Knows I can truly
do, that I never wronged him even in wish or thought; and that since
there are people so cruel to misinterpret to my dishonour, what was
nothing but mere charity, to obey his commands with the utmost
punctuality, and never set my foot into that prison more?
Her false friend could not but applaud her resolution, yet told her it
was pity that ill tongues should deprive those unfortunate gentlemen of
the relief she had hitherto afforded them, or herself of the pleasure
she took in their conversation.
As for the first, said Edella, heaven may perhaps raise the mother
friends more capable of lifting them; and as to the other, were it
infinitely greater, it would be my inclination, as it is my duty, to
sacrifice every thing to the will of a prince whom I love, and to whom I
am so much obliged.
Mattakesa having thus compared her design, so far as to be under no
apprehensions of being interrupted by her imagined rival, tho' she had
rather she had been poisoned or strangled, went directly to the prison
and told the gentlemen, it was with the utmost concern she must acquaint
them that Edella would never visit them any more, nor continue the
weekly pension she had hitherto allowed them.
Those among them who understood her, and the others to whom Horatio
interpreted what she said, looked one upon another with a great deal of
consternation, as imagining one of them had done something to offend
her, and thereby the rest were thought unworthy of her
favours.
