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it. Pedantry and affectation are utter strangers to my heart, and my pretensions really are very few.
This uncommon modesty finished her conquest. I was in transports, and returned to my chamber only to think of Arpalisa. I passed a part of the night in writing to her, and making verses upon her. I invented the most ingenious and brilliant feasts; she seemed sensible of my attentions; I declared my passion, and she owned that, my power and rank out of the question, she partook of my passion: but, by an insurmountable delicacy, she never could resolve to marry a genius: For, after a while, added she, you might attribute that to ambition, which was the pure effect of love. O that you had been born less illustrious!
Such sentiments enchanted, yet drove me to despair.
At other moments, Arpalisa would vaunt the mild content of her present situation. I have no ambition, said she; friendship is the charm of my life, love I have never known, and dread to know; for I have a heart too fond, a sensi-