PAUL AND VIRGINIA. 10^ 



ing, and the vefTel being in full trim to depart, the 

 Governor, attended by his principal officers, and 

 the miffionary, came, in a palanquin, to carry off 

 Virginia ; and, in fpite of her expoftulations, her 

 tears, and thofe of Margaret ^ all of them exclaim- 

 ing, that it was for their intereft, had hurried away 

 her daughter, who was almoft expiring. *' Alas!" 

 exclaimed Paul y " if I had only enjoyed the fatis- 

 *' faction of bidding her farewel, I fhould now be 

 '* happy. I would have faid to her ; Virginia j if, 

 ** during the time that we have lived together, I 

 ** have made ufe of any one word, which may 

 *' have given you offence, tell me that I have your 

 ** forgivenefs, before we part forever. I would have 

 " faid ; Smce Fate has decreed an eternal fepara- 

 " tion, adieu, my dear Virginia, adieu ; may you 

 " live, far from hence, contented, and happy." 

 Perceiving Madame de la, Tour, and his mother, to 

 weep. *' Go," faid he to them, " go, and feek 

 *' fome other hand than mine to wipe away your 

 *' tears." He then haflened from them, fighing 

 deeply, and wandered here and there, through the 

 plantation. He went over all thofe places, which 

 had been the moft favourite retreats of Virginia, 

 He faid to her goats, and the kids, which followed 

 him, bleating : " What do you aik of me ? Alas! 

 " you will never more fee, in my company, that 

 " perfon whofe hand ufed to feed you." He then 

 wandered to Virginia's Reft, and, at fight of the 



birdsj 



