sir, for heaven’s sake’ (sweetening my voice as much as possible) ’.onsider I am a maid, and would not be discovered for the world.’ ’.ho can discover us?’ replied my lover, ‘what I take from thee shall never be missed, not by _Alexis_ himself upon thy wedding night;--Come--sweet child, come:--’--’With that I pulled back and whispered--’Heavens! Would you make a mistress of me?’--Says he--’A mistress, what would’st thou be a cherubin?’ Then I replied as before--’I am no whore, sir,’--’No,’ cries he, ‘but I can quickly make thee one, I have my tools about me, sweet-heart; therefore let us lose no time, but fall to work:’ this last raillery from the brisk old gentleman, had in spite of resolution almost made me burst out into a loud laughter, when he took more gravity upon him, and cried--’Come, come, _Melinda_, why all this foolish argument at this hour in this place, and after so much serious courtship; believe me, I’ll be kind to thee for ever;’ with that he clapped fifty guineas in a purse into one hand, and something else that shall be nameless into the other, presents that had been both worth _Melinda_’. acceptance: all this while was I studying an evasion; at last, to shorten my pleasant adventure, looking round, I cried softly, ‘Are you sure, sir, we are safe--for heaven’s sake step towards the garden door and see, for I would not be discovered for the world.’--’Nor I,’ cried he--’but do not fear, all is safe:’--’However see’ (whispered I) ‘that my fear may not disturb your joys.’ With that he went toward the house, and I slipping into the grove, got immediately into the meadow, where _Alexis_ waited my coming with _Brilliard_; so I, left the expecting lover, I suppose, ranging the grove for his fled nymph, and I doubt will fall heavy on poor _Melinda_, who shall have the guineas, either to restore or keep, as she and the angry Count can agree: I leave the management of it to her wit and conduct. This account I thought necessary to give my charmer, that she might prepare _Melinda_ for the assault, who understanding all that passed between us, may so dispose of matters, that no discovery may happen by mistake, and I know my _Sylvia_ and she can find a thousand excuses for the supposed _Melinda_’. flight. But, my adorable maid, my business here was not to give an account of my adventure only, nor of my ravings, but to tell my _Sylvia_, on what my life depends; which is, in a permission to wait on her again this ensuing night; make no excuse, for if you do, by all I adore in heaven and earth I’ll end my life here where I received it. I will say no more, nor give your love instructions, but wait impatiently here the life or death of your PHILANDER.