My future
enticements shall therefore address themselves to her senses. Thus
approaching her, it is impossible that success should not follow my
undertaking. Even the most wary, circumspect, and suspicious, might thus
be overcome. But she is innocence itself. She apprehends no danger, she
suspects no ambuscade. Young and unexperienced, and the little
experience she has attained, derived only from scenes of pastoral
simplicity, she knows not the meaning of insincerity and treachery; she
dreads not the serpent that lurks beneath the flower."
Having determined the plan of his machinations, and given the necessary
orders, he privately signified to the attendants, that they should
propose to their lovely charge to direct her course once again to the
mansion; and as she perceived that Roderic still continued upon a
distant part of the lawn; and as she saw no means of present escape from
her confinement, she consented to do as they desired.
They now entered the mansion, and passing through several splendid
apartments, at length reached a large and magnificent saloon. It was
hung with tapestry, upon which were represented the figures of Sappho
sweeping the lyre; of the Spartan mother bending over the body, and
counting the wounds of her son; of Penelope in the midst of her maidens,
carefully unravelling the funeral web of her husband; of Lucretia
inflicting upon herself a glorious and voluntary death; and of Arria
teaching her husband in what manner a Roman should expire.
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