Observing that the attention of those around her was suddenly diverted
from the intreaties she employed, Imogen turned her eye, in order to
discover the object that now engaged them. It was immediately met by the
graceful and amiable figure we have described. But to Imogen that figure
presented no such comeliness and beauty. For a moment indeed, nature
prevailed, and she could not avoid gazing, with a degree of complacence,
upon an object, to which the Goddess seemed to have lavished all her
treasures. But this sensation vanished, almost before it was formed. The
mind of the shepherdess was too deeply read in the lessons of virtue, to
acknowledge any beauty in that form, which was not animated with truth,
and in those features, which were not illuminated with integrity and
innocence. Notwithstanding her native simplicity, and the unsuspecting
confidence she was inclined to repose in every individual of the human
race, yet had the conduct of Roderic, as she had already confessed,
displeased her too deeply for her immediately to assume towards him an
unembarrassed and soothing carriage. He had seized upon her by violence
in a moment of insensibility. He had carried her away without her
consent. When she recovered strength enough to expostulate upon this, he
endeavoured, by ambiguous expressions, to deceive her into an opinion,
that he was conducting her to the cottage of her father.
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