Page:Rambles and Researches in Thuringian Saxony.djvu/245

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209
Letters from Thuringia.
209

to your belief, the man may show the way to heaven better than the wife. If the Princess love you, she will not mind to change her Paradise for Christendom.” The reasoning of Kurt, joined to a curious dream of Ottilia’s death, at length staggered the resolutions of the Count. At his next interview with Melechsala, he disclosed his real rank and high descent, and painting in glowing colours the pleasures and delight which would await them in his Thuringian home, proposes an instant flight.]

“Clothed in a caftan, and taking a casket of richest diamonds, Melechsala left the serail, and fled with her lover. They reached Alexandria in safety, and embarking here in a merchant vessel, soon gained the port of Venice, &c.” *****

[Here the Count meets one of his old retainers, who, with tears of joy, recognised his long-lost master. From him he learned that Ottilia still lived, and remained faithful to the nuptial vow. New perplexities embarrass now our hero, who, after much reflection, sends a long account of his adventures, of his captivity and flight with the Sultan’s daughter, who had left her native land, the splendour of the throne, and all her comforts, through love for

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