 she saw their melancholy removed, not to inquire into the
late cause of it, for fear of renewing their trouble even one moment by
the remembrance of it.

Sempronius, in the meantime, upon some affairs of his duty in the army,
had been called away, and was absent the whole time of Chloe's illness,
and was not yet returned. Caelia spent almost her whole time with Chloe;
but three weeks passed on, and they were often alone; yet they had never
once mentioned the name of Sempronius, which laid Caelia still under
the greatest difficulty how to act, so as to avoid giving her friend any
uneasiness, and yet not disoblige Sempronius; for she had promised
him at his departure, that she would give him leave to ask her aunt's
consent immediately upon his return. But the very day he was expected,
she was made quite easy by what passed between her and her friend.

Chloe, in this time, by proper reflections, and a due sense of Caelia's
great goodness and affection to her, had so entirely got the better
of herself in this affair, that she found she could now, without any
uneasiness, see them married; and calling Caelia to her, she said with a
smile, 'I have, my dear friend, been so long accustomed to read in that
intelligible index, your countenance, all your most inmost thoughts,
that I have not been unobserving of those kind fears you have had on
my account; and the reason I have so long delayed speaking was, my
resolution, if possible, never again to deceive you. I can with pleasure
now assure you, that nothing can give me so much joy as to see your
wedding with Sempronius. I make no doubt, but if you ask it, you will
have my aunt's consent; and, if any intercession should be wanting
towards obtaining it, I will (if you can trust me) use all my influence
in your behalf. Be assured, my dear Caelia, I have now no farther regard
left for Sempronius, than as your husband; and that regard will increase
in proportion as he is the cause of your happiness.'

They were interrupted in their discourse by news being brought of
the arrival of Sempronius, and Chloe received him with that ease and
cheerfulness as convinced Caelia her professions were unfeigned.

Caelia related to Sempronius all that had passed between her and
Chloe; and by her continued cheerfulness of behaviour, the peace and
tranquillity of the family was perfectly restored, and their joy greatly
increased by Amanda's ready consent to
