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sometimes caught herself with indignation in the act of turning away her mind from the remembrance of her whom yet she resolved never to forget。
She then appointed a certain hour of the day for meditation on the merits and fondness of Pekuah； and for some weeks retired constantly at the time fixed； and returned with her eyes swollen and her countenance clouded。 By degrees she grew less scrupulous； and suffered any important and pressing avocation to delay the tribute of daily tears。 She then yielded to less occasions； and sometimes forgot what she was indeed afraid to remember； and at last wholly released herself from the duty of periodical affliction。
Her real love of Pekuah was not yet diminished。 A thousand occurrences brought her back to memory； and a thousand wants； which nothing but the confidence of friendship can supply； made her frequently regretted。 She therefore solicited Imlac never to desist from inquiry； and to leave no art of intelligence untried； that at least she might have the comfort of knowing that she did not suffer by negligence or sluggishness。 〃Yet what；〃 said she； 〃is to be expected from our pursuit of happiness； when we find the state of life to be such that happiness itself is the cause of misery？ Why should we endeavour to attain that of which the possession cannot be secured？ I shall henceforward fear to yield my heart to excellence； however bright； or to fondness； however tender； lest I should lose again what I have lost in Pekuah。〃
CHAPTER XXXVII … THE PRINCESS HEARS NEWS OF PEKUAH。
IN seven mouths one of the messengers who had been sent away upon the day when the promise was drawn from the Princess； returned； after many unsuccessful rambles； from the borders of Nubia； with an account that Pekuah was in the hands of an Arab chief； who possessed a castle or fortress on the extremity of Egypt。 The Arab； whose revenue was plunder； was willing to restore her； with her two attendants； for two hundred ounces of gold。
The price was no subject of debate。 The Princess was in ecstasies when she heard that her favourite was alive； and might so cheaply be ransomed。 She could not think of delaying for a moment Pekuah's happiness or her own； but entreated her brother to send back the messenger with the sum required。 Imlac； being consulted； was not very confident of the veracity of the relater； and was still more doubtful of the Arab's faith； who might； if he were too liberally trusted； detain at once the money and the captives。 He thought it dangerous to put themselves in the power of the Arab by going into his district； and could not expect that the rover would so much expose himself as to come into the lower country； where he might be seized by the forces of the Bassa。
It is difficult to negotiate where neither will trust。 But Imlac； after some deliberation； directed the messenger to propose that Pekuah should be conducted by ten horsemen to the monastery of St。 Anthony； which is situated in the deserts of Upper Egypt； where she should be met by the same number； and her ransom should be paid。
That no time might be lost； as they expected that the proposal would not be refused； they immediately began their journey to the monastery； and when they arrived； Imlac went forward with the former messenger to the Arab's fortress。 Rasselas was desirous to go with them； but neither his sister nor Imlac would consent。 The Arab； according to the custom of his nation； observed the laws of hospitality with great exactness to those who put themselves into his power； and in a few days brought Pekuah； with her maids； by easy journeys； to the place appointed； where； receiving the stipulated price； he restored her； with great respect； to liberty and her friends； and undertook to conduct them back towards Cairo beyond all danger of robbery or violence。
The Princess and her favourite embraced each other with transport too violent to be expressed； and went out together to pour the tears of tenderness in secret； and exchange professions of kindness and gratitude。 After a few hours they returned into the refectory of the convent； where； in the presence of the prior and his brethren； the Prince required of Pekuah the history of her adventures。
CHAPTER XXXVIII … THE ADVENTURES OF THE LADY PEKUAH。
〃AT what time and in what manner I was forced away；〃 said Pekuah； 〃your servants have told you。 The suddenness of the event struck me with surprise； and I was at first rather stupefied than agitated with any passion of either fear or sorrow。 My confusion was increased by the speed and tumult of our flight； while we were followed by the Turks； who； as it seemed； soon despaired to overtake us； or were afraid of those whom they made a show of menacing。
〃When the Arabs saw themselves out of danger； they slackened their course； and as I was less harassed by external violence； I began to feel more uneasiness in my mind。 After some time we stopped near a spring shaded with trees； in a pleasant meadow； where we were set upon the ground； and offered such refreshments as our masters were partaking。 I was suffered to sit with my maids apart from the rest； and none attempted to comfort or insult us。 Here I first began to feel the full weight of my misery。 The girls sat weeping in silence； and from time to time looked on me for succour。 I knew not to what condition we were doomed； nor could conjecture where would be the place of our captivity； or whence to draw any hope of deliverance。 I was in the hands of robbers and savages； and had no reason to suppose that their pity was more than their justice； or that they would forbear the gratification of any ardour of desire or caprice of cruelty。 I； however； kissed my maids； and endeavoured to pacify them by remarking that we were yet treated with decency； and that since we were now carried beyond pursuit； there was no danger of violence to our lives。
〃When we were to be set again on horseback； my maids clung round me； and refused to be parted； but I commanded them not to irritate those who had us in their power。 We travelled the remaining part of the day through an unfrequented and pathless country； and came by moonlight to the side of a hill； where the rest of the troop was stationed。 Their tents were pitched and their fires kindled； and our chief was welcomed as a man much beloved by his dependents。
〃We were received into a large tent； where we found women who had attended their husbands in the expedition。 They set before us the supper which they had provided； and I ate it rather to encourage my maids than to comply with any appetite of my own。 When the meat was taken away； they spread the carpets for repose。 I was weary； and hoped to find in sleep that remission of distress which nature seldom denies。 Ordering myself； therefore； to be undressed； I observed that the women looked very earnestly upon me； not expecting； I suppose； to see me so submissively attended。 When my upper vest was taken off； they were apparently struck with the splendour of my clothes； and one of them timorously laid her hand upon the embroidery。 She then went out； and in a short time came