blushing, she sharply denied the fact, and with a disdain that had laid aside all respect, left him; nor can it be doubted, but he fancied (if she spoke truth) there was some other intrigue of love carried on at _Bellfont_. Judge, my charming _Philander_, if I have not reason to be fearful of thy safety, and my fame; and to be jealous that so wise a man as _Monsieur_ did not take that parly to be held with a spirit last night, or that it was an apparition he courted: but if there be no boldness like that of love, nor courage like that of a lover; sure there never was so great a heroine as _Sylvia_. Undaunted, I resolve to stand the shock of all, since it is impossible for me to leave _Philander_ any doubt or jealousy that I can dissipate, and heaven knows how far I was from any thought of seeing _Foscario_, when I urged _Philander_ to depart. I have to clear my innocence, sent thee the letter I received two hours after thy absence, which falling into my mother’s hands, whose favourite he is, he had permission to make his visit, which within an hour he did; but how received by me, be thou the judge, whenever it is thy fate to be obliged to entertain some woman to whom thy soul has an entire aversion. I forced a complaisance against my nature, endured his racking courtship with a fortitude that became the great heart that bears thy sacred image; as martyrs do, I suffered without murmuring, or the least sign of the pain I endured--it is below the dignity of my mighty passion to justify it farther, let it plead its own cause, it has a thousand ways to do it, and those all such as cannot be resisted, cannot be doubted, especially this last proof of sacrificing to your repose the never more to be doubted SYLVIA. _About an hour hence I shall expect you to advance._ * * * * * _To_ the Lady---- _Madam,_