my sincere and unalterable passion for you. When, on my
insisting, as I did to you, upon her speaking the truth, she
accused you of what nothing should now convince me you are guilty
of. I own, that hitherto my regard, esteem, and love, have been
equal to both; but now I offer to the sincere, artless, and
charming Caelia, my whole heart, love, and affection, and the
service of every minute of my future life; and from this moment I
banish from my mind the false and ungrateful Chloe.'

Caelia's friendship for Chloe was so deeply rooted in her breast,
that even a declaration of love from Sempronius could not blot it
one moment from her heart; and on his speaking the words 'false
Chloe,' she burst into tears, and said, 'Is it possible that Chloe
should act such a part towards her Caelia! You must forgive her,
Sempronius: it was her violent passion for you, and fear of
losing you, which made her do what hitherto her nature has ever
appeared averse to.'

Sempronius answered, 'that he could not enough admire her goodness
to her friend Chloe; but such proofs of passion, he said, were to
him at the same time proofs of its being such a passion as he had
no regard for; since it was impossible for any one to gain or
increase his love by an action which at the same time lessened his
esteem.' This was so exactly Caelia's own way of thinking, that
she could not but assent to what he said.

But just as they were coming out of the arbour, Chloe, unseen by
them, passed by; and from seeing him kiss her hand, and the
complacency of Caelia's look, it was easy for her to guess what
had been the result of their private conference. She could not