s so
impossible to be sent without discovery, that perhaps this is the only
time I shall ever have to speak with you alone.' And, at that word the
Tears flow'd abundantly from her Eyes, and gave _Henault_ leave to
speak. 'Ah Madam! (said he) do not, as soon as you have rais'd me to the
greatest Happiness in the World, throw me with one word beneath your
Scorn, much easier 'tis to dye, and know I am lov'd, than never, never,
hope to hear that blessed sound again from that beautiful Mouth: Ah,
Madam! rather let me make use of this one opportunity our happy Luck has
given us, and contrive how we may for ever see, and speak, to each
other; let us assure one another, there are a thousand ways to escape a
place so rigid, as denies us that Happiness; and denies the fairest Maid
in the World, the privilege of her Creation, and the end to which she
was form'd so Angelical.' And seeing _Isabella_ was going to speak, lest
she should say something, that might dissuade from an Attempt so
dangerous and wicked, he persu'd to tell her, it might be indeed the
last moment Heaven would give 'em, and besought her to answer him what
he implor'd, whether she would fly with him from the _Monastery_? At
this Word, she grew pale, and started, as at some dreadful Sound, and
cry'd, 'Hah! what is't you say? Is it possible, you should propose a
thing so wicked? And can it enter into your Imagination, because I have
so far forget my Virtue, and my Vow, to become a Lover, I should
therefore fall to so wretched a degree of Infamy and Reprobation? No,
name it to me no more, if you would see me; and if it be as you say,
a Pleasure to be belov'd by me; for I will sooner dye, than yield to
what . . . Alas! I but too well approve!' These last words, she spoke
with a fainting Tone, and the Tears fell anew from her fair soft Eyes.
'If it be so,' said he, (with a Voice so languishing, it could scarce be
heard) 'If it be so, and that you are resolv'd to try, if my Love be
eternal without Hope, without expectation of any other Joy, than seeing
and adoring you through the _Grate_; I am, and must, and will be
contented, and you shall see, I can prefer the Sighing to these cold
Irons, that separate us, before all the Possessions of the rest of the
World; that I chuse rather to lead my Life here, at this cruel Distance
from you, for ever, than before the Embrace of all the Fair; and you
shall see, how pleas'd I will be, to languish here; but as you see me
decay, (fo