Imlac directed your walk every day towards the fame point, but I did not fuppofe you had any better reason for the preference than a cooler fhade, or more fragrant bank; nor followed you with any other design than to partake of your converfation. Since then not fufpicion but fondness has detected you, let me not lose the advantage of my discovery. I am equally weary of confinement with yourself, and not lefs defirous of knowing what is done or fuffered in the world. Permit me to fly with you from this taftelefs tranquility, which will yet grow more loathsome when you have left me. You may deny me to accompany you, but cannot hinder me from following."

The prince, who loved Nekayah above his other fifters, had no inclination to refufe

refuse her request, and grieved that he had loft an opportunity of fhewing his confidence by a voluntary communication. It was therefore agreed that the fhould leave the valley with them; and that, in the mean time, she should watch, left any other ftraggler fhould, by chance or curiofity, follow them to the moun

tain.

At length their labour was at an end; they faw light beyond the prominence, and, iffuing to the top of the mountain, beheld the Nile, yet a narrow current, wandering beneath them.

The prince looked round with rapture, anticipated all the pleasures of travel, and in thought was already tranfported

beyond his father's dominions.

H 2

Imlac,

though

though very joyful at his escape, had lefs expectation of pleasure in the world, which he had before tried, and of which he had been weary.

Raffelas was fo much delighted with a wider horizon, that he could not foon be perfuaded to return into the valley. He informed his fifter that the way was open, and that nothing now remained but to prepare for their departure.

CHAP.

CHA P. XV.

The prince and princess leave the valley, and fee many wonders.

TH

HE prince and princess had jewels fufficient to make them rich whenever they came into a place of commerce, which, by Imlac's direction, they hid in their cloaths, and, on the night of the next full moon, all left the valley. The princess was followed only by a fingle favourite, who did not know whither fhe was going.

They clambered through the cavity, and began to go down on the other fide. The princess and her maid turned their H 3

eyes

eyes towards every part, and, feeing nothing to bound their profpect, confidered themselves as in danger of being loft in a dreary vacuity. They ftopped and trembled. "I am almost afraid, faid the princess, to begin a journey of which I cannot perceive an end, and to venture into this immenfe plain where I may be approached on every fide by men whom I never faw." The prince felt nearly the fame emotions, though he thought it more manly to conceal them.

Imlac fmiled at their terrours, and encouraged them to proceed; but the princess continued irrefolute till fhe had been imperceptibly drawn forward too far to return.

In