I will answer you frankly. Your lordship, at the first of my
acquaintance with you, invited me to Naples. I promised to pay my
respects to you there. If you think of being there in a week, I will
attend you at your own palace in that city; and there, my lord, I hope,
no cause to the contrary having arisen from me, to be received by you
with the same kindness and favour that you shewed when you gave me the
invitation. I think to leave Bologna to-morrow.
O brother! said the bishop, are you not now overcome?
And are you in earnest? said the general.
I am, my lord. I have many valuable friends, at different courts and
cities in Italy, to take leave of. I never intend to see it again. I
would look upon your lordship as one of those friends; but you seem still
displeased with me. You accepted not my offered hand before; once more I
tender it. A man of spirit cannot be offended at a man of spirit,
without lessening himself. I call upon your dignity, my lord.
He held out his hand, just as I was withdrawing mine. I have pride, you
know, Dr. Bartlett; and I was conscious of a superiority in this
instance: I took his hand, however, at his offer; yet pitied him, that
his motion was made at all, as it wanted that grace which generally
accompanies all he does and says.
The bishop embraced me.--Your moderation, thus exerted, said he, must
ever make you triumph.
Pages:
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36