Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/143

 —"No, Sennor; I value your life too much, to expose it to such danger."

—"I don t mind my own life, but yours Sennora! Pray permit me to make one attempt."

She used every persuasive to make me desist from the enterprize. After many expostulations I ultimately prevailed on her to comply with my request. Having previously agreed on the deepest silence during the transaction, and made her promise to admit me a little before midnight to her bed-chamber, the next night was chosen for the execution of my design. I made every preparation for my safety, for which I deemed a strong cuiras, which I had worn ever since my projected flight with Elmira, and a sharp dagger to be quite sufficient.

The appointed night came. Having supped together, and endeavoured to keep off fear by wit and pleasantry, we parted laughing and joking about eleven o'clock, and I withdrew to my bed-room, where to save appearances from the servant who slept in a chamber not far from mine, I feigned to go