For upwards of a month did he continue in the same place, and in the same situation of mind; but then either the abbess’s own good sense, or the advice of some friend, remonstrating to her, that so long a stay of a young gentleman, who was known to be not of her kindred, might occasion discourses to her disreputation, and that of the monastery in general; she took the opportunity one day, when he was making an offer of going, as he frequently did, to speak to him in this manner: 

‘I know not how,’ said she, ’to part with you, and I flatter myself you think of going, rather because you imagine your tarrying here for any length of time, might be inconvenient for us, than because you are tired of the reception you have found here.’

‘Ah madam!’ cried he, ’be assured I could live for ever here;—­and that I only grieve that such a hope is impossible.—­If what you now say is sincere,’ answered she, ’you may at least prolong the happiness we at present enjoy:—­but I shall put you to the proof,’ continued she, looking on him with eyes in which the most eager passion was visibly painted,—­’to hush the tongue of censure, you shall remove to a town about seven miles distant, where there are many good houses, in one of which you may lodge, under pretence of liking the air of this country, and visit us, as other of our friends do, as frequently as you please, without endangering any remarks, even though you should stay with us three or four nights at a time.’

Natura was so ravished at this proposal, and the kind, almost fond manner, in which it was made, that he catched hold of her hand, and kissed it, with a vehemence not conformable to a Platonic affection:—­she seemed, however, far from being offended at his boldness, which had perhaps proceeded to greater lengths, had not Elgidia at that instant come into the room.—­The abbess was a little disconcerted, but to conceal it as well as she could, ‘sister,’ said she, ’I have made our guest the proposal I mentioned to you this morning, and leave you to second it’:  with these words she withdrew.

Elgidia appeared in little less confusion than her sister had done; but Natura was in infinitely more than either of them.—­The sudden sight of her who possessed at least half of his affections, just in the moment he was in a kind of rapture with another, struck him like the ghost of a departed mistress; and tho’ he had never made any declaration of love either to the one or the other, yet his heart reproached him with a secret perfidy, and he durst scarce lift his eyes to her face, when with a timid voice he at last said, ’Madam, may I hope you take any interest in what your sister has been speaking of?’—­’You may be sure I do,’ replied she, ’in all that concerns the abbess; as to my farther sentiments on your staying or going, they can be of no consequence to you.’—­’How, madam!’ resumed he, by this time a little re-assured, ’of no consequence!  You know nothing of my heart, if you know it not incapable of forming the least wish but to please you.’