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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/2363-0.txt b/2363-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5bb2ca8 --- /dev/null +++ b/2363-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2382 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook of Incognita, by William Congreve + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you +will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before +using this eBook. + +Title: Incognita + or, Love & Duty Reconcil’d. A Novel + +Author: William Congreve + +Release Date: October, 2000 [eBook #2363] +[Most recently updated: January 31, 2021] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +Produced by: David Price + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INCOGNITA *** + + + + +Incognita: or, Love & Duty Reconcil’d. +A Novel + +by William Congreve + + + + +TO THE +Honoured and Worthily Esteem’d +Mrs. _Katharine Leveson_. + + +_Madam_, + +A Clear Wit, sound Judgment and a Merciful Disposition, are things so +rarely united, that it is almost inexcusable to entertain them with any +thing less excellent in its kind. My knowledge of you were a sufficient +Caution to me, to avoid your Censure of this Trifle, had I not as +intire a knowledge of your Goodness. Since I have drawn my Pen for a +Rencounter, I think it better to engage where, though there be Skill +enough to Disarm me, there is too much Generosity to Wound; for so +shall I have the saving Reputation of an unsuccessful Courage, if I +cannot make it a drawn Battle. But methinks the Comparison intimates +something of a Defiance, and savours of Arrogance; wherefore since I am +Conscious to my self of a Fear which I cannot put off, let me use the +Policy of Cowards and lay this Novel unarm’d, naked and shivering at +your Feet, so that if it should want Merit to challenge Protection, +yet, as an Object of Charity, it may move Compassion. It has been some +Diversion to me to Write it, I wish it may prove such to you when you +have an hour to throw away in Reading of it: but this Satisfaction I +have at least beforehand, that in its greatest failings it may fly for +Pardon to that Indulgence which you owe to the weakness of your Friend; +a Title which I am proud you have thought me worthy of, and which I +think can alone be superior to that + +_Your most Humble and_ +_Obliged Servant_ +CLEOPHIL. + + + + +THE PREFACE TO THE READER. + + +Reader, + +Some Authors are so fond of a Preface, that they will write one tho’ +there be nothing more in it than an Apology for its self. But to show +thee that I am not one of those, I will make no Apology for this, but +do tell thee that I think it necessary to be prefix’d to this Trifle, +to prevent thy overlooking some little pains which I have taken in the +Composition of the following Story. Romances are generally composed of +the Constant Loves and invincible Courages of Hero’s, Heroins, Kings +and Queens, Mortals of the first Rank, and so forth; where lofty +Language, miraculous Contingencies and impossible Performances, elevate +and surprize the Reader into a giddy Delight, which leaves him flat +upon the Ground whenever he gives of, and vexes him to think how he has +suffer’d himself to be pleased and transported, concern’d and afflicted +at the several Passages which he has Read, viz. these Knights Success +to their Damosels Misfortunes, and such like, when he is forced to be +very well convinced that ’tis all a lye. Novels are of a more familiar +nature; Come near us, and represent to us Intrigues in practice, +delight us with Accidents and odd Events, but not such as are wholly +unusual or unpresidented, such which not being so distant from our +Belief bring also the pleasure nearer us. Romances give more of Wonder, +Novels more Delight. And with reverence be it spoken, and the Parallel +kept at due distance, there is something of equality in the Proportion +which they bear in reference to one another, with that betwen Comedy +and Tragedy; but the Drama is the long extracted from Romance and +History: ’tis the Midwife to Industry, and brings forth alive the +Conceptions of the Brain. Minerva walks upon the Stage before us, and +we are more assured of the real presence of Wit when it is delivered +viva voce— + +Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem, +Quam quæ sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus, & quæ +Ipse sibi tradit spectator.—Horace. + + +Since all Traditions must indisputably give place to the Drama, and +since there is no possibility of giving that life to the Writing or +Repetition of a Story which it has in the Action, I resolved in another +beauty to imitate Dramatick Writing, namely, in the Design, Contexture +and Result of the Plot. I have not observed it before in a Novel. Some +I have seen begin with an unexpected accident, which has been the only +surprizing part of the Story, cause enough to make the Sequel look +flat, tedious and insipid; for ’tis but reasonable the Reader should +expect it not to rise, at least to keep upon a level in the +entertainment; for so he may be kept on in hopes that at some time or +other it may mend; but the ’tother is such a balk to a Man, ’tis +carrying him up stairs to show him the Dining-Room, and after forcing +him to make a Meal in the Kitchin. This I have not only endeavoured to +avoid, but also have used a method for the contrary purpose. The design +of the Novel is obvious, after the first meeting of Aurelian and +Hippolito with Incognita and Leonora, and the difficulty is in bringing +it to pass, maugre all apparent obstacles, within the compass of two +days. How many probable Casualties intervene in opposition to the main +Design, viz. of marrying two Couple so oddly engaged in an intricate +Amour, I leave the Reader at his leisure to consider: As also whether +every Obstacle does not in the progress of the Story act as subservient +to that purpose, which at first it seems to oppose. In a Comedy this +would be called the Unity of Action; here it may pretend to no more +than an Unity of Contrivance. The Scene is continued in Florence from +the commencement of the Amour; and the time from first to last is but +three days. If there be any thing more in particular resembling the +Copy which I imitate (as the Curious Reader will soon perceive) I leave +it to show it self, being very well satisfy’d how much more proper it +had been for him to have found out this himself, than for me to +prepossess him with an Opinion of something extraordinary in an Essay +began and finished in the idler hours of a fortnight’s time: for I can +only esteem it a laborious idleness, which is Parent to so +inconsiderable a Birth. I have gratified the Bookseller in pretending +an occasion for a Preface; the other two Persons concern’d are the +Reader and my self, and if he be but pleased with what was produced for +that end, my satisfaction follows of course, since it will be +proportion’d to his Approbation or Dislike. + + + + +INCOGNITA: +OR, +Love & Duty +RECONCIL’D + + +Aurelian was the only Son to a Principal Gentleman of Florence. The +Indulgence of his Father prompted, and his Wealth enabled him, to +bestow a generous Education upon him, whom, he now began to look upon +as the Type of himself; an Impression he had made in the Gayety and +Vigour of his Youth, before the Rust of Age had debilitated and +obscur’d the Splendour of the Original: He was sensible, That he ought +not to be sparing in the Adornment of him, if he had Resolution to +beautifie his own Memory. Indeed Don Fabio (for so was the Old +Gentleman call’d) has been observ’d to have fix’d his Eyes upon +Aurelian, when much Company has been at Table, and have wept through +Earnestness of Intention, if nothing hapned to divert the Object; +whether it were for regret, at the Recollection of his former self, or +for the Joy he conceiv’d in being, as it were, reviv’d in the Person of +his Son, I never took upon me to enquire, but suppos’d it might be +sometimes one, and sometimes both together. + +Aurelian, at the Age of Eighteen Years, wanted nothing (but a Beard) +that the most accomplished Cavalier in Florence could pretend to: he +had been Educated from Twelve Years old at Siena, where it seems his +Father kept a Receiver, having a large Income from the Rents of several +Houses in that Town. Don Fabio gave his Servant Orders, That Aurelian +should not be stinted in his Expences, when he came up to Years of +Discretion. By which means he was enabled, not only to keep Company +with, but also to confer many Obligations upon Strangers of Quality, +and Gentlemen who travelled from other Countries into Italy, of which +Siena never wanted store, being a Town most delightfully Situate, upon +a Noble Hill, and very well suiting with Strangers at first, by reason +of the agreeableness and purity of the Air: There also is the +quaintness and delicacy of the Italian Tongue most likely to be +learned, there being many publick Professors of it in that place; and +indeed the very Vulgar of Siena do express themselves with an easiness +and sweetness surprizing, and even grateful to their Ears who +understand not the Language. + +Here Aurelian contracted an acquaintance with Persons of Worth of +several Countries, but among the rest an intimacy with a Gentleman of +Quality of Spain, and Nephew to the Archbishop of Toledo, who had so +wrought himself into the Affections of Aurelian, through a Conformity +of Temper, an Equality in Years, and something of resemblance in +Feature and Proportion, that he look’d upon him as his second self. +Hippolito, on the other hand, was not ungrateful in return of +Friendship, but thought himself either alone or in ill Company, if +Aurelian were absent: but his Uncle having sent him to travel, under +the Conduct of a Governour, and the two Years which limited his stay at +Siena being expired, he was put in mind of his departure. His Friend +grew melancholy at the News, but considering that Hippolito had never +seen Florence, he easily prevailed with him to make his first journey +thither, whither he would accompany him, and perhaps prevail with his +Father to do the like throughout his Travels. + +They accordingly set out, but not being able easily to reach Florence +the same Night, they rested a League or two short, at a Villa of the +great Duke’s called Poggio Imperiale, where they were informed by some +of his Highness’s Servants, That the Nuptials of Donna Catharina (near +Kinswoman to the great Duke) and Don Ferdinand de Rovori, were to be +solemnized the next day, and that extraordinary Preparations had been +making for some time past, to illustrate the Solemnity with Balls and +Masques, and other Divertisements; that a Tilting had been proclaimed, +and to that purpose Scaffolds erected around the Spacious Court, before +the Church Di Santa Croce, where were usually seen all Cavalcades and +Shews, performed by Assemblies of the Young Nobility: That all +Mechanicks and Tradesmen were forbidden to work or expose any Goods to +Sale for the space of three days; during which time all Persons should +be entertain’d at the Great Duke’s Cost; and publick Provision was to +be made for the setting forth and furnishing a multitude of Tables, +with Entertainment for all Comers and Goers, and several Houses +appointed for that use in all Streets. + +This Account alarm’d the Spirits of our Young Travellers, and they were +overjoy’d at the prospect of Pleasures they foresaw. Aurelian could not +contain the satisfaction he conceiv’d in the welcome Fortune had +prepar’d for his dear Hippolito. In short, they both remembred so much +of the pleasing Relation had been made them, that they forgot to sleep, +and were up as soon as it was light, pounding at poor Signior Claudio’s +Door (so was Hippolito’s Governour call’d) to rouse him, that no time +might be lost till they were arriv’d at Florence, where they would +furnish themselves with Disguises and other Accoutrements necessary for +the Prosecution of their Design of sharing in the publick Merriment; +the rather were they for going so early because Aurelian did not think +fit to publish his being in Town for a time, least his Father knowing +of it, might give some restraint to that loose they designed +themselves. + +Before Sun rise they entred Florence at Porta Romana, attended only by +two Servants, the rest being left behind to avoid notice; but, alas! +they needed not to have used half that caution; for early as it was, +the Streets were crowded with all sorts of People passing to and fro, +and every Man employ’d in something relating to the Diversions to come; +so that no notice was taken of any body; a Marquess and his Train might +have pass’d by as unregarded as a single Fachin or Cobler. Not a Window +in the Streets but echoed the tuning of a Lute or thrumming of a +Gitarr: for, by the way, the Inhabitants of Florence are strangely +addicted to the love of Musick, insomuch that scarce their Children can +go, before they can scratch some Instrument or other. It was no +unpleasing Spectacle to our Cavaliers (who, seeing they were not +observ’d, resolved to make Observations) to behold the Diversity of +Figures and Postures of many of these Musicians. Here you should have +an affected Vallet, who Mimick’d the Behaviour of his Master, leaning +carelessly against the Window, with his Head on one side, in a +languishing Posture, whining, in a low, mournful Voice, some dismal +Complaint; while, from his sympathizing Theorbo, issued a Base no less +doleful to the Hearers. In Opposition to him was set up perhaps a +Cobler, with the wretched Skeleton of a Gitarr, battered and waxed +together by his own Industry, and who with three Strings out of Tune, +and his own tearing hoarse Voice, would rack attention from the +Neighbourhood, to the great affliction of many more moderate +Practitioners, who, no doubt, were full as desirous to be heard. By +this time Aurelian’s Servant had taken a Lodging and was returned, to +give his Master an Account of it. The Cavaliers grown weary of that +ridiculous Entertainment, which was diverting at first sight, retired +whither the Lacquey conducted them; who, according to their Directions, +had sought out one of the most obscure Streets in the City. All that +day, to the evening, was spent in sending from one Brokers Shop to +another, to furnish them with Habits, since they had not time to make +any new. + +There was, it happened, but one to be got Rich enough to please our +young Gentlemen, so many were taken up upon this occasion. While they +were in Dispute and Complementing one another, (Aurelian protesting +that Hippolito should wear it, and he, on ’tother hand, forswearing it +as bitterly) a Servant of Hippolito’s came up and ended the +Controversie; telling them, That he had met below with the Vallet de +Chambre of a Gentleman, who was one of the greatest Gallants about the +Town, but was at this time in such a condition he could not possibly be +at the Entertainment; whereupon the Vallet had designed to dress +himself up in his Master’s Apparel, and try his talent at Court; which +he hearing, told him he would inform him how he might bestow the Habit +for some time much more to his profit if not to his pleasure, so +acquainted him with the occasion his Master had for it. Hippolito sent +for the Fellow up, who was not so fond of his design as not to be +bought off it, but upon having his own demand granted for the use of +it, brought it; it was very Rich, and upon tryal, as fit for Hippolito +as if it had been made for him. The Ceremony was performed in the +Morning, in the great Dome, with all magnificence correspondent to the +wealth of the great Duke, and the esteem he had for the Noble Pair. The +next Morning was to be a Tilting, and the same Night a Masquing Ball at +Court. To omit the Description of the universal Joy, (that had diffus’d +it self through all the Conduits of Wine, which convey’d it in large +measures to the People) and only relate those effects of it which +concern our present Adventurers. You must know, that about the fall of +the Evening, and at that time when the _æquilibrium_ of Day and Night, +for some time, holds the Air in a gloomy suspence between an +unwillingness to leave the light, and a natural impulse into the +Dominion of darkness, about this time our Hero’s, shall I say, sally’d +or slunk out of their Lodgings, and steer’d toward the great Palace, +whither, before they were arrived, such a prodigious number of Torches +were on fire, that the day, by help of these Auxiliary Forces, seem’d +to continue its Dominion; the Owls and Bats apprehending their mistake, +in counting the hours, retir’d again to a convenient darkness; for +Madam Night was no more to be seen than she was to be heard; and the +Chymists were of Opinion, That her fuliginous Damps, rarefy’d by the +abundance of Flame, were evaporated. + +Now the Reader I suppose to be upon Thorns at this and the like +impertinent Digressions, but let him alone and he’ll come to himself; +at which time I think fit to acquaint him, that when I digress, I am at +that time writing to please my self, when I continue the Thread of the +Story, I write to please him; supposing him a reasonable Man, I +conclude him satisfied to allow me this liberty, and so I proceed. + +If our Cavaliers were dazled at the splendour they beheld without +doors, what surprize, think you, must they be in, when entering the +Palace they found even the lights there to be but so many foils to the +bright eyes that flash’d upon ’em at every turn. + +A more glorious Troop no occasion ever assembled; all the fair of +Florence, with the most accomplished Cavaliers, were present; and +however Nature had been partial in bestowing on some better Faces than +others, Art was alike indulgent to all, and industriously supplyed +those Defects she had left, giving some Addition also to her greatest +Excellencies. Every body appear’d well shap’d, as it is to be suppos’d, +none who were conscious to themselves of any visible Deformity would +presume to come thither. Their Apparel was equally glorious, though +each differing in fancy. In short, our Strangers were so well bred, as +to conclude from these apparent Perfections, that there was not a +Masque which did not at least hide the Face of a Cherubim. Perhaps the +Ladies were not behind hand in return of a favourable Opinion of them: +for they were both well dress’d, and had something inexpressibly +pleasing in their Air and Mien, different from other People, and indeed +differing from one another. They fansy’d that while they stood together +they were more particularly taken notice of than any in the Room, and +being unwilling to be taken for Strangers, which they thought they +were, by reason of some whispering they observed near them, they agreed +upon an hour of meeting after the company should be broke up, and so +separately mingled with the thickest of the Assembly. Aurelian had +fixed his eye upon a Lady whom he had observ’d to have been a +considerable time in close whisper with another Woman; he expected with +great impatience the result of that private Conference, that he might +have an opportunity of engaging the Lady whose Person was so agreeable +to him. At last he perceived they were broke off, and the ’tother Lady +seem’d to have taken her leave. He had taken no small pains in the mean +time to put himself in a posture to accost the Lady, which, no doubt, +he had happily performed had he not been interrupted; but scarce had he +acquitted himself of a preliminary bow (and which, I have heard him +say, was the lowest that ever he made) and had just opened his Lips to +deliver himself of a small Complement, which, nevertheless he was very +big with, when he unluckily miscarried, by the interposal of the same +Lady, whose departure, not long before, he had so zealously pray’d for: +but, as Providence would have it, there was only some very small matter +forgot, which was recovered in a short whisper. The Coast being again +cleared, he took heart and bore up, and, striking sail, repeated his +Ceremony to the Lady; who, having Obligingly returned it, he accosted +her in these or the like words: + +‘If I do not usurp a priviledge reserved for some one more happy in +your acquaintance, may I presume, Madam, to entreat (for a while) the +favour of your Conversation, at least till the arrival of whom you +expect, provided you are not tired of me before; for then upon the +least intimation of uneasiness, I will not fail of doing my self the +violence to withdraw for your release. The Lady made him answer, she +did not expect any body; by which he might imagine her Conversation not +of value to be bespoke, and to afford it him, were but farther to +convince him to her own cost. He reply’d, ‘She had already said enough +to convince him of something he heartily wished might not be to his +cost in the end. She pretended not to understand him; but told him, ‘If +he already found himself grieved with her Conversation, he would have +sufficient reason to repent the rashness of his first Demand before +they had ended: for that now she intended to hold discourse with him, +on purpose to punish his unadvisedness, in presuming upon a Person +whose dress and mien might not (may be) be disagreeable to have wit. ‘I +must confess (reply’d Aurelian) my self guilty of a Presumption, and +willingly submit to the punishment you intend: and though it be an +aggravation of a Crime to persevere in its justification, yet I cannot +help defending an Opinion in which now I am more confirm’d, that +probable conjectures may be made of the ingenious Disposition of the +Mind, from the fancy and choice of Apparel. The humour I grant ye (said +the Lady) or constitution of the Person whether melancholick or brisk; +but I should hardly pass my censure upon so slight an indication of +wit: for there is your brisk fool as well as your brisk man of sense, +and so of the melancholick. I confess ’tis possible a fool may reveal +himself by his Dress, in wearing something extravagantly singular and +ridiculous, or in preposterous suiting of colours; but a decency of +Habit (which is all that Men of best sense pretend to) may be acquired +by custom and example, without putting the Person to a superfluous +expence of wit for the contrivance; and though there should be occasion +for it, few are so unfortunate in their Relations and Acquaintance not +to have some Friend capable of giving them advice, if they are not too +ignorantly conceited to ask it. Aurelian was so pleased with the +easiness and smartness of her Expostulation, that he forgot to make a +reply, when she seem’d to expect it; but being a Woman of a quick +Apprehension, and justly sensible of her own perfections, she soon +perceived he did not grudge his attention. However she had a mind to +put it upon him to turn the discourse, so went on upon the same +Subject. ‘Signior (said she) I have been looking round me, and by your +Maxim I cannot discover one fool in the Company; for they are all well +drest. This was spoken with an Air of Rallery that awakened the +Cavalier, who immediately made answer: ’Tis true, Madam, we see there +may be as much variety of good fancies as of faces, yet there may be +many of both kinds borrowed and adulterate if inquired into; and as you +were pleased to observe, the invention may be Foreign to the Person who +puts it in practice; and as good an Opinion as I have of an agreeable +Dress, I should be loth to answer for the wit of all about us. I +believe you (says the Lady) and hope you are convinced of your error, +since you must allow it impossible to tell who of all this Assembly did +or did not make choice of their own Apparel. Not all (said Aurelian) +there is an ungainness in some which betrays them. ‘Look ye there (says +he) pointing to a Lady who stood playing with the Tassels of her +Girdle, I dare answer for that Lady, though she be very well dress’d, +’tis more than she knows. His fair unknown could not forbear laughing +at his particular distinction, and freely told him, he had indeed light +upon one who knew as little as any body in the Room, her self excepted. +Ah! Madam, (reply’d Aurelian) you know every thing in the World but +your own Perfections, and you only know not those because ’tis the top +of Perfection not to know them. How? (reply’d the Lady) I thought it +had been the extremity of knowledge to know ones self. Aurelian had a +little over-strain’d himself in that Complement, and I am of Opinion +would have been puzzl’d to have brought himself off readily: but by +good fortune the Musick came into the Room and gave him an opportunity +to seem to decline an answer, because the company prepared to dance: he +only told her he was too mean a Conquest for her wit who was already a +Slave to the Charms of her Person. She thanked him for his Complement, +and briskly told him she ought to have made him a return in praise of +his wit, but she hoped he was a Man more happy than to be dissatisfy’d +with any of his own Endowments; and if it were so, that he had not a +just Opinion of himself, she knew her self incapable of saying any +thing to beget one. Aurelian did not know well what to make of this +last reply; for he always abhor’d any thing that was conceited, with +which this seem’d to reproach him. But however modest he had been +heretofore in his own thoughts, yet never was he so distrustful of his +good behaviour as now, being rally’d so by a Person whom he took to be +of judgment: Yet he resolved to take no notice, but with an Air +unconcerned and full of good humour entreated her to Dance with him: +She promised him to Dance with no body else, nor I believe had she +inclination; for notwithstanding her tartness, she was upon equal terms +with him as to the liking of each others Person and Humour, and only +gave those little hints to try his Temper; there being certainly no +greater sign of folly and ill breeding, than to grow serious and +concerned at any thing spoken in rallery: for his part, he was +strangely and insensibly fallen in love with her Shape, Wit and Air; +which, together with a white Hand, he had seen (perhaps not +accidentally) were enough to have subdued a more stubborn Heart than +ever he was master of; and for her Face, which he had not seen, he +bestowed upon her the best his Imagination could furnish him with. I +should by right now describe her Dress, which was extreamly agreeable +and rich, but ’tis possible I might err in some material Pin or other, +in the sticking of which may be the whole grace of the Drapery +depended. Well, they danced several times together, and no less to the +satisfaction of the whole Company, than of themselves; for at the end +of each Dance, some publick note of Applause or other was given to the +graceful Couple. + +Aurelian was amaz’d, that among all that danced or stood in view he +could not see Hippolito; but concluding that he had met with some +pleasing Conversation, and was withdrawn to some retired part of the +Room, he forbore his search till the mirth of that Night should be +over, and the Company ready to break up, where we will leave him for a +while, to see what became of his adventurous Friend. + +Hippolito, a little after he had parted with Aurelian, was got among a +knot of Ladies and Cavaliers, who were looking upon a large Gold Cup +set with Jewels, in which his Royal Highness had drank to the +prosperity of the new married Couple at Dinner, and which afterward he +presented to his Cousin Donna Catharina. He among the rest was very +intent, admiring the richness, workmanship and beauty of the Cup, when +a Lady came behind him and pulling him by the Elbow, made a sign she +would speak with him; Hippolito, who knew himself an utter Stranger to +Florence and every body in it, immediately guessed she had mistaken him +for her acquaintance, as indeed it happened; however he resolved not to +discover himself till he should be assured of it; having followed her +into a set Window remote from Company, she address’d her self to him in +this manner: ‘Signior Don Lorenzo (said she) I am overjoy’d to see you +are so speedily recovered of your Wounds, which by report were much +more dangerous than to have suffered your coming abroad so soon; but I +must accuse you of great indiscretion, in appearing in a Habit which so +many must needs remember you to have worn upon the like occasion not +long ago, I mean at the Marriage of Don Cynthio with your Sister +Atalanta; I do assure you, you were known by it, both to Juliana and my +self, who was so far concerned for you, as to desire me to tell you, +that her Brother Don Fabritio (who saw you when you came in with +another Gentleman) had eyed you very narrowly, and is since gone out of +the Room, she knows not upon what design; however she would have you, +for your own sake, be advised and circumspect when you depart this +place, lest you should be set upon unawares; you know the hatred Don +Fabritio has born you ever since you had the fortune to kill his +Kinsman in a Duel: Here she paused as if expecting his reply; but +Hippolito was so confounded, that he stood mute, and contemplating the +hazard he had ignorantly brought himself into, forgot his design of +informing the Lady of her mistake. She finding he made her no Answer, +went on. ‘I perceive (continued she) you are in some surprize at what I +have related, and may be, are doubtful of the Truth; but I thought you +had been better acquainted with your Cousin Leonora’s Voice, than to +have forgot it so soon: Yet in Complaisance to your ill Memory, I will +put you past doubt, by shewing you my Face; with that she pulled off +her Mask, and discovered to Hippolito (now more amaz’d than ever) the +most Angelick Face that he had ever beheld. He was just about to have +made her some answer, when, clapping on her Mask again without giving +him time, she happily for him pursu’d her Discourse. (For ’tis odds but +he had made some discovery of himself in the surprize he was in.) +Having taken him familiarly by the Hand, now she had made her self +known to him, ‘Cousin Lorenzo (added she) you may perhaps have taken it +unkindly, that, during the time of your indisposition by reason of your +Wounds, I have not been to visit you; I do assure you it was not for +want of any Inclination I had both to see and serve you to my power; +but you are well acquainted with the Severity of my Father, whom you +know how lately you have disobliged. I am mighty glad that I have met +with you here, where I have had an Opportunity to tell you what so much +concerns your Safety, which I am afraid you will not find in Florence; +considering the great Power Don Fabritio and his Father, the Marquess +of Viterbo, have in this City. I have another thing to inform you of, +That whereas Don Fabio had interested himself in your Cause, in +Opposition to the Marquess of Viterbo, by reason of the long Animosity +between them, all hopes of his Countenance and Assistance are defeated: +For there has been a Proposal of Reconciliation made to both Houses, +and it is said it will be confirm’d (as most such ancient Quarrels are +at last) by the Marriage of Juliana the Marquess’s Daughter, with +Aurelian, Son to Don Fabio: to which effect the old Gentleman sent +’tother Day to Siena, where Aurelian has been Educated, to hasten his +coming to Town; but the Messenger returning this Morning, brought word, +That the same day he arriv’d at Siena, Aurelian had set out for +Florence, in Company with a young Spanish Nobleman, his intimate +Friend; so it is believ’d, they are both in Town, and not unlikely in +this Room in Masquerade. + +Hippolito could not forbear smiling to himself, at these last words. +For ever since the naming of Don Fabio he had been very attentive; but +before, his Thoughts were wholly taken up with the Beauty of the Face +he had seen, and from the time she had taken him by the Hand, a +successive warmth and chillness had play’d about his Heart, and +surpriz’d him with an unusual Transport. He was in a hundred Minds, +whether he should make her sensible of her Error or no; but considering +he could expect no farther Conference with her after he should discover +himself, and that as yet he knew not of her place of abode, he resolv’d +to humour the mistake a little further. Having her still by the Hand, +which he squeez’d somewhat more eagerly than is usual for Cousins to +do, in a low and undistinguishable Voice, he let her know how much he +held himself obliged to her, and avoiding as many words as handsomely +he could, at the same time, entreated her to give him her Advice, +toward the management of himself in this Affair. Leonora, who never +from the beginning had entertain’d the least Scruple of distrust, +imagined he spoke faintly, as not being yet perfectly recovered in his +strength; and withal considering that the heat of the Room, by reason +of the Crowd, might be uneasie to a Person in his Condition; she kindly +told him, That if he were as inclinable to dispense with the remainder +of that Nights Diversion as she was, and had no other engagement upon +him, by her consent they should both steal out of the Assembly, and go +to her House, where they might with more freedom discourse about a +business of that importance, and where he might take something to +refresh himself if he were (as she conceiv’d him to be) indisposed with +his long standing. Judge you whether the Proposal were acceptable to +Hippolito or no; he had been ruminating with himself how to bring +something like this about, and had almost despair’d of it; when of a +suddain he found the success of his design had prevented his own +endeavours. He told his Cousin in the same key as before, That he was +unwilling to be the occasion of her Divorce from so much good Company; +but for his own part, he was afraid he had presumed too much upon his +recovery in coming abroad so soon, and that he found himself so unwell, +he feared he should be quickly forc’d to retire. Leonora stay’d not to +make him any other reply, only tipp’d him upon the Arm, and bid him +follow her at a convenient distance to avoid Observation. + +Whoever had seen the Joy that was in Hippolito’s Countenance, and the +Sprightliness with which he follow’d his Beautiful Conductress, would +scarce have taken him for a Person griev’d with uncured Wounds. She led +him down a back pair of Stairs, into one of the Palace Gardens which +had a Door opening into the Piazza, not far from where Don Mario her +Father lived. They had little Discourse by the way, which gave +Hippolito time to consider of the best way of discovering himself. A +thousand things came into his Head in a minute, yet nothing that +pleased him: and after so many Contrivances as he had formed for the +discovery of himself, he found it more rational for him not to reveal +himself at all that Night, since he could not foresee what effect the +surprize would have, she must needs be in, at the appearance of a +Stranger, whom she had never seen before, yet whom she had treated so +familiarly. He knew Women were apt to shriek or swoon upon such +Occasions, and should she happen to do either, he might be at a loss +how to bring himself off. He thought he might easily pretend to be +indisposed somewhat more than ordinary, and so make an excuse to go to +his own Lodging. It came into his Head too, that under pretence of +giving her an account of his Health, he might enquire of her the means +how a Letter might be convey’d to her the next morning, wherein he +might inform her gently of her mistake, and insinuate something of that +Passion he had conceiv’d, which he was sure he could not have +opportunity to speak of if he bluntly revealed himself. He had just +resolv’d upon this Method, as they were come to the great Gates of the +Court, when Leonora stopping to let him go in before her, he of a +suddain fetch’d his Breath violently as if some stitch or twinging +smart had just then assaulted him. She enquired the matter of him, and +advised him to make haste into the House that he might sit down and +rest him. He told her he found himself so ill, that he judged it more +convenient for him to go home while he was in a condition to move, for +he fear’d if he should once settle himself to rest he might not be able +to stir. She was much troubled, and would have had a Chair made ready +and Servants to carry him home; but he made answer, he would not have +any of her Fathers Servants know of his being abroad, and that just now +he had an interval of ease, which he hop’d would continue till he made +a shift to reach his own Lodgings. Yet if she pleased to inform him how +he might give an account of himself the next morning, in a line or two, +he would not fail to give her the thanks due to her great kindness; and +withal, would let her know something which would not a little surprize +her, though now he had not time to acquaint her with it. She show’d him +a little Window at the corner of the House, where one should wait to +receive his Letter, and was just taking her leave of him, when seeing +him search hastily in his Pocket, she ask’d him if he miss’d any thing; +he told her he thought a Wound which was not throughly heal’d bled a +little, and that he had lost his Handkerchief. His design took; for she +immediately gave him hers: which indeed accordingly he apply’d to the +only wound he was then griev’d with; which though it went quite through +his Heart, yet thank God was not Mortal. He was not a little rejoyc’d +at his good Fortune in getting so early a Favour from his Mistress, and +notwithstanding the violence he did himself to personate a sick Man, he +could not forbear giving some Symptoms of an extraordinary content; and +telling her that he did not doubt to receive a considerable Proportion +of ease from the Application of what had so often kiss’d her fair Hand. +Leonora who did not suspect the Compliment, told him she should be +heartily glad if that or any thing in her power might contribute to his +recovery; and wishing him well home, went into her House, as much +troubled for her Cousin as he was joyful for his Mistress. + +Hippolito as soon as she was gone in, began to make his Remarks about +the House, walking round the great Court, viewing the Gardens and all +the Passages leading to that side of the Piazza. Having sufficiently +informed himself, with a Heart full of Love, and a Head full of +Stratagem, he walked toward his Lodging, impatient till the arrival of +Aurelian that he might give himself vent. In which interim, let me take +the liberty to digress a little, and tell the Reader something which I +do not doubt he has apprehended himself long ago, if he be not the +dullest Reader in the World; yet only for orders sake, let me tell him +I say, That a young Gentleman (Cousin to the aforesaid Don Fabritio) +happened one night to have some words at a Gameing House with one +Lorenzo, which created a Quarrel of fatal Consequence to the former, +who was killed upon the Spot, and likely to be so to the latter, who +was very desperately wounded. + +Fabritio being much concerned for his Kinsman, vow’d revenge (according +to the ancient and laudable custom of Italy) upon Lorenzo if he +surviv’d, or in case of his death (if it should happen to anticipate +that, much more swinging Death which he had in store for him) upon his +next of Kin, and so to descend Lineally like an English Estate, to all +the Heirs Males of this Family. This same Fabritio had indeed (as +Leonora told Hippolito) taken particular notice of him from his first +entrance into the Room, and was so far doubtful as to go out +immediately himself, and make enquiry concerning Lorenzo, but was +quickly inform’d of the greatness of his Error, in believing a Man to +be abroad, who was so ill of his Wounds, that they now despair’d of his +recovery; and thereupon return’d to the Ball very well satisfied, but +not before Leonora and Hippolito were departed. + +So, Reader, having now discharg’d my Conscience of a small Discovery +which I thought my self obliged to make to Thee, I proceed to tell +thee, that our Friend Aurelian had by this time danced himself into a +Net which he neither could, nor which is worse desired to untangle. + +His Soul was charm’d to the movement of her Body: an Air so graceful, +so sweet, so easie and so great, he had never seen. She had something +of Majesty in her, which appear’d to be born with her; and though it +struck an awe into the Beholders, yet was it sweetned with a +familiarity of Behaviour, which rendred it agreeable to every Body. The +grandeur of her Mien was not stiff, but unstudied and unforced, mixed +with a simplicity; free, yet not loose nor affected. If the former +seem’d to condescend, the latter seem’d to aspire; and both to unite in +the centre of Perfection. Every turn she gave in dancing snatcht +Aurelian into a Rapture, and he had like to have been out two or three +times with following his Eyes, which she led about as Slaves to her +Heels. + +As soon as they had done dancing, he began to complain of his want of +Breath and Lungs, to speak sufficiently in her Commendation; She +smilingly told him, he did ill to dance so much then: Yet in +Consideration of the pains he had taken more than ordinary upon her +account she would bate him a great deal of Complement, but with this +Proviso, That he was to discover to her who he was. Aurelian was +unwilling for the present to own himself to be really the Man he was; +when a suddain thought came into his Head to take upon him the Name and +Character of Hippolito, who he was sure was not known in Florence. He +thereupon, after a little pause, pretended to recal himself in this +manner: ‘Madam, it is no small demonstration of the entire Resignation +which I have made of my Heart to your Chains, since the secrets of it +are no longer in my power. I confess I only took Florence in my way, +not designing any longer Residence, than should be requisite to inform +the Curiosity of a Traveller, of the rareties of the Place. Whether +Happiness or Misery will be the Consequence of that Curiosity, I am yet +in fear, and submit to your Determination; but sure I am, not to depart +Florence till you have made me the most miserable Man in it, and refuse +me the fatal Kindness of Dying at your Feet. I am by Birth a Spaniard, +of the City of Toledo; my name Hippolito di Saviolina: I was yesterday +a Man free, as Nature made the first; to day I am fallen into a +Captivity, which must continue with my Life, and which, it is in your +power, to make much dearer to me. Thus in obedience to your Commands, +and contrary to my Resolution of remaining unknown in this place, I +have inform’d you, Madam, what I am; what I shall be, I desire to know +from you; at least, I hope, the free discovery I have made of my self, +will encourage you to trust me with the knowledge of your Person. + +Here a low bow, and a deep sigh, put an end to his Discourse, and +signified his Expectation of her Reply, which was to this purpose—(But +I had forgot to tell you, That Aurelian kept off his Mask from the time +that he told her he was of Spain, till the period of his Relation.) Had +I thought (said she) that my Curiosity would have brought me in debt, I +should certainly have forborn it; or at least have agreed with you +before hand about the rate of your discovery, then I had not brought my +self to the Inconveniency of being censur’d, either of too much +easiness or reservedness; but to avoid, as much as I can, the +extreamity of either, I am resolv’d but to discover my self in part, +and will endeavour to give you as little occasion as I can, either to +boast of, or ridicule the Behaviour of the Women of Florence in your +Travels. + +Aurelian interrupted her, and swore very solemnly (and the more +heartily, I believe, because he then indeed spoke truth) that he would +make Florence the place of his abode, whatever concerns he had +elsewhere. She advised him to be cautious how he swore to his +Expressions of Gallantry; and farther told him she now hoped she should +make him a return to all the Fine Things he had said, since she gave +him his choice whether he would know who she was, or see her Face. + +Aurelian who was really in Love, and in whom Consideration would have +been a Crime, greedily embrac’d the latter, since she assured him at +that time he should not know both. Well, what follow’d? Why, she pull’d +off her Mask, and appear’d to him at once in the Glory of Beauty. But +who can tell the astonishment Aurelian felt? He was for a time +senseless; Admiration had suppress’d his Speech, and his Eyes were +entangled in Light. In short, to be made sensible of his condition, we +must conceive some Idea of what he beheld, which is not to be imagined +till seen, nor then to be express’d. Now see the impertinence and +conceitedness of an Author, who will have a fling at a Description, +which he has Prefaced with an impossibility. One might have seen +something in her Composition resembling the Formation of Epicurus his +World, as if every Atome of Beauty had concurr’d to unite an +excellency. Had that curious Painter lived in her days, he might have +avoided his painful search, when he collected from the choicest pieces +the most choice Features, and by a due Disposition and Judicious +Symmetry of those exquisite parts, made one whole and perfect Venus. +Nature seem’d here to have play’d the Plagiary, and to have molded into +Substance the most refined Thoughts of inspired Poets. Her Eyes +diffus’d Rays comfortable as warmth, and piercing as the light; they +would have worked a passage through the straightest Pores, and with a +delicious heat, have play’d about the most obdurate frozen Heart, +untill ’twere melted down to Love. Such Majesty and Affability were in +her Looks; so alluring, yet commanding was her Presence, that it minged +awe with love; kindling a Flame which trembled to aspire. She had +danced much, which, together with her being close masked, gave her a +tincture of Carnation more than ordinary. But Aurelian (from whom I had +every tittle of her Description) fancy’d he saw a little Nest of Cupids +break from the Tresses of her Hair, and every one officiously betake +himself to his task. Some fann’d with their downy Wings, her glowing +Cheeks; while others brush’d the balmy Dew from off her Face, leaving +alone a heavenly Moisture blubbing on her Lips, on which they drank and +revell’d for their pains; Nay, so particular were their allotments in +her service, that Aurelian was very positive a young Cupid who was but +just Pen-feather’d, employ’d his naked Quills to pick her Teeth. And a +thousand other things his transport represented to him, which none but +Lovers who have experience of such Visions will believe. + +As soon as he awaked and found his Speech come to him, he employ’d it +to this effect: + +‘’Tis enough that I have seen a Divinity—Nothing but Mercy can inhabit +these Perfections—Their utmost rigour brings a Death preferable to any +Life, but what they give—Use me, Madam, as you please; for by your fair +self, I cannot think a Bliss beyond what now I feel—You wound with +Pleasure, and if you Kill it must be with Transport—Ah! Yet methinks to +live—O Heaven! to have Life pronounced by those Bless’d Lips—Did they +not inspire where they command, it were an immediate Death of Joy. + +Aurelian was growing a little too loud with his Admiration, had she not +just then interrupted him, by clapping on her Masque, and telling him +they should be observed, if he proceeded in his Extravagance; and +withal, that his Passion was too suddain to be real, and too violent to +be lasting. He replied, Indeed it might not be very lasting, (with a +submissive mournful Voice) but it would continue during his Life. That +it was suddain, he denied, for she had raised it by degrees from his +first sight of her, by a continued discovery of Charms, in her Mien and +Conversation, till she thought fit to set Fire to the Train she had +laid, by the Lightning of her Face; and then he could not help it, if +he were blown up. + +He begg’d her to believe the Sincerity of his Passion, at least to +enjoin him something, which might tend to the Convincing of her +Incredulity. She said, she should find a time to make some Trials of +him; but for the first, she charged him not to follow or observe her, +after the Dissolution of the Assembly. He promised to obey, and +entreated her to tell him but her Name, that he might have Recourse to +that in his Affliction for her Absence, if he were able to survive it. +She desired him to live by all means; and if he must have a Name to +play with, to call her Incognita, till he were better informed. + +The Company breaking up, she took her leave, and at his earnest +Entreaty, gave him a short Vision of her Face which, then dress’d in an +obliging smile, caused another fit of Transport, which lasted till she +was gone out of Sight. Aurelian gathered up his Spirits, and walked +slowly towards his Lodging, never remembring that he had lost +Hippolito, till upon turning the Corner of a Street, he heard a noise +of Fighting; and coming near, saw a Man make a vigorous Defence against +two, who pressed violently upon him. He then thought of Hippolito, and +fancying he saw the glimmering of Diamond Buttons, such as Hippolito +had upon the Sleeves of his Habit, immediately drew to his Assistance; +and with that Eagerness and Resolution, that the Assailants, finding +their unmanly odds defeated, took to their Heels. The Person rescued by +the Generous Help of Aurelian, came toward him; but as he would have +stoop’d to have saluted him, dropp’d, fainting at his feet. Aurelian, +now he was so near him, perceiv’d plainly Hippolito’s Habit, and step’d +hastily to take him up. Just as some of the Guards (who were going the +Rounds, apprehensive of such Disorders in an Universal Merriment) came +up to him with Lights, and had taken Prisoners the Two Men, whom they +met with their Sword’s drawn; when looking in the Face of the Wounded +Man, he found it was not Hippolito, but his Governour Claudio, in the +Habit he had worn at the Ball. He was extreamly surpriz’d, as were the +Prisoners, who confess’d their Design to have been upon Lorenzo; +grounding their Mistake upon the Habit which was known to have been +his. They were Two Men who formerly had been Servants to him, whom +Lorenzo had unfortunately slain. + +They made a shift to bring Claudio to himself; and part of the Guard +carrying off the Prisoners, whom Aurelian desired they would secure, +the rest accompanied him bearing Claudio in their Arms to his Lodging. +He had not patience to forbear asking for Hippolito by the Way; whom +Claudio assured him, he had left safe in his Chamber, above Two Hours +since. That his coming Home so long before the Divertisements were +ended, and Undressing himself, had given him the Unhappy Curiosity, to +put on his Habit, and go to the Pallace; in his Return from whence, he +was set upon in the Manner he found him, which if he recovered, he must +own his Life indebted to his timely Assistance. + +Being come to the House, they carried him to his Bed, and having sent +for Surgeons Aurelian rewarded and dismissed the Guard. He stay’d the +dressing of Claudio’s Wounds, which were many, though they hop’d none +Mortal: and leaving him to his Rest, went to give Hippolito an Account +of what had happened, whom he found with a Table before him, leaning +upon both his Elbows, his Face covered with his Hands, and so +motionless, that Aurelian concluded he was asleep; seeing several +Papers lie before him, half written and blotted out again, he thought +to steal softly to the Table, and discover what he had been employed +about. Just as he reach’d forth his Hand to take up one of the Papers, +Hippolito started up so on the suddain, as surpriz’d Aurelian and made +him leap back; Hippolito, on the other hand, not supposing that any +Body had been near him, was so disordered with the Appearance of a Man +at his Elbow, (whom his Amazement did not permit him to distinguish) +that he leap’d hastily to his Sword, and in turning him about, +overthrew the Stand and Candles. Here were they both left in the Dark, +Hippolito groping about with his Sword, and thrusting at every Chair +that he felt oppose him. Aurelian was scarce come to himself, when +thinking to step back toward the Door that he might inform his Friend +of his Mistake, without exposing himself to his blind Fury; Hippolito +heard him stir, and made a full thrust with such Violence, that the +Hilt of the Sword meeting with Aurelian’s Breast beat him down, and +Hippolito a top of him, as a Servant alarm’d with the noise, came into +the Chamber with a Light. The Fellow trembled, and thought they were +both Dead, till Hippolito raising himself, to see whom he had got under +him, swoon’d away upon the discovery of his Friend. But such was the +extraordinary Care of Providence in directing the Sword, that it only +past under his Arm, giving no Wound to Aurelian, but a little Bruise +between his Shoulder and Breast with the Hilt. He got up, scarce +recovered of his Fright, and by the help of the Servant; laid Hippolito +upon the Bed; who when he was come to himself could hardly be +perswaded, that his Friend was before him and alive, till he shew’d him +his Breast, where was nothing of a Wound. Hippolito begg’d his Pardon a +Thousand Times, and curs’d himself as often, who was so near to +committing the most Execrable Act of Amicide. + +They dismiss’d the Fellow, and with many Embraces, congratulated their +fortunate Delivery from the Mischief which came so near them, each +blaming himself as the Occasion: Aurelian accusing his own +unadvisedness in stealing upon Hippolito; Hippolito blaming his own +temerity and weakness, in being so easily frighted to Disorder; and +last of all, his blindness, in not knowing his dearest Friend. But +there he gave a Sigh, and passionately taking Aurelian by the Hand, +cry’d, Ah! my Friend, Love is indeed blind, when it would not suffer me +to see you—There arose another Sigh; a Sympathy seiz’d Aurelian +immediately: (For, by the Way, sighing is as catching among Lovers, as +yawning among the Vulgar.) Beside hearing the Name of Love, made him +fetch such a Sigh, that Hippolito’s were but Fly-blows in Comparison, +that was answered with all the Might Hippolito had, Aurelian ply’d him +close till they were both out of Breath. + +Thus not a Word pass’d, though each wondred why the t’other sigh’d, at +last concluded it to be only Complaisance to one another. + +Aurelian broke the Silence, by telling him the Misfortune of his +Governour. Hippolito rejoic’d as at the luckiest Accident which could +have befall’n him. Aurelian wondred at his unseasonable Mirth, and +demanded the Cause of it; he answer’d, It would necessitate his longer +Stay in Florence, and for ought he knew be the Means of bringing a +happy Period to his Amour. + +His Friend thought him to be little better than a Madman, when he +perceiv’d him of a suddain snatch out of his Bosom a Handkerchief, +which having kiss’d with a great deal of Ardour, he took Aurelian by +the Hand, and smiling at the Surprize he saw him in; + +‘Your Florentine Cupid is certainly (said he) ‘the most Expert in the +World. I have since I saw you beheld the most Beautiful of Women. I am +faln desperately in Love with her, and those Papers which you see so +blotted and scattered, are but so many Essays which I have made to the +Declaration of my Passion. And this Handkerchief which I so zealously +Caress, is the Inestimable Token which I have to make my self known to +her. ‘O Leonora! (continued he) ‘how hast thou stamp’d thine Image on +my Soul! How much dearer am I to my self, since I have had thy Heavenly +Form in keeping! Now, my Aurelian, I am worthy thee; my exalted Love +has Dignified me, and rais’d me far above thy poor former Despicable +Hippolito. + +Aurelian seeing the Rapture he was in, thought it in vain to expect a +settled Relation of the Adventure, so was reaching to the Table for +some of the Papers, but Hippolito told him, If he would have a little +patience he would acquaint him with the whole Matter; and thereupon +told him Word for Word how he was mistaken for Lorenzo, and his +Management of himself. Aurelian commended his Prudence, in not +discovering himself; and told him, If he could spare so much time from +the Contemplation of his Mistress, he would inform him of an Adventure, +though not so Accidental, yet of as great Concern to his own future +Happiness. So related all that had happened to him with his Beautiful +Incognita. + +Having ended the Story, they began to consider of the Means they were +to use toward a Review of their Mistresses. Aurelian was Confounded at +the Difficulty he conceived on his Part. He understood from Hippolito’s +Adventure, that his Father knew of his being in Town, whom he must +unavoidably Disoblige if he yet concealed himself, and Disobey if he +came into his Sight; for he had already entertain’d an Aversion for +Juliana, in apprehension of her being Imposed on him. His Incognita was +rooted in his Heart, yet could he not Comfort himself with any Hopes +when he should see her: He knew not where she lived, and she had made +him no Promise of a second Conference. Then did he repent his +inconsiderate Choice, in preferring the momentary Vision of her Face, +to a certain Intelligence of her Person. Every thought that succeeded +distracted him, and all the Hopes he could presume upon, were within +compass of the Two Days Merriment yet to come; for which Space he hop’d +he might excuse his remaining conceal’d to his Father. + +Hippolito on the other side (though Aurelian thought him in a much +better Way) was no less afflicted for himself. The Difficulties which +he saw in his Friend’s Circumstances, put him upon finding out a great +many more in his own, than really there were. But what terrified him +most of all, was his being an utter Stranger to Leonora; she had not +the least knowledge of him but through mistake, and consequently could +form no Idea of him to his Advantage. He look’d upon it as an unlucky +thought in Aurelian to take upon him his Name, since possibly the Two +Ladies were acquainted, and should they communicate to each other their +Adventures; they might both reasonably suffer in their Opinions, and be +thought guilty of Falshood, since it would appear to them as One Person +pretending to Two. Aurelian told him, there was but one Remedy for +that, which was for Hippolito, in the same Manner that he had done, to +make use of his Name, when he writ to Leonora, and use what arguments +he could to perswade her to Secrecy, least his Father should know of +the Reason which kept him concealed in Town. And it was likely, though +perhaps she might not immediately entertain his Passion; yet she would +out of Generosity conceal, what was hidden only for her sake. + +Well this was concluded on, after a great many other Reasons used on +either Side, in favour of the Contrivance; they at last argued +themselves into a Belief, that Fortune had befriended them with a +better Plot, than their regular Thinking could have contriv’d. So soon +had they convinc’d themselves, in what they were willing to believe. + +Aurelian laid himself down to rest, that is, upon the Bed; for he was a +better Lover than to pretend to sleep that Night, while Hippolito set +himself again to frame his Letter design’d for Leonora. He writ +several, at last pitched upon one, and very probably the worst, as you +may guess when you read it in its proper Place. + +It was break of Day when the Servant, who had been employed all the +foregoing Day in procuring Accoutrements for the Two Cavaliers, to +appear in at the Tilting, came into the Room, and told them all the +Young Gentlemen in the Town were trying their Equipage, and preparing +to be early in the Lists. They made themselves ready with all +Expedition at the Alarm: and Hippolito having made a Visit to his +Governour, dispatch’d a Messenger with the Letter and Directions to +Leonora. At the Signal agreed upon the Casement was opened and a String +let down, to which the Bearer having fastned the Letter, saw it drawn +up, and returned. It were a vain attempt to describe Leonora’s +Surprize, when she read the Superscription.—The Unfortunate Aurelian, +to the Beautiful Leonora—After she was a little recovered from her +Amaze, she recollected to her self all the Passages between her and her +supposed Cousin, and immediately concluded him to be Aurelian. Then +several little Circumstances which she thought might have been +sufficient to have convinced her, represented themselves to her; and +she was in a strange Uneasiness to think of her free Carriage to a +Stranger. + +She was once in a Mind to have burn’d the Letter, or to have stay’d for +an Opportunity to send it again. But she was a Woman, and her Curiosity +opposed it self to all thoughts of that Nature: at length with a firm +Resolution, she opened it, and found Word for Word, what is +underwritten. + +The Letter. + +MADAM, + + +If your fair Eyes, upon the breaking up of this, meet with somewhat too +quick a Surprize, make thence, I beseech you, some reflection upon the +Condition I must needs have been in, at the suddain Appearance of that +Sun of Beauty, which at once shone so full upon my soul. I could not +immediately disengage my self from that Maze of Charms, to let you know +how unworthy a Captive your Eyes had made through mistake. Sure, Madam, +you cannot but remember my Disorder, of which your Innocent (Innocent, +though perhaps to me Fatal) Error made a Charitable (but wide) +Construction. Your Tongue pursued the Victory of your Eyes, and you did +not give me time to rally my poor Disordered Senses, so as to make a +tolerable Retreat. Pardon, Madam, the Continuation of the Deceipt, and +call it not so, that I appear’d to be other than my self; for Heaven +knows I was not then my self, nor am I now my own. You told me +something that concern’d me nearly, as to a Marriage my Father design’d +me, and much more nearly in being told by you. For Heaven’s sake, +disclose not to any Body your Knowledge of me, that I may not be forced +to an immediate Act of Disobedience; for if my future Services and +inviolate Love, cannot recommend me to your Favour, I shall find more +comfort in the cold Embraces of a Grave, than in the Arms of the never +so much admired (but by me dreaded) Juliana. Think, Madam, of those +severe Circumstances I lie under; and withal I beg you, think it is in +your Power, and only in your Power, to make them happy as my Wishes, or +much more miserable than I am able to imagine. That dear, inestimable +(though undesign’d) Favour which I receiv’d from you, shall this Day +distinguish me from the Crowd of your Admirers; that which I really +applied to my inward bleeding Wound, the welcom Wound which you have +made, and which, unless from you, does wish no Cure; then pardon and +have pity on, O Adored Leonora, him, who is your’s by Creation as he is +Heaven’s, though never so unworthy. Have pity on + + +Your +Aurelian. + + +She read the Letter over and over, then flung it by, then read it +again; the Novelty of the Adventure made her repeat her Curiosity, and +take more than ordinary Pains to understand it. At last her Familiarity +with the Expressions grew to an Intimacy, and what she at first +permitted she now began to like. She thought there was something in it +a little more serious, than to be barely Gallantry. She wondred at her +own Blindness, and fancy’d she could remember something of a more +becoming Air in the Stranger than was usual to Lorenzo. This thought +was parent to another of the same kind, till a long Chain successively +had Birth, and every one somewhat more than other, in Favour of the +supposed Aurelian. She reflected upon his Discretion, in deferring the +Discovery of himself, till a little time had, as it were, weaned her +from her perswasion, and by removing her farther from her Mistake, had +prepared her for a full and determinate Convincement. She thought his +Behaviour, in personating a Sick Man so readily, upon the first hint +was not amiss, and smil’d to think of his Excuse to procure her +Handkerchief; and last of all, his sifting out the Means to write to +her, which he had done with that Modesty and Respect, she could not +tell how to find fault with it. + +She had proceeded thus far in a maze of Thought, when she started to +find her self so lost to her Reason, and would have trod back again +that path of deluding Fancy; accusing her self of Fondness, and +inconsiderate Easiness, in giving Credit to the Letter of a Person +whose Face she never saw, and whose first Acquaintance with her was a +Treachery, and he who could so readily deliver his Tongue of a Lye upon +a Surprize, was scarce to be trusted when he had sufficient Time +allow’d him to beget a Fiction, and Means to perfect the Birth. + +How did she know this to be Aurelian, if he were? Nay farther, put it +to the Extremity, What if she should upon farther Conversation with him +proceed to Love him? What Hopes were there for her? Or how could she +consent to Marry a Man already Destined for another Woman? nay, a Woman +that was her Friend, whose Marrying with him was to compleat the happy +Reconciliation of Two Noble Families, and which might prevent the +Effusion of much Blood likely to be shed in that Quarrel: Besides, she +should incurr share of the Guilt, which he would draw upon him by +Disobedience to his Father, whom she was sure would not be consenting +to it. + +’Tis strange now, but all Accounts agree, that just here Leonora, who +had run like a violent Stream against Aurelian hitherto, now retorted +with as much precipitation in his Favour. I could never get any Body to +give me a satisfactory reason, for her suddain and dextrous Change of +Opinion just at that stop, which made me conclude she could not help +it; and that Nature boil’d over in her at that time when it had so fair +an Opportunity to show it self: For Leonora it seems was a Woman +Beautiful, and otherwise of an excellent Disposition; but in the Bottom +a very Woman. This last Objection, this Opportunity of perswading Man +to Disobedience, determined the Matter in Favour of Aurelian, more than +all his Excellencies and Qualifications, take him as Aurelian, or +Hippolito, or both together. + +Well, the Spirit of Contradiction and of Eve was strong in her; and she +was in a fair Way to Love Aurelian, for she lik’d him already; that it +was Aurelian she no longer doubted, for had it been a Villain, who had +only taken his Name upon him for any ill Designs, he would never have +slip’d so favourable an Opportunity as when they were alone and in the +Night coming through the Garden and broad Space before the Piazza. In +short, thus much she resolv’d, at least to conceal the Knowledge she +had of him, as he had entreated her in his Letter, and to make +particular Remarks of his Behaviour that Day in the Lists, which should +it happen to Charm her with an absolute liking of his Person, she +resolv’d to dress her self to the best Advantage, and mustering up all +her Graces, out of pure Revenge to kill him down right. + +I would not have the Reader now be impertinent, and look upon this to +be force, or a whim of the Author’s, that a Woman should proceed so far +in her Approbation of a Man whom she never saw, that it is impossible, +therefore ridiculous to suppose it. Let me tell such a Critick, that he +knows nothing of the Sex, if he does not know that Woman may be taken +with the Character and Description of a Man, when general and +extraordinary, that she may be prepossess’d with an agreeable Idea of +his Person and Conversation; and though she cannot imagine his real +Features, or manner of Wit, yet she has a general Notion of what is +call’d a fine Gentleman, and is prepar’d to like such a one who does +not disagree with that Character. Aurelian, as he bore a very fair +Character, so was he extreamly deserving to make it good, which +otherways might have been to his prejudice; for oftentimes, through an +imprudent Indulgence to our Friends merit, we give so large a +Description of his excellencies, that People make more room in their +Expectation, than the Intrinsick worth of the Man will fill, which +renders him so much the more despicable as there is emptyness to spare. +’Tis certain, though the Women seldom find that out; for though they do +not see so much in a Man as was promised, yet they will be so kind to +imagine he has some hidden excellencies; which time may discover to +them, so are content to allow, him a considerable share of their +esteem, and take him into Favour upon Tick. Aurelian as he had good +Credit, so he had a good Stock to support it, and his Person was a good +promising Security for the payment of any Obligation he could lie under +to the Fair Sex. Hippolito, who at this time was our Aurelian, did not +at all lessen him in appearing for him: So that although Leonora was +indeed mistaken, she could not be said to be much in the wrong. I could +find in my Heart to beg the Reader’s pardon for this Digression, if I +thought he would be sensible of the Civility; for I promise him, I do +not intend to do it again throughout the Story, though I make never so +many, and though he take them never so ill. But because I began this +upon a bare Supposition of his Impertinence, which might be somewhat +impertinent in me to suppose, I do, and hope to make him amends by +telling him, that by the time Leonora was dress’d, several Ladies of +her acquaintance came to accompany her to the place designed for the +Tilting, where we will leave them drinking Chocholate till ’tis time +for them to go. + +Our Cavaliers had by good Fortune provided themselves of two curious +Suits of light Armour, finely enammelled and gilt. Hippolito had sent +to Poggio Imperiale for a couple of fine led Horses which he had left +there with the rest of his Train at his entrance into Florence. Mounted +on these and every way well Equipt, they took their way, attended only +by two Lacqueys, toward the Church di Santa Croce, before which they +were to perform their Exercises of Chivalry. Hippolito wore upon his +Helm a large Plume of Crimson Feathers, in the midst of which was +artificially placed Leonora’s Handkerchief. His Armour was gilt, and +enammell’d with Green and Crimson. Aurelian was not so happy as to wear +any token to recommend him to the notice of his Mistress, so had only a +Plume of Sky-colour and White Feathers, suitable to his Armour, which +was Silver enammelled with Azure. I shall not describe the Habits of +any other Cavaliers, or of the Ladies; let it suffice to tell the +Reader they were all very Fine and very Glorious, and let him dress +them in what is most agreeable to his own Fancy. + +Our Gallants entred the Lists, and having made their Obeysance to his +Highness, turned round to salute and view the Company. The Scaffold was +circular, so that there was no end of the Delightful Prospect. It +seem’d a Glory of Beauty which shone around the admiring Beholders. Our +Lovers soon perceived the Stars which were to Rule their Destiny, which +sparkled a lustre beyond all the inferiour Constellations, and seem’d +like two Suns to distribute Light to all the Planets in that Heavenly +Sphere. Leonora knew her Slave by his Badge and blushed till the Lilies +and Roses in her cheeks had resemblance to the Plume of Crimson and +White Handkerchief in Hippolito’s Crest. He made her a low bow, and +reined his Horse back with an extraordinary Grace, into a respectful +retreat. Aurelian saw his Angel, his beautiful Incognita, and had no +other way to make himself known to her, but by saluting and bowing to +her after the Spanish mode; she guess’d him by it to be her new Servant +Hippolito, and signified her apprehension, by making him a more +particular and obliging return, than to any of the Cavaliers who had +saluted her before. + +The Exercise that was to be perform’d was in general a running at the +Ring; and afterwards two Cavaliers undertook to defend the Beauty of +Donna Catharina, against all who would not allow her preheminence of +their Mistresses. This thing was only designed for show and form, none +presuming that any body would put so great an affront upon the Bride +and Duke’s Kinswoman, as to dispute her pretentions to the first place +in the Court of Venus. But here our Cavaliers were under a mistake; for +seeing a large Shield carry’d before two Knights, with a Lady painted +upon it; not knowing who, but reading the Inscription which was (in +large Gold Letters) Above the Insolence of Competition. They thought +themselves obliged, especially in the presence of their Mistresses, to +vindicate their Beauty; and were just spurring on to engage the +Champions, when a Gentleman stopping them, told them their mistake, +that it was the Picture of Donna Catharina, and a particular Honour +done to her by his Highness’s Commands, and not to be disputed. Upon +this they would have returned to their Post, much concerned for their +mistake; but notice being taken by Don Ferdinand of some Show of +Opposition that was made, he would have begged leave of the Duke, to +have maintained his Lady’s Honour against the Insolence of those +Cavaliers; but the Duke would by no means permit it. They were arguing +about it when one of them came up, before whom the Shield was born, and +demanded his Highness’s Permission, to inform those Gentlemen better of +their mistake, by giving them the Foyl. By the Intercession of Don +Ferdinand, leave was given them; whereupon a Civil Challenge was sent +to the two Strangers, informing them of their Error, and withal telling +them they must either maintain it by force of Arms, or make a publick +acknowledgment by riding bare headed before the Picture once round the +Lists. The Stranger-Cavaliers remonstrated to the Duke how sensible +they were of their Error, and though they would not justifie it, yet +they could not decline the Combate, being pressed to it beyond an +honourable refusal. To the Bride they sent a Complement, wherein, +having first begg’d her pardon for not knowing her Picture, they gave +her to understand, that now they were not about to dispute her +undoubted right to the Crown of Beauty, but the honour of being her +Champions was the Prize they fought for, which they thought themselves +as able to maintain as any other Pretenders. Wherefore they pray’d her, +that if fortune so far befriended their endeavours as to make them +Victors, that they might receive no other Reward, but to be crown’d +with the Titles of their Adversaries, and be ever after esteem’d as her +most humble Servants. The excuse was so handsomely designed, and much +better express’d than it is here, that it took effect. The Duke, Don +Ferdinand and his Lady were so well satisfied with it as to grant their +Request. + +While the running at the Ring lasted, our Cavaliers alternately bore +away great share of the Honour. That Sport ended, Marshals were +appointed for the Field, and every thing in great form settled for the +Combat. The Cavaliers were all in good earnest, but orders were given +to bring ’em blunted Lances, and to forbid the drawing of a Sword upon +pain of his Highness’s Displeasure. The Trumpets sounded and they began +their Course: The Ladies’ Hearts, particularly the Incognita and +Leonora’s beat time to the Horses Hoofs, and hope and fear made a mock +Fight within their tender Breasts, each wishing and doubting success +where she lik’d: But as the generality of their Prayers were for the +graceful Strangers, they accordingly succeeded. Aurelian’s Adversary +was unhorsed in the first Encounter, and Hippolito’s lost both Stirrups +and dropt his Lance to save himself. The Honour of the Field was +immediately granted to them, and Don Catharina sent them both Favours, +which she pray’d them to wear as her Knights. The Crowd breaking up, +our Cavaliers made a shift to steal off unmarked, save by the watchful +Leonora and Incognita, whose Eyes were never off from their respective +Servants. There was enquiry made for them, but to no purpose; for they +to prevent their being discovered had prepared another House, distant +from their Lodging, where a Servant attended to disarm them, and +another carried back their Horses to the Villa, while they walked +unsuspected to their Lodging; but Incognita had given command to a Page +to dog ’em till the Evening, at a distance, and bring her word where +they were latest housed. + +While several Conjectures pass’d among the Company, who were all gone +to Dinner at the Palace, who those Cavaliers should be, Don Fabio +thought himself the only Man able to guess; for he knew for certain +that his Son and Hippolito were both in Town, and was well enough +pleased with his humour of remaining Incognito till the Diversions +should be over, believing then that the surprize of his Discovery would +add much to the Gallantry he had shown in Masquerade; but hearing the +extraordinary liking that every body express’d, and in a particular +manner, the great Duke himself, to the Persons and Behaviour of the +unknown Cavaliers, the Old Gentleman could not forbear the Vanity to +tell his Highness, that he believed he had an interest in one of the +Gentlemen, whom he was pleased to honour with so favourable a +Character; and told him what reason he had to believe the one to be his +Son, and the other a Spanish Nobleman, his Friend. + +This discovery having thus got vent, was diffused like Air; every body +suck’d it in, and let it out again with their Breath to the next they +met withal; and in half an hours time it was talked of in the House +where our Adventurers were lodged. Aurelian was stark mad at the News, +and knew what search would be immediately made for him. Hippolito, had +he not been desperately in Love, would certainly have taken Horse and +rid out of Town just then, for he could make no longer doubt of being +discovered, and he was afraid of the just Exceptions Leonora might make +to a Person who had now deceived her twice. Well, we will leave them +both fretting and contriving to no purpose, to look about and see what +was done at the Palace, where their doom was determined much quicker +than they imagined. + +Dinner ended, the Duke retired with some chosen Friends to a Glass of +Wine; among whom were the Marquess of Viterbo and Don Fabio. His +Highness was no Stranger to the long Fewd that had been between the two +Families, and also understood what Overtures of Reconciliation had been +lately made, with the Proposals of Marriage between Aurelian and the +Marquess’s Daughter. Having waited till the Wine had taken the effect +proposed, and the Company were raised to an uncommon pitch of +Chearfulness, which he also encouraged by an Example of Freedom and +Good Humour, he took an opportunity of rallying the two grave Signiors +into an Accommodation: That was seconded with the praises of the young +Couple, and the whole Company joined in a large Encomium upon the +Graces of Aurelian and the Beauties of Juliana. The old Fellows were +tickled with Delight to hear their Darlings so admired, which the Duke +perceiving, out of a Principle of Generosity and Friendship, urged the +present Consummation of the Marriage; telling them there was yet one +day of publick Rejoycing to come, and how glad he should be to have it +improved by so acceptable an Alliance; and what an honour it would be +to have his Cousin’s Marriage attended by the Conjunction of so +extraordinary a Pair, the performance of which Ceremony would crown the +Joy that was then in Agitation, and make the last day vie for equal +Glory and Happiness with the first. In short, by the Complaisant and +Perswasive Authority of the Duke, the Dons were wrought into a +Compliance, and accordingly embraced and shook Hands upon the Matter. +This News was dispersed like the former, and Don Fabio gave orders for +the enquiring out his Son’s Lodging, that the Marquess and he might +make him a Visit, as soon as he had acquainted Juliana with his +purpose, that she might prepare her self. He found her very chearful +with Donna Catharina and several other Ladies; whereupon the old +Gentleman, pretty well warmed with the Duke’s Goodfellowship, told her +aloud he was come to crown their Mirth with another Wedding; that his +Highness had been pleased to provide a Husband for his Daughter, and he +would have her provide her self to receive him to-morrow. All the +Company at first, as well as Juliana her self, thought he had rally’d, +till the Duke coming in confirmed the serious part of his Discourse. +Juliana was confounded at the haste that was imposed on her, and +desired a little time to consider what she was about. But the Marquess +told her, she should have all the rest of her Life to consider in; that +Aurelian should come and consider with her in the Morning, if she +pleased; but in the mean time, he advised her to go home and call her +Maids to Counsel. + +Juliana took her leave of the Company very gravely, as if not much +delighted with her Father’s Rallery. Leonora happened to be by, and +heard all that passed; she was ready to swoon, and found her self +seized with a more violent Passion than ever for Aurelian: Now upon her +apprehensions of losing him, her active fancy had brought him before +her with all the advantages imaginable, and though she had before found +great tenderness in her Inclination toward him, yet was she somewhat +surprized to find she really lov’d him. She was so uneasie at what she +had heard, that she thought it convenient to steal out of the presence +and retire to her Closet, to bemoan her unhappy helpless Condition. + +Our Two Cavalier-Lovers had rack’d their Invention till it was quite +disabled, and could not make discovery of one Contrivance more for +their Relief. Both sat silent, each depending upon his Friend, and +still expecting when t’other should speak. Night came upon them while +they sate thus thoughtless, or rather drowned in Thought; but a Servant +bringing Lights into the Room awakened them: And Hippolito’s Speech, +usher’d by a profound Sigh, broke Silence. + +‘Well! (said he) what must we do, Aurelian? We must suffer, replied +Aurelian faintly. When immediately raising his Voice, he cry’d out, ‘Oh +ye unequal Powers, why do ye urge us to desire what ye doom us to +forbear; give us a Will to chuse, then curb us with a Duty to restrain +that Choice! Cruel Father, Will nothing else suffice! Am I to be the +Sacrifice to expiate your Offences past; past ere I was born? Were I to +lose my Life, I’d gladly Seal your Reconcilement with my Blood. ‘But Oh +my Soul is free, you have no Title to my Immortal Being, that has +Existence independent of your Power; and must I lose my Love, the +Extract of that Being, the Joy, Light, Life, and Darling of my Soul? +No, I’ll own my Flame, and plead my Title too.—But hold, wretched +Aurelian, hold, whither does thy Passion hurry thee? Alas! the cruel +fair Incognita Loves thee not! She knows not of thy Love! If she did, +what Merit hast thou to pretend?—Only Love.—Excess of Love. And all the +World has that. All that have seen her. Yet I had only seen her once, +and in that once I lov’d above the World; nay, lov’d beyond my self, +such vigorous Flame, so strong, so quick she darted at my Breast; it +must rebound, and by Reflection, warm her self. Ah! welcome Thought, +lovely deluding Fancy, hang still upon my Soul, let me but think, that +once she Loves and perish my Despair. + +Here a suddain stop gave a Period also to Hippolito’s Expectation, and +he hoped now that his Friend had given his Passion so free a vent, he +might recollect and bethink himself of what was convenient to be done; +but Aurelia, as if he had mustered up all his Spirits purely to acquit +himself of that passionate Harangue, stood mute and insensible like an +Alarum Clock, that had spent all its force in one violent Emotion. +Hippolito shook him by the Arm to rouze him from his Lethargy, when his +Lacquey coming into the Room, out of Breath, told him there was a Coach +just stopp’d at the Door, but he did not take time to who came in it. +Aurelian concluded immediately it was his Father in quest of him; and +without saying any more to Hippolito, than that he was Ruined if +discovered, took his Sword and slipp’d down a back pair of Stairs into +the Garden, from whence he conveyed himself into the Street. Hippolito +had not bethought himself what to do, before he perceiv’d a Lady come +into the Chamber close veil’d, and make toward him. At the first +Appearance of a Woman, his Imagination flattered him with a Thought of +Leonora; but that was quickly over upon nearer Approach to the Lady, +who had much the Advantage in Stature of his Mistress. He very civilly +accosted her, and asked if he were the Person to whom the Honour of +that Visit was intended. She said, her Business was with Don Hippolito +di Saviolina, to whom she had Matter of Concern to import, and which +required haste. He had like to have told her, That he was the Man, but +by good Chance reflecting upon his Friend’s Adventure, who had taken +his name, he made Answer, that he believed Don Hippolito not far off, +and if she had a Moments Patience he would enquire for him. + +He went out, leaving the Lady in the Room, and made search all round +the House and Garden for Aurelian, but to no purpose. The Lady +impatient of his long stay took a Pen and Ink and some Paper which she +found upon the Table, and had just made an End of her Letter, when +hearing a Noise of more than one coming up Stairs, she concluded his +Friend had found him, and that her Letter would be to no purpose, so +tore it in pieces, which she repented; when turning about, she found +her Mistake, and beheld Don Fabio and the Marquess of Viterbo just +entring at the Door. She gave a Shriek at the Surprize of their +Appearance, which much troubled the Old Gentlemen, and made them retire +in Confusion for putting a Gentlewoman into such a Fright. The Marquess +thinking they had been misinformed, or had mistaken the Lodgings, came +forward again, and made an Apology to the Lady for their Errour; but +she making no reply, walk’d directly by him down Stairs and went into +her Coach, which hurried her away as speedily as the Horses were able +to draw. + +The Dons were at a loss what to think, when, Hippolito coming into the +Room to give the Lady an Account of his Errant, was no less astonished +to find she was departed, and had left Two Old Signiors in her stead. +He knew Don Fabio’s Face, for Aurelian had shewn him his Father at the +Tilting; but being confident he was not known to him, he ventur’d to +ask him concerning a Lady whom just now he had left in that Chamber. +Don Fabio told him, she was just gone down, and doubted they had been +Guilty of a Mistake, in coming to enquire for a Couple of Gentlemen +whom they were informed were Lodged in that House; he begg’d his Pardon +if he had any Relation to that Lady, and desired to know if he could +give them any Account of the Persons they sought for. Hippolito made +answer, He was a Stranger in the Place, and only a Servant to that Lady +whom they had disturb’d, and whom he must go and seek out. And in this +Perplexity he left them, going again in Search of Aurelian, to inform +him of what had passed. + +The Old Gentlemen at last meeting with a Servant of the House, were +directed to Signior Claudio’s Chamber, where they were no sooner +entered but Aurelian came into the House. A Servant who had skulk’d for +him by Hippolito’s Order, followed him up into the Chamber, and told +him who was with Claudio then making Enquiry for him. He thought that +to be no Place for him, since Claudio must needs discover all the Truth +to his Father; wherefore he left Directions with the Servant, where +Hippolito should meet him in the Morning. As he was going out of the +Room he espied the torn Paper, which the Lady had thrown upon the +Floor: The first piece he took up had Incognita written upon it; the +sight of which so Alarum’d him, he scarce knew what he was about; but +hearing a Noise of a Door opening over Head, with as much Care as was +consistent with the haste he was then in, he gathered up scattered +pieces of Paper, and betook himself to a Ramble. + +Coming by a Light which hung at the Corner of a Street, he join’d the +torn Papers and collected thus much, that Incognita had Written the +Note, and earnestly desired (if there were any reality in what he +pretended to her) to meet her at Twelve a Clock that Night at a Convent +Gate; but unluckily the Bit of Paper which should have mentioned what +Convent, was broken off and lost. + +Here was a large Subject for Aurelian’s Passion, which he did not spare +to pour forth in Abundance of Curses on his Stars. So earnest was he in +the Contemplation of his Misfortunes, that he walk’d on unwittingly; +till at length Silence (and such as was only to be found in that part +the Town, whither his unguided Steps had carried him) surpriz’d his +Attention. I say, a profound Silence rouzed him from his Thought; and a +clap of Thunder could have done no more. + +Now because it is possible this at some time or other may happen to be +read by some Malicious or Ignorant Person, (no Reflection upon the +present Reader) who will not admit, or does not understand that Silence +should make a Man start; and have the same Effect, in provoking his +Attention, with its opposite Noise; I will illustrate this matter, to +such a diminutive Critick, by a Parallel Instance of Light; which +though it does chiefly entertain the Eyes, and is indeed the prime +Object of the Sight, yet should it immediately cease, to have a Man +left in the Dark by a suddain deficiency of it, would make him stare +with his Eyes, and though he could not see, endeavour to look about +him. Why just thus did it fare with our Adventurer; who seeming to have +wandred both into the Dominions of Silence and of Night, began to have +some tender for his own Safety, and would willingly have groped his Way +back again; when he heard a Voice, as from a Person whose Breath had +been stopp’d by some forcible Oppression, and just then, by a violent +Effort, was broke through the Restraint.—‘Yet—Yet—(again reply’d the +Voice, still struggling for Air,) ‘Forbear—and I’ll forgive what’s +past—I have done nothing yet that needs a Pardon, (says another) and +what is to come, will admit of none. + +Here the Person who seemed to be the Oppressed, made several Attempts +to speak, but they were only inarticulate Sounds, being all interrupted +and choaked in their Passage. + +Aurelian was sufficiently astonish’d, and would have crept nearer to +the Place whence he guessed the Voice to come; but he was got among the +Runes of an Old Monastery, and could not stir so silently, but some +loose Stones he met with made a rumbling. The Noise alarm’d both +Parties; and as it gave Comfort to the one, it so Terrified the +t’other, that he could not hinder the Oppressed from calling for help. +Aurelian fancy’d it was a Woman’s Voice, and immediately drawing his +Sword, demanded what was the Matter; he was answered with the +Appearance of a Man, who had opened a Dark Lanthorn which he had by +him, and came toward him with a Pistol in his Hand ready cock’d. + +Aurelian seeing the irresistable advantage his Adversary had over him, +would fain have retired; and, by the greatest Providence in the World, +going backwards fell down over some loose Stones that lay in his Way, +just in that Instant of Time when the Villain fired his Pistol, who +seeing him fall, concluded he had Shot him. The Crys of the afflicted +Person were redoubled at the Tragical Sight, which made the Murderer, +drawing a Poniard, to threaten him, that the next Murmur should be his +last. Aurelian, who was scarce assured that he was unhurt, got softly +up; and coming near enough to perceive the Violence that was used to +stop the Injured Man’s Mouth; (for now he saw plainly it was a Man) +cry’d out,—Turn, Villain, and look upon thy Death.—The Fellow amazed at +the Voice, turn’d about to have snatch’d up the Lanthorn from the +Ground; either to have given Light only to himself, or to have put out +the Candle, that he might have made his Escape; but which of the Two he +designed, no Body could tell but himself: and if the Reader have a +Curiosity to know, he must blame Aurelian; who thinking there could be +no foul play offered to such a Villain, ran him immediately through the +Heart, so that he drop’d down Dead at his Feet, without speaking a +Word. He would have seen who the Person was he had thus happily +delivered, but the Dead Body had fallen upon the Lanthorn, which put +out the Candle: However coming up toward him, he ask’d him how he did, +and bid him be of good Heart; he was answered with nothing but Prayers, +Blessings and Thanks, called a Thousand Deliverers, good Genius’s and +Guardian Angels. And the Rescued would certainly have gone upon his +Knees to have worshipped him, had he not been bound Hand and Foot; +which Aurelian understanding, groped for the Knots, and either untied +them or cut them asunder; but ’tis more probable the latter, because +more expeditious. + +They took little heed what became of the Body which they left behind +them, and Aurelian was conducted from out the Ruins by the Hand of him +he had delivered. By a faint light issuing from the just rising Moon, +he could discern that it was a Youth; but coming into a more frequented +part of the Town, where several Lights were hung out, he was amaz’d at +the extream Beauty which appeared in his Face, though a little pale and +disordered with his late fright. Aurelian longed to hear the Story of +so odd an adventure, and entreated his Charge to tell it him by the +way; but he desired him to forbear till they were come into some House +or other, where he might rest and recover his tired Spirits, for yet he +was so faint he was unable to look up. Aurelian thought these last +words were delivered in a Voice, whose accent was not new to him. That +thought made him look earnestly in the Youth’s Face, which he now was +sure he had somewhere seen before, and thereupon asked him if he had +never been at Siena? That Question made the young Gentleman look up, +and something of a Joy appeared in his Countenance, which yet he +endeavoured to smother; so praying Aurelian to conduct him to his +Lodging, he promised him that as soon as they should come thither, he +would acquaint him with any thing he desired to know. Aurelian would +rather have gone any where else than to his own Lodging; but being so +very late he was at a loss, and so forced to be contented. + +As soon as they were come into his Chamber, and that Lights were +brought them and the Servant dismissed, the paleness which so visibly +before had usurped the sweet Countenance of the afflicted Youth +vanished, and gave place to a more lively Flood of Crimson, which with +a modest heat glow’d freshly on his Cheeks. Aurelian waited with a +pleasing Admiration the discovery promised him, when the Youth still +struggling with his Resolution, with a timorous haste, pulled off a +Peruke which had concealed the most beautiful abundance of Hair that +ever graced one Female Head; those dishevelled spreading tresses, as at +first they made a discovery of, so at last they served for a veil to +the modest lovely blushes of the fair Incognita; for she it was and +none other. But Oh! the inexpressible, inconceivable joy and amazement +of Aurelian! As soon as he durst venture to think, he concluded it to +be all Vision, and never doubted so much of any thing in his Life as of +his being then awake. But she taking him by the Hand, and desiring him +to sit down by her, partly convinced him of the reality of her +presence. + +‘This is the second time, Don Hippolito, (said she to him) ‘that I have +been here this Night. What the occasion was of my seeking you out, and +how by miracle you preserved me, would add too much to the surprize I +perceive you to be already in should I tell you: Nor will I make any +further discovery, till I know what censure you pass upon the +confidence which I have put in you, and the strange Circumstances in +which you find me at this time. I am sensible they are such, that I +shall not blame your severest Conjectures; but I hope to convince you, +when you shall hear what I have to say in justification of my Vertue. + +‘Justification! (cry’d Aurelian) what Infidel dares doubt it! Then +kneeling down, and taking her Hand, ‘Ah Madam (says he) would Heaven +would no other ways look upon, than I behold your Perfections—Wrong not +your Creature with a Thought, he can be guilty of that horrid Impiety +as once to doubt your Vertue—Heavens! (cry’d he, starting up) ‘am I so +really blessed to see you once again! May I trust my Sight?—Or does my +fancy now only more strongly work?—For still I did preserve your Image +in my Heart, and you were ever present to my dearest Thoughts.— + +‘Enough Hippolito, enough of Rapture (said she) you cannot much accuse +me of Ingratitude; for you see I have not been unmindful of you; but +moderate your Joy till I have told you my Condition, and if for my sake +you are raised to this Delight, it is not of a long continuance. + +At that (as Aurelian tells the Story) a Sigh diffused a mournful +sweetness through the Air, and liquid grief fell gently from her Eyes, +triumphant sadness sat upon her Brow, and even sorrow seem’d delighted +with the Conquest he had made. See what a change Aurelian felt! His +Heart bled Tears, and trembled in his Breast; Sighs struggling for a +vent had choaked each others passage up: His Floods of Joys were all +supprest; cold doubts and fears had chill’d ’em with a sudden Frost, +and he was troubled to excess; yet knew not why. Well, the Learned say +it was Sympathy; and I am always of the Opinion with the Learned, if +they speak first. + +After a World of Condoleance had passed between them, he prevailed with +her to tell him her Story. So having put all her Sighs into one great +Sigh, she discharged her self of ’em all at once, and formed the +Relation you are just about to Read. + +‘Having been in my Infancy Contracted to a Man I could never endure, +and now by my Parents being likely to be forced to Marry him, is in +short, the great occasion of my grief. I fansy’d (continued she) +something so Generous in your Countenance, and uncommon in your +Behaviour, while you were diverting your self, and rallying me with +Expressions of Gallantry, at the Ball, as induced me to hold Conference +with you. I now freely confess to you, out of design, That if things +should happen as I then feared, and as now they are come to pass, I +might rely upon your assistance in a matter of Concern; and in which I +would sooner chuse to depend upon a generous Stranger, than any +Acquaintance I have. What Mirth and Freedom I then put on, were, I can +assure you, far distant from my Heart; but I did violence to my self +out of Complaisance to your Temper.—I knew you at the Tilting, and +wished you might come off as you did; though I do not doubt, but you +would have had as good Success had it been opposite to my +Inclinations.—Not to detain you by too tedious a Relation, every day my +Friends urged me to the Match they had agreed upon for me, before I was +capable of Consenting; at last their importunities grew to that degree, +that I found I must either consent, which would make me miserable, or +be miserable by perpetually enduring to be baited by my Father, Brother +and other Relations. I resolved yesterday, on a suddain to give firm +Faith to the Opinion I had conceived of you; and accordingly came in +the Evening to request your assistance, in delivering me from my +Tormentors, by a safe and private conveyance of me to a Monastery about +four Leagues hence, where I have an Aunt who would receive me, and is +the only Relation I have averse to the Match. I was surprized at the +appearance of some Company I did not expect at your Lodgings; which +made me in haste tear a Paper which I had written to you with +Directions where to find me, and get speedily away in my Coach to an +old Servant’s House, whom I acquainted with my purpose: By my Order she +provided me of this Habit which I now wear; I ventured to trust my self +with her Brother, and resolved to go under his Conduct to the +Monastery; he proved to be a Villain, and Pretending to take me a short +and private way to the place where he was to take up a Hackney Coach +(for that which I came in was broke some where or other with the haste +it made to carry me from your Lodging) led me into an old ruined +Monastery, where it pleased Heaven, by what Accident I know not, to +direct you. I need not tell you how you saved my Life and my Honour, by +revenging me with the Death of my Perfidious Guide. This is the summ of +my present Condition, bating the apprehensions I am in of being taken +by some of my Relations, and forced to a thing so quite contrary to my +Inclinations. + +Aurelian was confounded at the Relation she had made, and began to fear +his own Estate to be more desperate than ever he had imagined. He made +her a very Passionate and Eloquent Speech in behalf of himself (much +better than I intend to insert here) and expressed a mighty concern +that she should look upon his ardent Affection to be only Rallery or +Gallantry. He was very free of his Oaths to confirm the Truth of what +he pretended, nor I believe did she doubt it, or at least was unwilling +so to do: For I would Caution the Reader by the bye, not to believe +every word which she told him, nor that admirable sorrow which she +counterfeited to be accurately true. It was indeed truth so cunningly +intermingled with Fiction, that it required no less Wit and Presence of +Mind than she was endowed with so to acquit her self on the suddain. +She had entrusted her self indeed with a Fellow who proved a Villain, +to conduct her to a Monastery; but one which was in the Town, and where +she intended only to lie concealed for his sake; as the Reader shall +understand ere long: For we have another Discovery to make to him, if +he have not found it out of himself already. + +After Aurelian had said what he was able upon the Subject in hand, with +a mournful tone and dejected look, he demanded his Doom. She asked him +if he would endeavour to convey her to the Monastery she had told him +of? ‘Your commands, Madam, (replied he) ‘are Sacred to me; and were +they to lay down my Life I would obey them. With that he would have +gone out of the Room, to have given order for his Horses to be got +ready immediately; but with a Countenance so full of sorrow as moved +Compassion in the tender hearted Incognita. ‘Stay a little Don +Hippolito (said she) I fear I shall not be able to undergo the Fatigue +of a Journey this Night.—Stay and give me your Advice how I shall +conceal my self if I continue to morrow in this Town. Aurelian could +have satisfied her she was not then in a place to avoid discovery: But +he must also have told her then the reason of it, viz. whom he was, and +who were in quest of him, which he did not think convenient to declare +till necessity should urge him; for he feared least her knowledge of +those designs which were in agitation between him and Juliana, might +deter her more from giving her consent. At last he resolved to try his +utmost perswasions to gain her, and told her accordingly, he was afraid +she would be disturbed there in the Morning, and he knew no other way +(if she had not as great an aversion for him as the Man whom she now +endeavour’d to avoid) than by making him happy to make her self secure. +He demonstrated to her,—that the disobligation to her Parents would be +greater by going to a Monastery, since it was only to avoid a choice +which they had made for her, and which she could not have so just a +pretence to do till she had made one for her self. + +A World of other Arguments he used, which she contradicted as long as +she was able, or at least willing. At last she told him, she would +consult her Pillow, and in the Morning conclude what was fit to be +done. He thought it convenient to leave her to her rest, and having +lock’d her up in his Room, went himself to repose upon a Pallat by +Signior Claudio. + +In the mean time, it may be convenient to enquire what became of +Hippolito. He had wandered much in pursuit of Aurelian, though Leonora +equally took up his Thoughts; He was reflecting upon the oddness and +extravagance of his Circumstances, the Continuation of which had +doubtless created in him a great uneasiness, when it was interrupted +with the noise of opening the Gates of the Convent of St. Lawrence, +whither he was arrived sooner than he thought for, being the place +Aurelian had appointed by the Lacquey to meet him in. He wondered to +see the Gates opened at so unseasonable an hour, and went to enquire +the reason of it from them who were employ’d; but they proved to be +Novices, and made him signs to go in, where he might meet with some +body allow’d to answer him. He found the Religious Men all up, and +Tapers lighting every where: at last he follow’d a Friar who was going +into the Garden, and asking him the cause of these Preparations, he was +answered, That they were entreated to pray for the Soul of a Cavalier, +who was just departing or departed this Life, and whom upon farther +talk with him, he found to be the same Lorenzo so often mentioned. Don +Mario, it seems Uncle to Lorenzo and Father to Leonora, had a private +Door out of the Garden belonging to his House into that of the Convent, +which Door this Father was now a going to open, that he and his Family +might come and offer up their Oraisons for the Soul of their Kinsman. +Hippolito having informed himself of as much as he could ask without +suspicion, took his leave of the Friar, not a little joyful at the +Hopes he had by such unexpected Means, of seeing his Beautiful Leonora: +As soon as he was got at convenient Distance from the Friar, (who ’tis +like thought he had return’d into the Convent to his Devotion) he +turned back through a close Walk which led him with a little Compass, +to the same private Door, where just before he had left the Friar, who +now he saw was gone, and the Door open. + +He went into Don Mario’s Garden, and walk’d round with much Caution and +Circumspection; for the Moon was then about to rise, and had already +diffused a glimmering Light, sufficient to distinguish a Man from a +Tree. By Computation now (which is a very remarkable Circumstance) +Hippolito entred this Garden near upon the same Instant, when Aurelian +wandred into the Old Monastery and found his Incognita in Distress. He +was pretty well acquainted with the Platform, and Sight of the Garden; +for he had formerly surveyed the Outside, and knew what part to make to +if he should be surpriz’d and driven to a precipitate Escape. He took +his Stand behind a well grown Bush of Myrtle, which, should the Moon +shine brighter than was required, had the Advantage to be shaded by the +Indulgent Boughs of an ancient Bay-Tree. He was delighted with the +Choice he had made, for he found a Hollow in the Myrtle, as if +purposely contriv’d for the Reception of one Person, who might +undiscovered perceive all about him. He looked upon it as a good Omen, +that the Tree Consecrated to Venus was so propitious to him in his +Amorous Distress. The Consideration of that, together with the +Obligation he lay under to the Muses, for sheltering him also with so +large a Crown of Bays, had like to have set him a Rhyming. + +He was, to tell the Truth, naturally addicted to Madrigal, and we +should undoubtedly have had a small desert of Numbers to have pick’d +and Criticiz’d upon, had he not been interrupted just upon his +Delivery; nay, after the Preliminary Sigh had made Way for his +Utterance. But so was his Fortune, Don Mario was coming towards the +Door at that very nick of Time, where he met with a Priest just out of +Breath, who told him that Lorenzo was just breathing his last, and +desired to know if he would come and take his final Leave before they +were to administer the Extream Unction. Don Mario, who had been at some +Difference with his Nephew, now thought it his Duty to be reconciled to +him; so calling to Leonora, who was coming after him, he bid her go to +her Devotions in the Chappel, and told her where he was going. + +He went on with the Priest, while Hippolito saw Leonora come forward, +only accompanied by her Woman. She was in an undress, and by reason of +a Melancholy visible in her Face, more Careless than usual in her +Attire, which he thought added as much as was possible to the abundance +of her Charms. He had not much Time to Contemplate this Beauteous +Vision, for she soon passed into the Garden of the Convent, leaving him +Confounded with Love, Admiration, Joy, Hope, Fear, and all the Train of +Passions, which seize upon Men in his Condition, all at once. He was so +teazed with this Variety of Torment, that he never missed the Two Hours +that had slipped away during his Automachy and Intestine Conflict. +Leonora’s Return settled his Spirits, at least united them, and he had +now no other Thought but how he should present himself before her. When +she calling her Woman, bid her bolt the Garden Door on the Inside, that +she might not be Surpriz’d by her Father, if he returned through the +Convent, which done, she ordered her to bring down her Lute, and leave +her to her self in the Garden. + +All this Hippolito saw and heard to his inexpressible Content, yet had +he much to do to smother his Joy, and hinder it from taking a Vent, +which would have ruined the only Opportunity of his Life. Leonora +withdrew into an Arbour so near him, that he could distinctly hear her +if she Played or Sung: Having tuned her Lute, with a Voice soft as the +Breath of Angels, she flung to it this following Air: + +I. + + +Ah! Whither, whither shall I fly, + A poor unhappy Maid; +To hopeless Love and Misery + By my own Heart betray’d? +Not by Alexis Eyes undone, + Nor by his Charming Faithless Tongue, +Or any Practis’d Art; + Such real Ills may hope a Cure, +But the sad Pains which I endure + Proceed from fansied Smart. + + +II. + + +’Twas Fancy gave Alexis Charms, + Ere I beheld his Face: +Kind Fancy (then) could fold our Arms, + And form a soft Embrace. +But since I’ve seen the real Swain, + And try’d to fancy him again, +I’m by my Fancy taught, + Though ’tis a Bliss no Tongue can tell, +To have Alexis, yet ’tis Hell + To have him but in Thought. + + +The Song ended grieved Hippolito that it was so soon ended; and in the +Ecstacy he was then rapt, I believe he would have been satisfied to +have expired with it. He could not help Flattering himself, (though at +the same Time he checked his own Vanity) that he was the Person meant +in the Song. While he was indulging which thought, to his happy +Astonishment, he heard it encouraged by these Words: + +‘Unhappy Leonora (said she) how is thy poor unwary Heart misled? +Whither am I come? The false deluding Lights of an imaginary Flame, +have led me, a poor benighted Victim, to a real Fire. I burn and am +consumed with hopeless Love; those Beams in whose soft temperate warmth +I wanton’d heretofore, now flash destruction to my Soul, my Treacherous +greedy Eyes have suck’d the glaring Light, they have united all its +Rays, and, like a burning-Glass, convey’d the pointed Meteor to my +Heart—Ah! Aurelian, how quickly hast thou Conquer’d, and how quickly +must thou Forsake. Oh Happy (to me unfortunately Happy) Juliana! I am +to be the subject of thy Triumph—To thee Aurelian comes laden with the +Tribute of my Heart and Glories in the Oblation of his broken +Vows.—What then, is Aurelian False! False! alass, I know not what I +say; How can he be False, or True, or any Thing to me? What Promises +did he ere make or I receive? Sure I dream, or I am mad, and fansie it +to be Love; Foolish Girl, recal thy banish’d Reason.—Ah! would it were +no more, would I could rave, sure that would give me Ease, and rob me +of the Sense of Pain; at least, among my wandring Thoughts, I should at +sometime light upon Aurelian, and fansie him to be mine; kind Madness +would flatter my poor feeble Wishes, and sometimes tell me Aurelian is +not lost—not irrecoverably—not for ever lost. + +Hippolito could hear no more, he had not Room for half his Transport. +When Leonora perceived a Man coming toward her, she fell a trembling, +and could not speak. Hippolito approached with Reverence, as to a +Sacred Shrine; when coming near enough to see her Consternation, he +fell upon his Knees. + +‘Behold, O Adored Leonora (said he) ‘your ravished Aurelian, behold at +your Feet the Happiest of Men, be not disturb’d at my Appearance, but +think that Heaven conducted me to hear my Bliss pronounced by that dear +Mouth alone, whose breath could fill me with new Life. + +Here he would have come nearer, but Leonora (scarce come to her self) +was getting up in haste to have gone away: he catch’d her Hand, and +with all the Endearments of Love and Transport pressed her stay; she +was a long time in great Confusion, at last, with many Blushes, she +entreated him to let her go where she might hide her Guilty Head, and +not expose her shame before his Eyes, since his Ears had been +sufficient Witnesses of her Crime. He begg’d pardon for his Treachery +in over-hearing, and confessed it to be a Crime he had now repeated. +With a Thousand Submissions, Entreaties, Prayers, Praises, Blessings, +and passionate Expressions he wrought upon her to stay and hear him. +Here Hippolito made use of his Rhetorick, and it proved prevailing: +’Twere tedious to tell the many ingenious Arguments he used, with all +her Nice Distinctions and Objections. In short, he convinced her of his +Passion, represented to her the necessity they were under, of being +speedy in their Resolves: That his Father (for still he was Aurelian) +would undoubtedly find him in the Morning, and then it would be too +late to Repent. She on the other Hand, knew it was in vain to deny a +Passion, which he had heard her so frankly own; (and no doubt was very +glad it was past and done;) besides apprehending the danger of delay, +and having some little Jealousies and Fears of what Effect might be +produced between the Commands of his Father and the Beauties of +Juliana; after some decent Denials, she consented to be Conducted by +him through the Garden into the Convent, where she would prevail with +her Confessor to Marry them. He was a scrupulous Old Father whom they +had to deal withal, insomuch that ere they had perswaded him, Don Mario +was returned by the Way of his own House, where missing his Daughter, +and her Woman not being able to give any farther Account of her, than +that she left her in the Garden; he concluded she was gone again to her +Devotions, and indeed he found her in the Chappel upon her Knees with +Hippolito in her hand, receiving the Father’s Benediction upon +Conclusion of the Ceremony. + +It would have asked a very skilful Hand, to have depicted to the Life +the Faces of those Three Persons, at Don Mario’s Appearance. He that +has seen some admirable Piece of Transmutation by a Gorgon’s Head, may +form to himself the most probable Idea of the Prototype. The Old +Gentleman was himself in a sort of a Wood, to find his Daughter with a +Young Fellow and a Priest, but as yet he did not know the Worst, till +Hippolito and Leonora came, and kneeling at his Feet, begg’d his +Forgiveness and Blessing as his Son and Daughter. Don Mario, instead of +that, fell into a most violent Passion, and would undoubtedly have +committed some extravagant Action, had he not been restrained, more by +the Sanctity of the Place, than the Perswasions of all the Religious, +who were now come about him. Leonora stirr’d not off her Knees all this +time, but continued begging of him that he would hear her. + +‘Ah! Ungrateful and Undutiful Wretch (cry’d he) ‘how hast thou requited +all my Care and Tenderness of thee? Now when I might have expected some +return of Comfort, to throw thy self away upon an unknown Person, and, +for ought I know, a Villain; to me I’m sure he is a Villain, who has +robb’d me of my Treasure, my Darling Joy, and all the future Happiness +of my Life prevented. Go—go, thou now-to-be-forgotten Leonora, go and +enjoy thy unprosperous Choice; you who wanted not a Father’s Counsel, +cannot need, or else will slight his Blessing. + +These last Words were spoken with so much Passion and feeling Concern, +that Leonora, moved with Excess of Grief, fainted at his Feet, just as +she had caught hold to Embrace his Knees. The Old Man would have shook +her off, but Compassion and Fatherly Affection came upon him in the +midst of his Resolve, and melted him into Tears, he Embraced his +Daughter in his Arms, and wept over her, while they endeavoured to +restore her Senses. + +Hippolito was in such Concern he could not speak, but was busily +employed in rubbing and chafing her Temples; when she opening her Eyes +laid hold of his Arm, and cry’d out—Oh my Aurelian—how unhappy have you +made me! With that she had again like to have fainted away, but he took +her in his Arms, and begg’d Don Mario to have some pity on his +Daughter, since by his Severity she was reduced to that Condition. The +Old Man hearing his Daughter name Aurelian, was a little revived, and +began to hope Things were in a pretty good Condition; he was perswaded +to comfort her, and having brought her wholly to her self, was content +to hear her Excuse, and in a little time was so far wrought upon as to +beg Hippolito’s Pardon for the Ill Opinion he had conceived of him, and +not long after gave his Consent. + +The Night was spent in this Conflict, and it was now clear Day, when +Don Mario Conducting his new Son and Daughter through the Garden, was +met by some Servants of the Marquess of Viterbo, who had been enquiring +for Donna Leonora, to know if Juliana had lately been with her; for +that she was missing from her Father’s House, and no conjectures could +be made of what might become of her. Don Mario and Leonora were +surprized at the News, for he knew well enough of the Match that was +design’d for Juliana; and having enquired where the Marquess was, it +was told him, That he was gone with Don Fabio and Fabritio toward +Aurelian’s Lodgings. Don Mario having assured the Servants that Juliana +had not been there, dismissed them, and advised with his Son and +Daughter how they should undeceive the Marquess and Don Fabio in their +Expectations of Aurelian. Hippolito could oftentimes scarce forbear +smiling at the old Man’s Contrivances who was most deceived himself; he +at length advised them to go all down together to his Lodging, where he +would present himself before his Father, and ingenuously confess to him +the truth, and he did not question his approving of his Choice. + +This was agreed to, and the Coach made ready. While they were upon +their way, Hippolito pray’d heartily that his Friend Aurelian might be +at the Lodging, to satisfie Don Mario and Leonora of his Circumstances +and Quality, when he should be obliged to discover himself. His +Petitions were granted; for Don Fabio had beset the House long before +his Son was up or Incognita awake. + +Upon the arrival of Don Mario and Hippolito, they heard a great Noise +and Hubbub above Stairs, which Don Mario concluded was occasioned by +their not finding Aurelian, whom he thought he could give the best +account of: So that it was not in Hippolito’s power to disswade him +from going up before to prepare his Father to receive and forgive him. +While Hippolito and Leonora were left in the Coach at the Door, he made +himself known to her, and begg’d her pardon a thousand times for +continuing the deceit. She was under some concern at first to find she +was still mistaken; but his Behaviour, and the Reasons he gave, soon +reconciled him to her; his Person was altogether as agreeable, his +Estate and Quality not at all inferiour to Aurelian’s; in the mean +time, the true Aurelian who had seen his Father, begg’d leave of him to +withdraw for a moment; in which time he went into the Chamber where his +Incognita was dressing her self, by his design, in Woman’s Apparel, +while he was consulting with her how they should break the matter to +his Father; it happened that Don Mario came up Stairs where the +Marquess and Don Fabio were; they undoubtedly concluded him Mad, to +hear him making Apologies and Excuses for Aurelian, whom he told them +if they would promise to forgive he would present before them +immediately. The Marquess asked him if his Daughter had lain with +Leonora that Night; he answered him with another question in behalf of +Aurelian. In short, they could not understand one another, but each +thought ’tother beside himself. Don Mario was so concern’d that they +would not believe him, that he ran down Stairs and came to the Door out +of Breath, desiring Hippolito that he would come into the House +quickly, for that he could not perswade his Father but that he had +already seen and spoke to him. Hippolito by that understood that +Aurelian was in the House; so taking Leonora by the Hand, he followed +Don Mario, who led him up into the Dining-Room, where they found +Aurelian upon his Knees, begging his Father to forgive him, that he +could not agree to the Choice he had made for him, since he had already +disposed of himself, and that before he understood the designs he had +for him, which was the reason that he had hitherto concealed himself. +Don Fabio knew not how to answer him, but look’d upon the Marquess, and +the Marquess upon him, as if the Cement had been cool’d which was to +have united their Families. + +All was silent, and Don Mario for his part took it to be all +Conjuration; he was coming forward to present Hippolito to them, when +Aurelian spying his Friend, started from his Knees and ran to embrace +him—My dear Hippolito (said he) what happy chance has brought you +hither, just at my Necessity? Hippolito pointed to Don Mario and +Leonora, and told him upon what terms he came. Don Mario was ready to +run mad, hearing him called Hippolito, and went again to examine his +Daughter. While she was informing him of the truth, the Marquess’s +Servants returned with the melancholy News that his Daughter was no +where to be found. While the Marquess and Don Fabritio were wondering +at, and lamenting the Misfortune of her loss, Hippolito came towards +Don Fabio and interceded for his Son, since the Lady perhaps had +withdrawn her self out of an Aversion to the Match. Don Fabio, though +very much incens’d, yet forgot not the Respect due to Hippolito’s +Quality; and by his perswasion spoke to Aurelian, though with a stern +Look and angry Voice, and asked him where he had disposed the cause of +his Disobedience, if he were worthy to see her or no; Aurelian made +answer, That he desired no more than for him to see her; and he did not +doubt a Consequence of his Approbation and Forgiveness—Well (said Don +Fabio) you are very conceited of your own Discretion, let us see this +Rarety. While Aurelian was gone in for Incognita, the Marquess of +Viterbo and Don Fabritio were taking their leaves in great disorder for +their loss and disappointment; but Don Fabio entreated their stay a +moment longer till the return of his Son. Aurelian led Incognita into +the Room veil’d, who seeing some Company there which he had not told +her of, would have gone back again. But Don Fabio came bluntly +forwards, and ere she was aware, lifted up her Veil and beheld the Fair +Incognita, differing nothing from Juliana, but in her Name. This +discovery was so extreamly surprizing and welcome, that either Joy or +Amazement had tied up the Tongues of the whole Company. Aurelian here +was most at a loss, for he knew not of his Happiness; and that which +all along prevented Juliana’s confessing her self to him, was her +knowing Hippolito (for whom she took him) to be Aurelian’s Friend, and +she feared if he had known her, that he would never have consented to +have deprived him of her. Juliana was the first that spoke, falling +upon her Knees to her Father, who was not enough himself to take her +up. Don Fabio ran to her, and awakened the Marquess, who then embraced +her, but could not yet speak. Fabritio and Leonora strove who should +first take her in their Arms; for Aurelian he was out of his wits for +Joy, and Juliana was not much behind him, to see how happily their +Loves and Duties were reconciled. Don Fabio embraced his Son and +forgave him. The Marquess and Fabritio gave Juliana into his hands, he +received the Blessing upon his Knees; all were over-joy’d, and Don +Mario not a little proud at the discovery of his Son-in-Law, whom +Aurelian did not fail to set forth with all the ardent Zeal and +Eloquence of Friendship. Juliana and Leonora had pleasant Discourse +about their unknown and mistaken Rivalship, and it was the Subject of a +great deal of Mirth to hear Juliana relate the several Contrivances +which she had to avoid Aurelian for the sake of Hippolito. + +Having diverted themselves with many Remarks upon the pleasing +surprize, they all thought it proper to attend upon the Great Duke that +Morning at the Palace, and to acquaint him with the Novelty of what had +pass’d; while, by the way, the two Young Couple entertained the Company +with the Relation of several Particulars of their Three Days +Adventures. + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INCOGNITA *** + +***** This file should be named 2363-0.txt or 2363-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/6/2363/ + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will +be renamed. + +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the +United States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online +at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you +are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the +country where you are located before using this eBook. +</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Incognita<br /> + or, Love & Duty Reconcil’d. A Novel</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: William Congreve</div> +<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'>Release Date: October, 2000 [eBook #2363]<br /> +[Most recently updated: January 31, 2021]</div> +<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> +<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: David Price</div> +<div style='margin-top:2em;margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INCOGNITA ***</div> + +<h1>Incognita: or, Love & Duty Reconcil’d.<br /> +A Novel</h1> + +<h2 class="no-break">by William Congreve</h2> + +<hr /> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p class="center"> +TO THE<br /> +Honoured and Worthily Esteem’d<br /> +Mrs. <i>Katharine Leveson</i>. +</p> + +<p> +<i>Madam</i>, +</p> + +<p> +A Clear Wit, sound Judgment and a Merciful Disposition, are things so rarely +united, that it is almost inexcusable to entertain them with any thing less +excellent in its kind. My knowledge of you were a sufficient Caution to me, to +avoid your Censure of this Trifle, had I not as intire a knowledge of your +Goodness. Since I have drawn my Pen for a Rencounter, I think it better to +engage where, though there be Skill enough to Disarm me, there is too much +Generosity to Wound; for so shall I have the saving Reputation of an +unsuccessful Courage, if I cannot make it a drawn Battle. But methinks the +Comparison intimates something of a Defiance, and savours of Arrogance; +wherefore since I am Conscious to my self of a Fear which I cannot put off, let +me use the Policy of Cowards and lay this Novel unarm’d, naked and +shivering at your Feet, so that if it should want Merit to challenge +Protection, yet, as an Object of Charity, it may move Compassion. It has been +some Diversion to me to Write it, I wish it may prove such to you when you have +an hour to throw away in Reading of it: but this Satisfaction I have at least +beforehand, that in its greatest failings it may fly for Pardon to that +Indulgence which you owe to the weakness of your Friend; a Title which I am +proud you have thought me worthy of, and which I think can alone be superior to +that +</p> + +<p class="right"> +<i>Your most Humble and</i><br /> +<i>Obliged Servant</i><br /> +CLEOPHIL. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2>THE PREFACE TO THE READER.</h2> + +<p> +Reader, +</p> + +<p> +Some Authors are so fond of a Preface, that they will write one tho’ +there be nothing more in it than an Apology for its self. But to show thee that +I am not one of those, I will make no Apology for this, but do tell thee that I +think it necessary to be prefix’d to this Trifle, to prevent thy +overlooking some little pains which I have taken in the Composition of the +following Story. Romances are generally composed of the Constant Loves and +invincible Courages of Hero’s, Heroins, Kings and Queens, Mortals of the +first Rank, and so forth; where lofty Language, miraculous Contingencies and +impossible Performances, elevate and surprize the Reader into a giddy Delight, +which leaves him flat upon the Ground whenever he gives of, and vexes him to +think how he has suffer’d himself to be pleased and transported, +concern’d and afflicted at the several Passages which he has Read, viz. +these Knights Success to their Damosels Misfortunes, and such like, when he is +forced to be very well convinced that ’tis all a lye. Novels are of a +more familiar nature; Come near us, and represent to us Intrigues in practice, +delight us with Accidents and odd Events, but not such as are wholly unusual or +unpresidented, such which not being so distant from our Belief bring also the +pleasure nearer us. Romances give more of Wonder, Novels more Delight. And with +reverence be it spoken, and the Parallel kept at due distance, there is +something of equality in the Proportion which they bear in reference to one +another, with that betwen Comedy and Tragedy; but the Drama is the long +extracted from Romance and History: ’tis the Midwife to Industry, and +brings forth alive the Conceptions of the Brain. Minerva walks upon the Stage +before us, and we are more assured of the real presence of Wit when it is +delivered viva voce— +</p> + +<p class="letter"> +Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem,<br /> +Quam quæ sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus, & quæ<br /> +Ipse sibi tradit spectator.—Horace. +</p> + +<p> +Since all Traditions must indisputably give place to the Drama, and since there +is no possibility of giving that life to the Writing or Repetition of a Story +which it has in the Action, I resolved in another beauty to imitate Dramatick +Writing, namely, in the Design, Contexture and Result of the Plot. I have not +observed it before in a Novel. Some I have seen begin with an unexpected +accident, which has been the only surprizing part of the Story, cause enough to +make the Sequel look flat, tedious and insipid; for ’tis but reasonable +the Reader should expect it not to rise, at least to keep upon a level in the +entertainment; for so he may be kept on in hopes that at some time or other it +may mend; but the ’tother is such a balk to a Man, ’tis carrying +him up stairs to show him the Dining-Room, and after forcing him to make a Meal +in the Kitchin. This I have not only endeavoured to avoid, but also have used a +method for the contrary purpose. The design of the Novel is obvious, after the +first meeting of Aurelian and Hippolito with Incognita and Leonora, and the +difficulty is in bringing it to pass, maugre all apparent obstacles, within the +compass of two days. How many probable Casualties intervene in opposition to +the main Design, viz. of marrying two Couple so oddly engaged in an intricate +Amour, I leave the Reader at his leisure to consider: As also whether every +Obstacle does not in the progress of the Story act as subservient to that +purpose, which at first it seems to oppose. In a Comedy this would be called +the Unity of Action; here it may pretend to no more than an Unity of +Contrivance. The Scene is continued in Florence from the commencement of the +Amour; and the time from first to last is but three days. If there be any thing +more in particular resembling the Copy which I imitate (as the Curious Reader +will soon perceive) I leave it to show it self, being very well satisfy’d +how much more proper it had been for him to have found out this himself, than +for me to prepossess him with an Opinion of something extraordinary in an Essay +began and finished in the idler hours of a fortnight’s time: for I can +only esteem it a laborious idleness, which is Parent to so inconsiderable a +Birth. I have gratified the Bookseller in pretending an occasion for a Preface; +the other two Persons concern’d are the Reader and my self, and if he be +but pleased with what was produced for that end, my satisfaction follows of +course, since it will be proportion’d to his Approbation or Dislike. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2>INCOGNITA:<br /> +OR,<br /> +Love & Duty<br /> +RECONCIL’D</h2> + +<p> +Aurelian was the only Son to a Principal Gentleman of Florence. The Indulgence +of his Father prompted, and his Wealth enabled him, to bestow a generous +Education upon him, whom, he now began to look upon as the Type of himself; an +Impression he had made in the Gayety and Vigour of his Youth, before the Rust +of Age had debilitated and obscur’d the Splendour of the Original: He was +sensible, That he ought not to be sparing in the Adornment of him, if he had +Resolution to beautifie his own Memory. Indeed Don Fabio (for so was the Old +Gentleman call’d) has been observ’d to have fix’d his Eyes +upon Aurelian, when much Company has been at Table, and have wept through +Earnestness of Intention, if nothing hapned to divert the Object; whether it +were for regret, at the Recollection of his former self, or for the Joy he +conceiv’d in being, as it were, reviv’d in the Person of his Son, I +never took upon me to enquire, but suppos’d it might be sometimes one, +and sometimes both together. +</p> + +<p> +Aurelian, at the Age of Eighteen Years, wanted nothing (but a Beard) that the +most accomplished Cavalier in Florence could pretend to: he had been Educated +from Twelve Years old at Siena, where it seems his Father kept a Receiver, +having a large Income from the Rents of several Houses in that Town. Don Fabio +gave his Servant Orders, That Aurelian should not be stinted in his Expences, +when he came up to Years of Discretion. By which means he was enabled, not only +to keep Company with, but also to confer many Obligations upon Strangers of +Quality, and Gentlemen who travelled from other Countries into Italy, of which +Siena never wanted store, being a Town most delightfully Situate, upon a Noble +Hill, and very well suiting with Strangers at first, by reason of the +agreeableness and purity of the Air: There also is the quaintness and delicacy +of the Italian Tongue most likely to be learned, there being many publick +Professors of it in that place; and indeed the very Vulgar of Siena do express +themselves with an easiness and sweetness surprizing, and even grateful to +their Ears who understand not the Language. +</p> + +<p> +Here Aurelian contracted an acquaintance with Persons of Worth of several +Countries, but among the rest an intimacy with a Gentleman of Quality of Spain, +and Nephew to the Archbishop of Toledo, who had so wrought himself into the +Affections of Aurelian, through a Conformity of Temper, an Equality in Years, +and something of resemblance in Feature and Proportion, that he look’d +upon him as his second self. Hippolito, on the other hand, was not ungrateful +in return of Friendship, but thought himself either alone or in ill Company, if +Aurelian were absent: but his Uncle having sent him to travel, under the +Conduct of a Governour, and the two Years which limited his stay at Siena being +expired, he was put in mind of his departure. His Friend grew melancholy at the +News, but considering that Hippolito had never seen Florence, he easily +prevailed with him to make his first journey thither, whither he would +accompany him, and perhaps prevail with his Father to do the like throughout +his Travels. +</p> + +<p> +They accordingly set out, but not being able easily to reach Florence the same +Night, they rested a League or two short, at a Villa of the great Duke’s +called Poggio Imperiale, where they were informed by some of his +Highness’s Servants, That the Nuptials of Donna Catharina (near Kinswoman +to the great Duke) and Don Ferdinand de Rovori, were to be solemnized the next +day, and that extraordinary Preparations had been making for some time past, to +illustrate the Solemnity with Balls and Masques, and other Divertisements; that +a Tilting had been proclaimed, and to that purpose Scaffolds erected around the +Spacious Court, before the Church Di Santa Croce, where were usually seen all +Cavalcades and Shews, performed by Assemblies of the Young Nobility: That all +Mechanicks and Tradesmen were forbidden to work or expose any Goods to Sale for +the space of three days; during which time all Persons should be +entertain’d at the Great Duke’s Cost; and publick Provision was to +be made for the setting forth and furnishing a multitude of Tables, with +Entertainment for all Comers and Goers, and several Houses appointed for that +use in all Streets. +</p> + +<p> +This Account alarm’d the Spirits of our Young Travellers, and they were +overjoy’d at the prospect of Pleasures they foresaw. Aurelian could not +contain the satisfaction he conceiv’d in the welcome Fortune had +prepar’d for his dear Hippolito. In short, they both remembred so much of +the pleasing Relation had been made them, that they forgot to sleep, and were +up as soon as it was light, pounding at poor Signior Claudio’s Door (so +was Hippolito’s Governour call’d) to rouse him, that no time might +be lost till they were arriv’d at Florence, where they would furnish +themselves with Disguises and other Accoutrements necessary for the Prosecution +of their Design of sharing in the publick Merriment; the rather were they for +going so early because Aurelian did not think fit to publish his being in Town +for a time, least his Father knowing of it, might give some restraint to that +loose they designed themselves. +</p> + +<p> +Before Sun rise they entred Florence at Porta Romana, attended only by two +Servants, the rest being left behind to avoid notice; but, alas! they needed +not to have used half that caution; for early as it was, the Streets were +crowded with all sorts of People passing to and fro, and every Man +employ’d in something relating to the Diversions to come; so that no +notice was taken of any body; a Marquess and his Train might have pass’d +by as unregarded as a single Fachin or Cobler. Not a Window in the Streets but +echoed the tuning of a Lute or thrumming of a Gitarr: for, by the way, the +Inhabitants of Florence are strangely addicted to the love of Musick, insomuch +that scarce their Children can go, before they can scratch some Instrument or +other. It was no unpleasing Spectacle to our Cavaliers (who, seeing they were +not observ’d, resolved to make Observations) to behold the Diversity of +Figures and Postures of many of these Musicians. Here you should have an +affected Vallet, who Mimick’d the Behaviour of his Master, leaning +carelessly against the Window, with his Head on one side, in a languishing +Posture, whining, in a low, mournful Voice, some dismal Complaint; while, from +his sympathizing Theorbo, issued a Base no less doleful to the Hearers. In +Opposition to him was set up perhaps a Cobler, with the wretched Skeleton of a +Gitarr, battered and waxed together by his own Industry, and who with three +Strings out of Tune, and his own tearing hoarse Voice, would rack attention +from the Neighbourhood, to the great affliction of many more moderate +Practitioners, who, no doubt, were full as desirous to be heard. By this time +Aurelian’s Servant had taken a Lodging and was returned, to give his +Master an Account of it. The Cavaliers grown weary of that ridiculous +Entertainment, which was diverting at first sight, retired whither the Lacquey +conducted them; who, according to their Directions, had sought out one of the +most obscure Streets in the City. All that day, to the evening, was spent in +sending from one Brokers Shop to another, to furnish them with Habits, since +they had not time to make any new. +</p> + +<p> +There was, it happened, but one to be got Rich enough to please our young +Gentlemen, so many were taken up upon this occasion. While they were in Dispute +and Complementing one another, (Aurelian protesting that Hippolito should wear +it, and he, on ’tother hand, forswearing it as bitterly) a Servant of +Hippolito’s came up and ended the Controversie; telling them, That he had +met below with the Vallet de Chambre of a Gentleman, who was one of the +greatest Gallants about the Town, but was at this time in such a condition he +could not possibly be at the Entertainment; whereupon the Vallet had designed +to dress himself up in his Master’s Apparel, and try his talent at Court; +which he hearing, told him he would inform him how he might bestow the Habit +for some time much more to his profit if not to his pleasure, so acquainted him +with the occasion his Master had for it. Hippolito sent for the Fellow up, who +was not so fond of his design as not to be bought off it, but upon having his +own demand granted for the use of it, brought it; it was very Rich, and upon +tryal, as fit for Hippolito as if it had been made for him. The Ceremony was +performed in the Morning, in the great Dome, with all magnificence +correspondent to the wealth of the great Duke, and the esteem he had for the +Noble Pair. The next Morning was to be a Tilting, and the same Night a Masquing +Ball at Court. To omit the Description of the universal Joy, (that had +diffus’d it self through all the Conduits of Wine, which convey’d +it in large measures to the People) and only relate those effects of it which +concern our present Adventurers. You must know, that about the fall of the +Evening, and at that time when the <i>æquilibrium</i> of Day and Night, +for some time, holds the Air in a gloomy suspence between an unwillingness to +leave the light, and a natural impulse into the Dominion of darkness, about +this time our Hero’s, shall I say, sally’d or slunk out of their +Lodgings, and steer’d toward the great Palace, whither, before they were +arrived, such a prodigious number of Torches were on fire, that the day, by +help of these Auxiliary Forces, seem’d to continue its Dominion; the Owls +and Bats apprehending their mistake, in counting the hours, retir’d again +to a convenient darkness; for Madam Night was no more to be seen than she was +to be heard; and the Chymists were of Opinion, That her fuliginous Damps, +rarefy’d by the abundance of Flame, were evaporated. +</p> + +<p> +Now the Reader I suppose to be upon Thorns at this and the like impertinent +Digressions, but let him alone and he’ll come to himself; at which time I +think fit to acquaint him, that when I digress, I am at that time writing to +please my self, when I continue the Thread of the Story, I write to please him; +supposing him a reasonable Man, I conclude him satisfied to allow me this +liberty, and so I proceed. +</p> + +<p> +If our Cavaliers were dazled at the splendour they beheld without doors, what +surprize, think you, must they be in, when entering the Palace they found even +the lights there to be but so many foils to the bright eyes that flash’d +upon ’em at every turn. +</p> + +<p> +A more glorious Troop no occasion ever assembled; all the fair of Florence, +with the most accomplished Cavaliers, were present; and however Nature had been +partial in bestowing on some better Faces than others, Art was alike indulgent +to all, and industriously supplyed those Defects she had left, giving some +Addition also to her greatest Excellencies. Every body appear’d well +shap’d, as it is to be suppos’d, none who were conscious to +themselves of any visible Deformity would presume to come thither. Their +Apparel was equally glorious, though each differing in fancy. In short, our +Strangers were so well bred, as to conclude from these apparent Perfections, +that there was not a Masque which did not at least hide the Face of a Cherubim. +Perhaps the Ladies were not behind hand in return of a favourable Opinion of +them: for they were both well dress’d, and had something inexpressibly +pleasing in their Air and Mien, different from other People, and indeed +differing from one another. They fansy’d that while they stood together +they were more particularly taken notice of than any in the Room, and being +unwilling to be taken for Strangers, which they thought they were, by reason of +some whispering they observed near them, they agreed upon an hour of meeting +after the company should be broke up, and so separately mingled with the +thickest of the Assembly. Aurelian had fixed his eye upon a Lady whom he had +observ’d to have been a considerable time in close whisper with another +Woman; he expected with great impatience the result of that private Conference, +that he might have an opportunity of engaging the Lady whose Person was so +agreeable to him. At last he perceived they were broke off, and the +’tother Lady seem’d to have taken her leave. He had taken no small +pains in the mean time to put himself in a posture to accost the Lady, which, +no doubt, he had happily performed had he not been interrupted; but scarce had +he acquitted himself of a preliminary bow (and which, I have heard him say, was +the lowest that ever he made) and had just opened his Lips to deliver himself +of a small Complement, which, nevertheless he was very big with, when he +unluckily miscarried, by the interposal of the same Lady, whose departure, not +long before, he had so zealously pray’d for: but, as Providence would +have it, there was only some very small matter forgot, which was recovered in a +short whisper. The Coast being again cleared, he took heart and bore up, and, +striking sail, repeated his Ceremony to the Lady; who, having Obligingly +returned it, he accosted her in these or the like words: +</p> + +<p> +‘If I do not usurp a priviledge reserved for some one more happy in your +acquaintance, may I presume, Madam, to entreat (for a while) the favour of your +Conversation, at least till the arrival of whom you expect, provided you are +not tired of me before; for then upon the least intimation of uneasiness, I +will not fail of doing my self the violence to withdraw for your release. The +Lady made him answer, she did not expect any body; by which he might imagine +her Conversation not of value to be bespoke, and to afford it him, were but +farther to convince him to her own cost. He reply’d, ‘She had +already said enough to convince him of something he heartily wished might not +be to his cost in the end. She pretended not to understand him; but told him, +‘If he already found himself grieved with her Conversation, he would have +sufficient reason to repent the rashness of his first Demand before they had +ended: for that now she intended to hold discourse with him, on purpose to +punish his unadvisedness, in presuming upon a Person whose dress and mien might +not (may be) be disagreeable to have wit. ‘I must confess (reply’d +Aurelian) my self guilty of a Presumption, and willingly submit to the +punishment you intend: and though it be an aggravation of a Crime to persevere +in its justification, yet I cannot help defending an Opinion in which now I am +more confirm’d, that probable conjectures may be made of the ingenious +Disposition of the Mind, from the fancy and choice of Apparel. The humour I +grant ye (said the Lady) or constitution of the Person whether melancholick or +brisk; but I should hardly pass my censure upon so slight an indication of wit: +for there is your brisk fool as well as your brisk man of sense, and so of the +melancholick. I confess ’tis possible a fool may reveal himself by his +Dress, in wearing something extravagantly singular and ridiculous, or in +preposterous suiting of colours; but a decency of Habit (which is all that Men +of best sense pretend to) may be acquired by custom and example, without +putting the Person to a superfluous expence of wit for the contrivance; and +though there should be occasion for it, few are so unfortunate in their +Relations and Acquaintance not to have some Friend capable of giving them +advice, if they are not too ignorantly conceited to ask it. Aurelian was so +pleased with the easiness and smartness of her Expostulation, that he forgot to +make a reply, when she seem’d to expect it; but being a Woman of a quick +Apprehension, and justly sensible of her own perfections, she soon perceived he +did not grudge his attention. However she had a mind to put it upon him to turn +the discourse, so went on upon the same Subject. ‘Signior (said she) I +have been looking round me, and by your Maxim I cannot discover one fool in the +Company; for they are all well drest. This was spoken with an Air of Rallery +that awakened the Cavalier, who immediately made answer: ’Tis true, +Madam, we see there may be as much variety of good fancies as of faces, yet +there may be many of both kinds borrowed and adulterate if inquired into; and +as you were pleased to observe, the invention may be Foreign to the Person who +puts it in practice; and as good an Opinion as I have of an agreeable Dress, I +should be loth to answer for the wit of all about us. I believe you (says the +Lady) and hope you are convinced of your error, since you must allow it +impossible to tell who of all this Assembly did or did not make choice of their +own Apparel. Not all (said Aurelian) there is an ungainness in some which +betrays them. ‘Look ye there (says he) pointing to a Lady who stood +playing with the Tassels of her Girdle, I dare answer for that Lady, though she +be very well dress’d, ’tis more than she knows. His fair unknown +could not forbear laughing at his particular distinction, and freely told him, +he had indeed light upon one who knew as little as any body in the Room, her +self excepted. Ah! Madam, (reply’d Aurelian) you know every thing in the +World but your own Perfections, and you only know not those because ’tis +the top of Perfection not to know them. How? (reply’d the Lady) I thought +it had been the extremity of knowledge to know ones self. Aurelian had a little +over-strain’d himself in that Complement, and I am of Opinion would have +been puzzl’d to have brought himself off readily: but by good fortune the +Musick came into the Room and gave him an opportunity to seem to decline an +answer, because the company prepared to dance: he only told her he was too mean +a Conquest for her wit who was already a Slave to the Charms of her Person. She +thanked him for his Complement, and briskly told him she ought to have made him +a return in praise of his wit, but she hoped he was a Man more happy than to be +dissatisfy’d with any of his own Endowments; and if it were so, that he +had not a just Opinion of himself, she knew her self incapable of saying any +thing to beget one. Aurelian did not know well what to make of this last reply; +for he always abhor’d any thing that was conceited, with which this +seem’d to reproach him. But however modest he had been heretofore in his +own thoughts, yet never was he so distrustful of his good behaviour as now, +being rally’d so by a Person whom he took to be of judgment: Yet he +resolved to take no notice, but with an Air unconcerned and full of good humour +entreated her to Dance with him: She promised him to Dance with no body else, +nor I believe had she inclination; for notwithstanding her tartness, she was +upon equal terms with him as to the liking of each others Person and Humour, +and only gave those little hints to try his Temper; there being certainly no +greater sign of folly and ill breeding, than to grow serious and concerned at +any thing spoken in rallery: for his part, he was strangely and insensibly +fallen in love with her Shape, Wit and Air; which, together with a white Hand, +he had seen (perhaps not accidentally) were enough to have subdued a more +stubborn Heart than ever he was master of; and for her Face, which he had not +seen, he bestowed upon her the best his Imagination could furnish him with. I +should by right now describe her Dress, which was extreamly agreeable and rich, +but ’tis possible I might err in some material Pin or other, in the +sticking of which may be the whole grace of the Drapery depended. Well, they +danced several times together, and no less to the satisfaction of the whole +Company, than of themselves; for at the end of each Dance, some publick note of +Applause or other was given to the graceful Couple. +</p> + +<p> +Aurelian was amaz’d, that among all that danced or stood in view he could +not see Hippolito; but concluding that he had met with some pleasing +Conversation, and was withdrawn to some retired part of the Room, he forbore +his search till the mirth of that Night should be over, and the Company ready +to break up, where we will leave him for a while, to see what became of his +adventurous Friend. +</p> + +<p> +Hippolito, a little after he had parted with Aurelian, was got among a knot of +Ladies and Cavaliers, who were looking upon a large Gold Cup set with Jewels, +in which his Royal Highness had drank to the prosperity of the new married +Couple at Dinner, and which afterward he presented to his Cousin Donna +Catharina. He among the rest was very intent, admiring the richness, +workmanship and beauty of the Cup, when a Lady came behind him and pulling him +by the Elbow, made a sign she would speak with him; Hippolito, who knew himself +an utter Stranger to Florence and every body in it, immediately guessed she had +mistaken him for her acquaintance, as indeed it happened; however he resolved +not to discover himself till he should be assured of it; having followed her +into a set Window remote from Company, she address’d her self to him in +this manner: ‘Signior Don Lorenzo (said she) I am overjoy’d to see +you are so speedily recovered of your Wounds, which by report were much more +dangerous than to have suffered your coming abroad so soon; but I must accuse +you of great indiscretion, in appearing in a Habit which so many must needs +remember you to have worn upon the like occasion not long ago, I mean at the +Marriage of Don Cynthio with your Sister Atalanta; I do assure you, you were +known by it, both to Juliana and my self, who was so far concerned for you, as +to desire me to tell you, that her Brother Don Fabritio (who saw you when you +came in with another Gentleman) had eyed you very narrowly, and is since gone +out of the Room, she knows not upon what design; however she would have you, +for your own sake, be advised and circumspect when you depart this place, lest +you should be set upon unawares; you know the hatred Don Fabritio has born you +ever since you had the fortune to kill his Kinsman in a Duel: Here she paused +as if expecting his reply; but Hippolito was so confounded, that he stood mute, +and contemplating the hazard he had ignorantly brought himself into, forgot his +design of informing the Lady of her mistake. She finding he made her no Answer, +went on. ‘I perceive (continued she) you are in some surprize at what I +have related, and may be, are doubtful of the Truth; but I thought you had been +better acquainted with your Cousin Leonora’s Voice, than to have forgot +it so soon: Yet in Complaisance to your ill Memory, I will put you past doubt, +by shewing you my Face; with that she pulled off her Mask, and discovered to +Hippolito (now more amaz’d than ever) the most Angelick Face that he had +ever beheld. He was just about to have made her some answer, when, clapping on +her Mask again without giving him time, she happily for him pursu’d her +Discourse. (For ’tis odds but he had made some discovery of himself in +the surprize he was in.) Having taken him familiarly by the Hand, now she had +made her self known to him, ‘Cousin Lorenzo (added she) you may perhaps +have taken it unkindly, that, during the time of your indisposition by reason +of your Wounds, I have not been to visit you; I do assure you it was not for +want of any Inclination I had both to see and serve you to my power; but you +are well acquainted with the Severity of my Father, whom you know how lately +you have disobliged. I am mighty glad that I have met with you here, where I +have had an Opportunity to tell you what so much concerns your Safety, which I +am afraid you will not find in Florence; considering the great Power Don +Fabritio and his Father, the Marquess of Viterbo, have in this City. I have +another thing to inform you of, That whereas Don Fabio had interested himself +in your Cause, in Opposition to the Marquess of Viterbo, by reason of the long +Animosity between them, all hopes of his Countenance and Assistance are +defeated: For there has been a Proposal of Reconciliation made to both Houses, +and it is said it will be confirm’d (as most such ancient Quarrels are at +last) by the Marriage of Juliana the Marquess’s Daughter, with Aurelian, +Son to Don Fabio: to which effect the old Gentleman sent ’tother Day to +Siena, where Aurelian has been Educated, to hasten his coming to Town; but the +Messenger returning this Morning, brought word, That the same day he +arriv’d at Siena, Aurelian had set out for Florence, in Company with a +young Spanish Nobleman, his intimate Friend; so it is believ’d, they are +both in Town, and not unlikely in this Room in Masquerade. +</p> + +<p> +Hippolito could not forbear smiling to himself, at these last words. For ever +since the naming of Don Fabio he had been very attentive; but before, his +Thoughts were wholly taken up with the Beauty of the Face he had seen, and from +the time she had taken him by the Hand, a successive warmth and chillness had +play’d about his Heart, and surpriz’d him with an unusual +Transport. He was in a hundred Minds, whether he should make her sensible of +her Error or no; but considering he could expect no farther Conference with her +after he should discover himself, and that as yet he knew not of her place of +abode, he resolv’d to humour the mistake a little further. Having her +still by the Hand, which he squeez’d somewhat more eagerly than is usual +for Cousins to do, in a low and undistinguishable Voice, he let her know how +much he held himself obliged to her, and avoiding as many words as handsomely +he could, at the same time, entreated her to give him her Advice, toward the +management of himself in this Affair. Leonora, who never from the beginning had +entertain’d the least Scruple of distrust, imagined he spoke faintly, as +not being yet perfectly recovered in his strength; and withal considering that +the heat of the Room, by reason of the Crowd, might be uneasie to a Person in +his Condition; she kindly told him, That if he were as inclinable to dispense +with the remainder of that Nights Diversion as she was, and had no other +engagement upon him, by her consent they should both steal out of the Assembly, +and go to her House, where they might with more freedom discourse about a +business of that importance, and where he might take something to refresh +himself if he were (as she conceiv’d him to be) indisposed with his long +standing. Judge you whether the Proposal were acceptable to Hippolito or no; he +had been ruminating with himself how to bring something like this about, and +had almost despair’d of it; when of a suddain he found the success of his +design had prevented his own endeavours. He told his Cousin in the same key as +before, That he was unwilling to be the occasion of her Divorce from so much +good Company; but for his own part, he was afraid he had presumed too much upon +his recovery in coming abroad so soon, and that he found himself so unwell, he +feared he should be quickly forc’d to retire. Leonora stay’d not to +make him any other reply, only tipp’d him upon the Arm, and bid him +follow her at a convenient distance to avoid Observation. +</p> + +<p> +Whoever had seen the Joy that was in Hippolito’s Countenance, and the +Sprightliness with which he follow’d his Beautiful Conductress, would +scarce have taken him for a Person griev’d with uncured Wounds. She led +him down a back pair of Stairs, into one of the Palace Gardens which had a Door +opening into the Piazza, not far from where Don Mario her Father lived. They +had little Discourse by the way, which gave Hippolito time to consider of the +best way of discovering himself. A thousand things came into his Head in a +minute, yet nothing that pleased him: and after so many Contrivances as he had +formed for the discovery of himself, he found it more rational for him not to +reveal himself at all that Night, since he could not foresee what effect the +surprize would have, she must needs be in, at the appearance of a Stranger, +whom she had never seen before, yet whom she had treated so familiarly. He knew +Women were apt to shriek or swoon upon such Occasions, and should she happen to +do either, he might be at a loss how to bring himself off. He thought he might +easily pretend to be indisposed somewhat more than ordinary, and so make an +excuse to go to his own Lodging. It came into his Head too, that under pretence +of giving her an account of his Health, he might enquire of her the means how a +Letter might be convey’d to her the next morning, wherein he might inform +her gently of her mistake, and insinuate something of that Passion he had +conceiv’d, which he was sure he could not have opportunity to speak of if +he bluntly revealed himself. He had just resolv’d upon this Method, as +they were come to the great Gates of the Court, when Leonora stopping to let +him go in before her, he of a suddain fetch’d his Breath violently as if +some stitch or twinging smart had just then assaulted him. She enquired the +matter of him, and advised him to make haste into the House that he might sit +down and rest him. He told her he found himself so ill, that he judged it more +convenient for him to go home while he was in a condition to move, for he +fear’d if he should once settle himself to rest he might not be able to +stir. She was much troubled, and would have had a Chair made ready and Servants +to carry him home; but he made answer, he would not have any of her Fathers +Servants know of his being abroad, and that just now he had an interval of +ease, which he hop’d would continue till he made a shift to reach his own +Lodgings. Yet if she pleased to inform him how he might give an account of +himself the next morning, in a line or two, he would not fail to give her the +thanks due to her great kindness; and withal, would let her know something +which would not a little surprize her, though now he had not time to acquaint +her with it. She show’d him a little Window at the corner of the House, +where one should wait to receive his Letter, and was just taking her leave of +him, when seeing him search hastily in his Pocket, she ask’d him if he +miss’d any thing; he told her he thought a Wound which was not throughly +heal’d bled a little, and that he had lost his Handkerchief. His design +took; for she immediately gave him hers: which indeed accordingly he +apply’d to the only wound he was then griev’d with; which though it +went quite through his Heart, yet thank God was not Mortal. He was not a little +rejoyc’d at his good Fortune in getting so early a Favour from his +Mistress, and notwithstanding the violence he did himself to personate a sick +Man, he could not forbear giving some Symptoms of an extraordinary content; and +telling her that he did not doubt to receive a considerable Proportion of ease +from the Application of what had so often kiss’d her fair Hand. Leonora +who did not suspect the Compliment, told him she should be heartily glad if +that or any thing in her power might contribute to his recovery; and wishing +him well home, went into her House, as much troubled for her Cousin as he was +joyful for his Mistress. +</p> + +<p> +Hippolito as soon as she was gone in, began to make his Remarks about the +House, walking round the great Court, viewing the Gardens and all the Passages +leading to that side of the Piazza. Having sufficiently informed himself, with +a Heart full of Love, and a Head full of Stratagem, he walked toward his +Lodging, impatient till the arrival of Aurelian that he might give himself +vent. In which interim, let me take the liberty to digress a little, and tell +the Reader something which I do not doubt he has apprehended himself long ago, +if he be not the dullest Reader in the World; yet only for orders sake, let me +tell him I say, That a young Gentleman (Cousin to the aforesaid Don Fabritio) +happened one night to have some words at a Gameing House with one Lorenzo, +which created a Quarrel of fatal Consequence to the former, who was killed upon +the Spot, and likely to be so to the latter, who was very desperately wounded. +</p> + +<p> +Fabritio being much concerned for his Kinsman, vow’d revenge (according +to the ancient and laudable custom of Italy) upon Lorenzo if he surviv’d, +or in case of his death (if it should happen to anticipate that, much more +swinging Death which he had in store for him) upon his next of Kin, and so to +descend Lineally like an English Estate, to all the Heirs Males of this Family. +This same Fabritio had indeed (as Leonora told Hippolito) taken particular +notice of him from his first entrance into the Room, and was so far doubtful as +to go out immediately himself, and make enquiry concerning Lorenzo, but was +quickly inform’d of the greatness of his Error, in believing a Man to be +abroad, who was so ill of his Wounds, that they now despair’d of his +recovery; and thereupon return’d to the Ball very well satisfied, but not +before Leonora and Hippolito were departed. +</p> + +<p> +So, Reader, having now discharg’d my Conscience of a small Discovery +which I thought my self obliged to make to Thee, I proceed to tell thee, that +our Friend Aurelian had by this time danced himself into a Net which he neither +could, nor which is worse desired to untangle. +</p> + +<p> +His Soul was charm’d to the movement of her Body: an Air so graceful, so +sweet, so easie and so great, he had never seen. She had something of Majesty +in her, which appear’d to be born with her; and though it struck an awe +into the Beholders, yet was it sweetned with a familiarity of Behaviour, which +rendred it agreeable to every Body. The grandeur of her Mien was not stiff, but +unstudied and unforced, mixed with a simplicity; free, yet not loose nor +affected. If the former seem’d to condescend, the latter seem’d to +aspire; and both to unite in the centre of Perfection. Every turn she gave in +dancing snatcht Aurelian into a Rapture, and he had like to have been out two +or three times with following his Eyes, which she led about as Slaves to her +Heels. +</p> + +<p> +As soon as they had done dancing, he began to complain of his want of Breath +and Lungs, to speak sufficiently in her Commendation; She smilingly told him, +he did ill to dance so much then: Yet in Consideration of the pains he had +taken more than ordinary upon her account she would bate him a great deal of +Complement, but with this Proviso, That he was to discover to her who he was. +Aurelian was unwilling for the present to own himself to be really the Man he +was; when a suddain thought came into his Head to take upon him the Name and +Character of Hippolito, who he was sure was not known in Florence. He +thereupon, after a little pause, pretended to recal himself in this manner: +‘Madam, it is no small demonstration of the entire Resignation which I +have made of my Heart to your Chains, since the secrets of it are no longer in +my power. I confess I only took Florence in my way, not designing any longer +Residence, than should be requisite to inform the Curiosity of a Traveller, of +the rareties of the Place. Whether Happiness or Misery will be the Consequence +of that Curiosity, I am yet in fear, and submit to your Determination; but sure +I am, not to depart Florence till you have made me the most miserable Man in +it, and refuse me the fatal Kindness of Dying at your Feet. I am by Birth a +Spaniard, of the City of Toledo; my name Hippolito di Saviolina: I was +yesterday a Man free, as Nature made the first; to day I am fallen into a +Captivity, which must continue with my Life, and which, it is in your power, to +make much dearer to me. Thus in obedience to your Commands, and contrary to my +Resolution of remaining unknown in this place, I have inform’d you, +Madam, what I am; what I shall be, I desire to know from you; at least, I hope, +the free discovery I have made of my self, will encourage you to trust me with +the knowledge of your Person. +</p> + +<p> +Here a low bow, and a deep sigh, put an end to his Discourse, and signified his +Expectation of her Reply, which was to this purpose—(But I had forgot to +tell you, That Aurelian kept off his Mask from the time that he told her he was +of Spain, till the period of his Relation.) Had I thought (said she) that my +Curiosity would have brought me in debt, I should certainly have forborn it; or +at least have agreed with you before hand about the rate of your discovery, +then I had not brought my self to the Inconveniency of being censur’d, +either of too much easiness or reservedness; but to avoid, as much as I can, +the extreamity of either, I am resolv’d but to discover my self in part, +and will endeavour to give you as little occasion as I can, either to boast of, +or ridicule the Behaviour of the Women of Florence in your Travels. +</p> + +<p> +Aurelian interrupted her, and swore very solemnly (and the more heartily, I +believe, because he then indeed spoke truth) that he would make Florence the +place of his abode, whatever concerns he had elsewhere. She advised him to be +cautious how he swore to his Expressions of Gallantry; and farther told him she +now hoped she should make him a return to all the Fine Things he had said, +since she gave him his choice whether he would know who she was, or see her +Face. +</p> + +<p> +Aurelian who was really in Love, and in whom Consideration would have been a +Crime, greedily embrac’d the latter, since she assured him at that time +he should not know both. Well, what follow’d? Why, she pull’d off +her Mask, and appear’d to him at once in the Glory of Beauty. But who can +tell the astonishment Aurelian felt? He was for a time senseless; Admiration +had suppress’d his Speech, and his Eyes were entangled in Light. In +short, to be made sensible of his condition, we must conceive some Idea of what +he beheld, which is not to be imagined till seen, nor then to be +express’d. Now see the impertinence and conceitedness of an Author, who +will have a fling at a Description, which he has Prefaced with an +impossibility. One might have seen something in her Composition resembling the +Formation of Epicurus his World, as if every Atome of Beauty had +concurr’d to unite an excellency. Had that curious Painter lived in her +days, he might have avoided his painful search, when he collected from the +choicest pieces the most choice Features, and by a due Disposition and +Judicious Symmetry of those exquisite parts, made one whole and perfect Venus. +Nature seem’d here to have play’d the Plagiary, and to have molded +into Substance the most refined Thoughts of inspired Poets. Her Eyes +diffus’d Rays comfortable as warmth, and piercing as the light; they +would have worked a passage through the straightest Pores, and with a delicious +heat, have play’d about the most obdurate frozen Heart, untill +’twere melted down to Love. Such Majesty and Affability were in her +Looks; so alluring, yet commanding was her Presence, that it minged awe with +love; kindling a Flame which trembled to aspire. She had danced much, which, +together with her being close masked, gave her a tincture of Carnation more +than ordinary. But Aurelian (from whom I had every tittle of her Description) +fancy’d he saw a little Nest of Cupids break from the Tresses of her +Hair, and every one officiously betake himself to his task. Some fann’d +with their downy Wings, her glowing Cheeks; while others brush’d the +balmy Dew from off her Face, leaving alone a heavenly Moisture blubbing on her +Lips, on which they drank and revell’d for their pains; Nay, so +particular were their allotments in her service, that Aurelian was very +positive a young Cupid who was but just Pen-feather’d, employ’d his +naked Quills to pick her Teeth. And a thousand other things his transport +represented to him, which none but Lovers who have experience of such Visions +will believe. +</p> + +<p> +As soon as he awaked and found his Speech come to him, he employ’d it to +this effect: +</p> + +<p> +‘’Tis enough that I have seen a Divinity—Nothing but Mercy +can inhabit these Perfections—Their utmost rigour brings a Death +preferable to any Life, but what they give—Use me, Madam, as you please; +for by your fair self, I cannot think a Bliss beyond what now I feel—You +wound with Pleasure, and if you Kill it must be with Transport—Ah! Yet +methinks to live—O Heaven! to have Life pronounced by those Bless’d +Lips—Did they not inspire where they command, it were an immediate Death +of Joy. +</p> + +<p> +Aurelian was growing a little too loud with his Admiration, had she not just +then interrupted him, by clapping on her Masque, and telling him they should be +observed, if he proceeded in his Extravagance; and withal, that his Passion was +too suddain to be real, and too violent to be lasting. He replied, Indeed it +might not be very lasting, (with a submissive mournful Voice) but it would +continue during his Life. That it was suddain, he denied, for she had raised it +by degrees from his first sight of her, by a continued discovery of Charms, in +her Mien and Conversation, till she thought fit to set Fire to the Train she +had laid, by the Lightning of her Face; and then he could not help it, if he +were blown up. +</p> + +<p> +He begg’d her to believe the Sincerity of his Passion, at least to enjoin +him something, which might tend to the Convincing of her Incredulity. She said, +she should find a time to make some Trials of him; but for the first, she +charged him not to follow or observe her, after the Dissolution of the +Assembly. He promised to obey, and entreated her to tell him but her Name, that +he might have Recourse to that in his Affliction for her Absence, if he were +able to survive it. She desired him to live by all means; and if he must have a +Name to play with, to call her Incognita, till he were better informed. +</p> + +<p> +The Company breaking up, she took her leave, and at his earnest Entreaty, gave +him a short Vision of her Face which, then dress’d in an obliging smile, +caused another fit of Transport, which lasted till she was gone out of Sight. +Aurelian gathered up his Spirits, and walked slowly towards his Lodging, never +remembring that he had lost Hippolito, till upon turning the Corner of a +Street, he heard a noise of Fighting; and coming near, saw a Man make a +vigorous Defence against two, who pressed violently upon him. He then thought +of Hippolito, and fancying he saw the glimmering of Diamond Buttons, such as +Hippolito had upon the Sleeves of his Habit, immediately drew to his +Assistance; and with that Eagerness and Resolution, that the Assailants, +finding their unmanly odds defeated, took to their Heels. The Person rescued by +the Generous Help of Aurelian, came toward him; but as he would have +stoop’d to have saluted him, dropp’d, fainting at his feet. +Aurelian, now he was so near him, perceiv’d plainly Hippolito’s +Habit, and step’d hastily to take him up. Just as some of the Guards (who +were going the Rounds, apprehensive of such Disorders in an Universal +Merriment) came up to him with Lights, and had taken Prisoners the Two Men, +whom they met with their Sword’s drawn; when looking in the Face of the +Wounded Man, he found it was not Hippolito, but his Governour Claudio, in the +Habit he had worn at the Ball. He was extreamly surpriz’d, as were the +Prisoners, who confess’d their Design to have been upon Lorenzo; +grounding their Mistake upon the Habit which was known to have been his. They +were Two Men who formerly had been Servants to him, whom Lorenzo had +unfortunately slain. +</p> + +<p> +They made a shift to bring Claudio to himself; and part of the Guard carrying +off the Prisoners, whom Aurelian desired they would secure, the rest +accompanied him bearing Claudio in their Arms to his Lodging. He had not +patience to forbear asking for Hippolito by the Way; whom Claudio assured him, +he had left safe in his Chamber, above Two Hours since. That his coming Home so +long before the Divertisements were ended, and Undressing himself, had given +him the Unhappy Curiosity, to put on his Habit, and go to the Pallace; in his +Return from whence, he was set upon in the Manner he found him, which if he +recovered, he must own his Life indebted to his timely Assistance. +</p> + +<p> +Being come to the House, they carried him to his Bed, and having sent for +Surgeons Aurelian rewarded and dismissed the Guard. He stay’d the +dressing of Claudio’s Wounds, which were many, though they hop’d +none Mortal: and leaving him to his Rest, went to give Hippolito an Account of +what had happened, whom he found with a Table before him, leaning upon both his +Elbows, his Face covered with his Hands, and so motionless, that Aurelian +concluded he was asleep; seeing several Papers lie before him, half written and +blotted out again, he thought to steal softly to the Table, and discover what +he had been employed about. Just as he reach’d forth his Hand to take up +one of the Papers, Hippolito started up so on the suddain, as surpriz’d +Aurelian and made him leap back; Hippolito, on the other hand, not supposing +that any Body had been near him, was so disordered with the Appearance of a Man +at his Elbow, (whom his Amazement did not permit him to distinguish) that he +leap’d hastily to his Sword, and in turning him about, overthrew the +Stand and Candles. Here were they both left in the Dark, Hippolito groping +about with his Sword, and thrusting at every Chair that he felt oppose him. +Aurelian was scarce come to himself, when thinking to step back toward the Door +that he might inform his Friend of his Mistake, without exposing himself to his +blind Fury; Hippolito heard him stir, and made a full thrust with such +Violence, that the Hilt of the Sword meeting with Aurelian’s Breast beat +him down, and Hippolito a top of him, as a Servant alarm’d with the +noise, came into the Chamber with a Light. The Fellow trembled, and thought +they were both Dead, till Hippolito raising himself, to see whom he had got +under him, swoon’d away upon the discovery of his Friend. But such was +the extraordinary Care of Providence in directing the Sword, that it only past +under his Arm, giving no Wound to Aurelian, but a little Bruise between his +Shoulder and Breast with the Hilt. He got up, scarce recovered of his Fright, +and by the help of the Servant; laid Hippolito upon the Bed; who when he was +come to himself could hardly be perswaded, that his Friend was before him and +alive, till he shew’d him his Breast, where was nothing of a Wound. +Hippolito begg’d his Pardon a Thousand Times, and curs’d himself as +often, who was so near to committing the most Execrable Act of Amicide. +</p> + +<p> +They dismiss’d the Fellow, and with many Embraces, congratulated their +fortunate Delivery from the Mischief which came so near them, each blaming +himself as the Occasion: Aurelian accusing his own unadvisedness in stealing +upon Hippolito; Hippolito blaming his own temerity and weakness, in being so +easily frighted to Disorder; and last of all, his blindness, in not knowing his +dearest Friend. But there he gave a Sigh, and passionately taking Aurelian by +the Hand, cry’d, Ah! my Friend, Love is indeed blind, when it would not +suffer me to see you—There arose another Sigh; a Sympathy seiz’d +Aurelian immediately: (For, by the Way, sighing is as catching among Lovers, as +yawning among the Vulgar.) Beside hearing the Name of Love, made him fetch such +a Sigh, that Hippolito’s were but Fly-blows in Comparison, that was +answered with all the Might Hippolito had, Aurelian ply’d him close till +they were both out of Breath. +</p> + +<p> +Thus not a Word pass’d, though each wondred why the t’other +sigh’d, at last concluded it to be only Complaisance to one another. +</p> + +<p> +Aurelian broke the Silence, by telling him the Misfortune of his Governour. +Hippolito rejoic’d as at the luckiest Accident which could have +befall’n him. Aurelian wondred at his unseasonable Mirth, and demanded +the Cause of it; he answer’d, It would necessitate his longer Stay in +Florence, and for ought he knew be the Means of bringing a happy Period to his +Amour. +</p> + +<p> +His Friend thought him to be little better than a Madman, when he +perceiv’d him of a suddain snatch out of his Bosom a Handkerchief, which +having kiss’d with a great deal of Ardour, he took Aurelian by the Hand, +and smiling at the Surprize he saw him in; +</p> + +<p> +‘Your Florentine Cupid is certainly (said he) ‘the most Expert in +the World. I have since I saw you beheld the most Beautiful of Women. I am faln +desperately in Love with her, and those Papers which you see so blotted and +scattered, are but so many Essays which I have made to the Declaration of my +Passion. And this Handkerchief which I so zealously Caress, is the Inestimable +Token which I have to make my self known to her. ‘O Leonora! (continued +he) ‘how hast thou stamp’d thine Image on my Soul! How much dearer +am I to my self, since I have had thy Heavenly Form in keeping! Now, my +Aurelian, I am worthy thee; my exalted Love has Dignified me, and rais’d +me far above thy poor former Despicable Hippolito. +</p> + +<p> +Aurelian seeing the Rapture he was in, thought it in vain to expect a settled +Relation of the Adventure, so was reaching to the Table for some of the Papers, +but Hippolito told him, If he would have a little patience he would acquaint +him with the whole Matter; and thereupon told him Word for Word how he was +mistaken for Lorenzo, and his Management of himself. Aurelian commended his +Prudence, in not discovering himself; and told him, If he could spare so much +time from the Contemplation of his Mistress, he would inform him of an +Adventure, though not so Accidental, yet of as great Concern to his own future +Happiness. So related all that had happened to him with his Beautiful +Incognita. +</p> + +<p> +Having ended the Story, they began to consider of the Means they were to use +toward a Review of their Mistresses. Aurelian was Confounded at the Difficulty +he conceived on his Part. He understood from Hippolito’s Adventure, that +his Father knew of his being in Town, whom he must unavoidably Disoblige if he +yet concealed himself, and Disobey if he came into his Sight; for he had +already entertain’d an Aversion for Juliana, in apprehension of her being +Imposed on him. His Incognita was rooted in his Heart, yet could he not Comfort +himself with any Hopes when he should see her: He knew not where she lived, and +she had made him no Promise of a second Conference. Then did he repent his +inconsiderate Choice, in preferring the momentary Vision of her Face, to a +certain Intelligence of her Person. Every thought that succeeded distracted +him, and all the Hopes he could presume upon, were within compass of the Two +Days Merriment yet to come; for which Space he hop’d he might excuse his +remaining conceal’d to his Father. +</p> + +<p> +Hippolito on the other side (though Aurelian thought him in a much better Way) +was no less afflicted for himself. The Difficulties which he saw in his +Friend’s Circumstances, put him upon finding out a great many more in his +own, than really there were. But what terrified him most of all, was his being +an utter Stranger to Leonora; she had not the least knowledge of him but +through mistake, and consequently could form no Idea of him to his Advantage. +He look’d upon it as an unlucky thought in Aurelian to take upon him his +Name, since possibly the Two Ladies were acquainted, and should they +communicate to each other their Adventures; they might both reasonably suffer +in their Opinions, and be thought guilty of Falshood, since it would appear to +them as One Person pretending to Two. Aurelian told him, there was but one +Remedy for that, which was for Hippolito, in the same Manner that he had done, +to make use of his Name, when he writ to Leonora, and use what arguments he +could to perswade her to Secrecy, least his Father should know of the Reason +which kept him concealed in Town. And it was likely, though perhaps she might +not immediately entertain his Passion; yet she would out of Generosity conceal, +what was hidden only for her sake. +</p> + +<p> +Well this was concluded on, after a great many other Reasons used on either +Side, in favour of the Contrivance; they at last argued themselves into a +Belief, that Fortune had befriended them with a better Plot, than their regular +Thinking could have contriv’d. So soon had they convinc’d +themselves, in what they were willing to believe. +</p> + +<p> +Aurelian laid himself down to rest, that is, upon the Bed; for he was a better +Lover than to pretend to sleep that Night, while Hippolito set himself again to +frame his Letter design’d for Leonora. He writ several, at last pitched +upon one, and very probably the worst, as you may guess when you read it in its +proper Place. +</p> + +<p> +It was break of Day when the Servant, who had been employed all the foregoing +Day in procuring Accoutrements for the Two Cavaliers, to appear in at the +Tilting, came into the Room, and told them all the Young Gentlemen in the Town +were trying their Equipage, and preparing to be early in the Lists. They made +themselves ready with all Expedition at the Alarm: and Hippolito having made a +Visit to his Governour, dispatch’d a Messenger with the Letter and +Directions to Leonora. At the Signal agreed upon the Casement was opened and a +String let down, to which the Bearer having fastned the Letter, saw it drawn +up, and returned. It were a vain attempt to describe Leonora’s Surprize, +when she read the Superscription.—The Unfortunate Aurelian, to the +Beautiful Leonora—After she was a little recovered from her Amaze, she +recollected to her self all the Passages between her and her supposed Cousin, +and immediately concluded him to be Aurelian. Then several little Circumstances +which she thought might have been sufficient to have convinced her, represented +themselves to her; and she was in a strange Uneasiness to think of her free +Carriage to a Stranger. +</p> + +<p> +She was once in a Mind to have burn’d the Letter, or to have stay’d +for an Opportunity to send it again. But she was a Woman, and her Curiosity +opposed it self to all thoughts of that Nature: at length with a firm +Resolution, she opened it, and found Word for Word, what is underwritten. +</p> + +<h3>The Letter.</h3> + +<p class="letter"> +MADAM, +</p> + +<p class="letter"> +If your fair Eyes, upon the breaking up of this, meet with somewhat too quick a +Surprize, make thence, I beseech you, some reflection upon the Condition I must +needs have been in, at the suddain Appearance of that Sun of Beauty, which at +once shone so full upon my soul. I could not immediately disengage my self from +that Maze of Charms, to let you know how unworthy a Captive your Eyes had made +through mistake. Sure, Madam, you cannot but remember my Disorder, of which +your Innocent (Innocent, though perhaps to me Fatal) Error made a Charitable +(but wide) Construction. Your Tongue pursued the Victory of your Eyes, and you +did not give me time to rally my poor Disordered Senses, so as to make a +tolerable Retreat. Pardon, Madam, the Continuation of the Deceipt, and call it +not so, that I appear’d to be other than my self; for Heaven knows I was +not then my self, nor am I now my own. You told me something that +concern’d me nearly, as to a Marriage my Father design’d me, and +much more nearly in being told by you. For Heaven’s sake, disclose not to +any Body your Knowledge of me, that I may not be forced to an immediate Act of +Disobedience; for if my future Services and inviolate Love, cannot recommend me +to your Favour, I shall find more comfort in the cold Embraces of a Grave, than +in the Arms of the never so much admired (but by me dreaded) Juliana. Think, +Madam, of those severe Circumstances I lie under; and withal I beg you, think +it is in your Power, and only in your Power, to make them happy as my Wishes, +or much more miserable than I am able to imagine. That dear, inestimable +(though undesign’d) Favour which I receiv’d from you, shall this +Day distinguish me from the Crowd of your Admirers; that which I really applied +to my inward bleeding Wound, the welcom Wound which you have made, and which, +unless from you, does wish no Cure; then pardon and have pity on, O Adored +Leonora, him, who is your’s by Creation as he is Heaven’s, though +never so unworthy. Have pity on +</p> + +<p class="right"> +Your <br /> +Aurelian. +</p> + +<p> +She read the Letter over and over, then flung it by, then read it again; the +Novelty of the Adventure made her repeat her Curiosity, and take more than +ordinary Pains to understand it. At last her Familiarity with the Expressions +grew to an Intimacy, and what she at first permitted she now began to like. She +thought there was something in it a little more serious, than to be barely +Gallantry. She wondred at her own Blindness, and fancy’d she could +remember something of a more becoming Air in the Stranger than was usual to +Lorenzo. This thought was parent to another of the same kind, till a long Chain +successively had Birth, and every one somewhat more than other, in Favour of +the supposed Aurelian. She reflected upon his Discretion, in deferring the +Discovery of himself, till a little time had, as it were, weaned her from her +perswasion, and by removing her farther from her Mistake, had prepared her for +a full and determinate Convincement. She thought his Behaviour, in personating +a Sick Man so readily, upon the first hint was not amiss, and smil’d to +think of his Excuse to procure her Handkerchief; and last of all, his sifting +out the Means to write to her, which he had done with that Modesty and Respect, +she could not tell how to find fault with it. +</p> + +<p> +She had proceeded thus far in a maze of Thought, when she started to find her +self so lost to her Reason, and would have trod back again that path of +deluding Fancy; accusing her self of Fondness, and inconsiderate Easiness, in +giving Credit to the Letter of a Person whose Face she never saw, and whose +first Acquaintance with her was a Treachery, and he who could so readily +deliver his Tongue of a Lye upon a Surprize, was scarce to be trusted when he +had sufficient Time allow’d him to beget a Fiction, and Means to perfect +the Birth. +</p> + +<p> +How did she know this to be Aurelian, if he were? Nay farther, put it to the +Extremity, What if she should upon farther Conversation with him proceed to +Love him? What Hopes were there for her? Or how could she consent to Marry a +Man already Destined for another Woman? nay, a Woman that was her Friend, whose +Marrying with him was to compleat the happy Reconciliation of Two Noble +Families, and which might prevent the Effusion of much Blood likely to be shed +in that Quarrel: Besides, she should incurr share of the Guilt, which he would +draw upon him by Disobedience to his Father, whom she was sure would not be +consenting to it. +</p> + +<p> +’Tis strange now, but all Accounts agree, that just here Leonora, who had +run like a violent Stream against Aurelian hitherto, now retorted with as much +precipitation in his Favour. I could never get any Body to give me a +satisfactory reason, for her suddain and dextrous Change of Opinion just at +that stop, which made me conclude she could not help it; and that Nature +boil’d over in her at that time when it had so fair an Opportunity to +show it self: For Leonora it seems was a Woman Beautiful, and otherwise of an +excellent Disposition; but in the Bottom a very Woman. This last Objection, +this Opportunity of perswading Man to Disobedience, determined the Matter in +Favour of Aurelian, more than all his Excellencies and Qualifications, take him +as Aurelian, or Hippolito, or both together. +</p> + +<p> +Well, the Spirit of Contradiction and of Eve was strong in her; and she was in +a fair Way to Love Aurelian, for she lik’d him already; that it was +Aurelian she no longer doubted, for had it been a Villain, who had only taken +his Name upon him for any ill Designs, he would never have slip’d so +favourable an Opportunity as when they were alone and in the Night coming +through the Garden and broad Space before the Piazza. In short, thus much she +resolv’d, at least to conceal the Knowledge she had of him, as he had +entreated her in his Letter, and to make particular Remarks of his Behaviour +that Day in the Lists, which should it happen to Charm her with an absolute +liking of his Person, she resolv’d to dress her self to the best +Advantage, and mustering up all her Graces, out of pure Revenge to kill him +down right. +</p> + +<p> +I would not have the Reader now be impertinent, and look upon this to be force, +or a whim of the Author’s, that a Woman should proceed so far in her +Approbation of a Man whom she never saw, that it is impossible, therefore +ridiculous to suppose it. Let me tell such a Critick, that he knows nothing of +the Sex, if he does not know that Woman may be taken with the Character and +Description of a Man, when general and extraordinary, that she may be +prepossess’d with an agreeable Idea of his Person and Conversation; and +though she cannot imagine his real Features, or manner of Wit, yet she has a +general Notion of what is call’d a fine Gentleman, and is prepar’d +to like such a one who does not disagree with that Character. Aurelian, as he +bore a very fair Character, so was he extreamly deserving to make it good, +which otherways might have been to his prejudice; for oftentimes, through an +imprudent Indulgence to our Friends merit, we give so large a Description of +his excellencies, that People make more room in their Expectation, than the +Intrinsick worth of the Man will fill, which renders him so much the more +despicable as there is emptyness to spare. ’Tis certain, though the Women +seldom find that out; for though they do not see so much in a Man as was +promised, yet they will be so kind to imagine he has some hidden excellencies; +which time may discover to them, so are content to allow, him a considerable +share of their esteem, and take him into Favour upon Tick. Aurelian as he had +good Credit, so he had a good Stock to support it, and his Person was a good +promising Security for the payment of any Obligation he could lie under to the +Fair Sex. Hippolito, who at this time was our Aurelian, did not at all lessen +him in appearing for him: So that although Leonora was indeed mistaken, she +could not be said to be much in the wrong. I could find in my Heart to beg the +Reader’s pardon for this Digression, if I thought he would be sensible of +the Civility; for I promise him, I do not intend to do it again throughout the +Story, though I make never so many, and though he take them never so ill. But +because I began this upon a bare Supposition of his Impertinence, which might +be somewhat impertinent in me to suppose, I do, and hope to make him amends by +telling him, that by the time Leonora was dress’d, several Ladies of her +acquaintance came to accompany her to the place designed for the Tilting, where +we will leave them drinking Chocholate till ’tis time for them to go. +</p> + +<p> +Our Cavaliers had by good Fortune provided themselves of two curious Suits of +light Armour, finely enammelled and gilt. Hippolito had sent to Poggio +Imperiale for a couple of fine led Horses which he had left there with the rest +of his Train at his entrance into Florence. Mounted on these and every way well +Equipt, they took their way, attended only by two Lacqueys, toward the Church +di Santa Croce, before which they were to perform their Exercises of Chivalry. +Hippolito wore upon his Helm a large Plume of Crimson Feathers, in the midst of +which was artificially placed Leonora’s Handkerchief. His Armour was +gilt, and enammell’d with Green and Crimson. Aurelian was not so happy as +to wear any token to recommend him to the notice of his Mistress, so had only a +Plume of Sky-colour and White Feathers, suitable to his Armour, which was +Silver enammelled with Azure. I shall not describe the Habits of any other +Cavaliers, or of the Ladies; let it suffice to tell the Reader they were all +very Fine and very Glorious, and let him dress them in what is most agreeable +to his own Fancy. +</p> + +<p> +Our Gallants entred the Lists, and having made their Obeysance to his Highness, +turned round to salute and view the Company. The Scaffold was circular, so that +there was no end of the Delightful Prospect. It seem’d a Glory of Beauty +which shone around the admiring Beholders. Our Lovers soon perceived the Stars +which were to Rule their Destiny, which sparkled a lustre beyond all the +inferiour Constellations, and seem’d like two Suns to distribute Light to +all the Planets in that Heavenly Sphere. Leonora knew her Slave by his Badge +and blushed till the Lilies and Roses in her cheeks had resemblance to the +Plume of Crimson and White Handkerchief in Hippolito’s Crest. He made her +a low bow, and reined his Horse back with an extraordinary Grace, into a +respectful retreat. Aurelian saw his Angel, his beautiful Incognita, and had no +other way to make himself known to her, but by saluting and bowing to her after +the Spanish mode; she guess’d him by it to be her new Servant Hippolito, +and signified her apprehension, by making him a more particular and obliging +return, than to any of the Cavaliers who had saluted her before. +</p> + +<p> +The Exercise that was to be perform’d was in general a running at the +Ring; and afterwards two Cavaliers undertook to defend the Beauty of Donna +Catharina, against all who would not allow her preheminence of their +Mistresses. This thing was only designed for show and form, none presuming that +any body would put so great an affront upon the Bride and Duke’s +Kinswoman, as to dispute her pretentions to the first place in the Court of +Venus. But here our Cavaliers were under a mistake; for seeing a large Shield +carry’d before two Knights, with a Lady painted upon it; not knowing who, +but reading the Inscription which was (in large Gold Letters) Above the +Insolence of Competition. They thought themselves obliged, especially in the +presence of their Mistresses, to vindicate their Beauty; and were just spurring +on to engage the Champions, when a Gentleman stopping them, told them their +mistake, that it was the Picture of Donna Catharina, and a particular Honour +done to her by his Highness’s Commands, and not to be disputed. Upon this +they would have returned to their Post, much concerned for their mistake; but +notice being taken by Don Ferdinand of some Show of Opposition that was made, +he would have begged leave of the Duke, to have maintained his Lady’s +Honour against the Insolence of those Cavaliers; but the Duke would by no means +permit it. They were arguing about it when one of them came up, before whom the +Shield was born, and demanded his Highness’s Permission, to inform those +Gentlemen better of their mistake, by giving them the Foyl. By the Intercession +of Don Ferdinand, leave was given them; whereupon a Civil Challenge was sent to +the two Strangers, informing them of their Error, and withal telling them they +must either maintain it by force of Arms, or make a publick acknowledgment by +riding bare headed before the Picture once round the Lists. The +Stranger-Cavaliers remonstrated to the Duke how sensible they were of their +Error, and though they would not justifie it, yet they could not decline the +Combate, being pressed to it beyond an honourable refusal. To the Bride they +sent a Complement, wherein, having first begg’d her pardon for not +knowing her Picture, they gave her to understand, that now they were not about +to dispute her undoubted right to the Crown of Beauty, but the honour of being +her Champions was the Prize they fought for, which they thought themselves as +able to maintain as any other Pretenders. Wherefore they pray’d her, that +if fortune so far befriended their endeavours as to make them Victors, that +they might receive no other Reward, but to be crown’d with the Titles of +their Adversaries, and be ever after esteem’d as her most humble +Servants. The excuse was so handsomely designed, and much better +express’d than it is here, that it took effect. The Duke, Don Ferdinand +and his Lady were so well satisfied with it as to grant their Request. +</p> + +<p> +While the running at the Ring lasted, our Cavaliers alternately bore away great +share of the Honour. That Sport ended, Marshals were appointed for the Field, +and every thing in great form settled for the Combat. The Cavaliers were all in +good earnest, but orders were given to bring ’em blunted Lances, and to +forbid the drawing of a Sword upon pain of his Highness’s Displeasure. +The Trumpets sounded and they began their Course: The Ladies’ Hearts, +particularly the Incognita and Leonora’s beat time to the Horses Hoofs, +and hope and fear made a mock Fight within their tender Breasts, each wishing +and doubting success where she lik’d: But as the generality of their +Prayers were for the graceful Strangers, they accordingly succeeded. +Aurelian’s Adversary was unhorsed in the first Encounter, and +Hippolito’s lost both Stirrups and dropt his Lance to save himself. The +Honour of the Field was immediately granted to them, and Don Catharina sent +them both Favours, which she pray’d them to wear as her Knights. The +Crowd breaking up, our Cavaliers made a shift to steal off unmarked, save by +the watchful Leonora and Incognita, whose Eyes were never off from their +respective Servants. There was enquiry made for them, but to no purpose; for +they to prevent their being discovered had prepared another House, distant from +their Lodging, where a Servant attended to disarm them, and another carried +back their Horses to the Villa, while they walked unsuspected to their Lodging; +but Incognita had given command to a Page to dog ’em till the Evening, at +a distance, and bring her word where they were latest housed. +</p> + +<p> +While several Conjectures pass’d among the Company, who were all gone to +Dinner at the Palace, who those Cavaliers should be, Don Fabio thought himself +the only Man able to guess; for he knew for certain that his Son and Hippolito +were both in Town, and was well enough pleased with his humour of remaining +Incognito till the Diversions should be over, believing then that the surprize +of his Discovery would add much to the Gallantry he had shown in Masquerade; +but hearing the extraordinary liking that every body express’d, and in a +particular manner, the great Duke himself, to the Persons and Behaviour of the +unknown Cavaliers, the Old Gentleman could not forbear the Vanity to tell his +Highness, that he believed he had an interest in one of the Gentlemen, whom he +was pleased to honour with so favourable a Character; and told him what reason +he had to believe the one to be his Son, and the other a Spanish Nobleman, his +Friend. +</p> + +<p> +This discovery having thus got vent, was diffused like Air; every body +suck’d it in, and let it out again with their Breath to the next they met +withal; and in half an hours time it was talked of in the House where our +Adventurers were lodged. Aurelian was stark mad at the News, and knew what +search would be immediately made for him. Hippolito, had he not been +desperately in Love, would certainly have taken Horse and rid out of Town just +then, for he could make no longer doubt of being discovered, and he was afraid +of the just Exceptions Leonora might make to a Person who had now deceived her +twice. Well, we will leave them both fretting and contriving to no purpose, to +look about and see what was done at the Palace, where their doom was determined +much quicker than they imagined. +</p> + +<p> +Dinner ended, the Duke retired with some chosen Friends to a Glass of Wine; +among whom were the Marquess of Viterbo and Don Fabio. His Highness was no +Stranger to the long Fewd that had been between the two Families, and also +understood what Overtures of Reconciliation had been lately made, with the +Proposals of Marriage between Aurelian and the Marquess’s Daughter. +Having waited till the Wine had taken the effect proposed, and the Company were +raised to an uncommon pitch of Chearfulness, which he also encouraged by an +Example of Freedom and Good Humour, he took an opportunity of rallying the two +grave Signiors into an Accommodation: That was seconded with the praises of the +young Couple, and the whole Company joined in a large Encomium upon the Graces +of Aurelian and the Beauties of Juliana. The old Fellows were tickled with +Delight to hear their Darlings so admired, which the Duke perceiving, out of a +Principle of Generosity and Friendship, urged the present Consummation of the +Marriage; telling them there was yet one day of publick Rejoycing to come, and +how glad he should be to have it improved by so acceptable an Alliance; and +what an honour it would be to have his Cousin’s Marriage attended by the +Conjunction of so extraordinary a Pair, the performance of which Ceremony would +crown the Joy that was then in Agitation, and make the last day vie for equal +Glory and Happiness with the first. In short, by the Complaisant and Perswasive +Authority of the Duke, the Dons were wrought into a Compliance, and accordingly +embraced and shook Hands upon the Matter. This News was dispersed like the +former, and Don Fabio gave orders for the enquiring out his Son’s +Lodging, that the Marquess and he might make him a Visit, as soon as he had +acquainted Juliana with his purpose, that she might prepare her self. He found +her very chearful with Donna Catharina and several other Ladies; whereupon the +old Gentleman, pretty well warmed with the Duke’s Goodfellowship, told +her aloud he was come to crown their Mirth with another Wedding; that his +Highness had been pleased to provide a Husband for his Daughter, and he would +have her provide her self to receive him to-morrow. All the Company at first, +as well as Juliana her self, thought he had rally’d, till the Duke coming +in confirmed the serious part of his Discourse. Juliana was confounded at the +haste that was imposed on her, and desired a little time to consider what she +was about. But the Marquess told her, she should have all the rest of her Life +to consider in; that Aurelian should come and consider with her in the Morning, +if she pleased; but in the mean time, he advised her to go home and call her +Maids to Counsel. +</p> + +<p> +Juliana took her leave of the Company very gravely, as if not much delighted +with her Father’s Rallery. Leonora happened to be by, and heard all that +passed; she was ready to swoon, and found her self seized with a more violent +Passion than ever for Aurelian: Now upon her apprehensions of losing him, her +active fancy had brought him before her with all the advantages imaginable, and +though she had before found great tenderness in her Inclination toward him, yet +was she somewhat surprized to find she really lov’d him. She was so +uneasie at what she had heard, that she thought it convenient to steal out of +the presence and retire to her Closet, to bemoan her unhappy helpless +Condition. +</p> + +<p> +Our Two Cavalier-Lovers had rack’d their Invention till it was quite +disabled, and could not make discovery of one Contrivance more for their +Relief. Both sat silent, each depending upon his Friend, and still expecting +when t’other should speak. Night came upon them while they sate thus +thoughtless, or rather drowned in Thought; but a Servant bringing Lights into +the Room awakened them: And Hippolito’s Speech, usher’d by a +profound Sigh, broke Silence. +</p> + +<p> +‘Well! (said he) what must we do, Aurelian? We must suffer, replied +Aurelian faintly. When immediately raising his Voice, he cry’d out, +‘Oh ye unequal Powers, why do ye urge us to desire what ye doom us to +forbear; give us a Will to chuse, then curb us with a Duty to restrain that +Choice! Cruel Father, Will nothing else suffice! Am I to be the Sacrifice to +expiate your Offences past; past ere I was born? Were I to lose my Life, +I’d gladly Seal your Reconcilement with my Blood. ‘But Oh my Soul +is free, you have no Title to my Immortal Being, that has Existence independent +of your Power; and must I lose my Love, the Extract of that Being, the Joy, +Light, Life, and Darling of my Soul? No, I’ll own my Flame, and plead my +Title too.—But hold, wretched Aurelian, hold, whither does thy Passion +hurry thee? Alas! the cruel fair Incognita Loves thee not! She knows not of thy +Love! If she did, what Merit hast thou to pretend?—Only +Love.—Excess of Love. And all the World has that. All that have seen her. +Yet I had only seen her once, and in that once I lov’d above the World; +nay, lov’d beyond my self, such vigorous Flame, so strong, so quick she +darted at my Breast; it must rebound, and by Reflection, warm her self. Ah! +welcome Thought, lovely deluding Fancy, hang still upon my Soul, let me but +think, that once she Loves and perish my Despair. +</p> + +<p> +Here a suddain stop gave a Period also to Hippolito’s Expectation, and he +hoped now that his Friend had given his Passion so free a vent, he might +recollect and bethink himself of what was convenient to be done; but Aurelia, +as if he had mustered up all his Spirits purely to acquit himself of that +passionate Harangue, stood mute and insensible like an Alarum Clock, that had +spent all its force in one violent Emotion. Hippolito shook him by the Arm to +rouze him from his Lethargy, when his Lacquey coming into the Room, out of +Breath, told him there was a Coach just stopp’d at the Door, but he did +not take time to who came in it. Aurelian concluded immediately it was his +Father in quest of him; and without saying any more to Hippolito, than that he +was Ruined if discovered, took his Sword and slipp’d down a back pair of +Stairs into the Garden, from whence he conveyed himself into the Street. +Hippolito had not bethought himself what to do, before he perceiv’d a +Lady come into the Chamber close veil’d, and make toward him. At the +first Appearance of a Woman, his Imagination flattered him with a Thought of +Leonora; but that was quickly over upon nearer Approach to the Lady, who had +much the Advantage in Stature of his Mistress. He very civilly accosted her, +and asked if he were the Person to whom the Honour of that Visit was intended. +She said, her Business was with Don Hippolito di Saviolina, to whom she had +Matter of Concern to import, and which required haste. He had like to have told +her, That he was the Man, but by good Chance reflecting upon his Friend’s +Adventure, who had taken his name, he made Answer, that he believed Don +Hippolito not far off, and if she had a Moments Patience he would enquire for +him. +</p> + +<p> +He went out, leaving the Lady in the Room, and made search all round the House +and Garden for Aurelian, but to no purpose. The Lady impatient of his long stay +took a Pen and Ink and some Paper which she found upon the Table, and had just +made an End of her Letter, when hearing a Noise of more than one coming up +Stairs, she concluded his Friend had found him, and that her Letter would be to +no purpose, so tore it in pieces, which she repented; when turning about, she +found her Mistake, and beheld Don Fabio and the Marquess of Viterbo just +entring at the Door. She gave a Shriek at the Surprize of their Appearance, +which much troubled the Old Gentlemen, and made them retire in Confusion for +putting a Gentlewoman into such a Fright. The Marquess thinking they had been +misinformed, or had mistaken the Lodgings, came forward again, and made an +Apology to the Lady for their Errour; but she making no reply, walk’d +directly by him down Stairs and went into her Coach, which hurried her away as +speedily as the Horses were able to draw. +</p> + +<p> +The Dons were at a loss what to think, when, Hippolito coming into the Room to +give the Lady an Account of his Errant, was no less astonished to find she was +departed, and had left Two Old Signiors in her stead. He knew Don Fabio’s +Face, for Aurelian had shewn him his Father at the Tilting; but being confident +he was not known to him, he ventur’d to ask him concerning a Lady whom +just now he had left in that Chamber. Don Fabio told him, she was just gone +down, and doubted they had been Guilty of a Mistake, in coming to enquire for a +Couple of Gentlemen whom they were informed were Lodged in that House; he +begg’d his Pardon if he had any Relation to that Lady, and desired to +know if he could give them any Account of the Persons they sought for. +Hippolito made answer, He was a Stranger in the Place, and only a Servant to +that Lady whom they had disturb’d, and whom he must go and seek out. And +in this Perplexity he left them, going again in Search of Aurelian, to inform +him of what had passed. +</p> + +<p> +The Old Gentlemen at last meeting with a Servant of the House, were directed to +Signior Claudio’s Chamber, where they were no sooner entered but Aurelian +came into the House. A Servant who had skulk’d for him by +Hippolito’s Order, followed him up into the Chamber, and told him who was +with Claudio then making Enquiry for him. He thought that to be no Place for +him, since Claudio must needs discover all the Truth to his Father; wherefore +he left Directions with the Servant, where Hippolito should meet him in the +Morning. As he was going out of the Room he espied the torn Paper, which the +Lady had thrown upon the Floor: The first piece he took up had Incognita +written upon it; the sight of which so Alarum’d him, he scarce knew what +he was about; but hearing a Noise of a Door opening over Head, with as much +Care as was consistent with the haste he was then in, he gathered up scattered +pieces of Paper, and betook himself to a Ramble. +</p> + +<p> +Coming by a Light which hung at the Corner of a Street, he join’d the +torn Papers and collected thus much, that Incognita had Written the Note, and +earnestly desired (if there were any reality in what he pretended to her) to +meet her at Twelve a Clock that Night at a Convent Gate; but unluckily the Bit +of Paper which should have mentioned what Convent, was broken off and lost. +</p> + +<p> +Here was a large Subject for Aurelian’s Passion, which he did not spare +to pour forth in Abundance of Curses on his Stars. So earnest was he in the +Contemplation of his Misfortunes, that he walk’d on unwittingly; till at +length Silence (and such as was only to be found in that part the Town, whither +his unguided Steps had carried him) surpriz’d his Attention. I say, a +profound Silence rouzed him from his Thought; and a clap of Thunder could have +done no more. +</p> + +<p> +Now because it is possible this at some time or other may happen to be read by +some Malicious or Ignorant Person, (no Reflection upon the present Reader) who +will not admit, or does not understand that Silence should make a Man start; +and have the same Effect, in provoking his Attention, with its opposite Noise; +I will illustrate this matter, to such a diminutive Critick, by a Parallel +Instance of Light; which though it does chiefly entertain the Eyes, and is +indeed the prime Object of the Sight, yet should it immediately cease, to have +a Man left in the Dark by a suddain deficiency of it, would make him stare with +his Eyes, and though he could not see, endeavour to look about him. Why just +thus did it fare with our Adventurer; who seeming to have wandred both into the +Dominions of Silence and of Night, began to have some tender for his own +Safety, and would willingly have groped his Way back again; when he heard a +Voice, as from a Person whose Breath had been stopp’d by some forcible +Oppression, and just then, by a violent Effort, was broke through the +Restraint.—‘Yet—Yet—(again reply’d the Voice, +still struggling for Air,) ‘Forbear—and I’ll forgive +what’s past—I have done nothing yet that needs a Pardon, (says +another) and what is to come, will admit of none. +</p> + +<p> +Here the Person who seemed to be the Oppressed, made several Attempts to speak, +but they were only inarticulate Sounds, being all interrupted and choaked in +their Passage. +</p> + +<p> +Aurelian was sufficiently astonish’d, and would have crept nearer to the +Place whence he guessed the Voice to come; but he was got among the Runes of an +Old Monastery, and could not stir so silently, but some loose Stones he met +with made a rumbling. The Noise alarm’d both Parties; and as it gave +Comfort to the one, it so Terrified the t’other, that he could not hinder +the Oppressed from calling for help. Aurelian fancy’d it was a +Woman’s Voice, and immediately drawing his Sword, demanded what was the +Matter; he was answered with the Appearance of a Man, who had opened a Dark +Lanthorn which he had by him, and came toward him with a Pistol in his Hand +ready cock’d. +</p> + +<p> +Aurelian seeing the irresistable advantage his Adversary had over him, would +fain have retired; and, by the greatest Providence in the World, going +backwards fell down over some loose Stones that lay in his Way, just in that +Instant of Time when the Villain fired his Pistol, who seeing him fall, +concluded he had Shot him. The Crys of the afflicted Person were redoubled at +the Tragical Sight, which made the Murderer, drawing a Poniard, to threaten +him, that the next Murmur should be his last. Aurelian, who was scarce assured +that he was unhurt, got softly up; and coming near enough to perceive the +Violence that was used to stop the Injured Man’s Mouth; (for now he saw +plainly it was a Man) cry’d out,—Turn, Villain, and look upon thy +Death.—The Fellow amazed at the Voice, turn’d about to have +snatch’d up the Lanthorn from the Ground; either to have given Light only +to himself, or to have put out the Candle, that he might have made his Escape; +but which of the Two he designed, no Body could tell but himself: and if the +Reader have a Curiosity to know, he must blame Aurelian; who thinking there +could be no foul play offered to such a Villain, ran him immediately through +the Heart, so that he drop’d down Dead at his Feet, without speaking a +Word. He would have seen who the Person was he had thus happily delivered, but +the Dead Body had fallen upon the Lanthorn, which put out the Candle: However +coming up toward him, he ask’d him how he did, and bid him be of good +Heart; he was answered with nothing but Prayers, Blessings and Thanks, called a +Thousand Deliverers, good Genius’s and Guardian Angels. And the Rescued +would certainly have gone upon his Knees to have worshipped him, had he not +been bound Hand and Foot; which Aurelian understanding, groped for the Knots, +and either untied them or cut them asunder; but ’tis more probable the +latter, because more expeditious. +</p> + +<p> +They took little heed what became of the Body which they left behind them, and +Aurelian was conducted from out the Ruins by the Hand of him he had delivered. +By a faint light issuing from the just rising Moon, he could discern that it +was a Youth; but coming into a more frequented part of the Town, where several +Lights were hung out, he was amaz’d at the extream Beauty which appeared +in his Face, though a little pale and disordered with his late fright. Aurelian +longed to hear the Story of so odd an adventure, and entreated his Charge to +tell it him by the way; but he desired him to forbear till they were come into +some House or other, where he might rest and recover his tired Spirits, for yet +he was so faint he was unable to look up. Aurelian thought these last words +were delivered in a Voice, whose accent was not new to him. That thought made +him look earnestly in the Youth’s Face, which he now was sure he had +somewhere seen before, and thereupon asked him if he had never been at Siena? +That Question made the young Gentleman look up, and something of a Joy appeared +in his Countenance, which yet he endeavoured to smother; so praying Aurelian to +conduct him to his Lodging, he promised him that as soon as they should come +thither, he would acquaint him with any thing he desired to know. Aurelian +would rather have gone any where else than to his own Lodging; but being so +very late he was at a loss, and so forced to be contented. +</p> + +<p> +As soon as they were come into his Chamber, and that Lights were brought them +and the Servant dismissed, the paleness which so visibly before had usurped the +sweet Countenance of the afflicted Youth vanished, and gave place to a more +lively Flood of Crimson, which with a modest heat glow’d freshly on his +Cheeks. Aurelian waited with a pleasing Admiration the discovery promised him, +when the Youth still struggling with his Resolution, with a timorous haste, +pulled off a Peruke which had concealed the most beautiful abundance of Hair +that ever graced one Female Head; those dishevelled spreading tresses, as at +first they made a discovery of, so at last they served for a veil to the modest +lovely blushes of the fair Incognita; for she it was and none other. But Oh! +the inexpressible, inconceivable joy and amazement of Aurelian! As soon as he +durst venture to think, he concluded it to be all Vision, and never doubted so +much of any thing in his Life as of his being then awake. But she taking him by +the Hand, and desiring him to sit down by her, partly convinced him of the +reality of her presence. +</p> + +<p> +‘This is the second time, Don Hippolito, (said she to him) ‘that I +have been here this Night. What the occasion was of my seeking you out, and how +by miracle you preserved me, would add too much to the surprize I perceive you +to be already in should I tell you: Nor will I make any further discovery, till +I know what censure you pass upon the confidence which I have put in you, and +the strange Circumstances in which you find me at this time. I am sensible they +are such, that I shall not blame your severest Conjectures; but I hope to +convince you, when you shall hear what I have to say in justification of my +Vertue. +</p> + +<p> +‘Justification! (cry’d Aurelian) what Infidel dares doubt it! Then +kneeling down, and taking her Hand, ‘Ah Madam (says he) would Heaven +would no other ways look upon, than I behold your Perfections—Wrong not +your Creature with a Thought, he can be guilty of that horrid Impiety as once +to doubt your Vertue—Heavens! (cry’d he, starting up) ‘am I +so really blessed to see you once again! May I trust my Sight?—Or does my +fancy now only more strongly work?—For still I did preserve your Image in +my Heart, and you were ever present to my dearest Thoughts.— +</p> + +<p> +‘Enough Hippolito, enough of Rapture (said she) you cannot much accuse me +of Ingratitude; for you see I have not been unmindful of you; but moderate your +Joy till I have told you my Condition, and if for my sake you are raised to +this Delight, it is not of a long continuance. +</p> + +<p> +At that (as Aurelian tells the Story) a Sigh diffused a mournful sweetness +through the Air, and liquid grief fell gently from her Eyes, triumphant sadness +sat upon her Brow, and even sorrow seem’d delighted with the Conquest he +had made. See what a change Aurelian felt! His Heart bled Tears, and trembled +in his Breast; Sighs struggling for a vent had choaked each others passage up: +His Floods of Joys were all supprest; cold doubts and fears had chill’d +’em with a sudden Frost, and he was troubled to excess; yet knew not why. +Well, the Learned say it was Sympathy; and I am always of the Opinion with the +Learned, if they speak first. +</p> + +<p> +After a World of Condoleance had passed between them, he prevailed with her to +tell him her Story. So having put all her Sighs into one great Sigh, she +discharged her self of ’em all at once, and formed the Relation you are +just about to Read. +</p> + +<p> +‘Having been in my Infancy Contracted to a Man I could never endure, and +now by my Parents being likely to be forced to Marry him, is in short, the +great occasion of my grief. I fansy’d (continued she) something so +Generous in your Countenance, and uncommon in your Behaviour, while you were +diverting your self, and rallying me with Expressions of Gallantry, at the +Ball, as induced me to hold Conference with you. I now freely confess to you, +out of design, That if things should happen as I then feared, and as now they +are come to pass, I might rely upon your assistance in a matter of Concern; and +in which I would sooner chuse to depend upon a generous Stranger, than any +Acquaintance I have. What Mirth and Freedom I then put on, were, I can assure +you, far distant from my Heart; but I did violence to my self out of +Complaisance to your Temper.—I knew you at the Tilting, and wished you +might come off as you did; though I do not doubt, but you would have had as +good Success had it been opposite to my Inclinations.—Not to detain you +by too tedious a Relation, every day my Friends urged me to the Match they had +agreed upon for me, before I was capable of Consenting; at last their +importunities grew to that degree, that I found I must either consent, which +would make me miserable, or be miserable by perpetually enduring to be baited +by my Father, Brother and other Relations. I resolved yesterday, on a suddain +to give firm Faith to the Opinion I had conceived of you; and accordingly came +in the Evening to request your assistance, in delivering me from my Tormentors, +by a safe and private conveyance of me to a Monastery about four Leagues hence, +where I have an Aunt who would receive me, and is the only Relation I have +averse to the Match. I was surprized at the appearance of some Company I did +not expect at your Lodgings; which made me in haste tear a Paper which I had +written to you with Directions where to find me, and get speedily away in my +Coach to an old Servant’s House, whom I acquainted with my purpose: By my +Order she provided me of this Habit which I now wear; I ventured to trust my +self with her Brother, and resolved to go under his Conduct to the Monastery; +he proved to be a Villain, and Pretending to take me a short and private way to +the place where he was to take up a Hackney Coach (for that which I came in was +broke some where or other with the haste it made to carry me from your Lodging) +led me into an old ruined Monastery, where it pleased Heaven, by what Accident +I know not, to direct you. I need not tell you how you saved my Life and my +Honour, by revenging me with the Death of my Perfidious Guide. This is the summ +of my present Condition, bating the apprehensions I am in of being taken by +some of my Relations, and forced to a thing so quite contrary to my +Inclinations. +</p> + +<p> +Aurelian was confounded at the Relation she had made, and began to fear his own +Estate to be more desperate than ever he had imagined. He made her a very +Passionate and Eloquent Speech in behalf of himself (much better than I intend +to insert here) and expressed a mighty concern that she should look upon his +ardent Affection to be only Rallery or Gallantry. He was very free of his Oaths +to confirm the Truth of what he pretended, nor I believe did she doubt it, or +at least was unwilling so to do: For I would Caution the Reader by the bye, not +to believe every word which she told him, nor that admirable sorrow which she +counterfeited to be accurately true. It was indeed truth so cunningly +intermingled with Fiction, that it required no less Wit and Presence of Mind +than she was endowed with so to acquit her self on the suddain. She had +entrusted her self indeed with a Fellow who proved a Villain, to conduct her to +a Monastery; but one which was in the Town, and where she intended only to lie +concealed for his sake; as the Reader shall understand ere long: For we have +another Discovery to make to him, if he have not found it out of himself +already. +</p> + +<p> +After Aurelian had said what he was able upon the Subject in hand, with a +mournful tone and dejected look, he demanded his Doom. She asked him if he +would endeavour to convey her to the Monastery she had told him of? ‘Your +commands, Madam, (replied he) ‘are Sacred to me; and were they to lay +down my Life I would obey them. With that he would have gone out of the Room, +to have given order for his Horses to be got ready immediately; but with a +Countenance so full of sorrow as moved Compassion in the tender hearted +Incognita. ‘Stay a little Don Hippolito (said she) I fear I shall not be +able to undergo the Fatigue of a Journey this Night.—Stay and give me +your Advice how I shall conceal my self if I continue to morrow in this Town. +Aurelian could have satisfied her she was not then in a place to avoid +discovery: But he must also have told her then the reason of it, viz. whom he +was, and who were in quest of him, which he did not think convenient to declare +till necessity should urge him; for he feared least her knowledge of those +designs which were in agitation between him and Juliana, might deter her more +from giving her consent. At last he resolved to try his utmost perswasions to +gain her, and told her accordingly, he was afraid she would be disturbed there +in the Morning, and he knew no other way (if she had not as great an aversion +for him as the Man whom she now endeavour’d to avoid) than by making him +happy to make her self secure. He demonstrated to her,—that the +disobligation to her Parents would be greater by going to a Monastery, since it +was only to avoid a choice which they had made for her, and which she could not +have so just a pretence to do till she had made one for her self. +</p> + +<p> +A World of other Arguments he used, which she contradicted as long as she was +able, or at least willing. At last she told him, she would consult her Pillow, +and in the Morning conclude what was fit to be done. He thought it convenient +to leave her to her rest, and having lock’d her up in his Room, went +himself to repose upon a Pallat by Signior Claudio. +</p> + +<p> +In the mean time, it may be convenient to enquire what became of Hippolito. He +had wandered much in pursuit of Aurelian, though Leonora equally took up his +Thoughts; He was reflecting upon the oddness and extravagance of his +Circumstances, the Continuation of which had doubtless created in him a great +uneasiness, when it was interrupted with the noise of opening the Gates of the +Convent of St. Lawrence, whither he was arrived sooner than he thought for, +being the place Aurelian had appointed by the Lacquey to meet him in. He +wondered to see the Gates opened at so unseasonable an hour, and went to +enquire the reason of it from them who were employ’d; but they proved to +be Novices, and made him signs to go in, where he might meet with some body +allow’d to answer him. He found the Religious Men all up, and Tapers +lighting every where: at last he follow’d a Friar who was going into the +Garden, and asking him the cause of these Preparations, he was answered, That +they were entreated to pray for the Soul of a Cavalier, who was just departing +or departed this Life, and whom upon farther talk with him, he found to be the +same Lorenzo so often mentioned. Don Mario, it seems Uncle to Lorenzo and +Father to Leonora, had a private Door out of the Garden belonging to his House +into that of the Convent, which Door this Father was now a going to open, that +he and his Family might come and offer up their Oraisons for the Soul of their +Kinsman. Hippolito having informed himself of as much as he could ask without +suspicion, took his leave of the Friar, not a little joyful at the Hopes he had +by such unexpected Means, of seeing his Beautiful Leonora: As soon as he was +got at convenient Distance from the Friar, (who ’tis like thought he had +return’d into the Convent to his Devotion) he turned back through a close +Walk which led him with a little Compass, to the same private Door, where just +before he had left the Friar, who now he saw was gone, and the Door open. +</p> + +<p> +He went into Don Mario’s Garden, and walk’d round with much Caution +and Circumspection; for the Moon was then about to rise, and had already +diffused a glimmering Light, sufficient to distinguish a Man from a Tree. By +Computation now (which is a very remarkable Circumstance) Hippolito entred this +Garden near upon the same Instant, when Aurelian wandred into the Old Monastery +and found his Incognita in Distress. He was pretty well acquainted with the +Platform, and Sight of the Garden; for he had formerly surveyed the Outside, +and knew what part to make to if he should be surpriz’d and driven to a +precipitate Escape. He took his Stand behind a well grown Bush of Myrtle, +which, should the Moon shine brighter than was required, had the Advantage to +be shaded by the Indulgent Boughs of an ancient Bay-Tree. He was delighted with +the Choice he had made, for he found a Hollow in the Myrtle, as if purposely +contriv’d for the Reception of one Person, who might undiscovered +perceive all about him. He looked upon it as a good Omen, that the Tree +Consecrated to Venus was so propitious to him in his Amorous Distress. The +Consideration of that, together with the Obligation he lay under to the Muses, +for sheltering him also with so large a Crown of Bays, had like to have set him +a Rhyming. +</p> + +<p> +He was, to tell the Truth, naturally addicted to Madrigal, and we should +undoubtedly have had a small desert of Numbers to have pick’d and +Criticiz’d upon, had he not been interrupted just upon his Delivery; nay, +after the Preliminary Sigh had made Way for his Utterance. But so was his +Fortune, Don Mario was coming towards the Door at that very nick of Time, where +he met with a Priest just out of Breath, who told him that Lorenzo was just +breathing his last, and desired to know if he would come and take his final +Leave before they were to administer the Extream Unction. Don Mario, who had +been at some Difference with his Nephew, now thought it his Duty to be +reconciled to him; so calling to Leonora, who was coming after him, he bid her +go to her Devotions in the Chappel, and told her where he was going. +</p> + +<p> +He went on with the Priest, while Hippolito saw Leonora come forward, only +accompanied by her Woman. She was in an undress, and by reason of a Melancholy +visible in her Face, more Careless than usual in her Attire, which he thought +added as much as was possible to the abundance of her Charms. He had not much +Time to Contemplate this Beauteous Vision, for she soon passed into the Garden +of the Convent, leaving him Confounded with Love, Admiration, Joy, Hope, Fear, +and all the Train of Passions, which seize upon Men in his Condition, all at +once. He was so teazed with this Variety of Torment, that he never missed the +Two Hours that had slipped away during his Automachy and Intestine Conflict. +Leonora’s Return settled his Spirits, at least united them, and he had +now no other Thought but how he should present himself before her. When she +calling her Woman, bid her bolt the Garden Door on the Inside, that she might +not be Surpriz’d by her Father, if he returned through the Convent, which +done, she ordered her to bring down her Lute, and leave her to her self in the +Garden. +</p> + +<p> +All this Hippolito saw and heard to his inexpressible Content, yet had he much +to do to smother his Joy, and hinder it from taking a Vent, which would have +ruined the only Opportunity of his Life. Leonora withdrew into an Arbour so +near him, that he could distinctly hear her if she Played or Sung: Having tuned +her Lute, with a Voice soft as the Breath of Angels, she flung to it this +following Air: +</p> + +<p class="center"> +I. +</p> + +<p class="poem"> +Ah! Whither, whither shall I fly,<br /> + A poor unhappy Maid;<br /> +To hopeless Love and Misery<br /> + By my own Heart betray’d?<br /> +Not by Alexis Eyes undone,<br /> + Nor by his Charming Faithless Tongue,<br /> +Or any Practis’d Art;<br /> + Such real Ills may hope a Cure,<br /> +But the sad Pains which I endure<br /> + Proceed from fansied Smart. +</p> + +<p class="center"> +II. +</p> + +<p class="poem"> +’Twas Fancy gave Alexis Charms,<br /> + Ere I beheld his Face:<br /> +Kind Fancy (then) could fold our Arms,<br /> + And form a soft Embrace.<br /> +But since I’ve seen the real Swain,<br /> + And try’d to fancy him again,<br /> +I’m by my Fancy taught,<br /> + Though ’tis a Bliss no Tongue can tell,<br /> +To have Alexis, yet ’tis Hell<br /> + To have him but in Thought. +</p> + +<p> +The Song ended grieved Hippolito that it was so soon ended; and in the Ecstacy +he was then rapt, I believe he would have been satisfied to have expired with +it. He could not help Flattering himself, (though at the same Time he checked +his own Vanity) that he was the Person meant in the Song. While he was +indulging which thought, to his happy Astonishment, he heard it encouraged by +these Words: +</p> + +<p> +‘Unhappy Leonora (said she) how is thy poor unwary Heart misled? Whither +am I come? The false deluding Lights of an imaginary Flame, have led me, a poor +benighted Victim, to a real Fire. I burn and am consumed with hopeless Love; +those Beams in whose soft temperate warmth I wanton’d heretofore, now +flash destruction to my Soul, my Treacherous greedy Eyes have suck’d the +glaring Light, they have united all its Rays, and, like a burning-Glass, +convey’d the pointed Meteor to my Heart—Ah! Aurelian, how quickly +hast thou Conquer’d, and how quickly must thou Forsake. Oh Happy (to me +unfortunately Happy) Juliana! I am to be the subject of thy Triumph—To +thee Aurelian comes laden with the Tribute of my Heart and Glories in the +Oblation of his broken Vows.—What then, is Aurelian False! False! alass, +I know not what I say; How can he be False, or True, or any Thing to me? What +Promises did he ere make or I receive? Sure I dream, or I am mad, and fansie it +to be Love; Foolish Girl, recal thy banish’d Reason.—Ah! would it +were no more, would I could rave, sure that would give me Ease, and rob me of +the Sense of Pain; at least, among my wandring Thoughts, I should at sometime +light upon Aurelian, and fansie him to be mine; kind Madness would flatter my +poor feeble Wishes, and sometimes tell me Aurelian is not lost—not +irrecoverably—not for ever lost. +</p> + +<p> +Hippolito could hear no more, he had not Room for half his Transport. When +Leonora perceived a Man coming toward her, she fell a trembling, and could not +speak. Hippolito approached with Reverence, as to a Sacred Shrine; when coming +near enough to see her Consternation, he fell upon his Knees. +</p> + +<p> +‘Behold, O Adored Leonora (said he) ‘your ravished Aurelian, behold +at your Feet the Happiest of Men, be not disturb’d at my Appearance, but +think that Heaven conducted me to hear my Bliss pronounced by that dear Mouth +alone, whose breath could fill me with new Life. +</p> + +<p> +Here he would have come nearer, but Leonora (scarce come to her self) was +getting up in haste to have gone away: he catch’d her Hand, and with all +the Endearments of Love and Transport pressed her stay; she was a long time in +great Confusion, at last, with many Blushes, she entreated him to let her go +where she might hide her Guilty Head, and not expose her shame before his Eyes, +since his Ears had been sufficient Witnesses of her Crime. He begg’d +pardon for his Treachery in over-hearing, and confessed it to be a Crime he had +now repeated. With a Thousand Submissions, Entreaties, Prayers, Praises, +Blessings, and passionate Expressions he wrought upon her to stay and hear him. +Here Hippolito made use of his Rhetorick, and it proved prevailing: +’Twere tedious to tell the many ingenious Arguments he used, with all her +Nice Distinctions and Objections. In short, he convinced her of his Passion, +represented to her the necessity they were under, of being speedy in their +Resolves: That his Father (for still he was Aurelian) would undoubtedly find +him in the Morning, and then it would be too late to Repent. She on the other +Hand, knew it was in vain to deny a Passion, which he had heard her so frankly +own; (and no doubt was very glad it was past and done;) besides apprehending +the danger of delay, and having some little Jealousies and Fears of what Effect +might be produced between the Commands of his Father and the Beauties of +Juliana; after some decent Denials, she consented to be Conducted by him +through the Garden into the Convent, where she would prevail with her Confessor +to Marry them. He was a scrupulous Old Father whom they had to deal withal, +insomuch that ere they had perswaded him, Don Mario was returned by the Way of +his own House, where missing his Daughter, and her Woman not being able to give +any farther Account of her, than that she left her in the Garden; he concluded +she was gone again to her Devotions, and indeed he found her in the Chappel +upon her Knees with Hippolito in her hand, receiving the Father’s +Benediction upon Conclusion of the Ceremony. +</p> + +<p> +It would have asked a very skilful Hand, to have depicted to the Life the Faces +of those Three Persons, at Don Mario’s Appearance. He that has seen some +admirable Piece of Transmutation by a Gorgon’s Head, may form to himself +the most probable Idea of the Prototype. The Old Gentleman was himself in a +sort of a Wood, to find his Daughter with a Young Fellow and a Priest, but as +yet he did not know the Worst, till Hippolito and Leonora came, and kneeling at +his Feet, begg’d his Forgiveness and Blessing as his Son and Daughter. +Don Mario, instead of that, fell into a most violent Passion, and would +undoubtedly have committed some extravagant Action, had he not been restrained, +more by the Sanctity of the Place, than the Perswasions of all the Religious, +who were now come about him. Leonora stirr’d not off her Knees all this +time, but continued begging of him that he would hear her. +</p> + +<p> +‘Ah! Ungrateful and Undutiful Wretch (cry’d he) ‘how hast +thou requited all my Care and Tenderness of thee? Now when I might have +expected some return of Comfort, to throw thy self away upon an unknown Person, +and, for ought I know, a Villain; to me I’m sure he is a Villain, who has +robb’d me of my Treasure, my Darling Joy, and all the future Happiness of +my Life prevented. Go—go, thou now-to-be-forgotten Leonora, go and enjoy +thy unprosperous Choice; you who wanted not a Father’s Counsel, cannot +need, or else will slight his Blessing. +</p> + +<p> +These last Words were spoken with so much Passion and feeling Concern, that +Leonora, moved with Excess of Grief, fainted at his Feet, just as she had +caught hold to Embrace his Knees. The Old Man would have shook her off, but +Compassion and Fatherly Affection came upon him in the midst of his Resolve, +and melted him into Tears, he Embraced his Daughter in his Arms, and wept over +her, while they endeavoured to restore her Senses. +</p> + +<p> +Hippolito was in such Concern he could not speak, but was busily employed in +rubbing and chafing her Temples; when she opening her Eyes laid hold of his +Arm, and cry’d out—Oh my Aurelian—how unhappy have you made +me! With that she had again like to have fainted away, but he took her in his +Arms, and begg’d Don Mario to have some pity on his Daughter, since by +his Severity she was reduced to that Condition. The Old Man hearing his +Daughter name Aurelian, was a little revived, and began to hope Things were in +a pretty good Condition; he was perswaded to comfort her, and having brought +her wholly to her self, was content to hear her Excuse, and in a little time +was so far wrought upon as to beg Hippolito’s Pardon for the Ill Opinion +he had conceived of him, and not long after gave his Consent. +</p> + +<p> +The Night was spent in this Conflict, and it was now clear Day, when Don Mario +Conducting his new Son and Daughter through the Garden, was met by some +Servants of the Marquess of Viterbo, who had been enquiring for Donna Leonora, +to know if Juliana had lately been with her; for that she was missing from her +Father’s House, and no conjectures could be made of what might become of +her. Don Mario and Leonora were surprized at the News, for he knew well enough +of the Match that was design’d for Juliana; and having enquired where the +Marquess was, it was told him, That he was gone with Don Fabio and Fabritio +toward Aurelian’s Lodgings. Don Mario having assured the Servants that +Juliana had not been there, dismissed them, and advised with his Son and +Daughter how they should undeceive the Marquess and Don Fabio in their +Expectations of Aurelian. Hippolito could oftentimes scarce forbear smiling at +the old Man’s Contrivances who was most deceived himself; he at length +advised them to go all down together to his Lodging, where he would present +himself before his Father, and ingenuously confess to him the truth, and he did +not question his approving of his Choice. +</p> + +<p> +This was agreed to, and the Coach made ready. While they were upon their way, +Hippolito pray’d heartily that his Friend Aurelian might be at the +Lodging, to satisfie Don Mario and Leonora of his Circumstances and Quality, +when he should be obliged to discover himself. His Petitions were granted; for +Don Fabio had beset the House long before his Son was up or Incognita awake. +</p> + +<p> +Upon the arrival of Don Mario and Hippolito, they heard a great Noise and +Hubbub above Stairs, which Don Mario concluded was occasioned by their not +finding Aurelian, whom he thought he could give the best account of: So that it +was not in Hippolito’s power to disswade him from going up before to +prepare his Father to receive and forgive him. While Hippolito and Leonora were +left in the Coach at the Door, he made himself known to her, and begg’d +her pardon a thousand times for continuing the deceit. She was under some +concern at first to find she was still mistaken; but his Behaviour, and the +Reasons he gave, soon reconciled him to her; his Person was altogether as +agreeable, his Estate and Quality not at all inferiour to Aurelian’s; in +the mean time, the true Aurelian who had seen his Father, begg’d leave of +him to withdraw for a moment; in which time he went into the Chamber where his +Incognita was dressing her self, by his design, in Woman’s Apparel, while +he was consulting with her how they should break the matter to his Father; it +happened that Don Mario came up Stairs where the Marquess and Don Fabio were; +they undoubtedly concluded him Mad, to hear him making Apologies and Excuses +for Aurelian, whom he told them if they would promise to forgive he would +present before them immediately. The Marquess asked him if his Daughter had +lain with Leonora that Night; he answered him with another question in behalf +of Aurelian. In short, they could not understand one another, but each thought +’tother beside himself. Don Mario was so concern’d that they would +not believe him, that he ran down Stairs and came to the Door out of Breath, +desiring Hippolito that he would come into the House quickly, for that he could +not perswade his Father but that he had already seen and spoke to him. +Hippolito by that understood that Aurelian was in the House; so taking Leonora +by the Hand, he followed Don Mario, who led him up into the Dining-Room, where +they found Aurelian upon his Knees, begging his Father to forgive him, that he +could not agree to the Choice he had made for him, since he had already +disposed of himself, and that before he understood the designs he had for him, +which was the reason that he had hitherto concealed himself. Don Fabio knew not +how to answer him, but look’d upon the Marquess, and the Marquess upon +him, as if the Cement had been cool’d which was to have united their +Families. +</p> + +<p> +All was silent, and Don Mario for his part took it to be all Conjuration; he +was coming forward to present Hippolito to them, when Aurelian spying his +Friend, started from his Knees and ran to embrace him—My dear Hippolito +(said he) what happy chance has brought you hither, just at my Necessity? +Hippolito pointed to Don Mario and Leonora, and told him upon what terms he +came. Don Mario was ready to run mad, hearing him called Hippolito, and went +again to examine his Daughter. While she was informing him of the truth, the +Marquess’s Servants returned with the melancholy News that his Daughter +was no where to be found. While the Marquess and Don Fabritio were wondering +at, and lamenting the Misfortune of her loss, Hippolito came towards Don Fabio +and interceded for his Son, since the Lady perhaps had withdrawn her self out +of an Aversion to the Match. Don Fabio, though very much incens’d, yet +forgot not the Respect due to Hippolito’s Quality; and by his perswasion +spoke to Aurelian, though with a stern Look and angry Voice, and asked him +where he had disposed the cause of his Disobedience, if he were worthy to see +her or no; Aurelian made answer, That he desired no more than for him to see +her; and he did not doubt a Consequence of his Approbation and +Forgiveness—Well (said Don Fabio) you are very conceited of your own +Discretion, let us see this Rarety. While Aurelian was gone in for Incognita, +the Marquess of Viterbo and Don Fabritio were taking their leaves in great +disorder for their loss and disappointment; but Don Fabio entreated their stay +a moment longer till the return of his Son. Aurelian led Incognita into the +Room veil’d, who seeing some Company there which he had not told her of, +would have gone back again. But Don Fabio came bluntly forwards, and ere she +was aware, lifted up her Veil and beheld the Fair Incognita, differing nothing +from Juliana, but in her Name. This discovery was so extreamly surprizing and +welcome, that either Joy or Amazement had tied up the Tongues of the whole +Company. Aurelian here was most at a loss, for he knew not of his Happiness; +and that which all along prevented Juliana’s confessing her self to him, +was her knowing Hippolito (for whom she took him) to be Aurelian’s +Friend, and she feared if he had known her, that he would never have consented +to have deprived him of her. Juliana was the first that spoke, falling upon her +Knees to her Father, who was not enough himself to take her up. Don Fabio ran +to her, and awakened the Marquess, who then embraced her, but could not yet +speak. Fabritio and Leonora strove who should first take her in their Arms; for +Aurelian he was out of his wits for Joy, and Juliana was not much behind him, +to see how happily their Loves and Duties were reconciled. Don Fabio embraced +his Son and forgave him. The Marquess and Fabritio gave Juliana into his hands, +he received the Blessing upon his Knees; all were over-joy’d, and Don +Mario not a little proud at the discovery of his Son-in-Law, whom Aurelian did +not fail to set forth with all the ardent Zeal and Eloquence of Friendship. +Juliana and Leonora had pleasant Discourse about their unknown and mistaken +Rivalship, and it was the Subject of a great deal of Mirth to hear Juliana +relate the several Contrivances which she had to avoid Aurelian for the sake of +Hippolito. +</p> + +<p> +Having diverted themselves with many Remarks upon the pleasing surprize, they +all thought it proper to attend upon the Great Duke that Morning at the Palace, +and to acquaint him with the Novelty of what had pass’d; while, by the +way, the two Young Couple entertained the Company with the Relation of several +Particulars of their Three Days Adventures. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div style='display:block;margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INCOGNITA ***</div> +<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0;'>This file should be named 2363-h.htm or 2363-h.zip</div> +<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0;'>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in https://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/6/2363/</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will +be renamed. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d9dd312 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #2363 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2363) diff --git a/old/2363.txt b/old/2363.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b555ebc --- /dev/null +++ b/old/2363.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2347 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Incognita, by William Congreve + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Incognita + or, Love & Duty Reconcil'd. A Novel + + +Author: William Congreve + +Release Date: May 8, 2005 [eBook #2363] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INCOGNITA*** + + + + + + +Transcribed from the text of the first edition by David Price, email +ccx074@coventry.ac.uk + + + + + +INCOGNITA: OR, LOVE AND DUTY RECONCIL'D +A NOVEL +by William Congreve + + +TO THE +Honoured and Worthily Esteem'd +Mrs. _Katharine Leveson_. + +_Madam_, + +A Clear Wit, sound Judgment and a Merciful Disposition, are things so +rarely united, that it is almost inexcusable to entertain them with any +thing less excellent in its kind. My knowledge of you were a sufficient +Caution to me, to avoid your Censure of this Trifle, had I not as intire +a knowledge of your Goodness. Since I have drawn my Pen for a +Rencounter, I think it better to engage where, though there be Skill +enough to Disarm me, there is too much Generosity to Wound; for so shall +I have the saving Reputation of an unsuccessful Courage, if I cannot make +it a drawn Battle. But methinks the Comparison intimates something of a +Defiance, and savours of Arrogance; wherefore since I am Conscious to my +self of a Fear which I cannot put off, let me use the Policy of Cowards +and lay this Novel unarm'd, naked and shivering at your Feet, so that if +it should want Merit to challenge Protection, yet, as an Object of +Charity, it may move Compassion. It has been some Diversion to me to +Write it, I wish it may prove such to you when you have an hour to throw +away in Reading of it: but this Satisfaction I have at least beforehand, +that in its greatest failings it may fly for Pardon to that Indulgence +which you owe to the weakness of your Friend; a Title which I am proud +you have thought me worthy of, and which I think can alone be superior to +that + +_Your most Humble and_ +_Obliged Servant_ +CLEOPHIL. + + + + +THE PREFACE TO THE READER. + + +Reader, + +Some Authors are so fond of a Preface, that they will write one tho' +there be nothing more in it than an Apology for its self. But to show +thee that I am not one of those, I will make no Apology for this, but do +tell thee that I think it necessary to be prefix'd to this Trifle, to +prevent thy overlooking some little pains which I have taken in the +Composition of the following Story. Romances are generally composed of +the Constant Loves and invincible Courages of Hero's, Heroins, Kings and +Queens, Mortals of the first Rank, and so forth; where lofty Language, +miraculous Contingencies and impossible Performances, elevate and +surprize the Reader into a giddy Delight, which leaves him flat upon the +Ground whenever he gives of, and vexes him to think how he has suffer'd +himself to be pleased and transported, concern'd and afflicted at the +several Passages which he has Read, viz. these Knights Success to their +Damosels Misfortunes, and such like, when he is forced to be very well +convinced that 'tis all a lye. Novels are of a more familiar nature; +Come near us, and represent to us Intrigues in practice, delight us with +Accidents and odd Events, but not such as are wholly unusual or +unpresidented, such which not being so distant from our Belief bring also +the pleasure nearer us. Romances give more of Wonder, Novels more +Delight. And with reverence be it spoken, and the Parallel kept at due +distance, there is something of equality in the Proportion which they +bear in reference to one another, with that betwen Comedy and Tragedy; +but the Drama is the long extracted from Romance and History: 'tis the +Midwife to Industry, and brings forth alive the Conceptions of the Brain. +Minerva walks upon the Stage before us, and we are more assured of the +real presence of Wit when it is delivered viva voce-- + + Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem, + Quam quae sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus, & quae + Ipse sibi tradit spectator.--Horace. + +Since all Traditions must indisputably give place to the Drama, and since +there is no possibility of giving that life to the Writing or Repetition +of a Story which it has in the Action, I resolved in another beauty to +imitate Dramatick Writing, namely, in the Design, Contexture and Result +of the Plot. I have not observed it before in a Novel. Some I have seen +begin with an unexpected accident, which has been the only surprizing +part of the Story, cause enough to make the Sequel look flat, tedious and +insipid; for 'tis but reasonable the Reader should expect it not to rise, +at least to keep upon a level in the entertainment; for so he may be kept +on in hopes that at some time or other it may mend; but the 'tother is +such a balk to a Man, 'tis carrying him up stairs to show him the Dining- +Room, and after forcing him to make a Meal in the Kitchin. This I have +not only endeavoured to avoid, but also have used a method for the +contrary purpose. The design of the Novel is obvious, after the first +meeting of Aurelian and Hippolito with Incognita and Leonora, and the +difficulty is in bringing it to pass, maugre all apparent obstacles, +within the compass of two days. How many probable Casualties intervene +in opposition to the main Design, viz. of marrying two Couple so oddly +engaged in an intricate Amour, I leave the Reader at his leisure to +consider: As also whether every Obstacle does not in the progress of the +Story act as subservient to that purpose, which at first it seems to +oppose. In a Comedy this would be called the Unity of Action; here it +may pretend to no more than an Unity of Contrivance. The Scene is +continued in Florence from the commencement of the Amour; and the time +from first to last is but three days. If there be any thing more in +particular resembling the Copy which I imitate (as the Curious Reader +will soon perceive) I leave it to show it self, being very well satisfy'd +how much more proper it had been for him to have found out this himself, +than for me to prepossess him with an Opinion of something extraordinary +in an Essay began and finished in the idler hours of a fortnight's time: +for I can only esteem it a laborious idleness, which is Parent to so +inconsiderable a Birth. I have gratified the Bookseller in pretending an +occasion for a Preface; the other two Persons concern'd are the Reader +and my self, and if he be but pleased with what was produced for that +end, my satisfaction follows of course, since it will be proportion'd to +his Approbation or Dislike. + + + + +INCOGNITA: +OR, +Love & Duty +RECONCIL'D + + +Aurelian was the only Son to a Principal Gentleman of Florence. The +Indulgence of his Father prompted, and his Wealth enabled him, to bestow +a generous Education upon him, whom, he now began to look upon as the +Type of himself; an Impression he had made in the Gayety and Vigour of +his Youth, before the Rust of Age had debilitated and obscur'd the +Splendour of the Original: He was sensible, That he ought not to be +sparing in the Adornment of him, if he had Resolution to beautifie his +own Memory. Indeed Don Fabio (for so was the Old Gentleman call'd) has +been observ'd to have fix'd his Eyes upon Aurelian, when much Company has +been at Table, and have wept through Earnestness of Intention, if nothing +hapned to divert the Object; whether it were for regret, at the +Recollection of his former self, or for the Joy he conceiv'd in being, as +it were, reviv'd in the Person of his Son, I never took upon me to +enquire, but suppos'd it might be sometimes one, and sometimes both +together. + +Aurelian, at the Age of Eighteen Years, wanted nothing (but a Beard) that +the most accomplished Cavalier in Florence could pretend to: he had been +Educated from Twelve Years old at Siena, where it seems his Father kept a +Receiver, having a large Income from the Rents of several Houses in that +Town. Don Fabio gave his Servant Orders, That Aurelian should not be +stinted in his Expences, when he came up to Years of Discretion. By +which means he was enabled, not only to keep Company with, but also to +confer many Obligations upon Strangers of Quality, and Gentlemen who +travelled from other Countries into Italy, of which Siena never wanted +store, being a Town most delightfully Situate, upon a Noble Hill, and +very well suiting with Strangers at first, by reason of the agreeableness +and purity of the Air: There also is the quaintness and delicacy of the +Italian Tongue most likely to be learned, there being many publick +Professors of it in that place; and indeed the very Vulgar of Siena do +express themselves with an easiness and sweetness surprizing, and even +grateful to their Ears who understand not the Language. + +Here Aurelian contracted an acquaintance with Persons of Worth of several +Countries, but among the rest an intimacy with a Gentleman of Quality of +Spain, and Nephew to the Archbishop of Toledo, who had so wrought himself +into the Affections of Aurelian, through a Conformity of Temper, an +Equality in Years, and something of resemblance in Feature and +Proportion, that he look'd upon him as his second self. Hippolito, on +the other hand, was not ungrateful in return of Friendship, but thought +himself either alone or in ill Company, if Aurelian were absent: but his +Uncle having sent him to travel, under the Conduct of a Governour, and +the two Years which limited his stay at Siena being expired, he was put +in mind of his departure. His Friend grew melancholy at the News, but +considering that Hippolito had never seen Florence, he easily prevailed +with him to make his first journey thither, whither he would accompany +him, and perhaps prevail with his Father to do the like throughout his +Travels. + +They accordingly set out, but not being able easily to reach Florence the +same Night, they rested a League or two short, at a Villa of the great +Duke's called Poggio Imperiale, where they were informed by some of his +Highness's Servants, That the Nuptials of Donna Catharina (near Kinswoman +to the great Duke) and Don Ferdinand de Rovori, were to be solemnized the +next day, and that extraordinary Preparations had been making for some +time past, to illustrate the Solemnity with Balls and Masques, and other +Divertisements; that a Tilting had been proclaimed, and to that purpose +Scaffolds erected around the Spacious Court, before the Church Di Santa +Croce, where were usually seen all Cavalcades and Shews, performed by +Assemblies of the Young Nobility: That all Mechanicks and Tradesmen were +forbidden to work or expose any Goods to Sale for the space of three +days; during which time all Persons should be entertain'd at the Great +Duke's Cost; and publick Provision was to be made for the setting forth +and furnishing a multitude of Tables, with Entertainment for all Comers +and Goers, and several Houses appointed for that use in all Streets. + +This Account alarm'd the Spirits of our Young Travellers, and they were +overjoy'd at the prospect of Pleasures they foresaw. Aurelian could not +contain the satisfaction he conceiv'd in the welcome Fortune had prepar'd +for his dear Hippolito. In short, they both remembred so much of the +pleasing Relation had been made them, that they forgot to sleep, and were +up as soon as it was light, pounding at poor Signior Claudio's Door (so +was Hippolito's Governour call'd) to rouse him, that no time might be +lost till they were arriv'd at Florence, where they would furnish +themselves with Disguises and other Accoutrements necessary for the +Prosecution of their Design of sharing in the publick Merriment; the +rather were they for going so early because Aurelian did not think fit to +publish his being in Town for a time, least his Father knowing of it, +might give some restraint to that loose they designed themselves. + +Before Sun rise they entred Florence at Porta Romana, attended only by +two Servants, the rest being left behind to avoid notice; but, alas! they +needed not to have used half that caution; for early as it was, the +Streets were crowded with all sorts of People passing to and fro, and +every Man employ'd in something relating to the Diversions to come; so +that no notice was taken of any body; a Marquess and his Train might have +pass'd by as unregarded as a single Fachin or Cobler. Not a Window in +the Streets but echoed the tuning of a Lute or thrumming of a Gitarr: +for, by the way, the Inhabitants of Florence are strangely addicted to +the love of Musick, insomuch that scarce their Children can go, before +they can scratch some Instrument or other. It was no unpleasing +Spectacle to our Cavaliers (who, seeing they were not observ'd, resolved +to make Observations) to behold the Diversity of Figures and Postures of +many of these Musicians. Here you should have an affected Vallet, who +Mimick'd the Behaviour of his Master, leaning carelessly against the +Window, with his Head on one side, in a languishing Posture, whining, in +a low, mournful Voice, some dismal Complaint; while, from his +sympathizing Theorbo, issued a Base no less doleful to the Hearers. In +Opposition to him was set up perhaps a Cobler, with the wretched Skeleton +of a Gitarr, battered and waxed together by his own Industry, and who +with three Strings out of Tune, and his own tearing hoarse Voice, would +rack attention from the Neighbourhood, to the great affliction of many +more moderate Practitioners, who, no doubt, were full as desirous to be +heard. By this time Aurelian's Servant had taken a Lodging and was +returned, to give his Master an Account of it. The Cavaliers grown weary +of that ridiculous Entertainment, which was diverting at first sight, +retired whither the Lacquey conducted them; who, according to their +Directions, had sought out one of the most obscure Streets in the City. +All that day, to the evening, was spent in sending from one Brokers Shop +to another, to furnish them with Habits, since they had not time to make +any new. + +There was, it happened, but one to be got Rich enough to please our young +Gentlemen, so many were taken up upon this occasion. While they were in +Dispute and Complementing one another, (Aurelian protesting that +Hippolito should wear it, and he, on 'tother hand, forswearing it as +bitterly) a Servant of Hippolito's came up and ended the Controversie; +telling them, That he had met below with the Vallet de Chambre of a +Gentleman, who was one of the greatest Gallants about the Town, but was +at this time in such a condition he could not possibly be at the +Entertainment; whereupon the Vallet had designed to dress himself up in +his Master's Apparel, and try his talent at Court; which he hearing, told +him he would inform him how he might bestow the Habit for some time much +more to his profit if not to his pleasure, so acquainted him with the +occasion his Master had for it. Hippolito sent for the Fellow up, who +was not so fond of his design as not to be bought off it, but upon having +his own demand granted for the use of it, brought it; it was very Rich, +and upon tryal, as fit for Hippolito as if it had been made for him. The +Ceremony was performed in the Morning, in the great Dome, with all +magnificence correspondent to the wealth of the great Duke, and the +esteem he had for the Noble Pair. The next Morning was to be a Tilting, +and the same Night a Masquing Ball at Court. To omit the Description of +the universal Joy, (that had diffus'd it self through all the Conduits of +Wine, which convey'd it in large measures to the People) and only relate +those effects of it which concern our present Adventurers. You must +know, that about the fall of the Evening, and at that time when the +_aequilibrium_ of Day and Night, for some time, holds the Air in a gloomy +suspence between an unwillingness to leave the light, and a natural +impulse into the Dominion of darkness, about this time our Hero's, shall +I say, sally'd or slunk out of their Lodgings, and steer'd toward the +great Palace, whither, before they were arrived, such a prodigious number +of Torches were on fire, that the day, by help of these Auxiliary Forces, +seem'd to continue its Dominion; the Owls and Bats apprehending their +mistake, in counting the hours, retir'd again to a convenient darkness; +for Madam Night was no more to be seen than she was to be heard; and the +Chymists were of Opinion, That her fuliginous Damps, rarefy'd by the +abundance of Flame, were evaporated. + +Now the Reader I suppose to be upon Thorns at this and the like +impertinent Digressions, but let him alone and he'll come to himself; at +which time I think fit to acquaint him, that when I digress, I am at that +time writing to please my self, when I continue the Thread of the Story, +I write to please him; supposing him a reasonable Man, I conclude him +satisfied to allow me this liberty, and so I proceed. + +If our Cavaliers were dazled at the splendour they beheld without doors, +what surprize, think you, must they be in, when entering the Palace they +found even the lights there to be but so many foils to the bright eyes +that flash'd upon 'em at every turn. + +A more glorious Troop no occasion ever assembled; all the fair of +Florence, with the most accomplished Cavaliers, were present; and however +Nature had been partial in bestowing on some better Faces than others, +Art was alike indulgent to all, and industriously supplyed those Defects +she had left, giving some Addition also to her greatest Excellencies. +Every body appear'd well shap'd, as it is to be suppos'd, none who were +conscious to themselves of any visible Deformity would presume to come +thither. Their Apparel was equally glorious, though each differing in +fancy. In short, our Strangers were so well bred, as to conclude from +these apparent Perfections, that there was not a Masque which did not at +least hide the Face of a Cherubim. Perhaps the Ladies were not behind +hand in return of a favourable Opinion of them: for they were both well +dress'd, and had something inexpressibly pleasing in their Air and Mien, +different from other People, and indeed differing from one another. They +fansy'd that while they stood together they were more particularly taken +notice of than any in the Room, and being unwilling to be taken for +Strangers, which they thought they were, by reason of some whispering +they observed near them, they agreed upon an hour of meeting after the +company should be broke up, and so separately mingled with the thickest +of the Assembly. Aurelian had fixed his eye upon a Lady whom he had +observ'd to have been a considerable time in close whisper with another +Woman; he expected with great impatience the result of that private +Conference, that he might have an opportunity of engaging the Lady whose +Person was so agreeable to him. At last he perceived they were broke +off, and the 'tother Lady seem'd to have taken her leave. He had taken +no small pains in the mean time to put himself in a posture to accost the +Lady, which, no doubt, he had happily performed had he not been +interrupted; but scarce had he acquitted himself of a preliminary bow +(and which, I have heard him say, was the lowest that ever he made) and +had just opened his Lips to deliver himself of a small Complement, which, +nevertheless he was very big with, when he unluckily miscarried, by the +interposal of the same Lady, whose departure, not long before, he had so +zealously pray'd for: but, as Providence would have it, there was only +some very small matter forgot, which was recovered in a short whisper. +The Coast being again cleared, he took heart and bore up, and, striking +sail, repeated his Ceremony to the Lady; who, having Obligingly returned +it, he accosted her in these or the like words: + +'If I do not usurp a priviledge reserved for some one more happy in your +acquaintance, may I presume, Madam, to entreat (for a while) the favour +of your Conversation, at least till the arrival of whom you expect, +provided you are not tired of me before; for then upon the least +intimation of uneasiness, I will not fail of doing my self the violence +to withdraw for your release. The Lady made him answer, she did not +expect any body; by which he might imagine her Conversation not of value +to be bespoke, and to afford it him, were but farther to convince him to +her own cost. He reply'd, 'She had already said enough to convince him +of something he heartily wished might not be to his cost in the end. She +pretended not to understand him; but told him, 'If he already found +himself grieved with her Conversation, he would have sufficient reason to +repent the rashness of his first Demand before they had ended: for that +now she intended to hold discourse with him, on purpose to punish his +unadvisedness, in presuming upon a Person whose dress and mien might not +(may be) be disagreeable to have wit. 'I must confess (reply'd Aurelian) +my self guilty of a Presumption, and willingly submit to the punishment +you intend: and though it be an aggravation of a Crime to persevere in +its justification, yet I cannot help defending an Opinion in which now I +am more confirm'd, that probable conjectures may be made of the ingenious +Disposition of the Mind, from the fancy and choice of Apparel. The +humour I grant ye (said the Lady) or constitution of the Person whether +melancholick or brisk; but I should hardly pass my censure upon so slight +an indication of wit: for there is your brisk fool as well as your brisk +man of sense, and so of the melancholick. I confess 'tis possible a fool +may reveal himself by his Dress, in wearing something extravagantly +singular and ridiculous, or in preposterous suiting of colours; but a +decency of Habit (which is all that Men of best sense pretend to) may be +acquired by custom and example, without putting the Person to a +superfluous expence of wit for the contrivance; and though there should +be occasion for it, few are so unfortunate in their Relations and +Acquaintance not to have some Friend capable of giving them advice, if +they are not too ignorantly conceited to ask it. Aurelian was so pleased +with the easiness and smartness of her Expostulation, that he forgot to +make a reply, when she seem'd to expect it; but being a Woman of a quick +Apprehension, and justly sensible of her own perfections, she soon +perceived he did not grudge his attention. However she had a mind to put +it upon him to turn the discourse, so went on upon the same Subject. +'Signior (said she) I have been looking round me, and by your Maxim I +cannot discover one fool in the Company; for they are all well drest. +This was spoken with an Air of Rallery that awakened the Cavalier, who +immediately made answer: 'Tis true, Madam, we see there may be as much +variety of good fancies as of faces, yet there may be many of both kinds +borrowed and adulterate if inquired into; and as you were pleased to +observe, the invention may be Foreign to the Person who puts it in +practice; and as good an Opinion as I have of an agreeable Dress, I +should be loth to answer for the wit of all about us. I believe you +(says the Lady) and hope you are convinced of your error, since you must +allow it impossible to tell who of all this Assembly did or did not make +choice of their own Apparel. Not all (said Aurelian) there is an +ungainness in some which betrays them. 'Look ye there (says he) pointing +to a Lady who stood playing with the Tassels of her Girdle, I dare answer +for that Lady, though she be very well dress'd, 'tis more than she knows. +His fair unknown could not forbear laughing at his particular +distinction, and freely told him, he had indeed light upon one who knew +as little as any body in the Room, her self excepted. Ah! Madam, +(reply'd Aurelian) you know every thing in the World but your own +Perfections, and you only know not those because 'tis the top of +Perfection not to know them. How? (reply'd the Lady) I thought it had +been the extremity of knowledge to know ones self. Aurelian had a little +over-strain'd himself in that Complement, and I am of Opinion would have +been puzzl'd to have brought himself off readily: but by good fortune the +Musick came into the Room and gave him an opportunity to seem to decline +an answer, because the company prepared to dance: he only told her he was +too mean a Conquest for her wit who was already a Slave to the Charms of +her Person. She thanked him for his Complement, and briskly told him she +ought to have made him a return in praise of his wit, but she hoped he +was a Man more happy than to be dissatisfy'd with any of his own +Endowments; and if it were so, that he had not a just Opinion of himself, +she knew her self incapable of saying any thing to beget one. Aurelian +did not know well what to make of this last reply; for he always abhor'd +any thing that was conceited, with which this seem'd to reproach him. But +however modest he had been heretofore in his own thoughts, yet never was +he so distrustful of his good behaviour as now, being rally'd so by a +Person whom he took to be of judgment: Yet he resolved to take no notice, +but with an Air unconcerned and full of good humour entreated her to +Dance with him: She promised him to Dance with no body else, nor I +believe had she inclination; for notwithstanding her tartness, she was +upon equal terms with him as to the liking of each others Person and +Humour, and only gave those little hints to try his Temper; there being +certainly no greater sign of folly and ill breeding, than to grow serious +and concerned at any thing spoken in rallery: for his part, he was +strangely and insensibly fallen in love with her Shape, Wit and Air; +which, together with a white Hand, he had seen (perhaps not accidentally) +were enough to have subdued a more stubborn Heart than ever he was master +of; and for her Face, which he had not seen, he bestowed upon her the +best his Imagination could furnish him with. I should by right now +describe her Dress, which was extreamly agreeable and rich, but 'tis +possible I might err in some material Pin or other, in the sticking of +which may be the whole grace of the Drapery depended. Well, they danced +several times together, and no less to the satisfaction of the whole +Company, than of themselves; for at the end of each Dance, some publick +note of Applause or other was given to the graceful Couple. + +Aurelian was amaz'd, that among all that danced or stood in view he could +not see Hippolito; but concluding that he had met with some pleasing +Conversation, and was withdrawn to some retired part of the Room, he +forbore his search till the mirth of that Night should be over, and the +Company ready to break up, where we will leave him for a while, to see +what became of his adventurous Friend. + +Hippolito, a little after he had parted with Aurelian, was got among a +knot of Ladies and Cavaliers, who were looking upon a large Gold Cup set +with Jewels, in which his Royal Highness had drank to the prosperity of +the new married Couple at Dinner, and which afterward he presented to his +Cousin Donna Catharina. He among the rest was very intent, admiring the +richness, workmanship and beauty of the Cup, when a Lady came behind him +and pulling him by the Elbow, made a sign she would speak with him; +Hippolito, who knew himself an utter Stranger to Florence and every body +in it, immediately guessed she had mistaken him for her acquaintance, as +indeed it happened; however he resolved not to discover himself till he +should be assured of it; having followed her into a set Window remote +from Company, she address'd her self to him in this manner: 'Signior Don +Lorenzo (said she) I am overjoy'd to see you are so speedily recovered of +your Wounds, which by report were much more dangerous than to have +suffered your coming abroad so soon; but I must accuse you of great +indiscretion, in appearing in a Habit which so many must needs remember +you to have worn upon the like occasion not long ago, I mean at the +Marriage of Don Cynthio with your Sister Atalanta; I do assure you, you +were known by it, both to Juliana and my self, who was so far concerned +for you, as to desire me to tell you, that her Brother Don Fabritio (who +saw you when you came in with another Gentleman) had eyed you very +narrowly, and is since gone out of the Room, she knows not upon what +design; however she would have you, for your own sake, be advised and +circumspect when you depart this place, lest you should be set upon +unawares; you know the hatred Don Fabritio has born you ever since you +had the fortune to kill his Kinsman in a Duel: Here she paused as if +expecting his reply; but Hippolito was so confounded, that he stood mute, +and contemplating the hazard he had ignorantly brought himself into, +forgot his design of informing the Lady of her mistake. She finding he +made her no Answer, went on. 'I perceive (continued she) you are in some +surprize at what I have related, and may be, are doubtful of the Truth; +but I thought you had been better acquainted with your Cousin Leonora's +Voice, than to have forgot it so soon: Yet in Complaisance to your ill +Memory, I will put you past doubt, by shewing you my Face; with that she +pulled off her Mask, and discovered to Hippolito (now more amaz'd than +ever) the most Angelick Face that he had ever beheld. He was just about +to have made her some answer, when, clapping on her Mask again without +giving him time, she happily for him pursu'd her Discourse. (For 'tis +odds but he had made some discovery of himself in the surprize he was +in.) Having taken him familiarly by the Hand, now she had made her self +known to him, 'Cousin Lorenzo (added she) you may perhaps have taken it +unkindly, that, during the time of your indisposition by reason of your +Wounds, I have not been to visit you; I do assure you it was not for want +of any Inclination I had both to see and serve you to my power; but you +are well acquainted with the Severity of my Father, whom you know how +lately you have disobliged. I am mighty glad that I have met with you +here, where I have had an Opportunity to tell you what so much concerns +your Safety, which I am afraid you will not find in Florence; considering +the great Power Don Fabritio and his Father, the Marquess of Viterbo, +have in this City. I have another thing to inform you of, That whereas +Don Fabio had interested himself in your Cause, in Opposition to the +Marquess of Viterbo, by reason of the long Animosity between them, all +hopes of his Countenance and Assistance are defeated: For there has been +a Proposal of Reconciliation made to both Houses, and it is said it will +be confirm'd (as most such ancient Quarrels are at last) by the Marriage +of Juliana the Marquess's Daughter, with Aurelian, Son to Don Fabio: to +which effect the old Gentleman sent 'tother Day to Siena, where Aurelian +has been Educated, to hasten his coming to Town; but the Messenger +returning this Morning, brought word, That the same day he arriv'd at +Siena, Aurelian had set out for Florence, in Company with a young Spanish +Nobleman, his intimate Friend; so it is believ'd, they are both in Town, +and not unlikely in this Room in Masquerade. + +Hippolito could not forbear smiling to himself, at these last words. For +ever since the naming of Don Fabio he had been very attentive; but +before, his Thoughts were wholly taken up with the Beauty of the Face he +had seen, and from the time she had taken him by the Hand, a successive +warmth and chillness had play'd about his Heart, and surpriz'd him with +an unusual Transport. He was in a hundred Minds, whether he should make +her sensible of her Error or no; but considering he could expect no +farther Conference with her after he should discover himself, and that as +yet he knew not of her place of abode, he resolv'd to humour the mistake +a little further. Having her still by the Hand, which he squeez'd +somewhat more eagerly than is usual for Cousins to do, in a low and +undistinguishable Voice, he let her know how much he held himself obliged +to her, and avoiding as many words as handsomely he could, at the same +time, entreated her to give him her Advice, toward the management of +himself in this Affair. Leonora, who never from the beginning had +entertain'd the least Scruple of distrust, imagined he spoke faintly, as +not being yet perfectly recovered in his strength; and withal considering +that the heat of the Room, by reason of the Crowd, might be uneasie to a +Person in his Condition; she kindly told him, That if he were as +inclinable to dispense with the remainder of that Nights Diversion as she +was, and had no other engagement upon him, by her consent they should +both steal out of the Assembly, and go to her House, where they might +with more freedom discourse about a business of that importance, and +where he might take something to refresh himself if he were (as she +conceiv'd him to be) indisposed with his long standing. Judge you +whether the Proposal were acceptable to Hippolito or no; he had been +ruminating with himself how to bring something like this about, and had +almost despair'd of it; when of a suddain he found the success of his +design had prevented his own endeavours. He told his Cousin in the same +key as before, That he was unwilling to be the occasion of her Divorce +from so much good Company; but for his own part, he was afraid he had +presumed too much upon his recovery in coming abroad so soon, and that he +found himself so unwell, he feared he should be quickly forc'd to retire. +Leonora stay'd not to make him any other reply, only tipp'd him upon the +Arm, and bid him follow her at a convenient distance to avoid +Observation. + +Whoever had seen the Joy that was in Hippolito's Countenance, and the +Sprightliness with which he follow'd his Beautiful Conductress, would +scarce have taken him for a Person griev'd with uncured Wounds. She led +him down a back pair of Stairs, into one of the Palace Gardens which had +a Door opening into the Piazza, not far from where Don Mario her Father +lived. They had little Discourse by the way, which gave Hippolito time +to consider of the best way of discovering himself. A thousand things +came into his Head in a minute, yet nothing that pleased him: and after +so many Contrivances as he had formed for the discovery of himself, he +found it more rational for him not to reveal himself at all that Night, +since he could not foresee what effect the surprize would have, she must +needs be in, at the appearance of a Stranger, whom she had never seen +before, yet whom she had treated so familiarly. He knew Women were apt +to shriek or swoon upon such Occasions, and should she happen to do +either, he might be at a loss how to bring himself off. He thought he +might easily pretend to be indisposed somewhat more than ordinary, and so +make an excuse to go to his own Lodging. It came into his Head too, that +under pretence of giving her an account of his Health, he might enquire +of her the means how a Letter might be convey'd to her the next morning, +wherein he might inform her gently of her mistake, and insinuate +something of that Passion he had conceiv'd, which he was sure he could +not have opportunity to speak of if he bluntly revealed himself. He had +just resolv'd upon this Method, as they were come to the great Gates of +the Court, when Leonora stopping to let him go in before her, he of a +suddain fetch'd his Breath violently as if some stitch or twinging smart +had just then assaulted him. She enquired the matter of him, and advised +him to make haste into the House that he might sit down and rest him. He +told her he found himself so ill, that he judged it more convenient for +him to go home while he was in a condition to move, for he fear'd if he +should once settle himself to rest he might not be able to stir. She was +much troubled, and would have had a Chair made ready and Servants to +carry him home; but he made answer, he would not have any of her Fathers +Servants know of his being abroad, and that just now he had an interval +of ease, which he hop'd would continue till he made a shift to reach his +own Lodgings. Yet if she pleased to inform him how he might give an +account of himself the next morning, in a line or two, he would not fail +to give her the thanks due to her great kindness; and withal, would let +her know something which would not a little surprize her, though now he +had not time to acquaint her with it. She show'd him a little Window at +the corner of the House, where one should wait to receive his Letter, and +was just taking her leave of him, when seeing him search hastily in his +Pocket, she ask'd him if he miss'd any thing; he told her he thought a +Wound which was not throughly heal'd bled a little, and that he had lost +his Handkerchief. His design took; for she immediately gave him hers: +which indeed accordingly he apply'd to the only wound he was then griev'd +with; which though it went quite through his Heart, yet thank God was not +Mortal. He was not a little rejoyc'd at his good Fortune in getting so +early a Favour from his Mistress, and notwithstanding the violence he did +himself to personate a sick Man, he could not forbear giving some +Symptoms of an extraordinary content; and telling her that he did not +doubt to receive a considerable Proportion of ease from the Application +of what had so often kiss'd her fair Hand. Leonora who did not suspect +the Compliment, told him she should be heartily glad if that or any thing +in her power might contribute to his recovery; and wishing him well home, +went into her House, as much troubled for her Cousin as he was joyful for +his Mistress. + +Hippolito as soon as she was gone in, began to make his Remarks about the +House, walking round the great Court, viewing the Gardens and all the +Passages leading to that side of the Piazza. Having sufficiently +informed himself, with a Heart full of Love, and a Head full of +Stratagem, he walked toward his Lodging, impatient till the arrival of +Aurelian that he might give himself vent. In which interim, let me take +the liberty to digress a little, and tell the Reader something which I do +not doubt he has apprehended himself long ago, if he be not the dullest +Reader in the World; yet only for orders sake, let me tell him I say, +That a young Gentleman (Cousin to the aforesaid Don Fabritio) happened +one night to have some words at a Gameing House with one Lorenzo, which +created a Quarrel of fatal Consequence to the former, who was killed upon +the Spot, and likely to be so to the latter, who was very desperately +wounded. + +Fabritio being much concerned for his Kinsman, vow'd revenge (according +to the ancient and laudable custom of Italy) upon Lorenzo if he surviv'd, +or in case of his death (if it should happen to anticipate that, much +more swinging Death which he had in store for him) upon his next of Kin, +and so to descend Lineally like an English Estate, to all the Heirs Males +of this Family. This same Fabritio had indeed (as Leonora told +Hippolito) taken particular notice of him from his first entrance into +the Room, and was so far doubtful as to go out immediately himself, and +make enquiry concerning Lorenzo, but was quickly inform'd of the +greatness of his Error, in believing a Man to be abroad, who was so ill +of his Wounds, that they now despair'd of his recovery; and thereupon +return'd to the Ball very well satisfied, but not before Leonora and +Hippolito were departed. + +So, Reader, having now discharg'd my Conscience of a small Discovery +which I thought my self obliged to make to Thee, I proceed to tell thee, +that our Friend Aurelian had by this time danced himself into a Net which +he neither could, nor which is worse desired to untangle. + +His Soul was charm'd to the movement of her Body: an Air so graceful, so +sweet, so easie and so great, he had never seen. She had something of +Majesty in her, which appear'd to be born with her; and though it struck +an awe into the Beholders, yet was it sweetned with a familiarity of +Behaviour, which rendred it agreeable to every Body. The grandeur of her +Mien was not stiff, but unstudied and unforced, mixed with a simplicity; +free, yet not loose nor affected. If the former seem'd to condescend, +the latter seem'd to aspire; and both to unite in the centre of +Perfection. Every turn she gave in dancing snatcht Aurelian into a +Rapture, and he had like to have been out two or three times with +following his Eyes, which she led about as Slaves to her Heels. + +As soon as they had done dancing, he began to complain of his want of +Breath and Lungs, to speak sufficiently in her Commendation; She +smilingly told him, he did ill to dance so much then: Yet in +Consideration of the pains he had taken more than ordinary upon her +account she would bate him a great deal of Complement, but with this +Proviso, That he was to discover to her who he was. Aurelian was +unwilling for the present to own himself to be really the Man he was; +when a suddain thought came into his Head to take upon him the Name and +Character of Hippolito, who he was sure was not known in Florence. He +thereupon, after a little pause, pretended to recal himself in this +manner: 'Madam, it is no small demonstration of the entire Resignation +which I have made of my Heart to your Chains, since the secrets of it are +no longer in my power. I confess I only took Florence in my way, not +designing any longer Residence, than should be requisite to inform the +Curiosity of a Traveller, of the rareties of the Place. Whether +Happiness or Misery will be the Consequence of that Curiosity, I am yet +in fear, and submit to your Determination; but sure I am, not to depart +Florence till you have made me the most miserable Man in it, and refuse +me the fatal Kindness of Dying at your Feet. I am by Birth a Spaniard, +of the City of Toledo; my name Hippolito di Saviolina: I was yesterday a +Man free, as Nature made the first; to day I am fallen into a Captivity, +which must continue with my Life, and which, it is in your power, to make +much dearer to me. Thus in obedience to your Commands, and contrary to +my Resolution of remaining unknown in this place, I have inform'd you, +Madam, what I am; what I shall be, I desire to know from you; at least, I +hope, the free discovery I have made of my self, will encourage you to +trust me with the knowledge of your Person. + +Here a low bow, and a deep sigh, put an end to his Discourse, and +signified his Expectation of her Reply, which was to this purpose--(But I +had forgot to tell you, That Aurelian kept off his Mask from the time +that he told her he was of Spain, till the period of his Relation.) Had +I thought (said she) that my Curiosity would have brought me in debt, I +should certainly have forborn it; or at least have agreed with you before +hand about the rate of your discovery, then I had not brought my self to +the Inconveniency of being censur'd, either of too much easiness or +reservedness; but to avoid, as much as I can, the extreamity of either, I +am resolv'd but to discover my self in part, and will endeavour to give +you as little occasion as I can, either to boast of, or ridicule the +Behaviour of the Women of Florence in your Travels. + +Aurelian interrupted her, and swore very solemnly (and the more heartily, +I believe, because he then indeed spoke truth) that he would make +Florence the place of his abode, whatever concerns he had elsewhere. She +advised him to be cautious how he swore to his Expressions of Gallantry; +and farther told him she now hoped she should make him a return to all +the Fine Things he had said, since she gave him his choice whether he +would know who she was, or see her Face. + +Aurelian who was really in Love, and in whom Consideration would have +been a Crime, greedily embrac'd the latter, since she assured him at that +time he should not know both. Well, what follow'd? Why, she pull'd off +her Mask, and appear'd to him at once in the Glory of Beauty. But who +can tell the astonishment Aurelian felt? He was for a time senseless; +Admiration had suppress'd his Speech, and his Eyes were entangled in +Light. I short, to be made sensible of his condition, we must conceive +some Idea of what he beheld, which is not to imagined till seen, nor then +to be express'd. Now see the impertinence and conceitedness of an +Author, who will have a fling at a Description, which he has Prefaced +with an impossibility. One might have seen something in her Composition +resembling the Formation of Epicurus his World, as if every Atome of +Beauty had concurr'd to unite an excellency. Had that curious Painter +lived in her days, he might have avoided his painful search, when he +collected from the choicest pieces the most choice Features, and by a due +Disposition and Judicious Symmetry of those exquisite parts, made one +whole and perfect Venus. Nature seem'd here to have play'd the Plagiary, +and to have molded into Substance the most refined Thoughts of inspired +Poets. Her Eyes diffus'd Rays comfortable as warmth, and piercing as the +light; they would have worked a passage through the straightest Pores, +and with a delicious heat, have play'd about the most obdurate frozen +Heart, untill 'twere melted down to Love. Such Majesty and Affability +were in her Looks; so alluring, yet commanding was her Presence, that it +minged awe with love; kindling a Flame which trembled to aspire. She had +danced much, which, together with her being close masked, gave her a +tincture of Carnation more than ordinary. But Aurelian (from whom I had +every tittle of her Description) fancy'd he saw a little Nest of Cupids +break from the Tresses of her Hair, and every one officiously betake +himself to his task. Some fann'd with their downy Wings, her glowing +Cheeks; while others brush'd the balmy Dew from off her Face, leaving +alone a heavenly Moisture blubbing on her Lips, on which they drank and +revell'd for their pains; Nay, so particular were their allotments in her +service, that Aurelian was very positive a young Cupid who was but just +Pen-feather'd, employ'd his naked Quills to pick her Teeth. And a +thousand other things his transport represented to him, which none but +Lovers who have experience of such Visions will believe. + +As soon as he awaked and found his Speech come to him, he employ'd it to +this effect: + +''Tis enough that I have seen a Divinity--Nothing but Mercy can inhabit +these Perfections--Their utmost rigour brings a Death preferable to any +Life, but what they give--Use me, Madam, as you please; for by your fair +self, I cannot think a Bliss beyond what now I feel--You wound with +Pleasure, and if you Kill it must be with Transport--Ah! Yet methinks to +live--O Heaven! to have Life pronounced by those Bless'd Lips--Did they +not inspire where they command, it were an immediate Death of Joy. + +Aurelian was growing a little too loud with his Admiration, had she not +just then interrupted him, by clapping on her Masque, and telling him +they should be observed, if he proceeded in his Extravagance; and withal, +that his Passion was too suddain to be real, and too violent to be +lasting. He replied, Indeed it might not be very lasting, (with a +submissive mournful Voice) but it would continue during his Life. That +it was suddain, he denied, for she had raised it by degrees from his +first sight of her, by a continued discovery of Charms, in her Mien and +Conversation, till she thought fit to set Fire to the Train she had laid, +by the Lightning of her Face; and then he could not help it, if he were +blown up. + +He begg'd her to believe the Sincerity of his Passion, at least to enjoin +him something, which might tend to the Convincing of her Incredulity. She +said, she should find a time to make some Trials of him; but for the +first, she charged him not to follow or observe her, after the +Dissolution of the Assembly. He promised to obey, and entreated her to +tell him but her Name, that he might have Recourse to that in his +Affliction for her Absence, if he were able to survive it. She desired +him to live by all means; and if he must have a Name to play with, to +call her Incognita, till he were better informed. + +The Company breaking up, she took her leave, and at his earnest Entreaty, +gave him a short Vision of her Face which, then dress'd in an obliging +smile, caused another fit of Transport, which lasted till she was gone +out of Sight. Aurelian gathered up his Spirits, and walked slowly +towards his Lodging, never remembring that he had lost Hippolito, till +upon turning the Corner of a Street, he heard a noise of Fighting; and +coming near, saw a Man make a vigorous Defence against two, who pressed +violently upon him. He then thought of Hippolito, and fancying he saw +the glimmering of Diamond Buttons, such as Hippolito had upon the Sleeves +of his Habit, immediately drew to his Assistance; and with that Eagerness +and Resolution, that the Assailants, finding their unmanly odds defeated, +took to their Heels. The Person rescued by the Generous Help of +Aurelian, came toward him; but as he would have stoop'd to have saluted +him, dropp'd, fainting at his feet. Aurelian, now he was so near him, +perceiv'd plainly Hippolito's Habit, and step'd hastily to take him up. +Just as some of the Guards (who were going the Rounds, apprehensive of +such Disorders in an Universal Merriment) came up to him with Lights, and +had taken Prisoners the Two Men, whom they met with their Sword's drawn; +when looking in the Face of the Wounded Man, he found it was not +Hippolito, but his Governour Claudio, in the Habit he had worn at the +Ball. He was extreamly surpriz'd, as were the Prisoners, who confess'd +their Design to have been upon Lorenzo; grounding their Mistake upon the +Habit which was known to have been his. They were Two Men who formerly +had been Servants to him, whom Lorenzo had unfortunately slain. + +They made a shift to bring Claudio to himself; and part of the Guard +carrying off the Prisoners, whom Aurelian desired they would secure, the +rest accompanied him bearing Claudio in their Arms to his Lodging. He +had not patience to forbear asking for Hippolito by the Way; whom Claudio +assured him, he had left safe in his Chamber, above Two Hours since. That +his coming Home so long before the Divertisements were ended, and +Undressing himself, had given him the Unhappy Curiosity, to put on his +Habit, and go to the Pallace; in his Return from whence, he was set upon +in the Manner he found him, which if he recovered, he must own his Life +indebted to his timely Assistance. + +Being come to the House, they carried him to his Bed, and having sent for +Surgeons Aurelian rewarded and dismissed the Guard. He stay'd the +dressing of Claudio's Wounds, which were many, though they hop'd none +Mortal: and leaving him to his Rest, went to give Hippolito an Account of +what had happened, whom he found with a Table before him, leaning upon +both his Elbows, his Face covered with his Hands, and so motionless, that +Aurelian concluded he was asleep; seeing several Papers lie before him, +half written and blotted out again, he thought to steal softly to the +Table, and discover what he had been employed about. Just as he reach'd +forth his Hand to take up one of the Papers, Hippolito started up so on +the suddain, as surpriz'd Aurelian and made him leap back; Hippolito, on +the other hand, not supposing that any Body had been near him, was so +disordered with the Appearance of a Man at his Elbow, (whom his Amazement +did not permit him to distinguish) that he leap'd hastily to his Sword, +and in turning him about, overthrew the Stand and Candles. Here were +they both left in the Dark, Hippolito groping about with his Sword, and +thrusting at every Chair that he felt oppose him. Aurelian was scarce +come to himself, when thinking to step back toward the Door that he might +inform his Friend of his Mistake, without exposing himself to his blind +Fury; Hippolito heard him stir, and made a full thrust with such +Violence, that the Hilt of the Sword meeting with Aurelian's Breast beat +him down, and Hippolito a top of him, as a Servant alarm'd with the +noise, came into the Chamber with a Light. The Fellow trembled, and +thought they were both Dead, till Hippolito raising himself, to see whom +he had got under him, swoon'd away upon the discovery of his Friend. But +such was the extraordinary Care of Providence in directing the Sword, +that it only past under his Arm, giving no Wound to Aurelia, but a little +Bruise between his Shoulder and Breast with the Hilt. He got up, scarce +recovered of his Fright, and by the help of the Servant; laid Hippolito +upon the Bed; who when he was come to himself could hardly be perswaded, +that his Friend was before him and alive, till he shew'd him his Breast, +where was nothing of a Wound. Hippolito begg'd his Pardon a Thousand +Times, and curs'd himself as often, who was so near to committing the +most Execrable Act of Amicide. + +They dismiss'd the Fellow, and with many Embraces, congratulated their +fortunate Delivery from the Mischief which came so near them, each +blaming himself as the Occasion: Aurelian accusing his own unadvisedness +in stealing upon Hippolito; Hippolito blaming his own temerity and +weakness, in being so easily frighted to Disorder; and last of all, his +blindness, in not knowing his dearest Friend. But there he gave a Sigh, +and passionately taking Aurelian by the Hand, cry'd, Ah! my Friend, Love +is indeed blind, when it would not suffer me to see you--There arose +another Sigh; a Sympathy seiz'd Aurelian immediately: (For, by the Way, +sighing is as catching among Lovers, as yawning among the Vulgar.) Beside +hearing the Name of Love, made him fetch such a Sigh, that Hippolito's +were but Fly-blows in Comparison, that was answered with all the Might +Hippolito had, Aurelian ply'd him close till they were both out of +Breath. + +Thus not a Word pass'd, though each wondred why the t'other sigh'd, at +last concluded it to be only Complaisance to one another. + +Aurelian broke the Silence, by telling him the Misfortune of his +Governour. Hippolito rejoic'd as at the luckiest Accident which could +have befall'n him. Aurelian wondred at his unseasonable Mirth, and +demanded the Cause of it; he answer'd, It would necessitate his longer +Stay in Florence, and for ought he knew be the Means of bringing a happy +Period to his Amour. + +His Friend thought him to be little better than a Madman, when he +perceiv'd him of a suddain snatch out of his Bosom a Handkerchief, which +having kiss'd with a great deal of Ardour, he took Aurelian by the Hand, +and smiling at the Surprize he saw him in; + +'Your Florentine Cupid is certainly (said he) 'the most Expert in the +World. I have since I saw you beheld the most Beautiful of Women. I am +faln desperately in Love with her, and those Papers which you see so +blotted and scattered, are but so many Essays which I have made to the +Declaration of my Passion. And this Handkerchief which I so zealously +Caress, is the Inestimable Token which I have to make my self known to +her. 'O Leonora! (continued he) 'how hast thou stamp'd thine Image on my +Soul! How much dearer am I to my self, since I have had thy Heavenly +Form in keeping! Now, my Aurelian, I am worthy thee; my exalted Love has +Dignified me, and rais'd me far above thy poor former Despicable +Hippolito. + +Aurelian seeing the Rapture he was in, thought it in vain to expect a +settled Relation of the Adventure, so was reaching to the Table for some +of the Papers, but Hippolito told him, If he would have a little patience +he would acquaint him with the whole Matter; and thereupon told him Word +for Word how he was mistaken for Lorenzo, and his Management of himself. +Aurelian commended his Prudence, in not discovering himself; and told +him, If he could spare so much time from the Contemplation of his +Mistress, he would inform him of an Adventure, though not so Accidental, +yet of as great Concern to his own future Happiness. So related all that +had happened to him with his Beautiful Incognita. + +Having ended the Story, they began to consider of the Means they were to +use toward a Review of their Mistresses. Aurelian was Confounded at the +Difficulty he conceived on his Part. He understood from Hippolito's +Adventure, that his Father knew of his being in Town, whom he must +unavoidably Disoblige if he yet concealed himself, and Disobey if he came +into his Sight; for he had already entertain'd an Aversion for Juliana, +in apprehension of her being Imposed on him. His Incognita was rooted in +his Heart, yet could he not Comfort himself with any Hopes when he should +see her: He knew not where she lived, and she had made him no Promise of +a second Conference. Then did he repent his inconsiderate Choice, in +preferring the momentary Vision of her Face, to a certain Intelligence of +her Person. Every thought that succeeded distracted him, and all the +Hopes he could presume upon, were within compass of the Two Days +Merriment yet to come; for which Space he hop'd he might excuse his +remaining conceal'd to his Father. + +Hippolito on the other side (though Aurelian thought him in a much better +Way) was no less afflicted for himself. The Difficulties which he saw in +his Friend's Circumstances, put him upon finding out a great many more in +his own, than really there were. But what terrified him most of all, was +his being an utter Stranger to Leonora; she had not the least knowledge +of him but through mistake, and consequently could form no Idea of him to +his Advantage. He look'd upon it as an unlucky thought in Aurelian to +take upon him his Name, since possibly the Two Ladies were acquainted, +and should they communicate to each other their Adventures; they might +both reasonably suffer in their Opinions, and be thought guilty of +Falshood, since it would appear to them as One Person pretending to Two. +Aurelian told him, there was but one Remedy for that, which was for +Hippolito, in the same Manner that he had done, to make use of his Name, +when he writ to Leonora, and use what arguments he could to perswade her +to Secrecy, least his Father should know of the Reason which kept him +concealed in Town. And it was likely, though perhaps she might not +immediately entertain his Passion; yet she would out of Generosity +conceal, what was hidden only for her sake. + +Well this was concluded on, after a great many other Reasons used on +either Side, in favour of the Contrivance; they at last argued themselves +into a Belief, that Fortune had befriended them with a better Plot, than +their regular Thinking could have contriv'd. So soon had they convinc'd +themselves, in what they were willing to believe. + +Aurelian laid himself down to rest, that is, upon the Bed; for he was a +better Lover than to pretend to sleep that Night, while Hippolito set +himself again to frame his Letter design'd for Leonora. He writ several, +at last pitched upon one, and very probably the worst, as you may guess +when you read it in its proper Place. + +It was break of Day when the Servant, who had been employed all the +foregoing Day in procuring Accoutrements for the Two Cavaliers, to appear +in at the Tilting, came into the Room, and told them all the Young +Gentlemen in the Town were trying their Equipage, and preparing to be +early in the Lists. They made themselves ready with all Expedition at +the Alarm: and Hippolito having made a Visit to his Governour, dispatch'd +a Messenger with the Letter and Directions to Leonora. At the Signal +agreed upon the Casement was opened and a String let down, to which the +Bearer having fastned the Letter, saw it drawn up, and returned. It were +a vain attempt to describe Leonora's Surprize, when she read the +Superscription.--The Unfortunate Aurelian, to the Beautiful Leonora--After +she was a little recovered from her Amaze, she recollected to her self +all the Passages between her and her supposed Cousin, and immediately +concluded him to be Aurelian. Then several little Circumstances which +she thought might have been sufficient to have convinced her, represented +themselves to her; and she was in a strange Uneasiness to think of her +free Carriage to a Stranger. + +She was once in a Mind to have burn'd the Letter, or to have stay'd for +an Opportunity to send it again. But she was a Woman, and her Curiosity +opposed it self to all thoughts of that Nature: at length with a firm +Resolution, she opened it, and found Word for Word, what is underwritten. + + + +The Letter. + + + MADAM, + + If your fair Eyes, upon the breaking up of this, meet with somewhat + too quick a Surprize, make thence, I beseech you, some reflection upon + the Condition I must needs have been in, at the suddain Appearance of + that Sun of Beauty, which at once shone so full upon my soul. I could + not immediately disengage my self from that Maze of Charms, to let you + know how unworthy a Captive your Eyes had made through mistake. Sure, + Madam, you cannot but remember my Disorder, of which your Innocent + (Innocent, though perhaps to me Fatal) Error made a Charitable (but + wide) Construction. Your Tongue pursued the Victory of your Eyes, and + you did not give me time to rally my poor Disordered Senses, so as to + make a tolerable Retreat. Pardon, Madam, the Continuation of the + Deceipt, and call it not so, that I appear'd to be other than my self; + for Heaven knows I was not then my self, nor am I now my own. You + told me something that concern'd me nearly, as to a Marriage my Father + design'd me, and much more nearly in being told by you. For Heaven's + sake, disclose not to any Body your Knowledge of me, that I may not be + forced to an immediate Act of Disobedience; for if my future Services + and inviolate Love, cannot recommend me to your Favour, I shall find + more comfort in the cold Embraces of a Grave, than in the Arms of the + never so much admired (but by me dreaded) Juliana. Think, Madam, of + those severe Circumstances I lie under; and withal I beg you, think it + is in your Power, and only in your Power, to make them happy as my + Wishes, or much more miserable than I am able to imagine. That dear, + inestimable (though undesign'd) Favour which I receiv'd from you, + shall this Day distinguish me from the Crowd of your Admirers; that + which I really applied to my inward bleeding Wound, the welcom Wound + which you have made, and which, unless from you, does wish no Cure; + then pardon and have pity on, O Adored Leonora, him, who is your's by + Creation as he is Heaven's, though never so unworthy. Have pity on + + Your + Aurelian. + +She read the Letter over and over, then flung it by, then read it again; +the Novelty of the Adventure made her repeat her Curiosity, and take more +than ordinary Pains to understand it. At last her Familiarity with the +Expressions grew to an Intimacy, and what she at first permitted she now +began to like. She thought there was something in it a little more +serious, than to be barely Gallantry. She wondred at her own Blindness, +and fancy'd she could remember something of a more becoming Air in the +Stranger than was usual to Lorenzo. This thought was parent to another +of the same kind, till a long Chain successively had Birth, and every one +somewhat more than other, in Favour of the supposed Aurelian. She +reflected upon his Discretion, in deferring the Discovery of himself, +till a little time had, as it were, weaned her from her perswasion, and +by removing her farther from her Mistake, had prepared her for a full and +determinate Convincement. She thought his Behaviour, in personating a +Sick Man so readily, upon the first hint was not amiss, and smil'd to +think of his Excuse to procure her Handkerchief; and last of all, his +sifting out the Means to write to her, which he had done with that +Modesty and Respect, she could not tell how to find fault with it. + +She had proceeded thus far in a maze of Thought, when she started to find +her self so lost to her Reason, and would have trod back again that path +of deluding Fancy; accusing her self of Fondness, and inconsiderate +Easiness, in giving Credit to the Letter of a Person whose Face she never +saw, and whose first Acquaintance with her was a Treachery, and he who +could so readily deliver his Tongue of a Lye upon a Surprize, was scarce +to be trusted when he had sufficient Time allow'd him to beget a Fiction, +and Means to perfect the Birth. + +How did she know this to be Aurelian, if he were? Nay farther, put it to +the Extremity, What if she should upon farther Conversation with him +proceed to Love him? What Hopes were there for her? Or how could she +consent to Marry a Man already Destined for another Woman? nay, a Woman +that was her Friend, whose Marrying with him was to compleat the happy +Reconciliation of Two Noble Families, and which might prevent the +Effusion of much Blood likely to be shed in that Quarrel: Besides, she +should incurr share of the Guilt, which he would draw upon him by +Disobedience to his Father, whom she was sure would not be consenting to +it. + +'Tis strange now, but all Accounts agree, that just here Leonora, who had +run like a violent Stream against Aurelian hitherto, now retorted with as +much precipitation in his Favour. I could never get any Body to give me +a satisfactory reason, for her suddain and dextrous Change of Opinion +just at that stop, which made me conclude she could not help it; and that +Nature boil'd over in her at that time when it had so fair an Opportunity +to show it self: For Leonora it seems was a Woman Beautiful, and +otherwise of an excellent Disposition; but in the Bottom a very Woman. +This last Objection, this Opportunity of perswading Man to Disobedience, +determined the Matter in Favour of Aurelian, more than all his +Excellencies and Qualifications, take him as Aurelian, or Hippolito, or +both together. + +Well, the Spirit of Contradiction and of Eve was strong in her; and she +was in a fair Way to Love Aurelian, for she lik'd him already; that it +was Aurelian she no longer doubted, for had it been a Villain, who had +only taken his Name upon him for any ill Designs, he would never have +slip'd so favourable an Opportunity as when they were alone and in the +Night coming through the Garden and broad Space before the Piazza. In +short, thus much she resolv'd, at least to conceal the Knowledge she had +of him, as he had entreated her in his Letter, and to make particular +Remarks of his Behaviour that Day in the Lists, which should it happen to +Charm her with an absolute liking of his Person, she resolv'd to dress +her self to the best Advantage, and mustering up all her Graces, out of +pure Revenge to kill him down right. + +I would not have the Reader now be impertinent, and look upon this to be +force, or a whim of the Author's, that a Woman should proceed so far in +her Approbation of a Man whom she never saw, that it is impossible, +therefore ridiculous to suppose it. Let me tell such a Critick, that he +knows nothing of the Sex, if he does not know that Woman may be taken +with the Character and Description of a Man, when general and +extraordinary, that she may be prepossess'd with an agreeable Idea of his +Person and Conversation; and though she cannot imagine his real Features, +or manner of Wit, yet she has a general Notion of what is call'd a fine +Gentleman, and is prepar'd to like such a one who does not disagree with +that Character. Aurelian, as he bore a very fair Character, so was he +extreamly deserving to make it good, which otherways might have been to +his prejudice; for oftentimes, through an imprudent Indulgence to our +Friends merit, we give so large a Description of his excellencies, that +People make more room in their Expectation, than the Intrinsick worth of +the Man will fill, which renders him so much the more despicable as there +is emptyness to spare. 'Tis certain, though the Women seldom find that +out; for though they do not see so much in a Man as was promised, yet +they will be so kind to imagine he has some hidden excellencies; which +time may discover to them, so are content to allow, him a considerable +share of their esteem, and take him into Favour upon Tick. Aurelian as +he had good Credit, so he had a good Stock to support it, and his Person +was a good promising Security for the payment of any Obligation he could +lie under to the Fair Sex. Hippolito, who at this time was our Aurelian, +did not at all lessen him in appearing for him: So that although Leonora +was indeed mistaken, she could not be said to be much in the wrong. I +could find in my Heart to beg the Reader's pardon for this Digression, if +I thought he would be sensible of the Civility; for I promise him, I do +not intend to do it again throughout the Story, though I make never so +many, and though he take them never so ill. But because I began this +upon a bare Supposition of his Impertinence, which might be somewhat +impertinent in me to suppose, I do, and hope to make him amends by +telling him, that by the time Leonora was dress'd, several Ladies of her +acquaintance came to accompany her to the place designed for the Tilting, +where we will leave them drinking Chocholate till 'tis time for them to +go. + +Our Cavaliers had by good Fortune provided themselves of two curious +Suits of light Armour, finely enammelled and gilt. Hippolito had sent to +Poggio Imperiale for a couple of fine led Horses which he had left there +with the rest of his Train at his entrance into Florence. Mounted on +these and every way well Equipt, they took their way, attended only by +two Lacqueys, toward the Church di Santa Croce, before which they were to +perform their Exercises of Chivalry. Hippolito wore upon his Helm a +large Plume of Crimson Feathers, in the midst of which was artificially +placed Leonora's Handkerchief. His Armour was gilt, and enammell'd with +Green and Crimson. Aurelian was not so happy as to wear any token to +recommend him to the notice of his Mistress, so had only a Plume of Sky- +colour and White Feathers, suitable to his Armour, which was Silver +enammelled with Azure. I shall not describe the Habits of any other +Cavaliers, or of the Ladies; let it suffice to tell the Reader they were +all very Fine and very Glorious, and let him dress them in what is most +agreeable to his own Fancy. + +Our Gallants entred the Lists, and having made their Obeysance to his +Highness, turned round to salute and view the Company. The Scaffold was +circular, so that there was no end of the Delightful Prospect. It seem'd +a Glory of Beauty which shone around the admiring Beholders. Our Lovers +soon perceived the Stars which were to Rule their Destiny, which sparkled +a lustre beyond all the inferiour Constellations, and seem'd like two +Suns to distribute Light to all the Planets in that Heavenly Sphere. +Leonora knew her Slave by his Badge and blushed till the Lilies and Roses +in her cheeks had resemblance to the Plume of Crimson and White +Handkerchief in Hippolito's Crest. He made her a low bow, and reined his +Horse back with an extraordinary Grace, into a respectful retreat. +Aurelian saw his Angel, his beautiful Incognita, and had no other way to +make himself known to her, but by saluting and bowing to her after the +Spanish mode; she guess'd him by it to be her new Servant Hippolito, and +signified her apprehension, by making him a more particular and obliging +return, than to any of the Cavaliers who had saluted her before. + +The Exercise that was to be perform'd was in general a running at the +Ring; and afterwards two Cavaliers undertook to defend the Beauty of +Donna Catharina, against all who would not allow her preheminence of +their Mistresses. This thing was only designed for show and form, none +presuming that any body would put so great an affront upon the Bride and +Duke's Kinswoman, as to dispute her pretentions to the first place in the +Court of Venus. But here our Cavaliers were under a mistake; for seeing +a large Shield carry'd before two Knights, with a Lady painted upon it; +not knowing who, but reading the Inscription which was (in large Gold +Letters) Above the Insolence of Competition. They thought themselves +obliged, especially in the presence of their Mistresses, to vindicate +their Beauty; and were just spurring on to engage the Champions, when a +Gentleman stopping them, told them their mistake, that it was the Picture +of Donna Catharina, and a particular Honour done to her by his Highness's +Commands, and not to be disputed. Upon this they would have returned to +their Post, much concerned for their mistake; but notice being taken by +Don Ferdinand of some Show of Opposition that was made, he would have +begged leave of the Duke, to have maintained his Lady's Honour against +the Insolence of those Cavaliers; but the Duke would by no means permit +it. They were arguing about it when one of them came up, before whom the +Shield was born, and demanded his Highness's Permission, to inform those +Gentlemen better of their mistake, by giving them the Foyl. By the +Intercession of Don Ferdinand, leave was given them; whereupon a Civil +Challenge was sent to the two Strangers, informing them of their Error, +and withal telling them they must either maintain it by force of Arms, or +make a publick acknowledgment by riding bare headed before the Picture +once round the Lists. The Stranger-Cavaliers remonstrated to the Duke +how sensible they were of their Error, and though they would not justifie +it, yet they could not decline the Combate, being pressed to it beyond an +honourable refusal. To the Bride they sent a Complement, wherein, having +first begg'd her pardon for not knowing her Picture, they gave her to +understand, that now they were not about to dispute her undoubted right +to the Crown of Beauty, but the honour of being her Champions was the +Prize they fought for, which they thought themselves as able to maintain +as any other Pretenders. Wherefore they pray'd her, that if fortune so +far befriended their endeavours as to make them Victors, that they might +receive no other Reward, but to be crown'd with the Titles of their +Adversaries, and be ever after esteem'd as her most humble Servants. The +excuse was so handsomely designed, and much better express'd than it is +here, that it took effect. The Duke, Don Ferdinand and his Lady were so +well satisfied with it as to grant their Request. + +While the running at the Ring lasted, our Cavaliers alternately bore away +great share of the Honour. That Sport ended, Marshals were appointed for +the Field, and every thing in great form settled for the Combat. The +Cavaliers were all in good earnest, but orders were given to bring 'em +blunted Lances, and to forbid the drawing of a Sword upon pain of his +Highness's Displeasure. The Trumpets sounded and they began their +Course: The Ladies' Hearts, particularly the Incognita and Leonora's beat +time to the Horses Hoofs, and hope and fear made a mock Fight within +their tender Breasts, each wishing and doubting success where she lik'd: +But as the generality of their Prayers were for the graceful Strangers, +they accordingly succeeded. Aurelian's Adversary was unhorsed in the +first Encounter, and Hippolito's lost both Stirrups and dropt his Lance +to save himself. The Honour of the Field was immediately granted to +them, and Don Catharina sent them both Favours, which she pray'd them to +wear as her Knights. The Crowd breaking up, our Cavaliers made a shift +to steal off unmarked, save by the watchful Leonora and Incognita, whose +Eyes were never off from their respective Servants. There was enquiry +made for them, but to no purpose; for they to prevent their being +discovered had prepared another House, distant from their Lodging, where +a Servant attended to disarm them, and another carried back their Horses +to the Villa, while they walked unsuspected to their Lodging; but +Incognita had given command to a Page to dog 'em till the Evening, at a +distance, and bring her word where they were latest housed. + +While several Conjectures pass'd among the Company, who were all gone to +Dinner at the Palace, who those Cavaliers should be, Don Fabio thought +himself the only Man able to guess; for he knew for certain that his Son +and Hippolito were both in Town, and was well enough pleased with his +humour of remaining Incognito till the Diversions should be over, +believing then that the surprize of his Discovery would add much to the +Gallantry he had shown in Masquerade; but hearing the extraordinary +liking that every body express'd, and in a particular manner, the great +Duke himself, to the Persons and Behaviour of the unknown Cavaliers, the +Old Gentleman could not forbear the Vanity to tell his Highness, that he +believed he had an interest in one of the Gentlemen, whom he was pleased +to honour with so favourable a Character; and told him what reason he had +to believe the one to be his Son, and the other a Spanish Nobleman, his +Friend. + +This discovery having thus got vent, was diffused like Air; every body +suck'd it in, and let it out again with their Breath to the next they met +withal; and in half an hours time it was talked of in the House where our +Adventurers were lodged. Aurelian was stark mad at the News, and knew +what search would be immediately made for him. Hippolito, had he not +been desperately in Love, would certainly have taken Horse and rid out of +Town just then, for he could make no longer doubt of being discovered, +and he was afraid of the just Exceptions Leonora might make to a Person +who had now deceived her twice. Well, we will leave them both fretting +and contriving to no purpose, to look about and see what was done at the +Palace, where their doom was determined much quicker than they imagined. + +Dinner ended, the Duke retired with some chosen Friends to a Glass of +Wine; among whom were the Marquess of Viterbo and Don Fabio. His +Highness was no Stranger to the long Fewd that had been between the two +Families, and also understood what Overtures of Reconciliation had been +lately made, with the Proposals of Marriage between Aurelian and the +Marquess's Daughter. Having waited till the Wine had taken the effect +proposed, and the Company were raised to an uncommon pitch of +Chearfulness, which he also encouraged by an Example of Freedom and Good +Humour, he took an opportunity of rallying the two grave Signiors into an +Accommodation: That was seconded with the praises of the young Couple, +and the whole Company joined in a large Encomium upon the Graces of +Aurelian and the Beauties of Juliana. The old Fellows were tickled with +Delight to hear their Darlings so admired, which the Duke perceiving, out +of a Principle of Generosity and Friendship, urged the present +Consummation of the Marriage; telling them there was yet one day of +publick Rejoycing to come, and how glad he should be to have it improved +by so acceptable an Alliance; and what an honour it would be to have his +Cousin's Marriage attended by the Conjunction of so extraordinary a Pair, +the performance of which Ceremony would crown the Joy that was then in +Agitation, and make the last day vie for equal Glory and Happiness with +the first. In short, by the Complaisant and Perswasive Authority of the +Duke, the Dons were wrought into a Compliance, and accordingly embraced +and shook Hands upon the Matter. This News was dispersed like the +former, and Don Fabio gave orders for the enquiring out his Son's +Lodging, that the Marquess and he might make him a Visit, as soon as he +had acquainted Juliana with his purpose, that she might prepare her self. +He found her very chearful with Donna Catharina and several other Ladies; +whereupon the old Gentleman, pretty well warmed with the Duke's +Goodfellowship, told her aloud he was come to crown their Mirth with +another Wedding; that his Highness had been pleased to provide a Husband +for his Daughter, and he would have her provide her self to receive him +to-morrow. All the Company at first, as well as Juliana her self, +thought he had rally'd, till the Duke coming in confirmed the serious +part of his Discourse. Juliana was confounded at the haste that was +imposed on her, and desired a little time to consider what she was about. +But the Marquess told her, she should have all the rest of her Life to +consider in; that Aurelian should come and consider with her in the +Morning, if she pleased; but in the mean time, he advised her to go home +and call her Maids to Counsel. + +Juliana took her leave of the Company very gravely, as if not much +delighted with her Father's Rallery. Leonora happened to be by, and +heard all that passed; she was ready to swoon, and found her self seized +with a more violent Passion than ever for Aurelian: Now upon her +apprehensions of losing him, her active fancy had brought him before her +with all the advantages imaginable, and though she had before found great +tenderness in her Inclination toward him, yet was she somewhat surprized +to find she really lov'd him. She was so uneasie at what she had heard, +that she thought it convenient to steal out of the presence and retire to +her Closet, to bemoan her unhappy helpless Condition. + +Our Two Cavalier-Lovers had rack'd their Invention till it was quite +disabled, and could not make discovery of one Contrivance more for their +Relief. Both sat silent, each depending upon his Friend, and still +expecting when t'other should speak. Night came upon them while they +sate thus thoughtless, or rather drowned in Thought; but a Servant +bringing Lights into the Room awakened them: And Hippolito's Speech, +usher'd by a profound Sigh, broke Silence. + +'Well! (said he) what must we do, Aurelian? We must suffer, replied +Aurelian faintly. When immediately raising his Voice, he cry'd out, 'Oh +ye unequal Powers, why do ye urge us to desire what ye doom us to +forbear; give us a Will to chuse, then curb us with a Duty to restrain +that Choice! Cruel Father, Will nothing else suffice! Am I to be the +Sacrifice to expiate your Offences past; past ere I was born? Were I to +lose my Life, I'd gladly Seal your Reconcilement with my Blood. 'But Oh +my Soul is free, you have no Title to my Immortal Being, that has +Existence independent of your Power; and must I lose my Love, the Extract +of that Being, the Joy, Light, Life, and Darling of my Soul? No, I'll +own my Flame, and plead my Title too.--But hold, wretched Aurelian, hold, +whither does thy Passion hurry thee? Alas! the cruel fair Incognita +Loves thee not! She knows not of thy Love! If she did, what Merit hast +thou to pretend?--Only Love.--Excess of Love. And all the World has +that. All that have seen her. Yet I had only seen her once, and in that +once I lov'd above the World; nay, lov'd beyond my self, such vigorous +Flame, so strong, so quick she darted at my Breast; it must rebound, and +by Reflection, warm her self. Ah! welcome Thought, lovely deluding +Fancy, hang still upon my Soul, let me but think, that once she Loves and +perish my Despair. + +Here a suddain stop gave a Period also to Hippolito's Expectation, and he +hoped now that his Friend had given his Passion so free a vent, he might +recollect and bethink himself of what was convenient to be done; but +Aurelia, as if he had mustered up all his Spirits purely to acquit +himself of that passionate Harangue, stood mute and insensible like an +Alarum Clock, that had spent all its force in one violent Emotion. +Hippolito shook him by the Arm to rouze him from his Lethargy, when his +Lacquey coming into the Room, out of Breath, told him there was a Coach +just stopp'd at the Door, but he did not take time to who came in it. +Aurelian concluded immediately it was his Father in quest of him; and +without saying any more to Hippolito, than that he was Ruined if +discovered, took his Sword and slipp'd down a back pair of Stairs into +the Garden, from whence he conveyed himself into the Street. Hippolito +had not bethought himself what to do, before he perceiv'd a Lady come +into the Chamber close veil'd, and make toward him. At the first +Appearance of a Woman, his Imagination flattered him with a Thought of +Leonora; but that was quickly over upon nearer Approach to the Lady, who +had much the Advantage in Stature of his Mistress. He very civilly +accosted her, and asked if he were the Person to whom the Honour of that +Visit was intended. She said, her Business was with Don Hippolito di +Saviolina, to whom she had Matter of Concern to import, and which +required haste. He had like to have told her, That he was the Man, but +by good Chance reflecting upon his Friend's Adventure, who had taken his +name, he made Answer, that he believed Don Hippolito not far off, and if +she had a Moments Patience he would enquire for him. + +He went out, leaving the Lady in the Room, and made search all round the +House and Garden for Aurelian, but to no purpose. The Lady impatient of +his long stay took a Pen and Ink and some Paper which she found upon the +Table, and had just made an End of her Letter, when hearing a Noise of +more than one coming up Stairs, she concluded his Friend had found him, +and that her Letter would be to no purpose, so tore it in pieces, which +she repented; when turning about, she found her Mistake, and beheld Don +Fabio and the Marquess of Viterbo just entring at the Door. She gave a +Shriek at the Surprize of their Appearance, which much troubled the Old +Gentlemen, and made them retire in Confusion for putting a Gentlewoman +into such a Fright. The Marquess thinking they had been misinformed, or +had mistaken the Lodgings, came forward again, and made an Apology to the +Lady for their Errour; but she making no reply, walk'd directly by him +down Stairs and went into her Coach, which hurried her away as speedily +as the Horses were able to draw. + +The Dons were at a loss what to think, when, Hippolito coming into the +Room to give the Lady an Account of his Errant, was no less astonished to +find she was departed, and had left Two Old Signiors in her stead. He +knew Don Fabio's Face, for Aurelian had shewn him his Father at the +Tilting; but being confident he was not known to him, he ventur'd to ask +him concerning a Lady whom just now he had left in that Chamber. Don +Fabio told him, she was just gone down, and doubted they had been Guilty +of a Mistake, in coming to enquire for a Couple of Gentlemen whom they +were informed were Lodged in that House; he begg'd his Pardon if he had +any Relation to that Lady, and desired to know if he could give them any +Account of the Persons they sought for. Hippolito made answer, He was a +Stranger in the Place, and only a Servant to that Lady whom they had +disturb'd, and whom he must go and seek out. And in this Perplexity he +left them, going again in Search of Aurelian, to inform him of what had +passed. + +The Old Gentlemen at last meeting with a Servant of the House, were +directed to Signior Claudio's Chamber, where they were no sooner entered +but Aurelian came into the House. A Servant who had skulk'd for him by +Hippolito's Order, followed him up into the Chamber, and told him who was +with Claudio then making Enquiry for him. He thought that to be no Place +for him, since Claudio must needs discover all the Truth to his Father; +wherefore he left Directions with the Servant, where Hippolito should +meet him in the Morning. As he was going out of the Room he espied the +torn Paper, which the Lady had thrown upon the Floor: The first piece he +took up had Incognita written upon it; the sight of which so Alarum'd +him, he scarce knew what he was about; but hearing a Noise of a Door +opening over Head, with as much Care as was consistent with the haste he +was then in, he gathered up scattered pieces of Paper, and betook himself +to a Ramble. + +Coming by a Light which hung at the Corner of a Street, he join'd the +torn Papers and collected thus much, that Incognita had Written the Note, +and earnestly desired (if there were any reality in what he pretended to +her) to meet her at Twelve a Clock that Night at a Convent Gate; but +unluckily the Bit of Paper which should have mentioned what Convent, was +broken off and lost. + +Here was a large Subject for Aurelian's Passion, which he did not spare +to pour forth in Abundance of Curses on his Stars. So earnest was he in +the Contemplation of his Misfortunes, that he walk'd on unwittingly; till +at length Silence (and such as was only to be found in that part the +Town, whither his unguided Steps had carried him) surpriz'd his +Attention. I say, a profound Silence rouzed him from his Thought; and a +clap of Thunder could have done no more. + +Now because it is possible this at some time or other may happen to be +read by some Malicious or Ignorant Person, (no Reflection upon the +present Reader) who will not admit, or does not understand that Silence +should make a Man start; and have the same Effect, in provoking his +Attention, with its opposite Noise; I will illustrate this matter, to +such a diminutive Critick, by a Parallel Instance of Light; which though +it does chiefly entertain the Eyes, and is indeed the prime Object of the +Sight, yet should it immediately cease, to have a Man left in the Dark by +a suddain deficiency of it, would make him stare with his Eyes, and +though he could not see, endeavour to look about him. Why just thus did +it fare with our Adventurer; who seeming to have wandred both into the +Dominions of Silence and of Night, began to have some tender for his own +Safety, and would willingly have groped his Way back again; when he heard +a Voice, as from a Person whose Breath had been stopp'd by some forcible +Oppression, and just then, by a violent Effort, was broke through the +Restraint.--'Yet--Yet--(again reply'd the Voice, still struggling for +Air,) 'Forbear--and I'll forgive what's past--I have done nothing yet +that needs a Pardon, (says another) and what is to come, will admit of +none. + +Here the Person who seemed to be the Oppressed, made several Attempts to +speak, but they were only inarticulate Sounds, being all interrupted and +choaked in their Passage. + +Aurelian was sufficiently astonish'd, and would have crept nearer to the +Place whence he guessed the Voice to come; but he was got among the Runes +of an Old Monastery, and could not stir so silently, but some loose +Stones he met with made a rumbling. The Noise alarm'd both Parties; and +as it gave Comfort to the one, it so Terrified the t'other, that he could +not hinder the Oppressed from calling for help. Aurelian fancy'd it was +a Woman's Voice, and immediately drawing his Sword, demanded what was the +Matter; he was answered with the Appearance of a Man, who had opened a +Dark Lanthorn which he had by him, and came toward him with a Pistol in +his Hand ready cock'd. + +Aurelian seeing the irresistable advantage his Adversary had over him, +would fain have retired; and, by the greatest Providence in the World, +going backwards fell down over some loose Stones that lay in his Way, +just in that Instant of Time when the Villain fired his Pistol, who +seeing him fall, concluded he had Shot him. The Crys of the afflicted +Person were redoubled at the Tragical Sight, which made the Murderer, +drawing a Poniard, to threaten him, that the next Murmur should be his +last. Aurelian, who was scarce assured that he was unhurt, got softly +up; and coming near enough to perceive the Violence that was used to stop +the Injured Man's Mouth; (for now he saw plainly it was a Man) cry'd +out,--Turn, Villain, and look upon thy Death.--The Fellow amazed at the +Voice, turn'd about to have snatch'd up the Lanthorn from the Ground; +either to have given Light only to himself, or to have put out the +Candle, that he might have made his Escape; but which of the Two he +designed, no Body could tell but himself: and if the Reader have a +Curiosity to know, he must blame Aurelian; who thinking there could be no +foul play offered to such a Villain, ran him immediately through the +Heart, so that he drop'd down Dead at his Feet, without speaking a Word. +He would have seen who the Person was he had thus happily delivered, but +the Dead Body had fallen upon the Lanthorn, which put out the Candle: +However coming up toward him, he ask'd him how he did, and bid him be of +good Heart; he was answered with nothing but Prayers, Blessings and +Thanks, called a Thousand Deliverers, good Genius's and Guardian Angels. +And the Rescued would certainly have gone upon his Knees to have +worshipped him, had he not been bound Hand and Foot; which Aurelian +understanding, groped for the Knots, and either untied them or cut them +asunder; but 'tis more probable the latter, because more expeditious. + +They took little heed what became of the Body which they left behind +them, and Aurelian was conducted from out the Ruins by the Hand of him he +had delivered. By a faint light issuing from the just rising Moon, he +could discern that it was a Youth; but coming into a more frequented part +of the Town, where several Lights were hung out, he was amaz'd at the +extream Beauty which appeared in his Face, though a little pale and +disordered with his late fright. Aurelian longed to hear the Story of so +odd an adventure, and entreated his Charge to tell it him by the way; but +he desired him to forbear till they were come into some House or other, +where he might rest and recover his tired Spirits, for yet he was so +faint he was unable to look up. Aurelian thought these last words were +delivered in a Voice, whose accent was not new to him. That thought made +him look earnestly in the Youth's Face, which he now was sure he had +somewhere seen before, and thereupon asked him if he had never been at +Siena? That Question made the young Gentleman look up, and something of +a Joy appeared in his Countenance, which yet he endeavoured to smother; +so praying Aurelian to conduct him to his Lodging, he promised him that +as soon as they should come thither, he would acquaint him with any thing +he desired to know. Aurelian would rather have gone any where else than +to his own Lodging; but being so very late he was at a loss, and so +forced to be contented. + +As soon as they were come into his Chamber, and that Lights were brought +them and the Servant dismissed, the paleness which so visibly before had +usurped the sweet Countenance of the afflicted Youth vanished, and gave +place to a more lively Flood of Crimson, which with a modest heat glow'd +freshly on his Cheeks. Aurelian waited with a pleasing Admiration the +discovery promised him, when the Youth still struggling with his +Resolution, with a timorous haste, pulled off a Peruke which had +concealed the most beautiful abundance of Hair that ever graced one +Female Head; those dishevelled spreading tresses, as at first they made a +discovery of, so at last they served for a veil to the modest lovely +blushes of the fair Incognita; for she it was and none other. But Oh! +the inexpressible, inconceivable joy and amazement of Aurelian! As soon +as he durst venture to think, he concluded it to be all Vision, and never +doubted so much of any thing in his Life as of his being then awake. But +she taking him by the Hand, and desiring him to sit down by her, partly +convinced him of the reality of her presence. + +'This is the second time, Don Hippolito, (said she to him) 'that I have +been here this Night. What the occasion was of my seeking you out, and +how by miracle you preserved me, would add too much to the surprize I +perceive you to be already in should I tell you: Nor will I make any +further discovery, till I know what censure you pass upon the confidence +which I have put in you, and the strange Circumstances in which you find +me at this time. I am sensible they are such, that I shall not blame +your severest Conjectures; but I hope to convince you, when you shall +hear what I have to say in justification of my Vertue. + +'Justification! (cry'd Aurelian) what Infidel dares doubt it! Then +kneeling down, and taking her Hand, 'Ah Madam (says he) would Heaven +would no other ways look upon, than I behold your Perfections--Wrong not +your Creature with a Thought, he can be guilty of that horrid Impiety as +once to doubt your Vertue--Heavens! (cry'd he, starting up) 'am I so +really blessed to see you once again! May I trust my Sight?--Or does my +fancy now only more strongly work?--For still I did preserve your Image +in my Heart, and you were ever present to my dearest Thoughts.-- + +'Enough Hippolito, enough of Rapture (said she) you cannot much accuse me +of Ingratitude; for you see I have not been unmindful of you; but +moderate your Joy till I have told you my Condition, and if for my sake +you are raised to this Delight, it is not of a long continuance. + +At that (as Aurelian tells the Story) a Sigh diffused a mournful +sweetness through the Air, and liquid grief fell gently from her Eyes, +triumphant sadness sat upon her Brow, and even sorrow seem'd delighted +with the Conquest he had made. See what a change Aurelian felt! His +Heart bled Tears, and trembled in his Breast; Sighs struggling for a vent +had choaked each others passage up: His Floods of Joys were all supprest; +cold doubts and fears had chill'd 'em with a sudden Frost, and he was +troubled to excess; yet knew not why. Well, the Learned say it was +Sympathy; and I am always of the Opinion with the Learned, if they speak +first. + +After a World of Condoleance had passed between them, he prevailed with +her to tell him her Story. So having put all her Sighs into one great +Sigh, she discharged her self of 'em all at once, and formed the Relation +you are just about to Read. + +'Having been in my Infancy Contracted to a Man I could never endure, and +now by my Parents being likely to be forced to Marry him, is in short, +the great occasion of my grief. I fansy'd (continued she) something so +Generous in your Countenance, and uncommon in your Behaviour, while you +were diverting your self, and rallying me with Expressions of Gallantry, +at the Ball, as induced me to hold Conference with you. I now freely +confess to you, out of design, That if things should happen as I then +feared, and as now they are come to pass, I might rely upon your +assistance in a matter of Concern; and in which I would sooner chuse to +depend upon a generous Stranger, than any Acquaintance I have. What +Mirth and Freedom I then put on, were, I can assure you, far distant from +my Heart; but I did violence to my self out of Complaisance to your +Temper.--I knew you at the Tilting, and wished you might come off as you +did; though I do not doubt, but you would have had as good Success had it +been opposite to my Inclinations.--Not to detain you by too tedious a +Relation, every day my Friends urged me to the Match they had agreed upon +for me, before I was capable of Consenting; at last their importunities +grew to that degree, that I found I must either consent, which would make +me miserable, or be miserable by perpetually enduring to be baited by my +Father, Brother and other Relations. I resolved yesterday, on a suddain +to give firm Faith to the Opinion I had conceived of you; and accordingly +came in the Evening to request your assistance, in delivering me from my +Tormentors, by a safe and private conveyance of me to a Monastery about +four Leagues hence, where I have an Aunt who would receive me, and is the +only Relation I have averse to the Match. I was surprized at the +appearance of some Company I did not expect at your Lodgings; which made +me in haste tear a Paper which I had written to you with Directions where +to find me, and get speedily away in my Coach to an old Servant's House, +whom I acquainted with my purpose: By my Order she provided me of this +Habit which I now wear; I ventured to trust my self with her Brother, and +resolved to go under his Conduct to the Monastery; he proved to be a +Villain, and Pretending to take me a short and private way to the place +where he was to take up a Hackney Coach (for that which I came in was +broke some where or other with the haste it made to carry me from your +Lodging) led me into an old ruined Monastery, where it pleased Heaven, by +what Accident I know not, to direct you. I need not tell you how you +saved my Life and my Honour, by revenging me with the Death of my +Perfidious Guide. This is the summ of my present Condition, bating the +apprehensions I am in of being taken by some of my Relations, and forced +to a thing so quite contrary to my Inclinations. + +Aurelian was confounded at the Relation she had made, and began to fear +his own Estate to be more desperate than ever he had imagined. He made +her a very Passionate and Eloquent Speech in behalf of himself (much +better than I intend to insert here) and expressed a mighty concern that +she should look upon his ardent Affection to be only Rallery or +Gallantry. He was very free of his Oaths to confirm the Truth of what he +pretended, nor I believe did she doubt it, or at least was unwilling so +to do: For I would Caution the Reader by the bye, not to believe every +word which she told him, nor that admirable sorrow which she +counterfeited to be accurately true. It was indeed truth so cunningly +intermingled with Fiction, that it required no less Wit and Presence of +Mind than she was endowed with so to acquit her self on the suddain. She +had entrusted her self indeed with a Fellow who proved a Villain, to +conduct her to a Monastery; but one which was in the Town, and where she +intended only to lie concealed for his sake; as the Reader shall +understand ere long: For we have another Discovery to make to him, if he +have not found it out of himself already. + +After Aurelian had said what he was able upon the Subject in hand, with a +mournful tone and dejected look, he demanded his Doom. She asked him if +he would endeavour to convey her to the Monastery she had told him of? +'Your commands, Madam, (replied he) 'are Sacred to me; and were they to +lay down my Life I would obey them. With that he would have gone out of +the Room, to have given order for his Horses to be got ready immediately; +but with a Countenance so full of sorrow as moved Compassion in the +tender hearted Incognita. 'Stay a little Don Hippolito (said she) I fear +I shall not be able to undergo the Fatigue of a Journey this Night.--Stay +and give me your Advice how I shall conceal my self if I continue to +morrow in this Town. Aurelian could have satisfied her she was not then +in a place to avoid discovery: But he must also have told her then the +reason of it, viz. whom he was, and who were in quest of him, which he +did not think convenient to declare till necessity should urge him; for +he feared least her knowledge of those designs which were in agitation +between him and Juliana, might deter her more from giving her consent. At +last he resolved to try his utmost perswasions to gain her, and told her +accordingly, he was afraid she would be disturbed there in the Morning, +and he knew no other way (if she had not as great an aversion for him as +the Man whom she now endeavour'd to avoid) than by making him happy to +make her self secure. He demonstrated to her,--that the disobligation to +her Parents would be greater by going to a Monastery, since it was only +to avoid a choice which they had made for her, and which she could not +have so just a pretence to do till she had made one for her self. + +A World of other Arguments he used, which she contradicted as long as she +was able, or at least willing. At last she told him, she would consult +her Pillow, and in the Morning conclude what was fit to be done. He +thought it convenient to leave her to her rest, and having lock'd her up +in his Room, went himself to repose upon a Pallat by Signior Claudio. + +In the mean time, it may be convenient to enquire what became of +Hippolito. He had wandered much in pursuit of Aurelian, though Leonora +equally took up his Thoughts; He was reflecting upon the oddness and +extravagance of his Circumstances, the Continuation of which had +doubtless created in him a great uneasiness, when it was interrupted with +the noise of opening the Gates of the Convent of St. Lawrence, whither he +was arrived sooner than he thought for, being the place Aurelian had +appointed by the Lacquey to meet him in. He wondered to see the Gates +opened at so unseasonable an hour, and went to enquire the reason of it +from them who were employ'd; but they proved to be Novices, and made him +signs to go in, where he might meet with some body allow'd to answer him. +He found the Religious Men all up, and Tapers lighting every where: at +last he follow'd a Friar who was going into the Garden, and asking him +the cause of these Preparations, he was answered, That they were +entreated to pray for the Soul of a Cavalier, who was just departing or +departed this Life, and whom upon farther talk with him, he found to be +the same Lorenzo so often mentioned. Don Mario, it seems Uncle to +Lorenzo and Father to Leonora, had a private Door out of the Garden +belonging to his House into that of the Convent, which Door this Father +was now a going to open, that he and his Family might come and offer up +their Oraisons for the Soul of their Kinsman. Hippolito having informed +himself of as much as he could ask without suspicion, took his leave of +the Friar, not a little joyful at the Hopes he had by such unexpected +Means, of seeing his Beautiful Leonora: As soon as he was got at +convenient Distance from the Friar, (who 'tis like thought he had +return'd into the Convent to his Devotion) he turned back through a close +Walk which led him with a little Compass, to the same private Door, where +just before he had left the Friar, who now he saw was gone, and the Door +open. + +He went into Don Mario's Garden, and walk'd round with much Caution and +Circumspection; for the Moon was then about to rise, and had already +diffused a glimmering Light, sufficient to distinguish a Man from a Tree. +By Computation now (which is a very remarkable Circumstance) Hippolito +entred this Garden near upon the same Instant, when Aurelian wandred into +the Old Monastery and found his Incognita in Distress. He was pretty +well acquainted with the Platform, and Sight of the Garden; for he had +formerly surveyed the Outside, and knew what part to make to if he should +be surpriz'd and driven to a precipitate Escape. He took his Stand +behind a well grown Bush of Myrtle, which, should the Moon shine brighter +than was required, had the Advantage to be shaded by the Indulgent Boughs +of an ancient Bay-Tree. He was delighted with the Choice he had made, +for he found a Hollow in the Myrtle, as if purposely contriv'd for the +Reception of one Person, who might undiscovered perceive all about him. +He looked upon it as a good Omen, that the Tree Consecrated to Venus was +so propitious to him in his Amorous Distress. The Consideration of that, +together with the Obligation he lay under to the Muses, for sheltering +him also with so large a Crown of Bays, had like to have set him a +Rhyming. + +He was, to tell the Truth, naturally addicted to Madrigal, and we should +undoubtedly have had a small desert of Numbers to have pick'd and +Criticiz'd upon, had he not been interrupted just upon his Delivery; nay, +after the Preliminary Sigh had made Way for his Utterance. But so was +his Fortune, Don Mario was coming towards the Door at that very nick of +Time, where he met with a Priest just out of Breath, who told him that +Lorenzo was just breathing his last, and desired to know if he would come +and take his final Leave before they were to administer the Extream +Unction. Don Mario, who had been at some Difference with his Nephew, now +thought it his Duty to be reconciled to him; so calling to Leonora, who +was coming after him, he bid her go to her Devotions in the Chappel, and +told her where he was going. + +He went on with the Priest, while Hippolito saw Leonora come forward, +only accompanied by her Woman. She was in an undress, and by reason of a +Melancholy visible in her Face, more Careless than usual in her Attire, +which he thought added as much as was possible to the abundance of her +Charms. He had not much Time to Contemplate this Beauteous Vision, for +she soon passed into the Garden of the Convent, leaving him Confounded +with Love, Admiration, Joy, Hope, Fear, and all the Train of Passions, +which seize upon Men in his Condition, all at once. He was so teazed +with this Variety of Torment, that he never missed the Two Hours that had +slipped away during his Automachy and Intestine Conflict. Leonora's +Return settled his Spirits, at least united them, and he had now no other +Thought but how he should present himself before her. When she calling +her Woman, bid her bolt the Garden Door on the Inside, that she might not +be Surpriz'd by her Father, if he returned through the Convent, which +done, she ordered her to bring down her Lute, and leave her to her self +in the Garden. + +All this Hippolito saw and heard to his inexpressible Content, yet had he +much to do to smother his Joy, and hinder it from taking a Vent, which +would have ruined the only Opportunity of his Life. Leonora withdrew +into an Arbour so near him, that he could distinctly hear her if she +Played or Sung: Having tuned her Lute, with a Voice soft as the Breath of +Angels, she flung to it this following Air: + + I. + + Ah! Whither, whither shall I fly, + A poor unhappy Maid; + To hopeless Love and Misery + By my own Heart betray'd? + Not by Alexis Eyes undone, + Nor by his Charming Faithless Tongue, + Or any Practis'd Art; + Such real Ills may hope a Cure, + But the sad Pains which I endure + Proceed from fansied Smart. + + II. + + 'Twas Fancy gave Alexis Charms, + Ere I beheld his Face: + Kind Fancy (then) could fold our Arms, + And form a soft Embrace. + But since I've seen the real Swain, + And try'd to fancy him again, + I'm by my Fancy taught, + Though 'tis a Bliss no Tongue can tell, + To have Alexis, yet 'tis Hell + To have him but in Thought. + +The Song ended grieved Hippolito that it was so soon ended; and in the +Ecstacy he was then rapt, I believe he would have been satisfied to have +expired with it. He could not help Flattering himself, (though at the +same Time he checked his own Vanity) that he was the Person meant in the +Song. While he was indulging which thought, to his happy Astonishment, +he heard it encouraged by these Words: + +'Unhappy Leonora (said she) how is thy poor unwary Heart misled? Whither +am I come? The false deluding Lights of an imaginary Flame, have led me, +a poor benighted Victim, to a real Fire. I burn and am consumed with +hopeless Love; those Beams in whose soft temperate warmth I wanton'd +heretofore, now flash destruction to my Soul, my Treacherous greedy Eyes +have suck'd the glaring Light, they have united all its Rays, and, like a +burning-Glass, convey'd the pointed Meteor to my Heart--Ah! Aurelian, how +quickly hast thou Conquer'd, and how quickly must thou Forsake. Oh Happy +(to me unfortunately Happy) Juliana! I am to be the subject of thy +Triumph--To thee Aurelian comes laden with the Tribute of my Heart and +Glories in the Oblation of his broken Vows.--What then, is Aurelian +False! False! alass, I know not what I say; How can he be False, or +True, or any Thing to me? What Promises did he ere make or I receive? +Sure I dream, or I am mad, and fansie it to be Love; Foolish Girl, recal +thy banish'd Reason.--Ah! would it were no more, would I could rave, sure +that would give me Ease, and rob me of the Sense of Pain; at least, among +my wandring Thoughts, I should at sometime light upon Aurelian, and +fansie him to be mine; kind Madness would flatter my poor feeble Wishes, +and sometimes tell me Aurelian is not lost--not irrecoverably--not for +ever lost. + +Hippolito could hear no more, he had not Room for half his Transport. +When Leonora perceived a Man coming toward her, she fell a trembling, and +could not speak. Hippolito approached with Reverence, as to a Sacred +Shrine; when coming near enough to see her Consternation, he fell upon +his Knees. + +'Behold, O Adored Leonora (said he) 'your ravished Aurelian, behold at +your Feet the Happiest of Men, be not disturb'd at my Appearance, but +think that Heaven conducted me to hear my Bliss pronounced by that dear +Mouth alone, whose breath could fill me with new Life. + +Here he would have come nearer, but Leonora (scarce come to her self) was +getting up in haste to have gone away: he catch'd her Hand, and with all +the Endearments of Love and Transport pressed her stay; she was a long +time in great Confusion, at last, with many Blushes, she entreated him to +let her go where she might hide her Guilty Head, and not expose her shame +before his Eyes, since his Ears had been sufficient Witnesses of her +Crime. He begg'd pardon for his Treachery in over-hearing, and confessed +it to be a Crime he had now repeated. With a Thousand Submissions, +Entreaties, Prayers, Praises, Blessings, and passionate Expressions he +wrought upon her to stay and hear him. Here Hippolito made use of his +Rhetorick, and it proved prevailing: 'Twere tedious to tell the many +ingenious Arguments he used, with all her Nice Distinctions and +Objections. In short, he convinced her of his Passion, represented to +her the necessity they were under, of being speedy in their Resolves: +That his Father (for still he was Aurelian) would undoubtedly find him in +the Morning, and then it would be too late to Repent. She on the other +Hand, knew it was in vain to deny a Passion, which he had heard her so +frankly own; (and no doubt was very glad it was past and done;) besides +apprehending the danger of delay, and having some little Jealousies and +Fears of what Effect might be produced between the Commands of his Father +and the Beauties of Juliana; after some decent Denials, she consented to +be Conducted by him through the Garden into the Convent, where she would +prevail with her Confessor to Marry them. He was a scrupulous Old Father +whom they had to deal withal, insomuch that ere they had perswaded him, +Don Mario was returned by the Way of his own House, where missing his +Daughter, and her Woman not being able to give any farther Account of +her, than that she left her in the Garden; he concluded she was gone +again to her Devotions, and indeed he found her in the Chappel upon her +Knees with Hippolito in her hand, receiving the Father's Benediction upon +Conclusion of the Ceremony. + +It would have asked a very skilful Hand, to have depicted to the Life the +Faces of those Three Persons, at Don Mario's Appearance. He that has +seen some admirable Piece of Transmutation by a Gorgon's Head, may form +to himself the most probable Idea of the Prototype. The Old Gentleman +was himself in a sort of a Wood, to find his Daughter with a Young Fellow +and a Priest, but as yet he did not know the Worst, till Hippolito and +Leonora came, and kneeling at his Feet, begg'd his Forgiveness and +Blessing as his Son and Daughter. Don Mario, instead of that, fell into +a most violent Passion, and would undoubtedly have committed some +extravagant Action, had he not been restrained, more by the Sanctity of +the Place, than the Perswasions of all the Religious, who were now come +about him. Leonora stirr'd not off her Knees all this time, but +continued begging of him that he would hear her. + +'Ah! Ungrateful and Undutiful Wretch (cry'd he) 'how hast thou requited +all my Care and Tenderness of thee? Now when I might have expected some +return of Comfort, to throw thy self away upon an unknown Person, and, +for ought I know, a Villain; to me I'm sure he is a Villain, who has +robb'd me of my Treasure, my Darling Joy, and all the future Happiness of +my Life prevented. Go--go, thou now-to-be-forgotten Leonora, go and +enjoy thy unprosperous Choice; you who wanted not a Father's Counsel, +cannot need, or else will slight his Blessing. + +These last Words were spoken with so much Passion and feeling Concern, +that Leonora, moved with Excess of Grief, fainted at his Feet, just as +she had caught hold to Embrace his Knees. The Old Man would have shook +her off, but Compassion and Fatherly Affection came upon him in the midst +of his Resolve, and melted him into Tears, he Embraced his Daughter in +his Arms, and wept over her, while they endeavoured to restore her +Senses. + +Hippolito was in such Concern he could not speak, but was busily employed +in rubbing and chafing her Temples; when she opening her Eyes laid hold +of his Arm, and cry'd out--Oh my Aurelian--how unhappy have you made me! +With that she had again like to have fainted away, but he took her in his +Arms, and begg'd Don Mario to have some pity on his Daughter, since by +his Severity she was reduced to that Condition. The Old Man hearing his +Daughter name Aurelian, was a little revived, and began to hope Things +were in a pretty good Condition; he was perswaded to comfort her, and +having brought her wholly to her self, was content to hear her Excuse, +and in a little time was so far wrought upon as to beg Hippolito's Pardon +for the Ill Opinion he had conceived of him, and not long after gave his +Consent. + +The Night was spent in this Conflict, and it was now clear Day, when Don +Mario Conducting his new Son and Daughter through the Garden, was met by +some Servants of the Marquess of Viterbo, who had been enquiring for +Donna Leonora, to know if Juliana had lately been with her; for that she +was missing from her Father's House, and no conjectures could be made of +what might become of her. Don Mario and Leonora were surprized at the +News, for he knew well enough of the Match that was design'd for Juliana; +and having enquired where the Marquess was, it was told him, That he was +gone with Don Fabio and Fabritio toward Aurelian's Lodgings. Don Mario +having assured the Servants that Juliana had not been there, dismissed +them, and advised with his Son and Daughter how they should undeceive the +Marquess and Don Fabio in their Expectations of Aurelian. Hippolito +could oftentimes scarce forbear smiling at the old Man's Contrivances who +was most deceived himself; he at length advised them to go all down +together to his Lodging, where he would present himself before his +Father, and ingenuously confess to him the truth, and he did not question +his approving of his Choice. + +This was agreed to, and the Coach made ready. While they were upon their +way, Hippolito pray'd heartily that his Friend Aurelian might be at the +Lodging, to satisfie Don Mario and Leonora of his Circumstances and +Quality, when he should be obliged to discover himself. His Petitions +were granted; for Don Fabio had beset the House long before his Son was +up or Incognita awake. + +Upon the arrival of Don Mario and Hippolito, they heard a great Noise and +Hubbub above Stairs, which Don Mario concluded was occasioned by their +not finding Aurelian, whom he thought he could give the best account of: +So that it was not in Hippolito's power to disswade him from going up +before to prepare his Father to receive and forgive him. While Hippolito +and Leonora were left in the Coach at the Door, he made himself known to +her, and begg'd her pardon a thousand times for continuing the deceit. +She was under some concern at first to find she was still mistaken; but +his Behaviour, and the Reasons he gave, soon reconciled him to her; his +Person was altogether as agreeable, his Estate and Quality not at all +inferiour to Aurelian's; in the mean time, the true Aurelian who had seen +his Father, begg'd leave of him to withdraw for a moment; in which time +he went into the Chamber where his Incognita was dressing her self, by +his design, in Woman's Apparel, while he was consulting with her how they +should break the matter to his Father; it happened that Don Mario came up +Stairs where the Marquess and Don Fabio were; they undoubtedly concluded +him Mad, to hear him making Apologies and Excuses for Aurelian, whom he +told them if they would promise to forgive he would present before them +immediately. The Marquess asked him if his Daughter had lain with +Leonora that Night; he answered him with another question in behalf of +Aurelian. In short, they could not understand one another, but each +thought 'tother beside himself. Don Mario was so concern'd that they +would not believe him, that he ran down Stairs and came to the Door out +of Breath, desiring Hippolito that he would come into the House quickly, +for that he could not perswade his Father but that he had already seen +and spoke to him. Hippolito by that understood that Aurelian was in the +House; so taking Leonora by the Hand, he followed Don Mario, who led him +up into the Dining-Room, where they found Aurelian upon his Knees, +begging his Father to forgive him, that he could not agree to the Choice +he had made for him, since he had already disposed of himself, and that +before he understood the designs he had for him, which was the reason +that he had hitherto concealed himself. Don Fabio knew not how to answer +him, but look'd upon the Marquess, and the Marquess upon him, as if the +Cement had been cool'd which was to have united their Families. + +All was silent, and Don Mario for his part took it to be all Conjuration; +he was coming forward to present Hippolito to them, when Aurelian spying +his Friend, started from his Knees and ran to embrace him--My dear +Hippolito (said he) what happy chance has brought you hither, just at my +Necessity? Hippolito pointed to Don Mario and Leonora, and told him upon +what terms he came. Don Mario was ready to run mad, hearing him called +Hippolito, and went again to examine his Daughter. While she was +informing him of the truth, the Marquess's Servants returned with the +melancholy News that his Daughter was no where to be found. While the +Marquess and Don Fabritio were wondering at, and lamenting the Misfortune +of her loss, Hippolito came towards Don Fabio and interceded for his Son, +since the Lady perhaps had withdrawn her self out of an Aversion to the +Match. Don Fabio, though very much incens'd, yet forgot not the Respect +due to Hippolito's Quality; and by his perswasion spoke to Aurelian, +though with a stern Look and angry Voice, and asked him where he had +disposed the cause of his Disobedience, if he were worthy to see her or +no; Aurelian made answer, That he desired no more than for him to see +her; and he did not doubt a Consequence of his Approbation and +Forgiveness--Well (said Don Fabio) you are very conceited of your own +Discretion, let us see this Rarety. While Aurelian was gone in for +Incognita, the Marquess of Viterbo and Don Fabritio were taking their +leaves in great disorder for their loss and disappointment; but Don Fabio +entreated their stay a moment longer till the return of his Son. Aurelian +led Incognita into the Room veil'd, who seeing some Company there which +he had not told her of, would have gone back again. But Don Fabio came +bluntly forwards, and ere she was aware, lifted up her Veil and beheld +the Fair Incognita, differing nothing from Juliana, but in her Name. This +discovery was so extreamly surprizing and welcome, that either Joy or +Amazement had tied up the Tongues of the whole Company. Aurelian here +was most at a loss, for he knew not of his Happiness; and that which all +along prevented Juliana's confessing her self to him, was her knowing +Hippolito (for whom she took him) to be Aurelian's Friend, and she feared +if he had known her, that he would never have consented to have deprived +him of her. Juliana was the first that spoke, falling upon her Knees to +her Father, who was not enough himself to take her up. Don Fabio ran to +her, and awakened the Marquess, who then embraced her, but could not yet +speak. Fabritio and Leonora strove who should first take her in their +Arms; for Aurelian he was out of his wits for Joy, and Juliana was not +much behind him, to see how happily their Loves and Duties were +reconciled. Don Fabio embraced his Son and forgave him. The Marquess +and Fabritio gave Juliana into his hands, he received the Blessing upon +his Knees; all were over-joy'd, and Don Mario not a little proud at the +discovery of his Son-in-Law, whom Aurelian did not fail to set forth with +all the ardent Zeal and Eloquence of Friendship. Juliana and Leonora had +pleasant Discourse about their unknown and mistaken Rivalship, and it was +the Subject of a great deal of Mirth to hear Juliana relate the several +Contrivances which she had to avoid Aurelian for the sake of Hippolito. + +Having diverted themselves with many Remarks upon the pleasing surprize, +they all thought it proper to attend upon the Great Duke that Morning at +the Palace, and to acquaint him with the Novelty of what had pass'd; +while, by the way, the two Young Couple entertained the Company with the +Relation of several Particulars of their Three Days Adventures. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INCOGNITA*** + + +******* This file should be named 2363.txt or 2363.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/3/6/2363 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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KATHARINE LEVESON. + +Madam, + +A Clear Wit, sound Judgment and a Merciful Disposition, are things so +rarely united, that it is almost inexcusable to entertain them with +any thing less excellent in its kind. My knowledge of you were a +sufficient Caution to me, to avoid your Censure of this Trifle, had I +not as intire a knowledge of your Goodness. Since I have drawn my +Pen for a Rencounter, I think it better to engage where, though there +be Skill enough to Disarm me, there is too much Generosity to Wound; +for so shall I have the saving Reputation of an unsuccessful Courage, +if I cannot make it a drawn Battle. But methinks the Comparison +intimates something of a Defiance, and savours of Arrogance; +wherefore since I am Conscious to my self of a Fear which I cannot +put off, let me use the Policy of Cowards and lay this Novel unarm'd, +naked and shivering at your Feet, so that if it should want Merit to +challenge Protection, yet, as an Object of Charity, it may move +Compassion. It has been some Diversion to me to Write it, I wish it +may prove such to you when you have an hour to throw away in Reading +of it: but this Satisfaction I have at least beforehand, that in its +greatest failings it may fly for Pardon to that Indulgence which you +owe to the weakness of your Friend; a Title which I am proud you have +thought me worthy of, and which I think can alone be superior to that + +Your most Humble and +Obliged Servant +CLEOPHIL. + + + + +THE PREFACE TO THE READER. + + + +Reader, + +Some Authors are so fond of a Preface, that they will write one tho' +there be nothing more in it than an Apology for its self. But to +show thee that I am not one of those, I will make no Apology for +this, but do tell thee that I think it necessary to be prefix'd to +this Trifle, to prevent thy overlooking some little pains which I +have taken in the Composition of the following Story. Romances are +generally composed of the Constant Loves and invincible Courages of +Hero's, Heroins, Kings and Queens, Mortals of the first Rank, and so +forth; where lofty Language, miraculous Contingencies and impossible +Performances, elevate and surprize the Reader into a giddy Delight, +which leaves him flat upon the Ground whenever he gives of, and vexes +him to think how he has suffer'd himself to be pleased and +transported, concern'd and afflicted at the several Passages which he +has Read, viz. these Knights Success to their Damosels Misfortunes, +and such like, when he is forced to be very well convinced that 'tis +all a lye. Novels are of a more familiar nature; Come near us, and +represent to us Intrigues in practice, delight us with Accidents and +odd Events, but not such as are wholly unusual or unpresidented, such +which not being so distant from our Belief bring also the pleasure +nearer us. Romances give more of Wonder, Novels more Delight. And +with reverence be it spoken, and the Parallel kept at due distance, +there is something of equality in the Proportion which they bear in +reference to one another, with that betwen Comedy and Tragedy; but +the Drama is the long extracted from Romance and History: 'tis the +Midwife to Industry, and brings forth alive the Conceptions of the +Brain. Minerva walks upon the Stage before us, and we are more +assured of the real presence of Wit when it is delivered viva voce - + + +Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem, +Quam quae sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus, & quae +Ipse sibi tradit spectator.--Horace. + + +Since all Traditions must indisputably give place to the Drama, and +since there is no possibility of giving that life to the Writing or +Repetition of a Story which it has in the Action, I resolved in +another beauty to imitate Dramatick Writing, namely, in the Design, +Contexture and Result of the Plot. I have not observed it before in +a Novel. Some I have seen begin with an unexpected accident, which +has been the only surprizing part of the Story, cause enough to make +the Sequel look flat, tedious and insipid; for 'tis but reasonable +the Reader should expect it not to rise, at least to keep upon a +level in the entertainment; for so he may be kept on in hopes that at +some time or other it may mend; but the 'tother is such a balk to a +Man, 'tis carrying him up stairs to show him the Dining-Room, and +after forcing him to make a Meal in the Kitchin. This I have not +only endeavoured to avoid, but also have used a method for the +contrary purpose. The design of the Novel is obvious, after the +first meeting of Aurelian and Hippolito with Incognita and Leonora, +and the difficulty is in bringing it to pass, maugre all apparent +obstacles, within the compass of two days. How many probable +Casualties intervene in opposition to the main Design, viz. of +marrying two Couple so oddly engaged in an intricate Amour, I leave +the Reader at his leisure to consider: As also whether every +Obstacle does not in the progress of the Story act as subservient to +that purpose, which at first it seems to oppose. In a Comedy this +would be called the Unity of Action; here it may pretend to no more +than an Unity of Contrivance. The Scene is continued in Florence +from the commencement of the Amour; and the time from first to last +is but three days. If there be any thing more in particular +resembling the Copy which I imitate (as the Curious Reader will soon +perceive) I leave it to show it self, being very well satisfy'd how +much more proper it had been for him to have found out this himself, +than for me to prepossess him with an Opinion of something +extraordinary in an Essay began and finished in the idler hours of a +fortnight's time: for I can only esteem it a laborious idleness, +which is Parent to so inconsiderable a Birth. I have gratified the +Bookseller in pretending an occasion for a Preface; the other two +Persons concern'd are the Reader and my self, and if he be but +pleased with what was produced for that end, my satisfaction follows +of course, since it will be proportion'd to his Approbation or +Dislike. + + + + +INCOGNITA: +OR, +Love & Duty +RECONCIL'D + +by William Congreve + + + + +Aurelian was the only Son to a Principal Gentleman of Florence. The +Indulgence of his Father prompted, and his Wealth enabled him, to +bestow a generous Education upon him, whom, he now began to look upon +as the Type of himself; an Impression he had made in the Gayety and +Vigour of his Youth, before the Rust of Age had debilitated and +obscur'd the Splendour of the Original: He was sensible, That he +ought not to be sparing in the Adornment of him, if he had Resolution +to beautifie his own Memory. Indeed Don Fabio (for so was the Old +Gentleman call'd) has been observ'd to have fix'd his Eyes upon +Aurelian, when much Company has been at Table, and have wept through +Earnestness of Intention, if nothing hapned to divert the Object; +whether it were for regret, at the Recollection of his former self, +or for the Joy he conceiv'd in being, as it were, reviv'd in the +Person of his Son, I never took upon me to enquire, but suppos'd it +might be sometimes one, and sometimes both together. + +Aurelian, at the Age of Eighteen Years, wanted nothing (but a Beard) +that the most accomplished Cavalier in Florence could pretend to: he +had been Educated from Twelve Years old at Siena, where it seems his +Father kept a Receiver, having a large Income from the Rents of +several Houses in that Town. Don Fabio gave his Servant Orders, That +Aurelian should not be stinted in his Expences, when he came up to +Years of Discretion. By which means he was enabled, not only to keep +Company with, but also to confer many Obligations upon Strangers of +Quality, and Gentlemen who travelled from other Countries into Italy, +of which Siena never wanted store, being a Town most delightfully +Situate, upon a Noble Hill, and very well suiting with Strangers at +first, by reason of the agreeableness and purity of the Air: There +also is the quaintness and delicacy of the Italian Tongue most likely +to be learned, there being many publick Professors of it in that +place; and indeed the very Vulgar of Siena do express themselves with +an easiness and sweetness surprizing, and even grateful to their Ears +who understand not the Language. + +Here Aurelian contracted an acquaintance with Persons of Worth of +several Countries, but among the rest an intimacy with a Gentleman of +Quality of Spain, and Nephew to the Archbishop of Toledo, who had so +wrought himself into the Affections of Aurelian, through a Conformity +of Temper, an Equality in Years, and something of resemblance in +Feature and Proportion, that he look'd upon him as his second self. +Hippolito, on the other hand, was not ungrateful in return of +Friendship, but thought himself either alone or in ill Company, if +Aurelian were absent: but his Uncle having sent him to travel, under +the Conduct of a Governour, and the two Years which limited his stay +at Siena being expired, he was put in mind of his departure. His +Friend grew melancholy at the News, but considering that Hippolito +had never seen Florence, he easily prevailed with him to make his +first journey thither, whither he would accompany him, and perhaps +prevail with his Father to do the like throughout his Travels. + +They accordingly set out, but not being able easily to reach Florence +the same Night, they rested a League or two short, at a Villa of the +great Duke's called Poggio Imperiale, where they were informed by +some of his Highness's Servants, That the Nuptials of Donna Catharina +(near Kinswoman to the great Duke) and Don Ferdinand de Rovori, were +to be solemnized the next day, and that extraordinary Preparations +had been making for some time past, to illustrate the Solemnity with +Balls and Masques, and other Divertisements; that a Tilting had been +proclaimed, and to that purpose Scaffolds erected around the Spacious +Court, before the Church Di Santa Croce, where were usually seen all +Cavalcades and Shews, performed by Assemblies of the Young Nobility: +That all Mechanicks and Tradesmen were forbidden to work or expose +any Goods to Sale for the space of three days; during which time all +Persons should be entertain'd at the Great Duke's Cost; and publick +Provision was to be made for the setting forth and furnishing a +multitude of Tables, with Entertainment for all Comers and Goers, and +several Houses appointed for that use in all Streets. + +This Account alarm'd the Spirits of our Young Travellers, and they +were overjoy'd at the prospect of Pleasures they foresaw. Aurelian +could not contain the satisfaction he conceiv'd in the welcome +Fortune had prepar'd for his dear Hippolito. In short, they both +remembred so much of the pleasing Relation had been made them, that +they forgot to sleep, and were up as soon as it was light, pounding +at poor Signior Claudio's Door (so was Hippolito's Governour call'd) +to rouse him, that no time might be lost till they were arriv'd at +Florence, where they would furnish themselves with Disguises and +other Accoutrements necessary for the Prosecution of their Design of +sharing in the publick Merriment; the rather were they for going so +early because Aurelian did not think fit to publish his being in Town +for a time, least his Father knowing of it, might give some restraint +to that loose they designed themselves. + +Before Sun rise they entred Florence at Porta Romana, attended only +by two Servants, the rest being left behind to avoid notice; but, +alas! they needed not to have used half that caution; for early as it +was, the Streets were crowded with all sorts of People passing to and +fro, and every Man employ'd in something relating to the Diversions +to come; so that no notice was taken of any body; a Marquess and his +Train might have pass'd by as unregarded as a single Fachin or +Cobler. Not a Window in the Streets but echoed the tuning of a Lute +or thrumming of a Gitarr: for, by the way, the Inhabitants of +Florence are strangely addicted to the love of Musick, insomuch that +scarce their Children can go, before they can scratch some Instrument +or other. It was no unpleasing Spectacle to our Cavaliers (who, +seeing they were not observ'd, resolved to make Observations) to +behold the Diversity of Figures and Postures of many of these +Musicians. Here you should have an affected Vallet, who Mimick'd the +Behaviour of his Master, leaning carelessly against the Window, with +his Head on one side, in a languishing Posture, whining, in a low, +mournful Voice, some dismal Complaint; while, from his sympathizing +Theorbo, issued a Base no less doleful to the Hearers. In Opposition +to him was set up perhaps a Cobler, with the wretched Skeleton of a +Gitarr, battered and waxed together by his own Industry, and who with +three Strings out of Tune, and his own tearing hoarse Voice, would +rack attention from the Neighbourhood, to the great affliction of +many more moderate Practitioners, who, no doubt, were full as +desirous to be heard. By this time Aurelian's Servant had taken a +Lodging and was returned, to give his Master an Account of it. The +Cavaliers grown weary of that ridiculous Entertainment, which was +diverting at first sight, retired whither the Lacquey conducted them; +who, according to their Directions, had sought out one of the most +obscure Streets in the City. All that day, to the evening, was spent +in sending from one Brokers Shop to another, to furnish them with +Habits, since they had not time to make any new. + +There was, it happened, but one to be got Rich enough to please our +young Gentlemen, so many were taken up upon this occasion. While +they were in Dispute and Complementing one another, (Aurelian +protesting that Hippolito should wear it, and he, on 'tother hand, +forswearing it as bitterly) a Servant of Hippolito's came up and +ended the Controversie; telling them, That he had met below with the +Vallet de Chambre of a Gentleman, who was one of the greatest +Gallants about the Town, but was at this time in such a condition he +could not possibly be at the Entertainment; whereupon the Vallet had +designed to dress himself up in his Master's Apparel, and try his +talent at Court; which he hearing, told him he would inform him how +he might bestow the Habit for some time much more to his profit if +not to his pleasure, so acquainted him with the occasion his Master +had for it. Hippolito sent for the Fellow up, who was not so fond of +his design as not to be bought off it, but upon having his own demand +granted for the use of it, brought it; it was very Rich, and upon +tryal, as fit for Hippolito as if it had been made for him. The +Ceremony was performed in the Morning, in the great Dome, with all +magnificence correspondent to the wealth of the great Duke, and the +esteem he had for the Noble Pair. The next Morning was to be a +Tilting, and the same Night a Masquing Ball at Court. To omit the +Description of the universal Joy, (that had diffus'd it self through +all the Conduits of Wine, which convey'd it in large measures to the +People) and only relate those effects of it which concern our present +Adventurers. You must know, that about the fall of the Evening, and +at that time when the aequilibrium of Day and Night, for some time, +holds the Air in a gloomy suspence between an unwillingness to leave +the light, and a natural impulse into the Dominion of darkness, about +this time our Hero's, shall I say, sally'd or slunk out of their +Lodgings, and steer'd toward the great Palace, whither, before they +were arrived, such a prodigious number of Torches were on fire, that +the day, by help of these Auxiliary Forces, seem'd to continue its +Dominion; the Owls and Bats apprehending their mistake, in counting +the hours, retir'd again to a convenient darkness; for Madam Night +was no more to be seen than she was to be heard; and the Chymists +were of Opinion, That her fuliginous Damps, rarefy'd by the abundance +of Flame, were evaporated. + +Now the Reader I suppose to be upon Thorns at this and the like +impertinent Digressions, but let him alone and he'll come to himself; +at which time I think fit to acquaint him, that when I digress, I am +at that time writing to please my self, when I continue the Thread of +the Story, I write to please him; supposing him a reasonable Man, I +conclude him satisfied to allow me this liberty, and so I proceed. + +If our Cavaliers were dazled at the splendour they beheld without +doors, what surprize, think you, must they be in, when entering the +Palace they found even the lights there to be but so many foils to +the bright eyes that flash'd upon 'em at every turn. + +A more glorious Troop no occasion ever assembled; all the fair of +Florence, with the most accomplished Cavaliers, were present; and +however Nature had been partial in bestowing on some better Faces +than others, Art was alike indulgent to all, and industriously +supplyed those Defects she had left, giving some Addition also to her +greatest Excellencies. Every body appear'd well shap'd, as it is to +be suppos'd, none who were conscious to themselves of any visible +Deformity would presume to come thither. Their Apparel was equally +glorious, though each differing in fancy. In short, our Strangers +were so well bred, as to conclude from these apparent Perfections, +that there was not a Masque which did not at least hide the Face of a +Cherubim. Perhaps the Ladies were not behind hand in return of a +favourable Opinion of them: for they were both well dress'd, and had +something inexpressibly pleasing in their Air and Mien, different +from other People, and indeed differing from one another. They +fansy'd that while they stood together they were more particularly +taken notice of than any in the Room, and being unwilling to be taken +for Strangers, which they thought they were, by reason of some +whispering they observed near them, they agreed upon an hour of +meeting after the company should be broke up, and so separately +mingled with the thickest of the Assembly. Aurelian had fixed his +eye upon a Lady whom he had observ'd to have been a considerable time +in close whisper with another Woman; he expected with great +impatience the result of that private Conference, that he might have +an opportunity of engaging the Lady whose Person was so agreeable to +him. At last he perceived they were broke off, and the 'tother Lady +seem'd to have taken her leave. He had taken no small pains in the +mean time to put himself in a posture to accost the Lady, which, no +doubt, he had happily performed had he not been interrupted; but +scarce had he acquitted himself of a preliminary bow (and which, I +have heard him say, was the lowest that ever he made) and had just +opened his Lips to deliver himself of a small Complement, which, +nevertheless he was very big with, when he unluckily miscarried, by +the interposal of the same Lady, whose departure, not long before, he +had so zealously pray'd for: but, as Providence would have it, there +was only some very small matter forgot, which was recovered in a +short whisper. The Coast being again cleared, he took heart and bore +up, and, striking sail, repeated his Ceremony to the Lady; who, +having Obligingly returned it, he accosted her in these or the like +words: + +'If I do not usurp a priviledge reserved for some one more happy in +your acquaintance, may I presume, Madam, to entreat (for a while) the +favour of your Conversation, at least till the arrival of whom you +expect, provided you are not tired of me before; for then upon the +least intimation of uneasiness, I will not fail of doing my self the +violence to withdraw for your release. The Lady made him answer, she +did not expect any body; by which he might imagine her Conversation +not of value to be bespoke, and to afford it him, were but farther to +convince him to her own cost. He reply'd, 'She had already said +enough to convince him of something he heartily wished might not be +to his cost in the end. She pretended not to understand him; but +told him, 'If he already found himself grieved with her Conversation, +he would have sufficient reason to repent the rashness of his first +Demand before they had ended: for that now she intended to hold +discourse with him, on purpose to punish his unadvisedness, in +presuming upon a Person whose dress and mien might not (may be) be +disagreeable to have wit. 'I must confess (reply'd Aurelian) my self +guilty of a Presumption, and willingly submit to the punishment you +intend: and though it be an aggravation of a Crime to persevere in +its justification, yet I cannot help defending an Opinion in which +now I am more confirm'd, that probable conjectures may be made of the +ingenious Disposition of the Mind, from the fancy and choice of +Apparel. The humour I grant ye (said the Lady) or constitution of +the Person whether melancholick or brisk; but I should hardly pass my +censure upon so slight an indication of wit: for there is your brisk +fool as well as your brisk man of sense, and so of the melancholick. +I confess 'tis possible a fool may reveal himself by his Dress, in +wearing something extravagantly singular and ridiculous, or in +preposterous suiting of colours; but a decency of Habit (which is all +that Men of best sense pretend to) may be acquired by custom and +example, without putting the Person to a superfluous expence of wit +for the contrivance; and though there should be occasion for it, few +are so unfortunate in their Relations and Acquaintance not to have +some Friend capable of giving them advice, if they are not too +ignorantly conceited to ask it. Aurelian was so pleased with the +easiness and smartness of her Expostulation, that he forgot to make a +reply, when she seem'd to expect it; but being a Woman of a quick +Apprehension, and justly sensible of her own perfections, she soon +perceived he did not grudge his attention. However she had a mind to +put it upon him to turn the discourse, so went on upon the same +Subject. 'Signior (said she) I have been looking round me, and by +your Maxim I cannot discover one fool in the Company; for they are +all well drest. This was spoken with an Air of Rallery that awakened +the Cavalier, who immediately made answer: 'Tis true, Madam, we see +there may be as much variety of good fancies as of faces, yet there +may be many of both kinds borrowed and adulterate if inquired into; +and as you were pleased to observe, the invention may be Foreign to +the Person who puts it in practice; and as good an Opinion as I have +of an agreeable Dress, I should be loth to answer for the wit of all +about us. I believe you (says the Lady) and hope you are convinced +of your error, since you must allow it impossible to tell who of all +this Assembly did or did not make choice of their own Apparel. Not +all (said Aurelian) there is an ungainness in some which betrays +them. 'Look ye there (says he) pointing to a Lady who stood playing +with the Tassels of her Girdle, I dare answer for that Lady, though +she be very well dress'd, 'tis more than she knows. His fair unknown +could not forbear laughing at his particular distinction, and freely +told him, he had indeed light upon one who knew as little as any body +in the Room, her self excepted. Ah! Madam, (reply'd Aurelian) you +know every thing in the World but your own Perfections, and you only +know not those because 'tis the top of Perfection not to know them. +How? (reply'd the Lady) I thought it had been the extremity of +knowledge to know ones self. Aurelian had a little over-strain'd +himself in that Complement, and I am of Opinion would have been +puzzl'd to have brought himself off readily: but by good fortune the +Musick came into the Room and gave him an opportunity to seem to +decline an answer, because the company prepared to dance: he only +told her he was too mean a Conquest for her wit who was already a +Slave to the Charms of her Person. She thanked him for his +Complement, and briskly told him she ought to have made him a return +in praise of his wit, but she hoped he was a Man more happy than to +be dissatisfy'd with any of his own Endowments; and if it were so, +that he had not a just Opinion of himself, she knew her self +incapable of saying any thing to beget one. Aurelian did not know +well what to make of this last reply; for he always abhor'd any thing +that was conceited, with which this seem'd to reproach him. But +however modest he had been heretofore in his own thoughts, yet never +was he so distrustful of his good behaviour as now, being rally'd so +by a Person whom he took to be of judgment: Yet he resolved to take +no notice, but with an Air unconcerned and full of good humour +entreated her to Dance with him: She promised him to Dance with no +body else, nor I believe had she inclination; for notwithstanding her +tartness, she was upon equal terms with him as to the liking of each +others Person and Humour, and only gave those little hints to try his +Temper; there being certainly no greater sign of folly and ill +breeding, than to grow serious and concerned at any thing spoken in +rallery: for his part, he was strangely and insensibly fallen in +love with her Shape, Wit and Air; which, together with a white Hand, +he had seen (perhaps not accidentally) were enough to have subdued a +more stubborn Heart than ever he was master of; and for her Face, +which he had not seen, he bestowed upon her the best his Imagination +could furnish him with. I should by right now describe her Dress, +which was extreamly agreeable and rich, but 'tis possible I might err +in some material Pin or other, in the sticking of which may be the +whole grace of the Drapery depended. Well, they danced several times +together, and no less to the satisfaction of the whole Company, than +of themselves; for at the end of each Dance, some publick note of +Applause or other was given to the graceful Couple. + +Aurelian was amaz'd, that among all that danced or stood in view he +could not see Hippolito; but concluding that he had met with some +pleasing Conversation, and was withdrawn to some retired part of the +Room, he forbore his search till the mirth of that Night should be +over, and the Company ready to break up, where we will leave him for +a while, to see what became of his adventurous Friend. + +Hippolito, a little after he had parted with Aurelian, was got among +a knot of Ladies and Cavaliers, who were looking upon a large Gold +Cup set with Jewels, in which his Royal Highness had drank to the +prosperity of the new married Couple at Dinner, and which afterward +he presented to his Cousin Donna Catharina. He among the rest was +very intent, admiring the richness, workmanship and beauty of the +Cup, when a Lady came behind him and pulling him by the Elbow, made a +sign she would speak with him; Hippolito, who knew himself an utter +Stranger to Florence and every body in it, immediately guessed she +had mistaken him for her acquaintance, as indeed it happened; however +he resolved not to discover himself till he should be assured of it; +having followed her into a set Window remote from Company, she +address'd her self to him in this manner: 'Signior Don Lorenzo (said +she) I am overjoy'd to see you are so speedily recovered of your +Wounds, which by report were much more dangerous than to have +suffered your coming abroad so soon; but I must accuse you of great +indiscretion, in appearing in a Habit which so many must needs +remember you to have worn upon the like occasion not long ago, I mean +at the Marriage of Don Cynthio with your Sister Atalanta; I do assure +you, you were known by it, both to Juliana and my self, who was so +far concerned for you, as to desire me to tell you, that her Brother +Don Fabritio (who saw you when you came in with another Gentleman) +had eyed you very narrowly, and is since gone out of the Room, she +knows not upon what design; however she would have you, for your own +sake, be advised and circumspect when you depart this place, lest you +should be set upon unawares; you know the hatred Don Fabritio has +born you ever since you had the fortune to kill his Kinsman in a +Duel: Here she paused as if expecting his reply; but Hippolito was +so confounded, that he stood mute, and contemplating the hazard he +had ignorantly brought himself into, forgot his design of informing +the Lady of her mistake. She finding he made her no Answer, went on. +'I perceive (continued she) you are in some surprize at what I have +related, and may be, are doubtful of the Truth; but I thought you had +been better acquainted with your Cousin Leonora's Voice, than to have +forgot it so soon: Yet in Complaisance to your ill Memory, I will +put you past doubt, by shewing you my Face; with that she pulled off +her Mask, and discovered to Hippolito (now more amaz'd than ever) the +most Angelick Face that he had ever beheld. He was just about to +have made her some answer, when, clapping on her Mask again without +giving him time, she happily for him pursu'd her Discourse. (For +'tis odds but he had made some discovery of himself in the surprize +he was in.) Having taken him familiarly by the Hand, now she had +made her self known to him, 'Cousin Lorenzo (added she) you may +perhaps have taken it unkindly, that, during the time of your +indisposition by reason of your Wounds, I have not been to visit you; +I do assure you it was not for want of any Inclination I had both to +see and serve you to my power; but you are well acquainted with the +Severity of my Father, whom you know how lately you have disobliged. +I am mighty glad that I have met with you here, where I have had an +Opportunity to tell you what so much concerns your Safety, which I am +afraid you will not find in Florence; considering the great Power Don +Fabritio and his Father, the Marquess of Viterbo, have in this City. +I have another thing to inform you of, That whereas Don Fabio had +interested himself in your Cause, in Opposition to the Marquess of +Viterbo, by reason of the long Animosity between them, all hopes of +his Countenance and Assistance are defeated: For there has been a +Proposal of Reconciliation made to both Houses, and it is said it +will be confirm'd (as most such ancient Quarrels are at last) by the +Marriage of Juliana the Marquess's Daughter, with Aurelian, Son to +Don Fabio: to which effect the old Gentleman sent 'tother Day to +Siena, where Aurelian has been Educated, to hasten his coming to +Town; but the Messenger returning this Morning, brought word, That +the same day he arriv'd at Siena, Aurelian had set out for Florence, +in Company with a young Spanish Nobleman, his intimate Friend; so it +is believ'd, they are both in Town, and not unlikely in this Room in +Masquerade. + +Hippolito could not forbear smiling to himself, at these last words. +For ever since the naming of Don Fabio he had been very attentive; +but before, his Thoughts were wholly taken up with the Beauty of the +Face he had seen, and from the time she had taken him by the Hand, a +successive warmth and chillness had play'd about his Heart, and +surpriz'd him with an unusual Transport. He was in a hundred Minds, +whether he should make her sensible of her Error or no; but +considering he could expect no farther Conference with her after he +should discover himself, and that as yet he knew not of her place of +abode, he resolv'd to humour the mistake a little further. Having +her still by the Hand, which he squeez'd somewhat more eagerly than +is usual for Cousins to do, in a low and undistinguishable Voice, he +let her know how much he held himself obliged to her, and avoiding as +many words as handsomely he could, at the same time, entreated her to +give him her Advice, toward the management of himself in this Affair. +Leonora, who never from the beginning had entertain'd the least +Scruple of distrust, imagined he spoke faintly, as not being yet +perfectly recovered in his strength; and withal considering that the +heat of the Room, by reason of the Crowd, might be uneasie to a +Person in his Condition; she kindly told him, That if he were as +inclinable to dispense with the remainder of that Nights Diversion as +she was, and had no other engagement upon him, by her consent they +should both steal out of the Assembly, and go to her House, where +they might with more freedom discourse about a business of that +importance, and where he might take something to refresh himself if +he were (as she conceiv'd him to be) indisposed with his long +standing. Judge you whether the Proposal were acceptable to +Hippolito or no; he had been ruminating with himself how to bring +something like this about, and had almost despair'd of it; when of a +suddain he found the success of his design had prevented his own +endeavours. He told his Cousin in the same key as before, That he +was unwilling to be the occasion of her Divorce from so much good +Company; but for his own part, he was afraid he had presumed too much +upon his recovery in coming abroad so soon, and that he found himself +so unwell, he feared he should be quickly forc'd to retire. Leonora +stay'd not to make him any other reply, only tipp'd him upon the Arm, +and bid him follow her at a convenient distance to avoid Observation. + +Whoever had seen the Joy that was in Hippolito's Countenance, and the +Sprightliness with which he follow'd his Beautiful Conductress, would +scarce have taken him for a Person griev'd with uncured Wounds. She +led him down a back pair of Stairs, into one of the Palace Gardens +which had a Door opening into the Piazza, not far from where Don +Mario her Father lived. They had little Discourse by the way, which +gave Hippolito time to consider of the best way of discovering +himself. A thousand things came into his Head in a minute, yet +nothing that pleased him: and after so many Contrivances as he had +formed for the discovery of himself, he found it more rational for +him not to reveal himself at all that Night, since he could not +foresee what effect the surprize would have, she must needs be in, at +the appearance of a Stranger, whom she had never seen before, yet +whom she had treated so familiarly. He knew Women were apt to shriek +or swoon upon such Occasions, and should she happen to do either, he +might be at a loss how to bring himself off. He thought he might +easily pretend to be indisposed somewhat more than ordinary, and so +make an excuse to go to his own Lodging. It came into his Head too, +that under pretence of giving her an account of his Health, he might +enquire of her the means how a Letter might be convey'd to her the +next morning, wherein he might inform her gently of her mistake, and +insinuate something of that Passion he had conceiv'd, which he was +sure he could not have opportunity to speak of if he bluntly revealed +himself. He had just resolv'd upon this Method, as they were come to +the great Gates of the Court, when Leonora stopping to let him go in +before her, he of a suddain fetch'd his Breath violently as if some +stitch or twinging smart had just then assaulted him. She enquired +the matter of him, and advised him to make haste into the House that +he might sit down and rest him. He told her he found himself so ill, +that he judged it more convenient for him to go home while he was in +a condition to move, for he fear'd if he should once settle himself +to rest he might not be able to stir. She was much troubled, and +would have had a Chair made ready and Servants to carry him home; but +he made answer, he would not have any of her Fathers Servants know of +his being abroad, and that just now he had an interval of ease, which +he hop'd would continue till he made a shift to reach his own +Lodgings. Yet if she pleased to inform him how he might give an +account of himself the next morning, in a line or two, he would not +fail to give her the thanks due to her great kindness; and withal, +would let her know something which would not a little surprize her, +though now he had not time to acquaint her with it. She show'd him a +little Window at the corner of the House, where one should wait to +receive his Letter, and was just taking her leave of him, when seeing +him search hastily in his Pocket, she ask'd him if he miss'd any +thing; he told her he thought a Wound which was not throughly heal'd +bled a little, and that he had lost his Handkerchief. His design +took; for she immediately gave him hers: which indeed accordingly he +apply'd to the only wound he was then griev'd with; which though it +went quite through his Heart, yet thank God was not Mortal. He was +not a little rejoyc'd at his good Fortune in getting so early a +Favour from his Mistress, and notwithstanding the violence he did +himself to personate a sick Man, he could not forbear giving some +Symptoms of an extraordinary content; and telling her that he did not +doubt to receive a considerable Proportion of ease from the +Application of what had so often kiss'd her fair Hand. Leonora who +did not suspect the Compliment, told him she should be heartily glad +if that or any thing in her power might contribute to his recovery; +and wishing him well home, went into her House, as much troubled for +her Cousin as he was joyful for his Mistress. + +Hippolito as soon as she was gone in, began to make his Remarks about +the House, walking round the great Court, viewing the Gardens and all +the Passages leading to that side of the Piazza. Having sufficiently +informed himself, with a Heart full of Love, and a Head full of +Stratagem, he walked toward his Lodging, impatient till the arrival +of Aurelian that he might give himself vent. In which interim, let +me take the liberty to digress a little, and tell the Reader +something which I do not doubt he has apprehended himself long ago, +if he be not the dullest Reader in the World; yet only for orders +sake, let me tell him I say, That a young Gentleman (Cousin to the +aforesaid Don Fabritio) happened one night to have some words at a +Gameing House with one Lorenzo, which created a Quarrel of fatal +Consequence to the former, who was killed upon the Spot, and likely +to be so to the latter, who was very desperately wounded. + +Fabritio being much concerned for his Kinsman, vow'd revenge +(according to the ancient and laudable custom of Italy) upon Lorenzo +if he surviv'd, or in case of his death (if it should happen to +anticipate that, much more swinging Death which he had in store for +him) upon his next of Kin, and so to descend Lineally like an English +Estate, to all the Heirs Males of this Family. This same Fabritio +had indeed (as Leonora told Hippolito) taken particular notice of him +from his first entrance into the Room, and was so far doubtful as to +go out immediately himself, and make enquiry concerning Lorenzo, but +was quickly inform'd of the greatness of his Error, in believing a +Man to be abroad, who was so ill of his Wounds, that they now +despair'd of his recovery; and thereupon return'd to the Ball very +well satisfied, but not before Leonora and Hippolito were departed. + +So, Reader, having now discharg'd my Conscience of a small Discovery +which I thought my self obliged to make to Thee, I proceed to tell +thee, that our Friend Aurelian had by this time danced himself into a +Net which he neither could, nor which is worse desired to untangle. + +His Soul was charm'd to the movement of her Body: an Air so +graceful, so sweet, so easie and so great, he had never seen. She +had something of Majesty in her, which appear'd to be born with her; +and though it struck an awe into the Beholders, yet was it sweetned +with a familiarity of Behaviour, which rendred it agreeable to every +Body. The grandeur of her Mien was not stiff, but unstudied and +unforced, mixed with a simplicity; free, yet not loose nor affected. +If the former seem'd to condescend, the latter seem'd to aspire; and +both to unite in the centre of Perfection. Every turn she gave in +dancing snatcht Aurelian into a Rapture, and he had like to have been +out two or three times with following his Eyes, which she led about +as Slaves to her Heels. + +As soon as they had done dancing, he began to complain of his want of +Breath and Lungs, to speak sufficiently in her Commendation; She +smilingly told him, he did ill to dance so much then: Yet in +Consideration of the pains he had taken more than ordinary upon her +account she would bate him a great deal of Complement, but with this +Proviso, That he was to discover to her who he was. Aurelian was +unwilling for the present to own himself to be really the Man he was; +when a suddain thought came into his Head to take upon him the Name +and Character of Hippolito, who he was sure was not known in +Florence. He thereupon, after a little pause, pretended to recal +himself in this manner: 'Madam, it is no small demonstration of the +entire Resignation which I have made of my Heart to your Chains, +since the secrets of it are no longer in my power. I confess I only +took Florence in my way, not designing any longer Residence, than +should be requisite to inform the Curiosity of a Traveller, of the +rareties of the Place. Whether Happiness or Misery will be the +Consequence of that Curiosity, I am yet in fear, and submit to your +Determination; but sure I am, not to depart Florence till you have +made me the most miserable Man in it, and refuse me the fatal +Kindness of Dying at your Feet. I am by Birth a Spaniard, of the +City of Toledo; my name Hippolito di Saviolina: I was yesterday a +Man free, as Nature made the first; to day I am fallen into a +Captivity, which must continue with my Life, and which, it is in your +power, to make much dearer to me. Thus in obedience to your +Commands, and contrary to my Resolution of remaining unknown in this +place, I have inform'd you, Madam, what I am; what I shall be, I +desire to know from you; at least, I hope, the free discovery I have +made of my self, will encourage you to trust me with the knowledge of +your Person. + +Here a low bow, and a deep sigh, put an end to his Discourse, and +signified his Expectation of her Reply, which was to this purpose-- +(But I had forgot to tell you, That Aurelian kept off his Mask from +the time that he told her he was of Spain, till the period of his +Relation.) Had I thought (said she) that my Curiosity would have +brought me in debt, I should certainly have forborn it; or at least +have agreed with you before hand about the rate of your discovery, +then I had not brought my self to the Inconveniency of being +censur'd, either of too much easiness or reservedness; but to avoid, +as much as I can, the extreamity of either, I am resolv'd but to +discover my self in part, and will endeavour to give you as little +occasion as I can, either to boast of, or ridicule the Behaviour of +the Women of Florence in your Travels. + +Aurelian interrupted her, and swore very solemnly (and the more +heartily, I believe, because he then indeed spoke truth) that he +would make Florence the place of his abode, whatever concerns he had +elsewhere. She advised him to be cautious how he swore to his +Expressions of Gallantry; and farther told him she now hoped she +should make him a return to all the Fine Things he had said, since +she gave him his choice whether he would know who she was, or see her +Face. + +Aurelian who was really in Love, and in whom Consideration would have +been a Crime, greedily embrac'd the latter, since she assured him at +that time he should not know both. Well, what follow'd? Why, she +pull'd off her Mask, and appear'd to him at once in the Glory of +Beauty. But who can tell the astonishment Aurelian felt? He was for +a time senseless; Admiration had suppress'd his Speech, and his Eyes +were entangled in Light. I short, to be made sensible of his +condition, we must conceive some Idea of what he beheld, which is not +to imagined till seen, nor then to be express'd. Now see the +impertinence and conceitedness of an Author, who will have a fling at +a Description, which he has Prefaced with an impossibility. One +might have seen something in her Composition resembling the Formation +of Epicurus his World, as if every Atome of Beauty had concurr'd to +unite an excellency. Had that curious Painter lived in her days, he +might have avoided his painful search, when he collected from the +choicest pieces the most choice Features, and by a due Disposition +and Judicious Symmetry of those exquisite parts, made one whole and +perfect Venus. Nature seem'd here to have play'd the Plagiary, and +to have molded into Substance the most refined Thoughts of inspired +Poets. Her Eyes diffus'd Rays comfortable as warmth, and piercing as +the light; they would have worked a passage through the straightest +Pores, and with a delicious heat, have play'd about the most obdurate +frozen Heart, untill 'twere melted down to Love. Such Majesty and +Affability were in her Looks; so alluring, yet commanding was her +Presence, that it minged awe with love; kindling a Flame which +trembled to aspire. She had danced much, which, together with her +being close masked, gave her a tincture of Carnation more than +ordinary. But Aurelian (from whom I had every tittle of her +Description) fancy'd he saw a little Nest of Cupids break from the +Tresses of her Hair, and every one officiously betake himself to his +task. Some fann'd with their downy Wings, her glowing Cheeks; while +others brush'd the balmy Dew from off her Face, leaving alone a +heavenly Moisture blubbing on her Lips, on which they drank and +revell'd for their pains; Nay, so particular were their allotments in +her service, that Aurelian was very positive a young Cupid who was +but just Pen-feather'd, employ'd his naked Quills to pick her Teeth. +And a thousand other things his transport represented to him, which +none but Lovers who have experience of such Visions will believe. + +As soon as he awaked and found his Speech come to him, he employ'd it +to this effect: + +''Tis enough that I have seen a Divinity--Nothing but Mercy can +inhabit these Perfections--Their utmost rigour brings a Death +preferable to any Life, but what they give--Use me, Madam, as you +please; for by your fair self, I cannot think a Bliss beyond what now +I feel--You wound with Pleasure, and if you Kill it must be with +Transport--Ah! Yet methinks to live--O Heaven! to have Life +pronounced by those Bless'd Lips--Did they not inspire where they +command, it were an immediate Death of Joy. + +Aurelian was growing a little too loud with his Admiration, had she +not just then interrupted him, by clapping on her Masque, and telling +him they should be observed, if he proceeded in his Extravagance; and +withal, that his Passion was too suddain to be real, and too violent +to be lasting. He replied, Indeed it might not be very lasting, +(with a submissive mournful Voice) but it would continue during his +Life. That it was suddain, he denied, for she had raised it by +degrees from his first sight of her, by a continued discovery of +Charms, in her Mien and Conversation, till she thought fit to set +Fire to the Train she had laid, by the Lightning of her Face; and +then he could not help it, if he were blown up. + +He begg'd her to believe the Sincerity of his Passion, at least to +enjoin him something, which might tend to the Convincing of her +Incredulity. She said, she should find a time to make some Trials of +him; but for the first, she charged him not to follow or observe her, +after the Dissolution of the Assembly. He promised to obey, and +entreated her to tell him but her Name, that he might have Recourse +to that in his Affliction for her Absence, if he were able to survive +it. She desired him to live by all means; and if he must have a Name +to play with, to call her Incognita, till he were better informed. + +The Company breaking up, she took her leave, and at his earnest +Entreaty, gave him a short Vision of her Face which, then dress'd in +an obliging smile, caused another fit of Transport, which lasted till +she was gone out of Sight. Aurelian gathered up his Spirits, and +walked slowly towards his Lodging, never remembring that he had lost +Hippolito, till upon turning the Corner of a Street, he heard a noise +of Fighting; and coming near, saw a Man make a vigorous Defence +against two, who pressed violently upon him. He then thought of +Hippolito, and fancying he saw the glimmering of Diamond Buttons, +such as Hippolito had upon the Sleeves of his Habit, immediately drew +to his Assistance; and with that Eagerness and Resolution, that the +Assailants, finding their unmanly odds defeated, took to their Heels. +The Person rescued by the Generous Help of Aurelian, came toward him; +but as he would have stoop'd to have saluted him, dropp'd, fainting +at his feet. Aurelian, now he was so near him, perceiv'd plainly +Hippolito's Habit, and step'd hastily to take him up. Just as some +of the Guards (who were going the Rounds, apprehensive of such +Disorders in an Universal Merriment) came up to him with Lights, and +had taken Prisoners the Two Men, whom they met with their Sword's +drawn; when looking in the Face of the Wounded Man, he found it was +not Hippolito, but his Governour Claudio, in the Habit he had worn at +the Ball. He was extreamly surpriz'd, as were the Prisoners, who +confess'd their Design to have been upon Lorenzo; grounding their +Mistake upon the Habit which was known to have been his. They were +Two Men who formerly had been Servants to him, whom Lorenzo had +unfortunately slain. + +They made a shift to bring Claudio to himself; and part of the Guard +carrying off the Prisoners, whom Aurelian desired they would secure, +the rest accompanied him bearing Claudio in their Arms to his +Lodging. He had not patience to forbear asking for Hippolito by the +Way; whom Claudio assured him, he had left safe in his Chamber, above +Two Hours since. That his coming Home so long before the +Divertisements were ended, and Undressing himself, had given him the +Unhappy Curiosity, to put on his Habit, and go to the Pallace; in his +Return from whence, he was set upon in the Manner he found him, which +if he recovered, he must own his Life indebted to his timely +Assistance. + +Being come to the House, they carried him to his Bed, and having sent +for Surgeons Aurelian rewarded and dismissed the Guard. He stay'd +the dressing of Claudio's Wounds, which were many, though they hop'd +none Mortal: and leaving him to his Rest, went to give Hippolito an +Account of what had happened, whom he found with a Table before him, +leaning upon both his Elbows, his Face covered with his Hands, and so +motionless, that Aurelian concluded he was asleep; seeing several +Papers lie before him, half written and blotted out again, he thought +to steal softly to the Table, and discover what he had been employed +about. Just as he reach'd forth his Hand to take up one of the +Papers, Hippolito started up so on the suddain, as surpriz'd Aurelian +and made him leap back; Hippolito, on the other hand, not supposing +that any Body had been near him, was so disordered with the +Appearance of a Man at his Elbow, (whom his Amazement did not permit +him to distinguish) that he leap'd hastily to his Sword, and in +turning him about, overthrew the Stand and Candles. Here were they +both left in the Dark, Hippolito groping about with his Sword, and +thrusting at every Chair that he felt oppose him. Aurelian was +scarce come to himself, when thinking to step back toward the Door +that he might inform his Friend of his Mistake, without exposing +himself to his blind Fury; Hippolito heard him stir, and made a full +thrust with such Violence, that the Hilt of the Sword meeting with +Aurelian's Breast beat him down, and Hippolito a top of him, as a +Servant alarm'd with the noise, came into the Chamber with a Light. +The Fellow trembled, and thought they were both Dead, till Hippolito +raising himself, to see whom he had got under him, swoon'd away upon +the discovery of his Friend. But such was the extraordinary Care of +Providence in directing the Sword, that it only past under his Arm, +giving no Wound to Aurelia, but a little Bruise between his Shoulder +and Breast with the Hilt. He got up, scarce recovered of his Fright, +and by the help of the Servant; laid Hippolito upon the Bed; who when +he was come to himself could hardly be perswaded, that his Friend was +before him and alive, till he shew'd him his Breast, where was +nothing of a Wound. Hippolito begg'd his Pardon a Thousand Times, +and curs'd himself as often, who was so near to committing the most +Execrable Act of Amicide. + +They dismiss'd the Fellow, and with many Embraces, congratulated +their fortunate Delivery from the Mischief which came so near them, +each blaming himself as the Occasion: Aurelian accusing his own +unadvisedness in stealing upon Hippolito; Hippolito blaming his own +temerity and weakness, in being so easily frighted to Disorder; and +last of all, his blindness, in not knowing his dearest Friend. But +there he gave a Sigh, and passionately taking Aurelian by the Hand, +cry'd, Ah! my Friend, Love is indeed blind, when it would not suffer +me to see you--There arose another Sigh; a Sympathy seiz'd Aurelian +immediately: (For, by the Way, sighing is as catching among Lovers, +as yawning among the Vulgar.) Beside hearing the Name of Love, made +him fetch such a Sigh, that Hippolito's were but Fly-blows in +Comparison, that was answered with all the Might Hippolito had, +Aurelian ply'd him close till they were both out of Breath. + +Thus not a Word pass'd, though each wondred why the t'other sigh'd, +at last concluded it to be only Complaisance to one another. + +Aurelian broke the Silence, by telling him the Misfortune of his +Governour. Hippolito rejoic'd as at the luckiest Accident which +could have befall'n him. Aurelian wondred at his unseasonable Mirth, +and demanded the Cause of it; he answer'd, It would necessitate his +longer Stay in Florence, and for ought he knew be the Means of +bringing a happy Period to his Amour. + +His Friend thought him to be little better than a Madman, when he +perceiv'd him of a suddain snatch out of his Bosom a Handkerchief, +which having kiss'd with a great deal of Ardour, he took Aurelian by +the Hand, and smiling at the Surprize he saw him in; + +'Your Florentine Cupid is certainly (said he) 'the most Expert in the +World. I have since I saw you beheld the most Beautiful of Women. I +am faln desperately in Love with her, and those Papers which you see +so blotted and scattered, are but so many Essays which I have made to +the Declaration of my Passion. And this Handkerchief which I so +zealously Caress, is the Inestimable Token which I have to make my +self known to her. 'O Leonora! (continued he) 'how hast thou stamp'd +thine Image on my Soul! How much dearer am I to my self, since I +have had thy Heavenly Form in keeping! Now, my Aurelian, I am worthy +thee; my exalted Love has Dignified me, and rais'd me far above thy +poor former Despicable Hippolito. + +Aurelian seeing the Rapture he was in, thought it in vain to expect a +settled Relation of the Adventure, so was reaching to the Table for +some of the Papers, but Hippolito told him, If he would have a little +patience he would acquaint him with the whole Matter; and thereupon +told him Word for Word how he was mistaken for Lorenzo, and his +Management of himself. Aurelian commended his Prudence, in not +discovering himself; and told him, If he could spare so much time +from the Contemplation of his Mistress, he would inform him of an +Adventure, though not so Accidental, yet of as great Concern to his +own future Happiness. So related all that had happened to him with +his Beautiful Incognita. + +Having ended the Story, they began to consider of the Means they were +to use toward a Review of their Mistresses. Aurelian was Confounded +at the Difficulty he conceived on his Part. He understood from +Hippolito's Adventure, that his Father knew of his being in Town, +whom he must unavoidably Disoblige if he yet concealed himself, and +Disobey if he came into his Sight; for he had already entertain'd an +Aversion for Juliana, in apprehension of her being Imposed on him. +His Incognita was rooted in his Heart, yet could he not Comfort +himself with any Hopes when he should see her: He knew not where she +lived, and she had made him no Promise of a second Conference. Then +did he repent his inconsiderate Choice, in preferring the momentary +Vision of her Face, to a certain Intelligence of her Person. Every +thought that succeeded distracted him, and all the Hopes he could +presume upon, were within compass of the Two Days Merriment yet to +come; for which Space he hop'd he might excuse his remaining +conceal'd to his Father. + +Hippolito on the other side (though Aurelian thought him in a much +better Way) was no less afflicted for himself. The Difficulties +which he saw in his Friend's Circumstances, put him upon finding out +a great many more in his own, than really there were. But what +terrified him most of all, was his being an utter Stranger to +Leonora; she had not the least knowledge of him but through mistake, +and consequently could form no Idea of him to his Advantage. He +look'd upon it as an unlucky thought in Aurelian to take upon him his +Name, since possibly the Two Ladies were acquainted, and should they +communicate to each other their Adventures; they might both +reasonably suffer in their Opinions, and be thought guilty of +Falshood, since it would appear to them as One Person pretending to +Two. Aurelian told him, there was but one Remedy for that, which was +for Hippolito, in the same Manner that he had done, to make use of +his Name, when he writ to Leonora, and use what arguments he could to +perswade her to Secrecy, least his Father should know of the Reason +which kept him concealed in Town. And it was likely, though perhaps +she might not immediately entertain his Passion; yet she would out of +Generosity conceal, what was hidden only for her sake. + +Well this was concluded on, after a great many other Reasons used on +either Side, in favour of the Contrivance; they at last argued +themselves into a Belief, that Fortune had befriended them with a +better Plot, than their regular Thinking could have contriv'd. So +soon had they convinc'd themselves, in what they were willing to +believe. + +Aurelian laid himself down to rest, that is, upon the Bed; for he was +a better Lover than to pretend to sleep that Night, while Hippolito +set himself again to frame his Letter design'd for Leonora. He writ +several, at last pitched upon one, and very probably the worst, as +you may guess when you read it in its proper Place. + +It was break of Day when the Servant, who had been employed all the +foregoing Day in procuring Accoutrements for the Two Cavaliers, to +appear in at the Tilting, came into the Room, and told them all the +Young Gentlemen in the Town were trying their Equipage, and preparing +to be early in the Lists. They made themselves ready with all +Expedition at the Alarm: and Hippolito having made a Visit to his +Governour, dispatch'd a Messenger with the Letter and Directions to +Leonora. At the Signal agreed upon the Casement was opened and a +String let down, to which the Bearer having fastned the Letter, saw +it drawn up, and returned. It were a vain attempt to describe +Leonora's Surprize, when she read the Superscription.--The +Unfortunate Aurelian, to the Beautiful Leonora--After she was a +little recovered from her Amaze, she recollected to her self all the +Passages between her and her supposed Cousin, and immediately +concluded him to be Aurelian. Then several little Circumstances +which she thought might have been sufficient to have convinced her, +represented themselves to her; and she was in a strange Uneasiness to +think of her free Carriage to a Stranger. + +She was once in a Mind to have burn'd the Letter, or to have stay'd +for an Opportunity to send it again. But she was a Woman, and her +Curiosity opposed it self to all thoughts of that Nature: at length +with a firm Resolution, she opened it, and found Word for Word, what +is underwritten. + + +The Letter. + +MADAM, + +If your fair Eyes, upon the breaking up of this, meet with somewhat +too quick a Surprize, make thence, I beseech you, some reflection +upon the Condition I must needs have been in, at the suddain +Appearance of that Sun of Beauty, which at once shone so full upon my +soul. I could not immediately disengage my self from that Maze of +Charms, to let you know how unworthy a Captive your Eyes had made +through mistake. Sure, Madam, you cannot but remember my Disorder, +of which your Innocent (Innocent, though perhaps to me Fatal) Error +made a Charitable (but wide) Construction. Your Tongue pursued the +Victory of your Eyes, and you did not give me time to rally my poor +Disordered Senses, so as to make a tolerable Retreat. Pardon, Madam, +the Continuation of the Deceipt, and call it not so, that I appear'd +to be other than my self; for Heaven knows I was not then my self, +nor am I now my own. You told me something that concern'd me nearly, +as to a Marriage my Father design'd me, and much more nearly in being +told by you. For Heaven's sake, disclose not to any Body your +Knowledge of me, that I may not be forced to an immediate Act of +Disobedience; for if my future Services and inviolate Love, cannot +recommend me to your Favour, I shall find more comfort in the cold +Embraces of a Grave, than in the Arms of the never so much admired +(but by me dreaded) Juliana. Think, Madam, of those severe +Circumstances I lie under; and withal I beg you, think it is in your +Power, and only in your Power, to make them happy as my Wishes, or +much more miserable than I am able to imagine. That dear, +inestimable (though undesign'd) Favour which I receiv'd from you, +shall this Day distinguish me from the Crowd of your Admirers; that +which I really applied to my inward bleeding Wound, the welcom Wound +which you have made, and which, unless from you, does wish no Cure; +then pardon and have pity on, O Adored Leonora, him, who is your's by +Creation as he is Heaven's, though never so unworthy. Have pity on + +Your +Aurelian. + + +She read the Letter over and over, then flung it by, then read it +again; the Novelty of the Adventure made her repeat her Curiosity, +and take more than ordinary Pains to understand it. At last her +Familiarity with the Expressions grew to an Intimacy, and what she at +first permitted she now began to like. She thought there was +something in it a little more serious, than to be barely Gallantry. +She wondred at her own Blindness, and fancy'd she could remember +something of a more becoming Air in the Stranger than was usual to +Lorenzo. This thought was parent to another of the same kind, till a +long Chain successively had Birth, and every one somewhat more than +other, in Favour of the supposed Aurelian. She reflected upon his +Discretion, in deferring the Discovery of himself, till a little time +had, as it were, weaned her from her perswasion, and by removing her +farther from her Mistake, had prepared her for a full and determinate +Convincement. She thought his Behaviour, in personating a Sick Man +so readily, upon the first hint was not amiss, and smil'd to think of +his Excuse to procure her Handkerchief; and last of all, his sifting +out the Means to write to her, which he had done with that Modesty +and Respect, she could not tell how to find fault with it. + +She had proceeded thus far in a maze of Thought, when she started to +find her self so lost to her Reason, and would have trod back again +that path of deluding Fancy; accusing her self of Fondness, and +inconsiderate Easiness, in giving Credit to the Letter of a Person +whose Face she never saw, and whose first Acquaintance with her was a +Treachery, and he who could so readily deliver his Tongue of a Lye +upon a Surprize, was scarce to be trusted when he had sufficient Time +allow'd him to beget a Fiction, and Means to perfect the Birth. + +How did she know this to be Aurelian, if he were? Nay farther, put +it to the Extremity, What if she should upon farther Conversation +with him proceed to Love him? What Hopes were there for her? Or how +could she consent to Marry a Man already Destined for another Woman? +nay, a Woman that was her Friend, whose Marrying with him was to +compleat the happy Reconciliation of Two Noble Families, and which +might prevent the Effusion of much Blood likely to be shed in that +Quarrel: Besides, she should incurr share of the Guilt, which he +would draw upon him by Disobedience to his Father, whom she was sure +would not be consenting to it. + +'Tis strange now, but all Accounts agree, that just here Leonora, who +had run like a violent Stream against Aurelian hitherto, now retorted +with as much precipitation in his Favour. I could never get any Body +to give me a satisfactory reason, for her suddain and dextrous Change +of Opinion just at that stop, which made me conclude she could not +help it; and that Nature boil'd over in her at that time when it had +so fair an Opportunity to show it self: For Leonora it seems was a +Woman Beautiful, and otherwise of an excellent Disposition; but in +the Bottom a very Woman. This last Objection, this Opportunity of +perswading Man to Disobedience, determined the Matter in Favour of +Aurelian, more than all his Excellencies and Qualifications, take him +as Aurelian, or Hippolito, or both together. + +Well, the Spirit of Contradiction and of Eve was strong in her; and +she was in a fair Way to Love Aurelian, for she lik'd him already; +that it was Aurelian she no longer doubted, for had it been a +Villain, who had only taken his Name upon him for any ill Designs, he +would never have slip'd so favourable an Opportunity as when they +were alone and in the Night coming through the Garden and broad Space +before the Piazza. In short, thus much she resolv'd, at least to +conceal the Knowledge she had of him, as he had entreated her in his +Letter, and to make particular Remarks of his Behaviour that Day in +the Lists, which should it happen to Charm her with an absolute +liking of his Person, she resolv'd to dress her self to the best +Advantage, and mustering up all her Graces, out of pure Revenge to +kill him down right. + +I would not have the Reader now be impertinent, and look upon this to +be force, or a whim of the Author's, that a Woman should proceed so +far in her Approbation of a Man whom she never saw, that it is +impossible, therefore ridiculous to suppose it. Let me tell such a +Critick, that he knows nothing of the Sex, if he does not know that +Woman may be taken with the Character and Description of a Man, when +general and extraordinary, that she may be prepossess'd with an +agreeable Idea of his Person and Conversation; and though she cannot +imagine his real Features, or manner of Wit, yet she has a general +Notion of what is call'd a fine Gentleman, and is prepar'd to like +such a one who does not disagree with that Character. Aurelian, as +he bore a very fair Character, so was he extreamly deserving to make +it good, which otherways might have been to his prejudice; for +oftentimes, through an imprudent Indulgence to our Friends merit, we +give so large a Description of his excellencies, that People make +more room in their Expectation, than the Intrinsick worth of the Man +will fill, which renders him so much the more despicable as there is +emptyness to spare. 'Tis certain, though the Women seldom find that +out; for though they do not see so much in a Man as was promised, yet +they will be so kind to imagine he has some hidden excellencies; +which time may discover to them, so are content to allow, him a +considerable share of their esteem, and take him into Favour upon +Tick. Aurelian as he had good Credit, so he had a good Stock to +support it, and his Person was a good promising Security for the +payment of any Obligation he could lie under to the Fair Sex. +Hippolito, who at this time was our Aurelian, did not at all lessen +him in appearing for him: So that although Leonora was indeed +mistaken, she could not be said to be much in the wrong. I could +find in my Heart to beg the Reader's pardon for this Digression, if I +thought he would be sensible of the Civility; for I promise him, I do +not intend to do it again throughout the Story, though I make never +so many, and though he take them never so ill. But because I began +this upon a bare Supposition of his Impertinence, which might be +somewhat impertinent in me to suppose, I do, and hope to make him +amends by telling him, that by the time Leonora was dress'd, several +Ladies of her acquaintance came to accompany her to the place +designed for the Tilting, where we will leave them drinking +Chocholate till 'tis time for them to go. + +Our Cavaliers had by good Fortune provided themselves of two curious +Suits of light Armour, finely enammelled and gilt. Hippolito had +sent to Poggio Imperiale for a couple of fine led Horses which he had +left there with the rest of his Train at his entrance into Florence. +Mounted on these and every way well Equipt, they took their way, +attended only by two Lacqueys, toward the Church di Santa Croce, +before which they were to perform their Exercises of Chivalry. +Hippolito wore upon his Helm a large Plume of Crimson Feathers, in +the midst of which was artificially placed Leonora's Handkerchief. +His Armour was gilt, and enammell'd with Green and Crimson. Aurelian +was not so happy as to wear any token to recommend him to the notice +of his Mistress, so had only a Plume of Sky-colour and White +Feathers, suitable to his Armour, which was Silver enammelled with +Azure. I shall not describe the Habits of any other Cavaliers, or of +the Ladies; let it suffice to tell the Reader they were all very Fine +and very Glorious, and let him dress them in what is most agreeable +to his own Fancy. + +Our Gallants entred the Lists, and having made their Obeysance to his +Highness, turned round to salute and view the Company. The Scaffold +was circular, so that there was no end of the Delightful Prospect. +It seem'd a Glory of Beauty which shone around the admiring +Beholders. Our Lovers soon perceived the Stars which were to Rule +their Destiny, which sparkled a lustre beyond all the inferiour +Constellations, and seem'd like two Suns to distribute Light to all +the Planets in that Heavenly Sphere. Leonora knew her Slave by his +Badge and blushed till the Lilies and Roses in her cheeks had +resemblance to the Plume of Crimson and White Handkerchief in +Hippolito's Crest. He made her a low bow, and reined his Horse back +with an extraordinary Grace, into a respectful retreat. Aurelian saw +his Angel, his beautiful Incognita, and had no other way to make +himself known to her, but by saluting and bowing to her after the +Spanish mode; she guess'd him by it to be her new Servant Hippolito, +and signified her apprehension, by making him a more particular and +obliging return, than to any of the Cavaliers who had saluted her +before. + +The Exercise that was to be perform'd was in general a running at the +Ring; and afterwards two Cavaliers undertook to defend the Beauty of +Donna Catharina, against all who would not allow her preheminence of +their Mistresses. This thing was only designed for show and form, +none presuming that any body would put so great an affront upon the +Bride and Duke's Kinswoman, as to dispute her pretentions to the +first place in the Court of Venus. But here our Cavaliers were under +a mistake; for seeing a large Shield carry'd before two Knights, with +a Lady painted upon it; not knowing who, but reading the Inscription +which was (in large Gold Letters) Above the Insolence of Competition. +They thought themselves obliged, especially in the presence of their +Mistresses, to vindicate their Beauty; and were just spurring on to +engage the Champions, when a Gentleman stopping them, told them their +mistake, that it was the Picture of Donna Catharina, and a particular +Honour done to her by his Highness's Commands, and not to be +disputed. Upon this they would have returned to their Post, much +concerned for their mistake; but notice being taken by Don Ferdinand +of some Show of Opposition that was made, he would have begged leave +of the Duke, to have maintained his Lady's Honour against the +Insolence of those Cavaliers; but the Duke would by no means permit +it. They were arguing about it when one of them came up, before whom +the Shield was born, and demanded his Highness's Permission, to +inform those Gentlemen better of their mistake, by giving them the +Foyl. By the Intercession of Don Ferdinand, leave was given them; +whereupon a Civil Challenge was sent to the two Strangers, informing +them of their Error, and withal telling them they must either +maintain it by force of Arms, or make a publick acknowledgment by +riding bare headed before the Picture once round the Lists. The +Stranger-Cavaliers remonstrated to the Duke how sensible they were of +their Error, and though they would not justifie it, yet they could +not decline the Combate, being pressed to it beyond an honourable +refusal. To the Bride they sent a Complement, wherein, having first +begg'd her pardon for not knowing her Picture, they gave her to +understand, that now they were not about to dispute her undoubted +right to the Crown of Beauty, but the honour of being her Champions +was the Prize they fought for, which they thought themselves as able +to maintain as any other Pretenders. Wherefore they pray'd her, that +if fortune so far befriended their endeavours as to make them +Victors, that they might receive no other Reward, but to be crown'd +with the Titles of their Adversaries, and be ever after esteem'd as +her most humble Servants. The excuse was so handsomely designed, and +much better express'd than it is here, that it took effect. The +Duke, Don Ferdinand and his Lady were so well satisfied with it as to +grant their Request. + +While the running at the Ring lasted, our Cavaliers alternately bore +away great share of the Honour. That Sport ended, Marshals were +appointed for the Field, and every thing in great form settled for +the Combat. The Cavaliers were all in good earnest, but orders were +given to bring 'em blunted Lances, and to forbid the drawing of a +Sword upon pain of his Highness's Displeasure. The Trumpets sounded +and they began their Course: The Ladies' Hearts, particularly the +Incognita and Leonora's beat time to the Horses Hoofs, and hope and +fear made a mock Fight within their tender Breasts, each wishing and +doubting success where she lik'd: But as the generality of their +Prayers were for the graceful Strangers, they accordingly succeeded. +Aurelian's Adversary was unhorsed in the first Encounter, and +Hippolito's lost both Stirrups and dropt his Lance to save himself. +The Honour of the Field was immediately granted to them, and Don +Catharina sent them both Favours, which she pray'd them to wear as +her Knights. The Crowd breaking up, our Cavaliers made a shift to +steal off unmarked, save by the watchful Leonora and Incognita, whose +Eyes were never off from their respective Servants. There was +enquiry made for them, but to no purpose; for they to prevent their +being discovered had prepared another House, distant from their +Lodging, where a Servant attended to disarm them, and another carried +back their Horses to the Villa, while they walked unsuspected to +their Lodging; but Incognita had given command to a Page to dog 'em +till the Evening, at a distance, and bring her word where they were +latest housed. + +While several Conjectures pass'd among the Company, who were all gone +to Dinner at the Palace, who those Cavaliers should be, Don Fabio +thought himself the only Man able to guess; for he knew for certain +that his Son and Hippolito were both in Town, and was well enough +pleased with his humour of remaining Incognito till the Diversions +should be over, believing then that the surprize of his Discovery +would add much to the Gallantry he had shown in Masquerade; but +hearing the extraordinary liking that every body express'd, and in a +particular manner, the great Duke himself, to the Persons and +Behaviour of the unknown Cavaliers, the Old Gentleman could not +forbear the Vanity to tell his Highness, that he believed he had an +interest in one of the Gentlemen, whom he was pleased to honour with +so favourable a Character; and told him what reason he had to believe +the one to be his Son, and the other a Spanish Nobleman, his Friend. + +This discovery having thus got vent, was diffused like Air; every +body suck'd it in, and let it out again with their Breath to the next +they met withal; and in half an hours time it was talked of in the +House where our Adventurers were lodged. Aurelian was stark mad at +the News, and knew what search would be immediately made for him. +Hippolito, had he not been desperately in Love, would certainly have +taken Horse and rid out of Town just then, for he could make no +longer doubt of being discovered, and he was afraid of the just +Exceptions Leonora might make to a Person who had now deceived her +twice. Well, we will leave them both fretting and contriving to no +purpose, to look about and see what was done at the Palace, where +their doom was determined much quicker than they imagined. + +Dinner ended, the Duke retired with some chosen Friends to a Glass of +Wine; among whom were the Marquess of Viterbo and Don Fabio. His +Highness was no Stranger to the long Fewd that had been between the +two Families, and also understood what Overtures of Reconciliation +had been lately made, with the Proposals of Marriage between Aurelian +and the Marquess's Daughter. Having waited till the Wine had taken +the effect proposed, and the Company were raised to an uncommon pitch +of Chearfulness, which he also encouraged by an Example of Freedom +and Good Humour, he took an opportunity of rallying the two grave +Signiors into an Accommodation: That was seconded with the praises +of the young Couple, and the whole Company joined in a large Encomium +upon the Graces of Aurelian and the Beauties of Juliana. The old +Fellows were tickled with Delight to hear their Darlings so admired, +which the Duke perceiving, out of a Principle of Generosity and +Friendship, urged the present Consummation of the Marriage; telling +them there was yet one day of publick Rejoycing to come, and how glad +he should be to have it improved by so acceptable an Alliance; and +what an honour it would be to have his Cousin's Marriage attended by +the Conjunction of so extraordinary a Pair, the performance of which +Ceremony would crown the Joy that was then in Agitation, and make the +last day vie for equal Glory and Happiness with the first. In short, +by the Complaisant and Perswasive Authority of the Duke, the Dons +were wrought into a Compliance, and accordingly embraced and shook +Hands upon the Matter. This News was dispersed like the former, and +Don Fabio gave orders for the enquiring out his Son's Lodging, that +the Marquess and he might make him a Visit, as soon as he had +acquainted Juliana with his purpose, that she might prepare her self. +He found her very chearful with Donna Catharina and several other +Ladies; whereupon the old Gentleman, pretty well warmed with the +Duke's Goodfellowship, told her aloud he was come to crown their +Mirth with another Wedding; that his Highness had been pleased to +provide a Husband for his Daughter, and he would have her provide her +self to receive him to-morrow. All the Company at first, as well as +Juliana her self, thought he had rally'd, till the Duke coming in +confirmed the serious part of his Discourse. Juliana was confounded +at the haste that was imposed on her, and desired a little time to +consider what she was about. But the Marquess told her, she should +have all the rest of her Life to consider in; that Aurelian should +come and consider with her in the Morning, if she pleased; but in the +mean time, he advised her to go home and call her Maids to Counsel. + +Juliana took her leave of the Company very gravely, as if not much +delighted with her Father's Rallery. Leonora happened to be by, and +heard all that passed; she was ready to swoon, and found her self +seized with a more violent Passion than ever for Aurelian: Now upon +her apprehensions of losing him, her active fancy had brought him +before her with all the advantages imaginable, and though she had +before found great tenderness in her Inclination toward him, yet was +she somewhat surprized to find she really lov'd him. She was so +uneasie at what she had heard, that she thought it convenient to +steal out of the presence and retire to her Closet, to bemoan her +unhappy helpless Condition. + +Our Two Cavalier-Lovers had rack'd their Invention till it was quite +disabled, and could not make discovery of one Contrivance more for +their Relief. Both sat silent, each depending upon his Friend, and +still expecting when t'other should speak. Night came upon them +while they sate thus thoughtless, or rather drowned in Thought; but a +Servant bringing Lights into the Room awakened them: And Hippolito's +Speech, usher'd by a profound Sigh, broke Silence. + +'Well! (said he) what must we do, Aurelian? We must suffer, replied +Aurelian faintly. When immediately raising his Voice, he cry'd out, +'Oh ye unequal Powers, why do ye urge us to desire what ye doom us to +forbear; give us a Will to chuse, then curb us with a Duty to +restrain that Choice! Cruel Father, Will nothing else suffice! Am I +to be the Sacrifice to expiate your Offences past; past ere I was +born? Were I to lose my Life, I'd gladly Seal your Reconcilement +with my Blood. 'But Oh my Soul is free, you have no Title to my +Immortal Being, that has Existence independent of your Power; and +must I lose my Love, the Extract of that Being, the Joy, Light, Life, +and Darling of my Soul? No, I'll own my Flame, and plead my Title +too.--But hold, wretched Aurelian, hold, whither does thy Passion +hurry thee? Alas! the cruel fair Incognita Loves thee not! She +knows not of thy Love! If she did, what Merit hast thou to pretend?- +-Only Love.--Excess of Love. And all the World has that. All that +have seen her. Yet I had only seen her once, and in that once I +lov'd above the World; nay, lov'd beyond my self, such vigorous +Flame, so strong, so quick she darted at my Breast; it must rebound, +and by Reflection, warm her self. Ah! welcome Thought, lovely +deluding Fancy, hang still upon my Soul, let me but think, that once +she Loves and perish my Despair. + +Here a suddain stop gave a Period also to Hippolito's Expectation, +and he hoped now that his Friend had given his Passion so free a +vent, he might recollect and bethink himself of what was convenient +to be done; but Aurelia, as if he had mustered up all his Spirits +purely to acquit himself of that passionate Harangue, stood mute and +insensible like an Alarum Clock, that had spent all its force in one +violent Emotion. Hippolito shook him by the Arm to rouze him from +his Lethargy, when his Lacquey coming into the Room, out of Breath, +told him there was a Coach just stopp'd at the Door, but he did not +take time to who came in it. Aurelian concluded immediately it was +his Father in quest of him; and without saying any more to Hippolito, +than that he was Ruined if discovered, took his Sword and slipp'd +down a back pair of Stairs into the Garden, from whence he conveyed +himself into the Street. Hippolito had not bethought himself what to +do, before he perceiv'd a Lady come into the Chamber close veil'd, +and make toward him. At the first Appearance of a Woman, his +Imagination flattered him with a Thought of Leonora; but that was +quickly over upon nearer Approach to the Lady, who had much the +Advantage in Stature of his Mistress. He very civilly accosted her, +and asked if he were the Person to whom the Honour of that Visit was +intended. She said, her Business was with Don Hippolito di +Saviolina, to whom she had Matter of Concern to import, and which +required haste. He had like to have told her, That he was the Man, +but by good Chance reflecting upon his Friend's Adventure, who had +taken his name, he made Answer, that he believed Don Hippolito not +far off, and if she had a Moments Patience he would enquire for him. + +He went out, leaving the Lady in the Room, and made search all round +the House and Garden for Aurelian, but to no purpose. The Lady +impatient of his long stay took a Pen and Ink and some Paper which +she found upon the Table, and had just made an End of her Letter, +when hearing a Noise of more than one coming up Stairs, she concluded +his Friend had found him, and that her Letter would be to no purpose, +so tore it in pieces, which she repented; when turning about, she +found her Mistake, and beheld Don Fabio and the Marquess of Viterbo +just entring at the Door. She gave a Shriek at the Surprize of their +Appearance, which much troubled the Old Gentlemen, and made them +retire in Confusion for putting a Gentlewoman into such a Fright. +The Marquess thinking they had been misinformed, or had mistaken the +Lodgings, came forward again, and made an Apology to the Lady for +their Errour; but she making no reply, walk'd directly by him down +Stairs and went into her Coach, which hurried her away as speedily as +the Horses were able to draw. + +The Dons were at a loss what to think, when, Hippolito coming into +the Room to give the Lady an Account of his Errant, was no less +astonished to find she was departed, and had left Two Old Signiors in +her stead. He knew Don Fabio's Face, for Aurelian had shewn him his +Father at the Tilting; but being confident he was not known to him, +he ventur'd to ask him concerning a Lady whom just now he had left in +that Chamber. Don Fabio told him, she was just gone down, and +doubted they had been Guilty of a Mistake, in coming to enquire for a +Couple of Gentlemen whom they were informed were Lodged in that +House; he begg'd his Pardon if he had any Relation to that Lady, and +desired to know if he could give them any Account of the Persons they +sought for. Hippolito made answer, He was a Stranger in the Place, +and only a Servant to that Lady whom they had disturb'd, and whom he +must go and seek out. And in this Perplexity he left them, going +again in Search of Aurelian, to inform him of what had passed. + +The Old Gentlemen at last meeting with a Servant of the House, were +directed to Signior Claudio's Chamber, where they were no sooner +entered but Aurelian came into the House. A Servant who had skulk'd +for him by Hippolito's Order, followed him up into the Chamber, and +told him who was with Claudio then making Enquiry for him. He +thought that to be no Place for him, since Claudio must needs +discover all the Truth to his Father; wherefore he left Directions +with the Servant, where Hippolito should meet him in the Morning. As +he was going out of the Room he espied the torn Paper, which the Lady +had thrown upon the Floor: The first piece he took up had Incognita +written upon it; the sight of which so Alarum'd him, he scarce knew +what he was about; but hearing a Noise of a Door opening over Head, +with as much Care as was consistent with the haste he was then in, he +gathered up scattered pieces of Paper, and betook himself to a Ramble + +Coming by a Light which hung at the Corner of a Street, he join'd the +torn Papers and collected thus much, that Incognita had Written the +Note, and earnestly desired (if there were any reality in what he +pretended to her) to meet her at Twelve a Clock that Night at a +Convent Gate; but unluckily the Bit of Paper which should have +mentioned what Convent, was broken off and lost. + +Here was a large Subject for Aurelian's Passion, which he did not +spare to pour forth in Abundance of Curses on his Stars. So earnest +was he in the Contemplation of his Misfortunes, that he walk'd on +unwittingly; till at length Silence (and such as was only to be found +in that part the Town, whither his unguided Steps had carried him) +surpriz'd his Attention. I say, a profound Silence rouzed him from +his Thought; and a clap of Thunder could have done no more. + +Now because it is possible this at some time or other may happen to +be read by some Malicious or Ignorant Person, (no Reflection upon the +present Reader) who will not admit, or does not understand that +Silence should make a Man start; and have the same Effect, in +provoking his Attention, with its opposite Noise; I will illustrate +this matter, to such a diminutive Critick, by a Parallel Instance of +Light; which though it does chiefly entertain the Eyes, and is indeed +the prime Object of the Sight, yet should it immediately cease, to +have a Man left in the Dark by a suddain deficiency of it, would make +him stare with his Eyes, and though he could not see, endeavour to +look about him. Why just thus did it fare with our Adventurer; who +seeming to have wandred both into the Dominions of Silence and of +Night, began to have some tender for his own Safety, and would +willingly have groped his Way back again; when he heard a Voice, as +from a Person whose Breath had been stopp'd by some forcible +Oppression, and just then, by a violent Effort, was broke through the +Restraint.--'Yet--Yet--(again reply'd the Voice, still struggling for +Air,) 'Forbear--and I'll forgive what's past--I have done nothing yet +that needs a Pardon, (says another) and what is to come, will admit +of none. + +Here the Person who seemed to be the Oppressed, made several Attempts +to speak, but they were only inarticulate Sounds, being all +interrupted and choaked in their Passage. + +Aurelian was sufficiently astonish'd, and would have crept nearer to +the Place whence he guessed the Voice to come; but he was got among +the Runes of an Old Monastery, and could not stir so silently, but +some loose Stones he met with made a rumbling. The Noise alarm'd +both Parties; and as it gave Comfort to the one, it so Terrified the +t'other, that he could not hinder the Oppressed from calling for +help. Aurelian fancy'd it was a Woman's Voice, and immediately +drawing his Sword, demanded what was the Matter; he was answered with +the Appearance of a Man, who had opened a Dark Lanthorn which he had +by him, and came toward him with a Pistol in his Hand ready cock'd. + +Aurelian seeing the irresistable advantage his Adversary had over +him, would fain have retired; and, by the greatest Providence in the +World, going backwards fell down over some loose Stones that lay in +his Way, just in that Instant of Time when the Villain fired his +Pistol, who seeing him fall, concluded he had Shot him. The Crys of +the afflicted Person were redoubled at the Tragical Sight, which made +the Murderer, drawing a Poniard, to threaten him, that the next +Murmur should be his last. Aurelian, who was scarce assured that he +was unhurt, got softly up; and coming near enough to perceive the +Violence that was used to stop the Injured Man's Mouth; (for now he +saw plainly it was a Man) cry'd out,--Turn, Villain, and look upon +thy Death.--The Fellow amazed at the Voice, turn'd about to have +snatch'd up the Lanthorn from the Ground; either to have given Light +only to himself, or to have put out the Candle, that he might have +made his Escape; but which of the Two he designed, no Body could tell +but himself: and if the Reader have a Curiosity to know, he must +blame Aurelian; who thinking there could be no foul play offered to +such a Villain, ran him immediately through the Heart, so that he +drop'd down Dead at his Feet, without speaking a Word. He would have +seen who the Person was he had thus happily delivered, but the Dead +Body had fallen upon the Lanthorn, which put out the Candle: However +coming up toward him, he ask'd him how he did, and bid him be of good +Heart; he was answered with nothing but Prayers, Blessings and +Thanks, called a Thousand Deliverers, good Genius's and Guardian +Angels. And the Rescued would certainly have gone upon his Knees to +have worshipped him, had he not been bound Hand and Foot; which +Aurelian understanding, groped for the Knots, and either untied them +or cut them asunder; but 'tis more probable the latter, because more +expeditious. + +They took little heed what became of the Body which they left behind +them, and Aurelian was conducted from out the Ruins by the Hand of +him he had delivered. By a faint light issuing from the just rising +Moon, he could discern that it was a Youth; but coming into a more +frequented part of the Town, where several Lights were hung out, he +was amaz'd at the extream Beauty which appeared in his Face, though a +little pale and disordered with his late fright. Aurelian longed to +hear the Story of so odd an adventure, and entreated his Charge to +tell it him by the way; but he desired him to forbear till they were +come into some House or other, where he might rest and recover his +tired Spirits, for yet he was so faint he was unable to look up. +Aurelian thought these last words were delivered in a Voice, whose +accent was not new to him. That thought made him look earnestly in +the Youth's Face, which he now was sure he had somewhere seen before, +and thereupon asked him if he had never been at Siena? That Question +made the young Gentleman look up, and something of a Joy appeared in +his Countenance, which yet he endeavoured to smother; so praying +Aurelian to conduct him to his Lodging, he promised him that as soon +as they should come thither, he would acquaint him with any thing he +desired to know. Aurelian would rather have gone any where else than +to his own Lodging; but being so very late he was at a loss, and so +forced to be contented. + +As soon as they were come into his Chamber, and that Lights were +brought them and the Servant dismissed, the paleness which so visibly +before had usurped the sweet Countenance of the afflicted Youth +vanished, and gave place to a more lively Flood of Crimson, which +with a modest heat glow'd freshly on his Cheeks. Aurelian waited +with a pleasing Admiration the discovery promised him, when the Youth +still struggling with his Resolution, with a timorous haste, pulled +off a Peruke which had concealed the most beautiful abundance of Hair +that ever graced one Female Head; those dishevelled spreading +tresses, as at first they made a discovery of, so at last they served +for a veil to the modest lovely blushes of the fair Incognita; for +she it was and none other. But Oh! the inexpressible, inconceivable +joy and amazement of Aurelian! As soon as he durst venture to think, +he concluded it to be all Vision, and never doubted so much of any +thing in his Life as of his being then awake. But she taking him by +the Hand, and desiring him to sit down by her, partly convinced him +of the reality of her presence. + +'This is the second time, Don Hippolito, (said she to him) 'that I +have been here this Night. What the occasion was of my seeking you +out, and how by miracle you preserved me, would add too much to the +surprize I perceive you to be already in should I tell you: Nor will +I make any further discovery, till I know what censure you pass upon +the confidence which I have put in you, and the strange Circumstances +in which you find me at this time. I am sensible they are such, that +I shall not blame your severest Conjectures; but I hope to convince +you, when you shall hear what I have to say in justification of my +Vertue. + +'Justification! (cry'd Aurelian) what Infidel dares doubt it! Then +kneeling down, and taking her Hand, 'Ah Madam (says he) would Heaven +would no other ways look upon, than I behold your Perfections--Wrong +not your Creature with a Thought, he can be guilty of that horrid +Impiety as once to doubt your Vertue--Heavens! (cry'd he, starting +up) 'am I so really blessed to see you once again! May I trust my +Sight?--Or does my fancy now only more strongly work?--For still I +did preserve your Image in my Heart, and you were ever present to my +dearest Thoughts. - + +'Enough Hippolito, enough of Rapture (said she) you cannot much +accuse me of Ingratitude; for you see I have not been unmindful of +you; but moderate your Joy till I have told you my Condition, and if +for my sake you are raised to this Delight, it is not of a long +continuance. + +At that (as Aurelian tells the Story) a Sigh diffused a mournful +sweetness through the Air, and liquid grief fell gently from her +Eyes, triumphant sadness sat upon her Brow, and even sorrow seem'd +delighted with the Conquest he had made. See what a change Aurelian +felt! His Heart bled Tears, and trembled in his Breast; Sighs +struggling for a vent had choaked each others passage up: His Floods +of Joys were all supprest; cold doubts and fears had chill'd 'em with +a sudden Frost, and he was troubled to excess; yet knew not why. +Well, the Learned say it was Sympathy; and I am always of the Opinion +with the Learned, if they speak first. + +After a World of Condoleance had passed between them, he prevailed +with her to tell him her Story. So having put all her Sighs into one +great Sigh, she discharged her self of 'em all at once, and formed +the Relation you are just about to Read. + +'Having been in my Infancy Contracted to a Man I could never endure, +and now by my Parents being likely to be forced to Marry him, is in +short, the great occasion of my grief. I fansy'd (continued she) +something so Generous in your Countenance, and uncommon in your +Behaviour, while you were diverting your self, and rallying me with +Expressions of Gallantry, at the Ball, as induced me to hold +Conference with you. I now freely confess to you, out of design, +That if things should happen as I then feared, and as now they are +come to pass, I might rely upon your assistance in a matter of +Concern; and in which I would sooner chuse to depend upon a generous +Stranger, than any Acquaintance I have. What Mirth and Freedom I +then put on, were, I can assure you, far distant from my Heart; but I +did violence to my self out of Complaisance to your Temper.--I knew +you at the Tilting, and wished you might come off as you did; though +I do not doubt, but you would have had as good Success had it been +opposite to my Inclinations.--Not to detain you by too tedious a +Relation, every day my Friends urged me to the Match they had agreed +upon for me, before I was capable of Consenting; at last their +importunities grew to that degree, that I found I must either +consent, which would make me miserable, or be miserable by +perpetually enduring to be baited by my Father, Brother and other +Relations. I resolved yesterday, on a suddain to give firm Faith to +the Opinion I had conceived of you; and accordingly came in the +Evening to request your assistance, in delivering me from my +Tormentors, by a safe and private conveyance of me to a Monastery +about four Leagues hence, where I have an Aunt who would receive me, +and is the only Relation I have averse to the Match. I was surprized +at the appearance of some Company I did not expect at your Lodgings; +which made me in haste tear a Paper which I had written to you with +Directions where to find me, and get speedily away in my Coach to an +old Servant's House, whom I acquainted with my purpose: By my Order +she provided me of this Habit which I now wear; I ventured to trust +my self with her Brother, and resolved to go under his Conduct to the +Monastery; he proved to be a Villain, and Pretending to take me a +short and private way to the place where he was to take up a Hackney +Coach (for that which I came in was broke some where or other with +the haste it made to carry me from your Lodging) led me into an old +ruined Monastery, where it pleased Heaven, by what Accident I know +not, to direct you. I need not tell you how you saved my Life and my +Honour, by revenging me with the Death of my Perfidious Guide. This +is the summ of my present Condition, bating the apprehensions I am in +of being taken by some of my Relations, and forced to a thing so +quite contrary to my Inclinations. + +Aurelian was confounded at the Relation she had made, and began to +fear his own Estate to be more desperate than ever he had imagined. +He made her a very Passionate and Eloquent Speech in behalf of +himself (much better than I intend to insert here) and expressed a +mighty concern that she should look upon his ardent Affection to be +only Rallery or Gallantry. He was very free of his Oaths to confirm +the Truth of what he pretended, nor I believe did she doubt it, or at +least was unwilling so to do: For I would Caution the Reader by the +bye, not to believe every word which she told him, nor that admirable +sorrow which she counterfeited to be accurately true. It was indeed +truth so cunningly intermingled with Fiction, that it required no +less Wit and Presence of Mind than she was endowed with so to acquit +her self on the suddain. She had entrusted her self indeed with a +Fellow who proved a Villain, to conduct her to a Monastery; but one +which was in the Town, and where she intended only to lie concealed +for his sake; as the Reader shall understand ere long: For we have +another Discovery to make to him, if he have not found it out of +himself already. + +After Aurelian had said what he was able upon the Subject in hand, +with a mournful tone and dejected look, he demanded his Doom. She +asked him if he would endeavour to convey her to the Monastery she +had told him of? 'Your commands, Madam, (replied he) 'are Sacred to +me; and were they to lay down my Life I would obey them. With that +he would have gone out of the Room, to have given order for his +Horses to be got ready immediately; but with a Countenance so full of +sorrow as moved Compassion in the tender hearted Incognita. 'Stay a +little Don Hippolito (said she) I fear I shall not be able to undergo +the Fatigue of a Journey this Night.--Stay and give me your Advice +how I shall conceal my self if I continue to morrow in this Town. +Aurelian could have satisfied her she was not then in a place to +avoid discovery: But he must also have told her then the reason of +it, viz. whom he was, and who were in quest of him, which he did not +think convenient to declare till necessity should urge him; for he +feared least her knowledge of those designs which were in agitation +between him and Juliana, might deter her more from giving her +consent. At last he resolved to try his utmost perswasions to gain +her, and told her accordingly, he was afraid she would be disturbed +there in the Morning, and he knew no other way (if she had not as +great an aversion for him as the Man whom she now endeavour'd to +avoid) than by making him happy to make her self secure. He +demonstrated to her, -that the disobligation to her Parents would be +greater by going to a Monastery, since it was only to avoid a choice +which they had made for her, and which she could not have so just a +pretence to do till she had made one for her self. + +A World of other Arguments he used, which she contradicted as long as +she was able, or at least willing. At last she told him, she would +consult her Pillow, and in the Morning conclude what was fit to be +done. He thought it convenient to leave her to her rest, and having +lock'd her up in his Room, went himself to repose upon a Pallat by +Signior Claudio. + +In the mean time, it may be convenient to enquire what became of +Hippolito. He had wandered much in pursuit of Aurelian, though +Leonora equally took up his Thoughts; He was reflecting upon the +oddness and extravagance of his Circumstances, the Continuation of +which had doubtless created in him a great uneasiness, when it was +interrupted with the noise of opening the Gates of the Convent of St. +Lawrence, whither he was arrived sooner than he thought for, being +the place Aurelian had appointed by the Lacquey to meet him in. He +wondered to see the Gates opened at so unseasonable an hour, and went +to enquire the reason of it from them who were employ'd; but they +proved to be Novices, and made him signs to go in, where he might +meet with some body allow'd to answer him. He found the Religious +Men all up, and Tapers lighting every where: at last he follow'd a +Friar who was going into the Garden, and asking him the cause of +these Preparations, he was answered, That they were entreated to pray +for the Soul of a Cavalier, who was just departing or departed this +Life, and whom upon farther talk with him, he found to be the same +Lorenzo so often mentioned. Don Mario, it seems Uncle to Lorenzo and +Father to Leonora, had a private Door out of the Garden belonging to +his House into that of the Convent, which Door this Father was now a +going to open, that he and his Family might come and offer up their +Oraisons for the Soul of their Kinsman. Hippolito having informed +himself of as much as he could ask without suspicion, took his leave +of the Friar, not a little joyful at the Hopes he had by such +unexpected Means, of seeing his Beautiful Leonora: As soon as he was +got at convenient Distance from the Friar, (who 'tis like thought he +had return'd into the Convent to his Devotion) he turned back through +a close Walk which led him with a little Compass, to the same private +Door, where just before he had left the Friar, who now he saw was +gone, and the Door open. + +He went into Don Mario's Garden, and walk'd round with much Caution +and Circumspection; for the Moon was then about to rise, and had +already diffused a glimmering Light, sufficient to distinguish a Man +from a Tree. By Computation now (which is a very remarkable +Circumstance) Hippolito entred this Garden near upon the same +Instant, when Aurelian wandred into the Old Monastery and found his +Incognita in Distress. He was pretty well acquainted with the +Platform, and Sight of the Garden; for he had formerly surveyed the +Outside, and knew what part to make to if he should be surpriz'd and +driven to a precipitate Escape. He took his Stand behind a well +grown Bush of Myrtle, which, should the Moon shine brighter than was +required, had the Advantage to be shaded by the Indulgent Boughs of +an ancient Bay-Tree. He was delighted with the Choice he had made, +for he found a Hollow in the Myrtle, as if purposely contriv'd for +the Reception of one Person, who might undiscovered perceive all +about him. He looked upon it as a good Omen, that the Tree +Consecrated to Venus was so propitious to him in his Amorous +Distress. The Consideration of that, together with the Obligation he +lay under to the Muses, for sheltering him also with so large a Crown +of Bays, had like to have set him a Rhyming. + +He was, to tell the Truth, naturally addicted to Madrigal, and we +should undoubtedly have had a small desert of Numbers to have pick'd +and Criticiz'd upon, had he not been interrupted just upon his +Delivery; nay, after the Preliminary Sigh had made Way for his +Utterance. But so was his Fortune, Don Mario was coming towards the +Door at that very nick of Time, where he met with a Priest just out +of Breath, who told him that Lorenzo was just breathing his last, and +desired to know if he would come and take his final Leave before they +were to administer the Extream Unction. Don Mario, who had been at +some Difference with his Nephew, now thought it his Duty to be +reconciled to him; so calling to Leonora, who was coming after him, +he bid her go to her Devotions in the Chappel, and told her where he +was going. + +He went on with the Priest, while Hippolito saw Leonora come forward, +only accompanied by her Woman. She was in an undress, and by reason +of a Melancholy visible in her Face, more Careless than usual in her +Attire, which he thought added as much as was possible to the +abundance of her Charms. He had not much Time to Contemplate this +Beauteous Vision, for she soon passed into the Garden of the Convent, +leaving him Confounded with Love, Admiration, Joy, Hope, Fear, and +all the Train of Passions, which seize upon Men in his Condition, all +at once. He was so teazed with this Variety of Torment, that he +never missed the Two Hours that had slipped away during his Automachy +and Intestine Conflict. Leonora's Return settled his Spirits, at +least united them, and he had now no other Thought but how he should +present himself before her. When she calling her Woman, bid her bolt +the Garden Door on the Inside, that she might not be Surpriz'd by her +Father, if he returned through the Convent, which done, she ordered +her to bring down her Lute, and leave her to her self in the Garden. + +All this Hippolito saw and heard to his inexpressible Content, yet +had he much to do to smother his Joy, and hinder it from taking a +Vent, which would have ruined the only Opportunity of his Life. +Leonora withdrew into an Arbour so near him, that he could distinctly +hear her if she Played or Sung: Having tuned her Lute, with a Voice +soft as the Breath of Angels, she flung to it this following Air: + + +I. + +Ah! Whither, whither shall I fly, +A poor unhappy Maid; +To hopeless Love and Misery +By my own Heart betray'd? +Not by Alexis Eyes undone, +Nor by his Charming Faithless Tongue, +Or any Practis'd Art; +Such real Ills may hope a Cure, +But the sad Pains which I endure +Proceed from fansied Smart. + +II. + +'Twas Fancy gave Alexis Charms, +Ere I beheld his Face: +Kind Fancy (then) could fold our Arms, +And form a soft Embrace. +But since I've seen the real Swain, +And try'd to fancy him again, +I'm by my Fancy taught, +Though 'tis a Bliss no Tongue can tell, +To have Alexis, yet 'tis Hell +To have him but in Thought. + + +The Song ended grieved Hippolito that it was so soon ended; and in +the Ecstacy he was then rapt, I believe he would have been satisfied +to have expired with it. He could not help Flattering himself, +(though at the same Time he checked his own Vanity) that he was the +Person meant in the Song. While he was indulging which thought, to +his happy Astonishment, he heard it encouraged by these Words: + +'Unhappy Leonora (said she) how is thy poor unwary Heart misled? +Whither am I come? The false deluding Lights of an imaginary Flame, +have led me, a poor benighted Victim, to a real Fire. I burn and am +consumed with hopeless Love; those Beams in whose soft temperate +warmth I wanton'd heretofore, now flash destruction to my Soul, my +Treacherous greedy Eyes have suck'd the glaring Light, they have +united all its Rays, and, like a burning-Glass, convey'd the pointed +Meteor to my Heart--Ah! Aurelian, how quickly hast thou Conquer'd, +and how quickly must thou Forsake. Oh Happy (to me unfortunately +Happy) Juliana! I am to be the subject of thy Triumph--To thee +Aurelian comes laden with the Tribute of my Heart and Glories in the +Oblation of his broken Vows.--What then, is Aurelian False! False! +alass, I know not what I say; How can he be False, or True, or any +Thing to me? What Promises did he ere make or I receive? Sure I +dream, or I am mad, and fansie it to be Love; Foolish Girl, recal thy +banish'd Reason.--Ah! would it were no more, would I could rave, sure +that would give me Ease, and rob me of the Sense of Pain; at least, +among my wandring Thoughts, I should at sometime light upon Aurelian, +and fansie him to be mine; kind Madness would flatter my poor feeble +Wishes, and sometimes tell me Aurelian is not lost--not +irrecoverably--not for ever lost. + +Hippolito could hear no more, he had not Room for half his Transport. +When Leonora perceived a Man coming toward her, she fell a trembling, +and could not speak. Hippolito approached with Reverence, as to a +Sacred Shrine; when coming near enough to see her Consternation, he +fell upon his Knees. + +'Behold, O Adored Leonora (said he) 'your ravished Aurelian, behold +at your Feet the Happiest of Men, be not disturb'd at my Appearance, +but think that Heaven conducted me to hear my Bliss pronounced by +that dear Mouth alone, whose breath could fill me with new Life. + +Here he would have come nearer, but Leonora (scarce come to her self) +was getting up in haste to have gone away: he catch'd her Hand, and +with all the Endearments of Love and Transport pressed her stay; she +was a long time in great Confusion, at last, with many Blushes, she +entreated him to let her go where she might hide her Guilty Head, and +not expose her shame before his Eyes, since his Ears had been +sufficient Witnesses of her Crime. He begg'd pardon for his +Treachery in over-hearing, and confessed it to be a Crime he had now +repeated. With a Thousand Submissions, Entreaties, Prayers, Praises, +Blessings, and passionate Expressions he wrought upon her to stay and +hear him. Here Hippolito made use of his Rhetorick, and it proved +prevailing: 'Twere tedious to tell the many ingenious Arguments he +used, with all her Nice Distinctions and Objections. In short, he +convinced her of his Passion, represented to her the necessity they +were under, of being speedy in their Resolves: That his Father (for +still he was Aurelian) would undoubtedly find him in the Morning, and +then it would be too late to Repent. She on the other Hand, knew it +was in vain to deny a Passion, which he had heard her so frankly own; +(and no doubt was very glad it was past and done;) besides +apprehending the danger of delay, and having some little Jealousies +and Fears of what Effect might be produced between the Commands of +his Father and the Beauties of Juliana; after some decent Denials, +she consented to be Conducted by him through the Garden into the +Convent, where she would prevail with her Confessor to Marry them. +He was a scrupulous Old Father whom they had to deal withal, insomuch +that ere they had perswaded him, Don Mario was returned by the Way of +his own House, where missing his Daughter, and her Woman not being +able to give any farther Account of her, than that she left her in +the Garden; he concluded she was gone again to her Devotions, and +indeed he found her in the Chappel upon her Knees with Hippolito in +her hand, receiving the Father's Benediction upon Conclusion of the +Ceremony. + +It would have asked a very skilful Hand, to have depicted to the Life +the Faces of those Three Persons, at Don Mario's Appearance. He that +has seen some admirable Piece of Transmutation by a Gorgon's Head, +may form to himself the most probable Idea of the Prototype. The Old +Gentleman was himself in a sort of a Wood, to find his Daughter with +a Young Fellow and a Priest, but as yet he did not know the Worst, +till Hippolito and Leonora came, and kneeling at his Feet, begg'd his +Forgiveness and Blessing as his Son and Daughter. Don Mario, instead +of that, fell into a most violent Passion, and would undoubtedly have +committed some extravagant Action, had he not been restrained, more +by the Sanctity of the Place, than the Perswasions of all the +Religious, who were now come about him. Leonora stirr'd not off her +Knees all this time, but continued begging of him that he would hear +her. + +'Ah! Ungrateful and Undutiful Wretch (cry'd he) 'how hast thou +requited all my Care and Tenderness of thee? Now when I might have +expected some return of Comfort, to throw thy self away upon an +unknown Person, and, for ought I know, a Villain; to me I'm sure he +is a Villain, who has robb'd me of my Treasure, my Darling Joy, and +all the future Happiness of my Life prevented. Go--go, thou now-to- +be-forgotten Leonora, go and enjoy thy unprosperous Choice; you who +wanted not a Father's Counsel, cannot need, or else will slight his +Blessing. + +These last Words were spoken with so much Passion and feeling +Concern, that Leonora, moved with Excess of Grief, fainted at his +Feet, just as she had caught hold to Embrace his Knees. The Old Man +would have shook her off, but Compassion and Fatherly Affection came +upon him in the midst of his Resolve, and melted him into Tears, he +Embraced his Daughter in his Arms, and wept over her, while they +endeavoured to restore her Senses. + +Hippolito was in such Concern he could not speak, but was busily +employed in rubbing and chafing her Temples; when she opening her +Eyes laid hold of his Arm, and cry'd out--Oh my Aurelian--how unhappy +have you made me! With that she had again like to have fainted away, +but he took her in his Arms, and begg'd Don Mario to have some pity +on his Daughter, since by his Severity she was reduced to that +Condition. The Old Man hearing his Daughter name Aurelian, was a +little revived, and began to hope Things were in a pretty good +Condition; he was perswaded to comfort her, and having brought her +wholly to her self, was content to hear her Excuse, and in a little +time was so far wrought upon as to beg Hippolito's Pardon for the Ill +Opinion he had conceived of him, and not long after gave his Consent. + +The Night was spent in this Conflict, and it was now clear Day, when +Don Mario Conducting his new Son and Daughter through the Garden, was +met by some Servants of the Marquess of Viterbo, who had been +enquiring for Donna Leonora, to know if Juliana had lately been with +her; for that she was missing from her Father's House, and no +conjectures could be made of what might become of her. Don Mario and +Leonora were surprized at the News, for he knew well enough of the +Match that was design'd for Juliana; and having enquired where the +Marquess was, it was told him, That he was gone with Don Fabio and +Fabritio toward Aurelian's Lodgings. Don Mario having assured the +Servants that Juliana had not been there, dismissed them, and advised +with his Son and Daughter how they should undeceive the Marquess and +Don Fabio in their Expectations of Aurelian. Hippolito could +oftentimes scarce forbear smiling at the old Man's Contrivances who +was most deceived himself; he at length advised them to go all down +together to his Lodging, where he would present himself before his +Father, and ingenuously confess to him the truth, and he did not +question his approving of his Choice. + +This was agreed to, and the Coach made ready. While they were upon +their way, Hippolito pray'd heartily that his Friend Aurelian might +be at the Lodging, to satisfie Don Mario and Leonora of his +Circumstances and Quality, when he should be obliged to discover +himself. His Petitions were granted; for Don Fabio had beset the +House long before his Son was up or Incognita awake. + +Upon the arrival of Don Mario and Hippolito, they heard a great Noise +and Hubbub above Stairs, which Don Mario concluded was occasioned by +their not finding Aurelian, whom he thought he could give the best +account of: So that it was not in Hippolito's power to disswade him +from going up before to prepare his Father to receive and forgive +him. While Hippolito and Leonora were left in the Coach at the Door, +he made himself known to her, and begg'd her pardon a thousand times +for continuing the deceit. She was under some concern at first to +find she was still mistaken; but his Behaviour, and the Reasons he +gave, soon reconciled him to her; his Person was altogether as +agreeable, his Estate and Quality not at all inferiour to Aurelian's; +in the mean time, the true Aurelian who had seen his Father, begg'd +leave of him to withdraw for a moment; in which time he went into the +Chamber where his Incognita was dressing her self, by his design, in +Woman's Apparel, while he was consulting with her how they should +break the matter to his Father; it happened that Don Mario came up +Stairs where the Marquess and Don Fabio were; they undoubtedly +concluded him Mad, to hear him making Apologies and Excuses for +Aurelian, whom he told them if they would promise to forgive he would +present before them immediately. The Marquess asked him if his +Daughter had lain with Leonora that Night; he answered him with +another question in behalf of Aurelian. In short, they could not +understand one another, but each thought 'tother beside himself. Don +Mario was so concern'd that they would not believe him, that he ran +down Stairs and came to the Door out of Breath, desiring Hippolito +that he would come into the House quickly, for that he could not +perswade his Father but that he had already seen and spoke to him. +Hippolito by that understood that Aurelian was in the House; so +taking Leonora by the Hand, he followed Don Mario, who led him up +into the Dining-Room, where they found Aurelian upon his Knees, +begging his Father to forgive him, that he could not agree to the +Choice he had made for him, since he had already disposed of himself, +and that before he understood the designs he had for him, which was +the reason that he had hitherto concealed himself. Don Fabio knew +not how to answer him, but look'd upon the Marquess, and the Marquess +upon him, as if the Cement had been cool'd which was to have united +their Families. + +All was silent, and Don Mario for his part took it to be all +Conjuration; he was coming forward to present Hippolito to them, when +Aurelian spying his Friend, started from his Knees and ran to embrace +him--My dear Hippolito (said he) what happy chance has brought you +hither, just at my Necessity? Hippolito pointed to Don Mario and +Leonora, and told him upon what terms he came. Don Mario was ready +to run mad, hearing him called Hippolito, and went again to examine +his Daughter. While she was informing him of the truth, the +Marquess's Servants returned with the melancholy News that his +Daughter was no where to be found. While the Marquess and Don +Fabritio were wondering at, and lamenting the Misfortune of her loss, +Hippolito came towards Don Fabio and interceded for his Son, since +the Lady perhaps had withdrawn her self out of an Aversion to the +Match. Don Fabio, though very much incens'd, yet forgot not the +Respect due to Hippolito's Quality; and by his perswasion spoke to +Aurelian, though with a stern Look and angry Voice, and asked him +where he had disposed the cause of his Disobedience, if he were +worthy to see her or no; Aurelian made answer, That he desired no +more than for him to see her; and he did not doubt a Consequence of +his Approbation and Forgiveness--Well (said Don Fabio) you are very +conceited of your own Discretion, let us see this Rarety. While +Aurelian was gone in for Incognita, the Marquess of Viterbo and Don +Fabritio were taking their leaves in great disorder for their loss +and disappointment; but Don Fabio entreated their stay a moment +longer till the return of his Son. Aurelian led Incognita into the +Room veil'd, who seeing some Company there which he had not told her +of, would have gone back again. But Don Fabio came bluntly forwards, +and ere she was aware, lifted up her Veil and beheld the Fair +Incognita, differing nothing from Juliana, but in her Name. This +discovery was so extreamly surprizing and welcome, that either Joy or +Amazement had tied up the Tongues of the whole Company. Aurelian +here was most at a loss, for he knew not of his Happiness; and that +which all along prevented Juliana's confessing her self to him, was +her knowing Hippolito (for whom she took him) to be Aurelian's +Friend, and she feared if he had known her, that he would never have +consented to have deprived him of her. Juliana was the first that +spoke, falling upon her Knees to her Father, who was not enough +himself to take her up. Don Fabio ran to her, and awakened the +Marquess, who then embraced her, but could not yet speak. Fabritio +and Leonora strove who should first take her in their Arms; for +Aurelian he was out of his wits for Joy, and Juliana was not much +behind him, to see how happily their Loves and Duties were +reconciled. Don Fabio embraced his Son and forgave him. The +Marquess and Fabritio gave Juliana into his hands, he received the +Blessing upon his Knees; all were over-joy'd, and Don Mario not a +little proud at the discovery of his Son-in-Law, whom Aurelian did +not fail to set forth with all the ardent Zeal and Eloquence of +Friendship. Juliana and Leonora had pleasant Discourse about their +unknown and mistaken Rivalship, and it was the Subject of a great +deal of Mirth to hear Juliana relate the several Contrivances which +she had to avoid Aurelian for the sake of Hippolito. + +Having diverted themselves with many Remarks upon the pleasing +surprize, they all thought it proper to attend upon the Great Duke +that Morning at the Palace, and to acquaint him with the Novelty of +what had pass'd; while, by the way, the two Young Couple entertained +the Company with the Relation of several Particulars of their Three +Days Adventures. + + + + + +End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Incognita, by William Congreve + diff --git a/old/ncoga10.zip b/old/ncoga10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6cac9cd --- /dev/null +++ b/old/ncoga10.zip |