asily overcome by them:--she
had been accustomed to be pleased with the conversation of many who had
entertained her as he had done, but thought no more of them, or any
thing they said, when out of their company; but it was otherways with
her now: not a word he had spoke, not a glance he had given, but was
imprinted in her mind:--her memory ran over every little action a
thousand and a thousand times, and represented all as augmented with
some grace peculiar to himself, and infinitely superior to any thing she
had ever seen:--not even sleep could shut him out;--thro' her closed
eyes she saw the pleasing vision; and fancy, active in the cause of
love, formed new and various scenes, which to her waking thoughts were
wholly strangers.

Melanthe also past the night in ideas which, tho' experienced in, were
not less ravishing: she was not of a temper to put any constraint on her
inclinations; and having entertained the most amorous ones for the count
de Bellfleur, easily overcame all scruples that might have hindered the
gratification of them:--her head ran on the appointment she had made
him:--the means she would take to engage his constancy,--resolved to
sell the reversion of her jointure and accompany him to France, and
flattered herself with the most pleasing images of a long series of
continued happiness in the arms of him, who was now all to her that
Henricus ever had been.

Full of these meditations she rose, and soon after received from the
subject of them a billet, containing these words:

_To the charming_ MELANTHE.

MADAM,

"Tho' the transporting promise you made
me of refusing admittance to all company
but mine, is a new instance of your goodness,
yet I cannot but think we should be still more
secure from interruption at a place I have taken
care to provide. Might I therefore hope you
would vouchsafe to meet me about five in the
evening at the dome of St. Mark, I shall be
ready with a Gondula to conduct you to a recess,
which seems formed by the god of love himself
for the temple of his purest offerings, than which
which none can be offered with greater passion
and sincerity than those of the adorable Melanthe's

_Most devoted, and
Everlasting Slave_,
DE BELLFLEUR.

_P.S._. To prevent your fair friend Louisa from
any suspicion on account of being left at
home, I have engaged a gentleman to make
her a visit in form, just before the time of
your coming out:--favour me, I beseech
you, with knowing i