; her religion and her feelings were alike adverse to it. By some papers of
her father, which fell into her hands, she heard of the exile of her lover, and
learnt the name of the spot where he then resided. She hesitated some time, but
at length she formed her determination. Taking with her some jewels that
belonged to her, and a sum of money, she quitted Italy with an attendant, a
native of Leghorn, but who understood the common language of Turkey, and
departed for Germany.
    She arrived in safety at a town about twenty leagues from the cottage of De
Lacey, when her attendant fell dangerously ill. Safie nursed her with the most
devoted affection; but the poor girl died, and the Arabian was left alone,
unacquainted with the language of the country, and utterly ignorant of the
customs of the world. She fell, however, into good hands. The Italian had
mentioned the name of the spot for which they were bound; and, after her death,
the woman of the house in which they had lived took care that Safie should
arrive in safety at the cottage of her lover.
 

                                   Chapter XV

Such was the history of my beloved cottagers. It impressed me deeply. I learned,
from the views of social life which it developed, to admire their virtues, and
to deprecate the vices of mankind.
    As yet I looked upon crime as a distant evil; benevolence and generosity
were ever present before me, inciting within me a desire to become an actor in
the busy scene where so many admirable qualities were called forth and
displayed. But, in giving an account of the progress of my intellect, I must not
omit a circumstance which occurred in the beginning of the month of August of
the same year.
    One night, during my accustomed visit to the neighbouring wood, where I
collected my own food, and brought home firing for my protectors, I found on the
ground a leathern portmanteau, containing several articles of dress and some
books. I eagerly seized the prize, and returned with it to my hovel. Fortunately
the books were written in the language, the elements of which I had acquired at
the cottage; they consisted of Paradise Lost, a volume of Plutarch's Lives, and
the Sorrows of Werter. The possession of these treasures gave me extreme
delight; I now continually studied and exercised my mind upon these histories,
whilst my friends were employed in their ordinary occupations.
    I can hardly describe to you the effect of these books. They produced in me
an infinity of new images and feelings, that sometimes raised me to
