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th： their fathers were soldiers of fortune； and both killed in one day； in the fame engagement。 But their fortunes were not more similar than their persons and dispositions。 They were both extremely handsome； and in their Childhood were so remarkable for liveliness of parts； and sweetness of temper； that they were the admiration of the whole country where they lived。
Their aunt loved them with a sincere and equal affection； and took the greatest pleasure imaginable in their education； and particularly to encourage that love and friendship which she with pleasure perceived between them。 Amanda being （as was said） very rich； and having no other relations； it was supposed that these her nieces would be very great fortunes； and as soon as they became women； they were addressed by all the men of fortune and no fortune round the neighbourhood。 But as the love of admiration； and a desire of a large train of admirers； had no place in their minds； they soon dismissed； in the most civil and obliging manner； one after another； all these lovers。
The refusing such numbers of men； and some such as by the world were called good offers； soon got them the name of jilts； and by that means they were freed from any farther importunity； and for some years enjoyed that peace and quiet they had long wished。 Their aunt； from being their mother and their guardian； was now become their friend。 For； as she endeavoured not in the least to force their inclinations； they never kept anything concealed from her； and every action of their lives was still guided by her advice and approbation。
They lived on in this way； perfectly happy in their own little community； till they were about two…and…twenty years old when there happened to be a regiment quartered in the neighbouring town； to which their house was nearly situated； and the lieutenant…colonel； a man about four…and…thirty years old； hearing their names； had a great desire to see them。 For when he was a boy of sixteen； he was put into the Army under the care of Chloe's father； who treated him with the greatest tenderness； and （in that fatal engagement in which he lost his life） received his death's wound by endeavouring to save him from being taken by the enemy。 And gratitude to the memory of so good a friend was as great an inducement to make him desire to see his daughter； as the report he had heard both of hers and her cousin's great beauty。
Sempronius （for so this Colonel was called） was a very sensible； well…bred； agreeable man； and from the circumstances of his former acquaintance； and his present proper and polite behaviour； he soon became very intimate in the family。 The old lady was particularly pleased with him； and secretly wished； that before she died she might be so happy as to see one of her nieces married to Sempronius。 She could not from his behaviour see the least particular liking to either； though he showed an equal and very great esteem and regard for both。
He in reality liked them both extremely； and the reason of making no declaration of love was； his being so undetermined in any preference that was due to either。 He saw plainly that he was very agreeable to both； and with pleasure he observed； that they made use of none of those arts which women generally do to get away a disputed lover： and this sincere friendship which subsisted between them raised in him the highest degree of love and admiration。 However he at last determined to make the following trial：
He went first to Chloe； and （finding her alone） told her； that he had the greatest liking in the world to her cousin； and had really a mind to propose himself to her： but as he saw a very great friendship between them； he was willing to ask her advice in the matter； and conjured her to tell him sincerely； whether there was anything in Caelia's temper （not discoverable by him） which as a wife would make him unhappy？ He told her； that； if she knew any such thing； it would be no treachery； but rather kind in her to declare it； as it would prevent her friend's being unhappy； which must be the consequence； in marriage； of her making him so。
Chloe could not help seeing very plainly； that if Caelia was removed she stood the very next in Sempronius's favour。 Her lover was presenther friend was absentand the temptation was too strong and agreeable to be resisted。 She then answered； that since he insisted upon the truth； and had convinced her that it was in reality acting justly and kindly by her friend； she must confess； that Caelia was possessed （though in a very small degree） of what she had often heard him declare most against of anything in the world； and that was； an artfulness of temper； and some few sparks of envy。
Chloe's confused manner of speaking； and frequent hesitation； as unwilling to pronounce her friend's condemnation （which； as being unused to falsehood； was really unaffected） he imputed to tenderness and concern for Caelia； but he did not in the least doubt； but on his application to her he should soon be convinced of the truth of what Chloe had said。
He then went directly to the arbour at the end of the garden； and there to his wish he found Caelia quite alone； and he addressed her exactly in the same manner concerning her cousin； as he had before spoke to Chloe concerning her。 Caelia suddenly blushed （from motives I leave those to find out who can put themselves in her circumstances） and then fetched a soft sigh； from the thought that she was hearing a man she loved declare a passion of which she was not the object。 But after some little pause； she told him； that if Chloe had any faults； they were to her yet undiscovered； and she really and sincerely believed her cousin would make him extremely happy。 Sempronius then said； that of all other things； TREACHERY and ENVY were what he had the greatest dislike to： and he asked her； if she did not think her cousin was a little tainted with these？Here Caelia could not help interrupting； and assuring him； that she believed her totally free from both。 And； from his casting on her friend an aspersion which her very soul abhorred； forgetting all rivalship； she could not refrain from growing quite lavish in her praise。 'Suppose then （said Sempronius） I was to say the same to your cousin concerning my intentions towards you as I have to you concerning her； do you think she would say as many fine things in your praise as you have done in hers？'
Caelia answered； that she verily believed her cousin would say as much for her as she really deserved； but whether that would be equal to what with justice she could say of Chloe； her modesty left her in some doubt of。
Sempronius had too much penetration not to see the real and true difference in the behaviour of these two women； and could not help crying out； 'O Caelia！ your honest truth and goodness in every word and look are too visible to leave me one doubt of their reality。 But； could you believe it？ this friend of yours is false。 I have already put her to the trial； by declaring to her my sincere and unalterable passion for you。 When； on my insisting； as I did to you； upon her speaking the truth； she accused you of what nothing should now convince me you are guilty of。 I own； that hitherto my regard； esteem； and love； have been equal to both； but now I offer to the sincere； artless； and charming Caelia； my whole heart； love； and affection； and the service of every minute of my future life； and from this moment I banish from my mind the false and ungrateful Chloe。'
Caelia's friendship for Chloe was so deeply rooted in her breast； that even a declaration of love from Sempronius could not blot it one moment from her heart； and on his speaking the words 'false Chloe；' she burst into tears； and said； 'Is it possible that Chloe should act such a part towards her Caelia！ You must forgive her； Sempronius： it was her violent passion for you； and fear of losing you； which made her do what hitherto her nature has ever appeared averse to。'
Sempronius answered； 'that he could not enough admire her goodness to her friend Chloe； but such proofs of passion； he said； were to him at the same time proofs of its being such a passion as he had no regard for； since it was impossible for any one to g