Would to God, said the bishop, we had left her to the care of Mrs. Beaumont.

The general himself, having taken her from Flo-rence, would not join in this wish. There was a middle course, he said, that ought to have been taken. But Laurana is a daughter of the devil, said he; and Lady Sforza ought to be detested for upholding her.

The general expressed himself with coldness on my coming over; but said, that now I vjas on the spot, and as his sister had been formerly desirous of seeing me, an interview might be permitted, in or-der to satisfy those of the family who had given me the invitation, which it was very good of me to ac-cept; especially as I had the Lady Olivia in Eng — land attending my motions: but otherwise he had no opinion There he stopt.

I looked upon him with indignation, mingled with contempt: and directing myself to the bishop, You remember, my lord, said 1, the story of Naaman the Syrian*.

What is that, my lord? said he to the bishop.

Far be it from me, continued I, still directing myself to the bishop, to presume upon my own consequence in the application of the story: but your lordship will judge how far the comparison will hold. Would to God it might throughout !

A happy allusion, said the bishop. I say, Amen.

I know not who this Naaman is, said the general, nor what is meant by your allusion, chevalier: but by your looks I should imagine, that you mean me contempt.

My looks, my lord, generally indicate my heart. You may make light of my intention; and so will I of the trouble I have been at, if your lordship make not light of me. But were I not, my lord, in my own lodgings, I would tell you, that you seem not to know, in my case, what graciousne&s is. Yet I

* 2 King* . ask not for favour from you, but as much for your own sake, as mine.

Dear Grandison! said the bishop My lord! to his brother Did you not promise me Why did you mention Olivia to the chevalier?

Does that disturb you, Sir? said the general to me. I cannot make light of a man of your consequence; especially with ladies, Sir in a scornful manner.

The general, you see, my lord, said I, turning to the bishop, has an insuperable ill-will to me. I found, when I attended him at Naples, that he had harboured surmises that were as injurious to his sister, as to me. I was in hopes that I had obviated them; but a rooted malevolence will recur. How-ever, satisfied as I am with my own innocence, he shall, for many safces, find it very difficult to provoke me.

For my own sake, among the rest, chevalier? with an air of drollery.

You are at liberty, returned I, to make your own constructions. Allow me, my lords, to attend you to Signor Jeronymo.