 a long time, and might reasonably expect a change of
fortune. They hoped that some good would befall her wheresoever she was, and
that their mistress would find another friend who might supply her place.
    The princess made them no answer, and they continued the form of condolence,
not much grieved in their hearts that the favourite was lost.
    Next day the prince presented to the Bassa a memorial of the wrong which he
had suffered, and a petition for redress. The Bassa threatened to punish the
robbers, but did not attempt to catch them, nor, indeed, could any account or
description be given by which he might direct the pursuit.
    It soon appeared that nothing would be done by authority. Governors, being
accustomed to hear of more crimes than they can punish, and more wrongs than
they can redress, set themselves at ease by indiscriminate negligence, and
presently forget the request when they lose sight of the petitioner.
    Imlac then endeavoured to gain some intelligence by private agents. He found
many who pretended to an exact knowledge of all the haunts of the Arabs, and to
regular correspondence with their chiefs, and who readily undertook the recovery
of Pekuah. Of these, some were furnished with money for their journey, and came
back no more; some were liberally paid for accounts which a few days discovered
to be false. But the princess would not suffer any means, however improbable, to
be left untried. While she was doing something she kept her hope alive. As one
expedient failed, another was suggested; when one messenger returned
unsuccessful, another was dispatched to a different quarter.
    Two months had now passed, and of Pekuah nothing had been heard; the hopes
which they had endeavoured to raise in each other grew more languid, and the
princess, when she saw nothing more to be tried, sunk down inconsolable in
hopeless dejection. A thousand times she reproached herself with the easy
compliance by which she permitted her favourite to stay behind her. »Had not my
fondness, said she, lessened my authority, Pekuah had not dared to talk of her
terrours. She ought to have feared me more than spectres. A severe look would
have overpowered her; a peremptory command would have compelled obedience. Why
did foolish indulgence prevail upon me? Why did I not speak and refuse to hear?«
    »Great princess, said Imlac, do not reproach yourself for your virtue, or
consider that as blameable by which evil has accidentally been caused. Your
tenderness for the timidity of Pekuah was generous and kind. When we act
according to our duty, we commit the event to him
