THE

A Romance,

BY MISS ANNA MARIA PORTER,

AUTHOR OF THE RECLUSE OF NORWAY," &c. &c. &c.

"We, ignorant of ourselves,

"Beg often our own harms, which the wise Powers

"Deny us, for our good."

IN THREE VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

SHAKSPEARE.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN,

PATERNOSTER-ROW.

1817.

Pickerin 4-9-477 57965

THE

KNIGHT OF ST. JOHN.

CHAPTER I.

GIOVANNI had no sooner left Genoa than Cesario hastened to begin his meditated experiment upon Beatrice's affection. Not that he wanted proof of it, for himself: the alarm his friend's suspicion had conjured up, was already vanished. He had reflected, again and again, upon all his past intercourse with Beatrice, till imagination and memory combined, presented him with such overwhelming testimonies of almost public preference from her; that, whatever trifles testified differently, were cast from the scale.