result: a thousand times he was like to have denied all, but durst not defame the most sacred idol of his soul: sometimes he thought his uncle would be generous, and think it fit to give him _Sylvia_; but that thought was too seraphic to remain a moment in his heart. ‘Sir,’ replied _Octavio_, ‘I own I said so of _Sylvia_, and hope no action she has committed since she had a protection under your roof has contradicted any thing I said. ‘No,’ said _Sebastian_, sighing--and pausing, as loath to speak more: ‘Sir,’ said _Octavio_, ‘I suppose this is not the secret you had to impart to me, for which you separate me to this lonely walk; fear not to trust me with it, whatever it be; for I am so entirely your own, that I will grant, submit, prostrate myself, and give up all my will, power, and faculties to your interest or designs.’ This encouraged the old lover, who replied--’Tell me one truth, _Octavio_, which I require of you, and I will desire no more----have not you had the possession of this fair maid? You apprehend me.’ Now it was that he feared what design the amorous old gentleman had in his head and heart; and was at a loss what to say, whether to give him some jealousy that he had known and possessed her, and so prevent his designs on her; or by saying he had not, to leave her defenceless to his love. But on second thoughts, he could not resolve to say any thing to the disadvantage of _Sylvia_, though to save his own life; and therefore assured his uncle, he never durst assume the boldness to ask so rude a question of a woman of quality: and much more he spoke to that purpose to convince him: that it is true, he would have married her, if he could have gained his consent; maugre all the scandal that the malicious world had thrown upon her. But since he was positive in his command for the widow, he would bend