I have sent _Brilliard_ to see if the coast be clear, that we may come with safety; he brings you, instead of _Sylvia_, a young cavalier that will be altogether as welcome to _Philander_, and who impatiently waits his return at a little cottage at the end of the village. * * * * * _To_ SYLVIA. _From the_ Bastille. I know my _Sylvia_ expected me at home with her at dinner to-day, and wonders how I could live so long as since morning without the eternal joy of my soul; but know, my _Sylvia_, that a trivial misfortune is now fallen upon me, which in the midst of all our heaven of joys, our softest hours of life, has so often changed thy smiles into fears and sighings, and ruffled thy calm soul with cares: nor let it now seem strange or afflicting, since every day for these three months we have been alarmed with new fears that have made thee uneasy even in _Philander_’. arms; we knew some time or other the storm would fall on us, though we had for three happy months sheltered ourselves from its threatening rage; but love, I hope, has armed us both; for me--let me be deprived of all joys, (but those my charmer can dispense) all the false world’s respect, the dull esteem of fools and formal coxcombs, the grave advice of the censorious wise, the kind opinion of ill-judging women, no matter, so my _Sylvia_ remain but mine. I am, my _Sylvia_, arrested at the suit of _Monsieur_ the Count, your father, for a rape on my lovely maid: I desire, my soul, you will immediately take coach and go to the Prince _Cesario_, and he will bail me out. I fear not a fair trial; and, _Sylvia_, thefts of mutual love were never counted felony; I may die for love, my _Sylvia_, but not for loving--go, haste, my _Sylvia_, that I may be no longer detained from the solid pleasure and business of my soul--haste, my loved dear--haste and relieve PHILANDER. _Come not to me, lest there should be an order to detain my dear_. * * * * * _To_ PHILANDER.