I gave him a very faithful relation of it. He was pleased with it. Exactly as it has been represented to me! said he. Were Clementina and you of one religion, there could have been no hope for any other man. I adore her for her piety, and for her attachment to hers; and am not so narrow-minded a man, but I can admire you for yours. As her malady is accidental, I never would think of any other wo-man, could I flatter myself that she would not, if restored, be unhappy with me. But now tell me: I am earnest to know; Are you come over to us (I finoxu you are invited) with an expectation to call her yours, in case of her recovery?

I answered him as I had done the marchioness. He seemed as much pleased with roe as I am with him. He is gone back to Parma.

Friday, May 1223.

The bishop is returned. Lady Clementina has been very ill; a fever. How has she been hurried about! He tells me, that the general and his lady, and also the Conte della Poretta, acknowledge them-selves and their whole family obliged to me for the trouble I have been at to serve their Jeronymo.

The fever having left Lady Clementina, she will set out in a day or two. The Count and Signor Sebastiano, as well as the general and his lady, will attend her. I am impatient to see her. Yet how greatly will the sight of her afflict me! The bishop says, she is the picture of silent woe: yet, though greatly emaciated, looks herself, were his words. They told her, that Jeronymo was better than he had been. Your dear Jeronymo, said the general to her. The sweet echo repeated Jero-nymo and was again silent.

They afterwards proposed to name me to her. They did. She looked quick about her, as if for Somebody. Laura, her maid, was occasionally called upon. She started, and threw her arms about Ca-milla, as terrified; looking wildly. Camilla doubts not, but by the name Laura, she apprehends the savage Laurana to be at hand.

How must she have suffered from her barbarity! Sweet innocent! She, who even in her reveries thought not but of good to the soul of the man whom she honoured with her regard She, who bore offence without resentment; and by meekness only sought to calm the violence for which she had not given the least cause!

But when Camilla and she had retired, she spoke to her. The bishop gave me the following dialogue between them, as he had it from Camilla:

Did they not name to me the Chevalier Grandi-son? said she.

They did, madam.

See! see! said she, before I name him again, if my cruel cousin hearken not at the door.

Your cruel cousin, madam, is at many miles distance.

She may hear what I say, for all that.