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194 would fail if they were not propped up by some unexpected prosperity.

In the midst of these rumors, the memory of the heiress of Belmont returned to Bassanio’s mind. He recollected well the Lady Portia; and he recalled her beauty and charms of conversation as far above those of any woman he had ever known. Then he thought of her fortune, which, united to the rare qualities she possessed, seemed to make her a prize beyond any man’s deserts. Thinking of these things, he heard of the strange manner in which her father had decreed her hand should be won, and the news inspired a strong hope in his breast.

He thought if he could but go to Belmont and make choice of the caskets, he might perchance win Portia for a wife. He wished he might go thither as a guest, recall himself to her remembrance, and if by any token he could discover that she might like him for a husband, he would risk the fatal choice. But he resolved if he saw no sign of preference, to come away without tempting the verdict of the caskets, since even at their bidding he would not accept a wife who took him on compulsion.

Here his dreams stopped, and he commenced to think on what means he had to visit Belmont. He could not go without a handsome ship, rich clothes, and a train of attendants; for though