Rejoiced as he was at receiving a letter from the father of his
mistress, wrote in a manner which he might look upon as a kind of
confirmation he no longer would be refractory to his wishes, the latter
part of it contained an enigma he could by no means comprehend.--It
seemed impossible to him there could be any reasons prevalent enough to
make him quit, with honour, a prince who had so liberally rewarded his
service; but hoping a further explanation, he lost not any time in
conjectures; and tearing open the other letter without giving himself
time to examine the hand in which it was directed, found, to his
inexpressible astonishment, the name of Dorilaus subscribed. It was
indeed wrote by that gentleman, and contained at follows:
_Dear Horatio_,
"Accidents, which at our parting neither of
us could foresee, have doubtless long since
made you cease to hope any continuance of that
kindness my former behaviour seemed to promise;
but never, perhaps did heaven deal its
blessings with a more mysterious hand than it
has done to you.--That seeming neglect in
me, at a time when you were a prisoner among
strangers, and had most need of my assistance,
had the appearance of the greatest misfortune
could befall you; yet has it been productive of
the greatest good, and laid the foundation of a
happiness which cannot be but lasting.--I reserve
the explanation of this riddle till you arrive
at Paris, where I now am, and intend to
continue my whole life.--That I impatiently
desire to see you, ought to be a sufficient inducement
for you to return with as much expedition
as possible:--I will therefore make this
experiment of that affection, I might add duty,
you owe me, and only give you leave to guess
what recompence this proof of your obedience
will entitle you to.--If therefore the king of
Sweden is resolute to extend his conquests, entreat
his permission to resign: I know the obligations
you have to that excellent prince; but I
know also you have others to me which cannot
be dispensed with:--besides, his majesty's affairs
cannot suffer by the loss of one man: yours
will be in danger, if not totally ruined, by your
continuance with him, and myself deprived at
the same time of the only remaining comfort of
my days.--Your sister left me soon after you
did:--she went to Aix la Chapelle, since
which I have never been able to hear any thing
of her.--Let me not lose you both; if you
have any regard for your own interest, or the
peace of him whom you have ever found a father
in his care and affection, and whom you will
now find so more than you can possibly expect.