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The coolness, the unconcern, with which Agelia pronounced these words, did not permit me to doubt the reality of my misfortune. I loved her passionately, and gave myself up to the most dreadful despair. I fell at her feet, bathed them with my tears: for pity's sake said I, deign to leave me a little hope.

Hence you may learn, replied she, whether you ought to regret your ring; truth is to you so painful you cannot support it, and therefore conjure me to deceive you. We ought, no doubt, to endeavour to free ourselves from illusions, which are likely to injure us, but wherefore destroy those which afford us consolation!—Take my advice, my lord, and never hereafter employ your art to form a talisman like that from which I have freed you; if you do, you will but prepare yourself new torments. Study men, suspect them in general, but believe implicity in your mistress and your friend.

The counsel was prudent, yet unfortunately for me I did not profit by it. Agelia was inflexible, nothing could regain her heart, and I,

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