bore his miſtreſs, whom he hoped to find once more in the boſom of her country. His enquiries were calculated to obtain information concerning the fair Calliſta; but nobody could tell whither the young lady had vaniſhed. Various reports, it is true, were in circulation; and, as is uſual when a pretty girl diſappears from the circle of her acquaintance, this and that was ſurmiſed: and the whiſpers were ſeldom to the abſentee’s credit. There is indeed one fence, behind which you may retire from the arrows of foul-mouthed ſlander, and this is the golden ſaying, ‘They talk what they pleaſe, well, let them talk on, what care I?’ Whoever chooſes may, if he is able, retire behind this bulwark; but you will pleaſe to obſerve, that it is impoſſible for a young lady, who ſets the ſmalleſt value on her reputation. Friedbert, grieved beyond meaſure that his miſtreſs had ſo foiled him, heſitated between two ſchemes, whether he ſhould retire to his hermitage, or take awalk
