GIL BLAS. 15
whom I knew, to pafs for a wit, though I could only boad of a memory. Abforpt in thefe refle&ions, which amufed my impatience more agreeably than the military (lories of my mailer, I heard the clock (frike eleven; upon which I plunged again into my reverie, fometimes walking, and fomctimes fitting in an arbor at the further end of the garden. The long expefled hour of twelve at lad (truck, and in a few minutes, Ortiz, as punctual, though lefs impatient than I, appeared “ Signior Gil Bias, faid (he, accolting me, how long have you been here ?” I replied two hours.
In good footh, faid (he laughing, you are very ex- aft t it is a pleafure to make an afhgnation with you. True indeed, continued (he, with a ferious air, you cannot pay too dear for the happy tidings I have to tell you. My miitrefs wants to have fome private converfation with you. I will fay no more. The red is a fecret you mud learn from her own mouth. Follow me, and I will conduft you into her apartment.'* So faying, the duenna took me by the hand, and led me in a myderious mannei, through a little door, of which (he had the key, into the chamber of her midrefs.
CHAP. II.
The reception that Gil Bias met with from Aurora , and the converfation that pajjed between them .
I Saluted Aurora, whom I found in dilhabille, in the piod refpetlful manner, and with the bed grace r 1 could put on ; and (he received me with a fmiling air, forced me to fit down by her, and bade her am- bafTadrefs retire into another room. After this prelude, with which I was not ill pleafed, (he addrefftd herfelf to me in thefe words. “ Gil Bias, you mult have perceived that I look upon you in a favourable light, and didinguilh you from the red of my father’s fervants; and even though you may not have obferv- cd, by my looks, that 1 have a regard for you, the