with the idea of a more important meſſage than a ſalutation from her mother, or an enquiry after her health. She lifted up her lovely eyes, and recognized the ſtranger, who lay at her feet. Wonder and amazement produced an involuntary movement; ſhe ſtarted like a roe, which takes flight on the appearance of danger. He ſeized her delicate hand with rapture; but ſhe repelled him with an angry geſture. ‘Away from me, perfidious man! it is enough that thou haſt once deceived me; wouldſt thou practiſe the ſame arts a ſecond time?’ Friedbert had looked for ſuch a ſquall at the onſet: he was not therefore overſet. He brought the defence of his amorous theft, with the talent of perſuaſion peculiar to lovers, home to Calliſta’s boſom, in which he hoped to find a powerful advocate; and as nothing is more eaſily excuſed, than offences committed from exceſs of paſſion, if the parties are agreed in the main, even ſhould the diſpute relate to a weightier offence thanſtealing
