G I L B L A S. 39
lave maltreated ns, and under whom we might have palled our whole life in bondage, without your know* ing any thing of the matter.”
Such was my mother’s narration; after which, gentlemen, I gave her the beft apartment of my houfe, with the liberty of living as fhe Ihould think proper; a permiffion that (he relifhed very much. She had contraftcd fuch a habit of being in love, from the repeated attacks of thatpalfion, that fhe mull absolutely nave either a hufband or a gallant. At fir ft fhe calt her eyes on fome of my (laves. ; but Haly Pegelin, a Greek renegado, who came frequently to the houfe, foon engrofled her attention. She conceived a mot e violent pafitortfor him, than ever P.ie felt for Coliff- chilli, and (lie was fo much miftrefs of the art of pleafing, that fhe found the fecret of charming him alfo. I winked at their intelligence,, and thought of nothing then, but my return into Spain. The cl^y having already permitted me to fit out a- veffel, to cruife and commit piracy, I was bulled in making preparations; and eight days before they were finifh- ed, laid to Lucinda, “ Madam, we fhall depart trom Algier, in a. very little time, and lofe fight of that place which you deteft fo much.”
My mother grew pale at thefc words, and remained fpcechlefs. At which being ftrangely furprized ; “ What do 1 fee, madam ! (faid I) what is the meaning of that confternation in your looks ? you feem to be afflicted, rather than rejoiced at what I tell you ! J.thought 1 Ihould have made you happy with the news of'every thing’s being ready for our departure. Have you no longer any defire then,.of repairing into Spain ?” “ None at all, fon (anfwered my mother) l have had fo much affliction in that kingdom, that I renounce it for ever.” “ What do I hear ! (cried I, in a tranfport of grief) ah ! fay iaiher that love detaches you frort it. O heavens ! what a change is here ! when you arrived in this city, every objeft that prefented itfeif was odious to your eyes: but