256 TRAVELS IN UPPER 



a beauty which might be altogether imaginary, I 

 requested that it might be displayed in all the lustre 

 of unclouded day. Difficulties were started ; I 

 persisted, and was promised that toward the evening 

 the lady would ascend to the terrace of the house. 

 I got up to my own, and perceived an elegantly 

 dressed female appear, but still at the distance of 

 threescore feet, and still wearing her veil. This 

 was even worse than the panes of her cross-barred 

 lattice, through which I saw at least an intersected 

 figure. I entreated her, in the most importunate 

 of attitudes, that this impertinent veil might dis- 

 appear. A black slave who attended her mistress, 

 joined her entreaties to my supplications : all was 

 to no purpose. The last favour which such a wo- 

 man can bestow, is to display her person ; and, from 

 an unaccountable notion of modesty, she would 

 rather exhibit her whole figure than uncover her 

 face. The next day I renewed my solicitations, 

 and they were crowned with some success. After 

 many difficulties, the officious negress, who was in 

 her mistress's secrets, tore aside the veil, and 1 be- 

 held a female young and beautiful. The carnation 

 of shame diffused over her countenance a very vivid 

 colouring, which gradually faded, till nothing re- 

 mained but the roses of beauty. From that mo- 

 ment, the most perfect liberty directed our mute 

 conversations. I had received the highest possible 

 token of benevolence. My beautiful neighbour 



gave 



