. I own, that hitherto my regard, esteem, and love, have been
equal to both; but now I offer to the sincere, artless, and charming
Caelia, my whole heart, love, and affection, and the service of every
minute of my future life; and from this moment I banish from my mind the
false and ungrateful Chloe.'

Caelia's friendship for Chloe was so deeply rooted in her breast, that
even a declaration of love from Sempronius could not blot it one moment
from her heart; and on his speaking the words 'false Chloe,' she burst
into tears, and said, 'Is it possible that Chloe should act such a part
towards her Caelia! You must forgive her, Sempronius: it was her violent
passion for you, and fear of losing you, which made her do what hitherto
her nature has ever appeared averse to.'

Sempronius answered, 'that he could not enough admire her goodness to
her friend Chloe; but such proofs of passion, he said, were to him at
the same time proofs of its being such a passion as he had no regard
for; since it was impossible for any one to gain or increase his love
by an action which at the same time lessened his esteem.' This was so
exactly Caelia's own way of thinking, that she could not but assent to
what he said.

But just as they were coming out of the arbour, Chloe, unseen by them,
passed by; and from seeing him kiss her hand, and the complacency of
Caelia's look, it was easy for her to guess what had been the result
of their private conference. She could not however help indulging her
curiosity, so far as to walk on the other side of a thick yew hedge, to
listen to their discourse; and as they walked on, she heard Sempronius
entreat Caelia to be cheerful, and think no more of her treacherous
friend, whose wickedness he doubted not would sufficiently punish
itself. She then heard Caelia say, 'I cannot bear, Sempronius, to hear
you speak so hardly of my Chloe. Say that you forgive her, and I will
indeed be cheerful.'

Nothing upon earth can be conceived so wretched as poor Chloe, for on
the first moment that she suffered herself to reflect on what she had
done, she thoroughly repented, and heartily detested herself for
such baseness. She went directly into the garden in hopes of meeting
Sempronius, to have thrown herself at his feet, confessed her treachery,
and to have begged him never to have mentioned it to Caelia; but now she
was conscious her repentance would come too late; and he would despise
her, if possible still more, for suc