This enquiry he urged with the
utmost solemnity and ardour, in terms suitable to his present appearance
and situation: 'Tell me,' said he, 'have these doors been open to HAMET?
Has he obtained possession of that treasure, which, by the voice of
Heaven, has been allotted to me?'
To this double question, ALMEIDA answered by a single negative; and her
answer, therefore, was both false and true: it was true that her person
was still inviolate, and it was true also that HAMET had not been
admitted to her; yet her denial of it was false, for she believed the
contrary; ALMORAN only had been admitted, but she had received him as
his brother. HAMET, however, was satisfied with the answer, and did not
discover its fallacy. He looked up to Heaven, with an expression of
gratitude and joy; and then turning to ALMEIDA, 'Swear then,' said he,
'that thou hast granted to HAMET, no pledge of thy love which should be
reserved for me.' ALMEIDA, who now thought nothing more than the
asseveration necessary to quiet his mind, immediately complied: 'I
swear,' said she, 'that to HAMET I have given nothing, which thou
wouldst wish me to with-hold: the power that has devoted my person to
thee, has disunited my heart from HAMET, whom I renounce in thy presence
for ever.
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