It matters not, said the brutal brother, taking up my sword, whether thou hast resigned, or I have deprived thee of liberty; but since thou art in my power, thou shalt feel all the effects of my resentment. Take him away, pursued he, to some of his people: put him into the worst dungeon you can find; and let him be guarded carefully, upon pain of death if he again escapes.
With these words, several men offered to lead me out of the room; but I repulsed them with disdain; and making a low reverence to Sydimiris, whose countenance expressed the extremes of fear and anguish, I followed my conductors to the prison allotted for me; which, hideous as it was, I contemplated with a secret pleasure, since I had by that action, which had brought me into it, given a testimony of my love for the adorable Sydimiris.
[Chapter VI.]
In which it will be seen, that the lady is as generous as her lover.
I passed some days in this confinement, melancholy enough: my ignorance of the destiny of Sydimiris gave me more pain than the sense of my own misfortunes; and one evening, when I was more then usually disquieted, one of my guard entered my prison, and, giving me a letter, retired without speaking a word. I opened this letter with precipitation, and by the light of a lamp which was allowed me, I read the following words:—
"SYDIMIRIS, TO THE MOST GENEROUS BELLMOUR.
"It is not enough to tell you, that the method you took to free me from my brother's severity has filled me with the utmost esteem and admiration. So generous an action merits a greater acknowledgment; and I will make no scruple to confess, that my heart is most sensibly touched by it. Yes, Bellmour, I have received this glorious testimony of your affection with such a gratitude, as you yourself could have wished to inspire me with; and it shall not be long, before you will have a convincing proof of the effect it has had upon the spirit of
"SYDIMIRIS."
This letter, madam, pursued Sir George, being wholly calculated to make me hope that I was not hated by the divine Sydimiris; and that she meditated something in my favour, I resigned myself up to the most delightful expectations.
What! cried I, transported with the excess of my joy: does the most admirable Sydimiris condescend to assure me that I have touched her heart? And does she promise me that I shall receive some convincing proof of her acknowledgment?