Thus to have incurred the hatred of ALMEIDA in the form of
HAMET, was more fortunate than to have taken advantage of her love; the
path that led to his wishes was now clear and open; and his marriage
with ALMEIDA in his own person, waited only till he could resume it. He,
therefore, instead of soothing, provoked her resentment: 'If thou hast
loved a phantom,' said he, 'which existed only in imagination; on such a
phantom my love also has been fixed: thou hast, indeed, only the form of
what I called ALMEIDA; my love thou hast rejected, because thou hast
never loved; the object of thy passion was not HAMET, but a throne; and
thou hast made the observance of rituals, in which folly only can
suppose there is good or ill, a pretence to violate thy faith, that thou
mayst still gratify thy ambition.'
To this injurious reproach, ALMEIDA made no reply; and ALMORAN
immediately quitted her apartment, that he might reassume his own
figure, take advantage of the disposition which, under the appearance
of HAMET, he had produced in favour of himself: But Osmyn, who supposing
him to be HAMET, had intercepted and detained him as he was going to
ALMEIDA, now intercepted him a second time at his return, having placed
himself near the door of the apartment for that purpose.
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