Zilia to Deterville

If it will be any pleasure to my dear friend to hear that my wishes coincide with his, I frankly confess they do. I please my imagination with anticipating the happiness I shall feel in meeting you again in my little villa. If that love which has once been bestowed on another, can be worthy the acceptance of a man of merit, it is yours without allay. This is an affection which is not liable to change; since it was not the mere effect of what pleased the eye, nor lighted up by a sudden gust of passion, but the consequence of long knowledge of such virtues as perhaps were never before possessed by any human mind.

Rely on those, for preserving a tender remembrance in my breast; and let that make you easy, while your affairs oblige you to remain at Rome.

I trust to that Being, who, by a particular interposition, has taught me the true knowledge of himself, for granting his choicest blessings to the man who was his chief instrument in doing it; and that I may one day be the means, in some degree, of conferring happiness on the favourite of Heaven.

Surely, my dear Sir, after so many evils as we have sustained, we shall enjoy those halcyon days, which, I hope, are yet in store for us, with more serene delight, as well as gratitude to the great Author of all our good. Be assured that my desires for success in what you now solicit are equally strong as yours, since the happy conclusion of your suit will bring you nearer to your Zilia.