The Princess and Pekuah, having talked in private of Imlac's
astronomer, thought his character at once so amiable and so strange
that they could not be satisfied without a nearer knowledge, and
Imlac was requested to find the means of bringing them together.

This was somewhat difficult. The philosopher had never received
any visits from women, though he lived in a city that had in it
many Europeans, who followed the manners of their own countries,
and many from other parts of the world, that lived there with
European liberty. The ladies would not be refused, and several
schemes were proposed for the accomplishment of their design. It
was proposed to introduce them as strangers in distress, to whom
the sage was always accessible; but after some deliberation it
appeared that by this artifice no acquaintance could be formed, for
their conversation would be short, and they could not decently
importune him often. "This," said Rasselas, "is true; but I have
yet a stronger objection against the misrepresentation of your
state. I have always considered it as treason against the great
republic of human nature to make any man's virtues the means of
deceiving him, whether on great or little occasions. All imposture
weakens confidence and chills benevolence. When the sage finds
that you are not what you seemed, he will feel the resentment
natural to a man who, conscious of great abilities, discovers that
he has been tricked by understandings meaner than his own, and
perhaps the distrust which he can never afterwards wholly lay aside
may stop the voice of counsel and close the hand of charity; and
where will you find the power of restoring his benefactions to
mankind, or his peace to himself?"