E X P E D I T I O N T O SURINAM. 377 



tion, efcaped from Joanna's lips ; while her good fenfe chap. 

 and fortitude even retrained the tear from ftarting in ray ^ 

 afflicted prefence. I now once more earneftly prefTed 

 her to accompany me, in which I v/as feccnded by the 

 ineftimable Mrs. Godefroy and all her friends ; but fhe 

 remained equally inflexible, and her fteady anfwer was as 

 before — " That, dreadful as appeared the fatal feparation, 

 " perhaps never more to meet, yet flie could not but 

 " prefer remaining in Surinam : flrft, from a confci- 

 " oufnefs that, with propriety, (lie had not the difpofal 

 of herfelf ; and, fecondly, from pride, wiQiing in her- 

 " prefent condition rather to be one of the firft among 

 " her own clafs in America, than a refledtion or burthen 

 " on me in Europe, as flie was convinced mufl be the 

 cafe, unlefs our circumflances became one day more 

 independent." Here Joanna fliewed great emotion, 

 but immediately retired to weep in private. — What could 

 I fay or .do ? — Not knowing how to anfwer, or fufficiently 

 to admire her firmnefs and refignation, which fo greatly 

 exceeded my own, I determined, if poffible, to imitate 

 her conduifl, and calmly to refign myfelf to my fate, pre- 

 paring for the fatal moment, when my heart forebode 

 me we were to pronounce the last adieu, and feparate 

 for ever. 



" Zaire, il efl: trop vrai que I'honneur me I'ordonnc, 

 " Que je vous adorai ! que je vous abamionne ! 

 *' Que je renonce a vous ! que vous le defirer ! 



" Que fous un autre loix Zaire vous pleurcr." 



Vol. il 3 C The 



