that even _Octavio_, who felt a secret joy at the thoughts of his departure, could no longer refrain from pity and tenderness, even to a wish that he were less unhappy, and never to part from _Sylvia_: but love soon grew again triumphant in his heart, and all he could say was, that he would afford him the aids of all his power in this encounter; which, with the acknowledgements of a lover, whose life depended on it, he received, and parted with him, who went to learn what was decreed in Council concerning him. While _Philander_ returned to _Sylvia_, the most dejected lover that ever fate produced, when he had not sighed away above an hour, but received a billet by _Octavio_’. page from his lord; he went to his own apartment to read it, fearing it might contain something too sad for him to be able to hold his temper at the reading of, and which would infallibly have disturbed the repose of _Sylvia_, who shared in every cruel thought of _Philander_’.: when he was alone he opened it, and read this. OCTAVIO _to_ PHILANDER. _My Lord_, I had rather die than be the ungrateful messenger of news, which I am sensible will prove too fatal to you, and which will be best expressed in fewest words: it is decreed that you must retire from the United Provinces in four and twenty hours, if you will save a life that is dear to me and _Sylvia_, there being no other security against your being rendered up to the King of _France_. Support it well, and hope all things from the assistance of your OCTAVIO. _From the Council, Wednesday_.