Addressing him, therefore, as ALMORAN, with a voice which though it was
gentle and soothing, was yet mournful and tremulous; 'Do not turn from
me,' said she, with those unfriendly and frowning looks; give me now
that love which so lately you offered, and with all the future I will
atone the past.'
Upon HAMET, whose heart involuntarily answered to the voice of ALMEIDA,
these words had irresistible and instantaneous force; but recollecting,
in a moment, whose form he bore, and to whom they were addressed, they
struck him with new astonishment, and increased the torments of his
mind. Supposing what he at first feared had happened, and that ALMORAN
had seduced her as HAMET; he could not account for her now addressing
him, as ALMORAN, with words of favour and compliance: he, therefore,
renewed his enquiries concerning himself, with apprehensions of a
different kind. She, who was still solicitous to put an end to the
enquiry, as well for the sake of HAMET, as to prevent her own
embarrassment, replied with a sigh, 'Let not thy peace be interrupted by
one thought of HAMET; for of HAMET ALMEIDA shall think no more.' HAMET,
who, though he had fortified himself against whatever might have
happened to her person, could not bear the alienation of her mind, cried
our, with looks of distraction and a voice scarcely human, 'Not think of
HAMET!' ALMEIDA, whose astonishment was every moment increasing,
replied, with a tender and interesting enquiry, 'Is ALMORAN then
offended, that ALMEIDA mould think of HAMET no more?' HAMET, being thus
addressed by the name of his brother, again recollected his situation;
and now first conceived the idea, that the alteration of ALMEIDA'S
sentiments with respect to himself, might be the effect of some violence
offered her by ALMORAN in his likeness; he, therefore, recurred to his
first purpose, and determined, by a direct enquiry, to discover whether
she had seen him under that appearance.
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