who supposing
him to be HAMET, had intercepted and detained him as he was going to
ALMEIDA, now intercepted him a second time at his return, having placed
himself near the door of the apartment for that purpose.

Osmyn was by no means satisfied with the issue of their last interview:
he had perceived a perturbation in the mind of ALMORAN, for which,
imagining him to be HAMET, he could not account; and which seemed more
extraordinary upon a review, than when it happened; he, therefore, again
entered into conversation with him, in which he farther disclosed his
sentiments and designs. ALMORAN, notwithstanding the impatience natural
to his temper and situation, was thus long detained listening to Osmyn,
by the united influence of his curiosity and his fears; his enquiries
still alarmed him with new terrors, by discovering new objects of
distrust, and new instances of disaffection: still, however, he
resolved, not yet to remove Osmyn from his post, that he might give no
alarm by any appearance of suspicion, and consequently learn with more
ease; and detect with more certainty, any project that might be formed
against him.

CHAP. XVI.

ALMEIDA, as soon as she was left alone, began to review the scene that
had just past; and was every moment affected with new wonder, grief, and
resentment. She now deplored her own misfortune; and now conceived a
design to punish the author of it, from whose face she supposed the hand
of adversity had torn the mask under which he had deceived her: it
appeared to her very easy, to take a severe revenge upon HAMET for the
indignity which she supposed he had offered her, by complaining of it
to ALMORAN; and telling him, that he had gained admittance to her by
bribing the eunuch who kept the door. The thought of thus giving him up,
was one moment rejected, as arising from a vindictive spirit; and the
next indulged, as an act of justice to ALMORAN, and a punishment due to
the hypocrisy of HAMET: to the first she inclined, when her grief, which
was still mingled with a tender remembrance of the man she loved, was
predominant; and to the last, when her grief gave way to indignation.

Thus are we inclined to consider the same action, either as a virtue, or
a vice, by the influence of different passions, which prompt us either
to perform or to avoid it. ALMEIDA, from deliberating whether she
should accuse HAMET to ALMORAN, or conceal his fault, was led to
consider what punishment he would e