Amours of Zeokinizul - Page 38/43

He has seen"---- "Be it so, Madam," interrupted Zeokinizul, "I can never have too many Opportunities of making Heroes." She blush'd at this Answer, and Kelirieu, who perceived it, readily guessing that the Departure of this young Prisoner was not agreeable to her Inclinations, laid hold of the Opportunity of Zeokinizul's going out to give some Orders, of offering her his Service. "Madam, said he, if I am not mistaken, I apprehend this young Prisoner has renewed in your Mind some painful Idea; be pleased to disclose the Secret to me, you shall find I will prove a faithful Servant, devoted to all your Views and Inclinations. Is it your Pleasure that this Prisoner should go or Stay? I will find a Method of making him consent to either, as you shall direct." "Ah, let him go replied she, my dear Kelirieu, let him go, his Presence is so dangerous, that any longer Stay would, I fear, make me become ungrateful and faithless to my generous Prince. How charming he is! did you ever before see so graceful a Person? How serene and noble is his Deportment, in the midst of Misfortunes! However, possibly as a Prisoner, he may stand in need of Money, go and offer him these two hundred Pieces of Gold, that he may return to his Country in a Manner suitable to his Rank and Merit, and bring me back an Account in what Manner he received them."

Kelirieu was of such a restless Vivacity, that he could not be contented without Intrigues, which made him eagerly apply himself to forming another. Having found out the fortunate Prisoner, he put the Purse into his Hands with these Words. "Virtue, my Lord, is equally cherished by both Sexes among us, and as a Proof of it, here are two hundred Pieces of Gold, which you are desired to accept of from a very beautiful Lady." "I should be unworthy the least of her Thoughts, replied the Prisoner, were I to refuse her Favour, which this Juncture has render'd necessary. If her Name be not a Secret, I would beg the Favour of you, my Lord, to introduce me, that I might pay my Acknowledgements to this generous Lady." "She would, perhaps ask you for something more, replied Kelirieu." "Ah, returned the Stranger, that is not in my Power to grant. As I have not seen her, I can, without the least Affront to her Beauty, preserve my Heart for the present dear Possessour of it. Be pleased then, my Lord, to tell her, that I depart full of the warmest Gratitude; and, since I am so fortunate as to have the illustrious Kam of Kelirieu in my Interest, I beg him to be assured, that upon my Return into my Country, as it is my highest Duty, so it shall be my first Care, to make suitable Returns for his Generosity to a Stranger, whom his polite Behaviour entirely frees from the Meanness of receiving a Favour, which he would have refused from any other Hand." Kelirieu, perceiving he entirely mistook his Intentions, did not think proper to explain himself, and after taking his Leave, he returned to make a Report to the Favourite of his unlucky Commission.