"Oh! thou art too generous," said Matilda; "but rest assured that
no suspicion can alight on me."

"Give me thy beauteous hand in token that thou dost not deceive
me," said Theodore; "and let me bathe it with the warm tears of
gratitude."

"Forbear!" said the Princess; "this must not be."

"Alas!" said Theodore, "I have never known but calamity until this
hour--perhaps shall never know other fortune again: suffer the
chaste raptures of holy gratitude: 'tis my soul would print its
effusions on thy hand."

"Forbear, and be gone," said Matilda. "How would Isabella approve
of seeing thee at my feet?"

"Who is Isabella?" said the young man with surprise.

"Ah, me! I fear," said the Princess, "I am serving a deceitful
one. Hast thou forgot thy curiosity this morning?"

"Thy looks, thy actions, all thy beauteous self seem an emanation
of divinity," said Theodore; "but thy words are dark and
mysterious. Speak, Lady; speak to thy servant's comprehension."

"Thou understandest but too well!" said Matilda; "but once more I
command thee to be gone: thy blood, which I may preserve, will be
on my head, if I waste the time in vain discourse."