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Pity me then as a lover, who loves you above all earthly things; and look on me not as your father's servant, but as your slave, by whose smiles I must live, and without which, life will be the most miserable.
AURELIUS."
This did not a little surprize the beauteous maid, who considered that although he was then a servant, she might for all that have cause to love him, yet as it might be disagreeable to her parents if she should countenance his affections, therefore preferring her duty and obedience to her fancy, or her passion for Aurelius, the next time she met him her words to him were, That she could not but wonder how he could presume to make love to her, who was his own master's daughter, before half his time was expired, and desired him not to make mention of it any more, either by letter or words, lest her father should be made a quainted with it, to his prejudice. And so with a scornful frown she left him, as one stuck with astonishment and grief.
CHAP.
