Contents

ParttheFirst.ParttheSecond.

TheThirdandlastPart.

LOVEinEXCESS:OR,THE

FATALENQUIRY.

A

NOVELinTHREEPARTS

ByMrs.HAYWOOD

1719

Source:https://archive.org/details/loveinexcessorfa00hayw

––InvainfromFatewefly,Forfirstorlast,asallmustdie,So’tisasmuchdecreedabove,Thatfirstorlast,weallmustLove.

LANSDOWN

TO

Mrs.Eliz.Haywood,

ONHER

NOVEL

CALL’D

LoveinExcess,&c.

FAINwou’dIheremyvastIdeas’raise,TopainttheWondersofEliza’spraise;ButlikeyoungArtistswheretheirStroaksdecay,IshadethoseGlorieswhichIcan’tdisplay.ThyProseinsweeterHarmonyrefines,ThanNumbersflowingthro’theMuse’sLines;WhatBeautyne’ercou’dmelt.thyTouchesfire,AndraiseaMusickthatcanLoveinspire;Soul-thrillingAccentsallourSenseswound.AndStrikewithsoftnesswhilsttheyCharmwithsound!WhenthyCOUNTpleads,whatFairhisSuitcanflye?OrwhenthyNymphlaments,whatEyesaredry?Ev’nNature’sselfinSympathyappears,YeildsSighforSigh,andmeltsinequalTears;ForsuchDescriptionsthus,atoncecanproveTheForceofLanguage,andtheSweetsofLove.

TheMyrtle’sLeaveswiththoseofFameentwine,AndalltheGloriesofthatWreatharethine?AsEaglescanundazzl’dviewtheForceOfscorchingPhaebusinhisNoon-dayCourse;ThyGeniustotheGoditsLusterplays,MeetshisfierceBeams,anddartshimRaysforRays!OhGloriousStrength!LeteachsucceedingPageStillboastthoseCharmsandluminatetheAge;SoshallthybeamfulFireswithLightdivineRisetotheSphere,andtheretriumphantShine.

RICHARDSAVAGE

ByanunknownHand.

TothemostIngeniousMrsHAYWOOD,

onherNOVELEntitled,

LoveinExcess:

AStrangerMuse,anUnbelievertoo.ThatWomenSoulssuchStrengthofVigourknew!NorlessanAtheisttoLove’sPowerdeclar’d,TillYOUaChampionfortheSexappear’d!AConvertnow,toboth,IfeelthatFireYOURWordsalonecanpaint!YourLooksinspire!Resistlessnow.Love’sshaftsnewpointedfly,Wing’dwithYOURFlame,andblazinginYOUREye.Withsweet,butpow’rfulForce,theCharm-shotHeartReceivesth’ImpressionoftheConqu’ringDart,Andev’ryArt’ryhuggstheJoy-tiptSmart!

NomoreofPHOEBUS,risingvainlyboast,YetawnySonsofaluxuriantCoast!WhileourblestIsleiswithsuchRaysreplete,BritainshallglowwithmorethanEasternHeat!

VERSESWroteintheBlankLeafof

Mrs.Haywood’sNOVEL.

OfallthePassionsgivenusfromabove,TheNoblest,TruestandtheBest,isLove;‘TisLoveawakestheSoul,informs-theMind,AndbendsthestubbomTempertobekind,AbatestheEdgeofev’rypoi’nantCareSucceedstheWishesofthetremblingFair,AndravishestheLoverfromDespair.‘TisLoveEliza’ssoftAffectionsfires,Elizawrites,butLovealominspires;‘TisLove,thatgivesD’ELMONThismanlyCharms,AndtearsAmenafromherFather’sArms;RelievestheFaironefromherMaidenFear,AndgivesMellioraallherSoulholdsdear,AgenerousLover,AndaBlisssincere.

Receive,myFair,theStory,andapprove,TheCauseofHONOUR,andtheCauseofLOVE;WithkindConcern,thetenderPageperuse,AndaidtheInfantLaboursoftheMuse.SonevetmaythoseEyesforgettoshine,AndbrightMELLIORA’sFortunebeasThine;OnthybestLooks,anhappyD’ELMONTfeed,AndalltheWishesofthySoulsucceed,

LOVEinEXCESS:OR,THE

FATALENQUIRY.

IParttheFirst.

NthelateWarbetweentheFrenchandtheConfederateArmies,thereweretwoBROTHERS,whohadacquir’damore thanordinaryReputation,undertheCommandofthegreatandintrepidLUXEMBOURGH.ButtheConclusion

ofthePeacetakingawayanyfurtherOccaisionsshewingtheirValour,theEldestof’em,whoseNamewasCOUNTD’ELMONT,return’dtoPARIS,fromwhencehehadbeenabsent twoYears, leavinghisBrotheratSt.OMER’S, ’till theCureofsomelightWoundswereperfected.

THE Fameof theCount’s braveActions arriv’dbeforehim, andhehad theSatisfactionofbeingreceiv’dbytheKINGandCOURT,afteraMannerthatmightgratifytheAmbitionoftheproudest.TheBeautyofhisPerson,theGayityofhisAir,andtheunequal’dCharmsofhisConversation,madehimtheAdmirationofboth Sexes; andwhilst those of his own strovewhich should gain the largestshare inhisFriendship; theotherventedfruitlessWishes,and insecret,curs’dthat Custom which forbidsWomen to make a Declaration of their Thoughts.AmongtheNumberof these,wasALOUISA,aLadydescended(by theFather’sSide)fromtheNobleFamilyoftheD’LATOURSformerlyLordofBEUJEY,and(byherMothers)fromtheequallyillustriousHouseofMONTMORENCY.ThelateDeathofherParentshadleftherCoheiress(withherSister,)ofavastEstate.

ALOUISA,ifherPassionwasnotgreaterthamtherest,herPride,andthegoodOpinionshehadofherself,madeherthelessabletosupportit;shefigh’d,sheburn’d,sherag’d,whensheperceiv’dtheCharmingD’ELMONTbehav’dhimselftowardherwithnoMarkofadistinguishingAffection.What(saidshe)haveIbeheldwithoutConcernaThousandLoversatmyFeet,andshalltheonlyManIeverendeavour’d,orwish’dtoCharm,regardmewithIndifference?WhereforehastheagreeingWorldjoin’dwithmydeceitfulGlasstoflattermeintoavainBelief I had invincible Atractions? D’ELMONT sees ’em not! D’ELMONT isinsensible.Thenwouldshefall intoRavings,sometimescursingherownwantofPower,sometimestheColdnessofD’ELMONT.ManyDaysshepass’dintheseInquietudes,andevery timeshesawhim(whichwasveryfrequently)eitheratCourt,atChurch,orpublickMeetings,shefoundfreshMatterforher troubledThoughtstoworkupon:WhenonanyOccasionhehappen’dtospeaktoher,itwaswiththatSoftnessinhisEyes,andthatengagingtendernessinhisVoice,aswould half persuade her, that, that God had touch’d his Heart, which sopowerfullyhadInfluenc’dhers;butifaglimmeringofsuchaHopegaveheraPleasure inconceiveable, how great were the ensuing Torments, when she

R

observ’d those Looks and Accents were but the Effects of his naturalComplaisance,andthat towhomsoeverheAddress’d,hecarriedanequality inhis Behaviour, which sufficiently evinc’d, his Hour was not yet come to feelthosePainshegave;andiftheafflictedfairOnesfoundanyConsolation,itwasin theReflexion, that noTriumphantRival could boast aConquest, each nowdespair’d of gaining. But the impatientALOUISA disdaining to be rank’dwiththose,whomherVanitymade her consider as infinitely her Inferiors, suffer’dherselftobeagitatedalmosttoMadness,betweenthetwoExtreamsofLoveandIndignation;athousandChimerascameintoherHead,andsometimespromptedhertodiscovertheSentimentsshehadinhisFavour:ButtheseResolutionswererejected,almostassoonasform’d,andshecouldnotfixonanyforalongtime;’tillatlast,Love(ingeniousinInvention,)inspir’dherwithone,whichprobablymight lether into theSecretsofhisHeart,without theShameof revealingherown.

THE Celebration of Madam the Dutchess of BURGUNDY’s Birth-day beingSolemniz’d with greatMagnificence, she writ thisBillet to him on the Nightbefore.

ToCountD’ELMONT.

ESISTLESSasyouare inWar,youaremuchmoreso inLove:Hereyouconquer without making an Attack, and we Surrender before you

Summons; theLawofArmsobliges you to showMercy to an yieldingEnemy,andsuretheCourtcannotinspirelessgenerousSentimentsthantheField.ThelittleGod lays down his Arrows at yourFeet, confesses your superior Power,andbegsaFriendlyTreatment; hewill appear to you tomorrowNight at theBall,intheEyesofthemostpassionateofallhisVotresses;searchthereforeforhiminHer, inwhom(amongst thatbrightAssembly)youwouldmostdesire tofindHim;Iamconfidentyouhave toomuchPenetration tomissofhim, ifnotbyass’d by a former Inclination, and in thatHope, I shall (as patiently asmyExpectationswillletme),support,’tillthen,thetediousHours.

Farewell.

THISshesentbyatrustyServant,andsodisguis’d,thatitwasimpossiblefor

him tobeknown,witha strictCharge todeliver it to theCount’sownHands,andcomeawaybeforehehadreadit;theFellowperform’dherOrdersexactly,andwhentheCount,whowasnotalittlesurpriz’datthefirstopeningit,ask’dfor theMessenger, and commanded he should be stay’d; hisGentleman (whothenwaswaitinginhisChamber,)toldhimherandownStairswithallthespeedimaginable,immediatelyonhisLordship’sreceivingit.D’ELMONThavingneverexperienc’dtheForceofLove,couldnotpresentlycomprehendtheTruthofthisAdventure;atfirstheimagin’dsomeofhisCompanionshadcaus’dthisLettertobe wrote, either to found his Inclinations, or upbraid his little Disposition toGallantry;buttheseCogitationssoongavePlacetoothers;andtho’hewasnotveryvain,yethefounditnodifficultytoperswadehimselftoanOpinion,thatitwaspossibleforaLadytodistinguishhimfromotherMen.Nordidhefindanythingsounpleasing in thatThoughtasmightmakehimendeavour to repell it;themoreheconsider’dhisownPerfections, themorehewasconfirm’d inhisBelief,butwhotofixiton,hewasataLossasmuchasever;thenhebegantoreflectonalltheDiscourse,andlittleRailleriesthathadpass’dbetweenhimandtheLadieswhomhehadconvers’dwithsincehisArrival,butcou’dfindnothinginanyof’emofConsequenceenoughtomakehimguessatthePerson.HespentgreatpartoftheNightinThoughtsverydifferentfromthosehewasaccustom’dto,theJoywhichnaturallyrisesfromtheKnowledge’tisinone’sPowertogiveit,gavehimNotionswhichtillthenhewasaStrangerto;hebegantoconsideraMistressasanagreeable,aswellasfashionableAmusement,andresolv’dnottobeCruel.

IN the mean time poor ALOUISA was in all the Anxiety imaginable, shecounted everyHour, and thought ’emAges, and at the first dawn ofDay sherose,andcallingupherWomen,whowereamaz’d to findher souneaisy, sheemploy’d’eminplacingherJewelsonherCloathstothebestAdvantage,whilesheconsultedherGlassafterwhatMannersheshouldDress,herEyes,thegay;thelanguishing,thesedate,thecommanding,thebeseechingAir,wereputonathousand times, andasoften rejected;and shehad scarcedetermin’dwhich tomakeuseof,whenherPagebroughtherWord,someLadieswhoweregoingtoCourtdesir’dhertoaccompanythem;shewastooimpatientnottobewillingtobe one of the first, so went with them immediately, arm’d with all herLightnings, but full of unsetlled Reflections. She had not been long in theDrawingRoom,before itgrewveryfullofCompany,butD’ELMONTnotbeingamongst’em,shehadherEyesfix’dtowardstheDoor,expectingeveryMomenttoseehimenter;buthowimpossible is it torepresentherConfusion,whenheappear’d, leading the young AMENA, Daughter to Monsieur Sanfeverin, a

Gentleman,whotho’hehadaverysmallEstate,andmanyChildren,hadbyapartial Indulgence, toocommonamongParents,neglecting therest,maintain’dthisDarlingofhisHeartinallthePompofQuality–TheBeautyandSweetnessof thisLadywaspresent–Death toALOUISA’sHope’s; she saw, or fancy’d shesaw an usual Joy in her Eyes, and dying Love in his; Disdain, Despair, andJealousieatoncecrowdedintoherHeart,andswell’dheralmosttobursting;and’twas no wonder that the violence of such terrible Emotions kept her fromregarding the Discourses of those who stood by her, or the Devoirs thatD’ELMONT made as he pass’d by, and at length threw her into a Swoon; theLadiesrantoherassistance,andhercharmingRival,beingoneofherparticularAcquaintance, shew’d an extraordinary assiduity in applying Means for herRelief, they made what hast they cou’d to get her into another Room, andunfastenherRobe,butwereagreatwhilebeforetheycouldbringhertoherself;and when they did, the Shame of having been so disorder’d in such anAssembly,and theFearsof their suspecting theOccasion,added toher formerAgonies,hadrack’dherwithmostterribleRevulsions,everyonenowdesparingof her being able to assist at thatNight’s Entertainment, shewas put into herChair,inordertobecarry’dHome;AMENAwholittlethoughthowunwelcomeshewasgrown,wouldneedshaveonecall’d, ,andaccompany’dher thither, inspightoftheIntreatiesofD’ELMONT,whohadbeforeengag’dherforhisPartnerinDancing;notthathewasinLovewithher,oratthattimebeliev’dhecou’dbetouch’d with a Passion which he esteem’d a Trifle in it self, and below theDignityofaManofSense;butFortune(towhomthisLadynolessenamour’dthanALOUISA)hadmadeathousandInvocations,seem’dtohaveallottedherthegloryofhisfirstAddress;shewasgettingoutofherChariotjustashealightedfromhis,andofferingherhisHand,heperceiv’dherstrembled,whichengaginghimtolookuponhermoreearnestlythanhewaswont,heimmediatelyfancy’dhesawsomethingofthatlanguishmentinherEyes,whichtheobligingMandatehaddescrib’d.

AMENAwas too lovely tomake thatBeliefdisagreeable,andhe resolv’dontheBeginningsofanAmour,withoutgivinghimself the troubleofconfideringtheConfequences;theEveningbeingextreamlypleasant,heask’difshewou’dnotfavourhimsofarastotakeaturnortwowithinthePalace-Garden;Shewhodesir’d nothing more than such a particular Conversation, was not at allbackward of complying; he talk’d to her there for some time, in amanner ascould leare her no room to doubt hewas entirelyCharm’d, and ’twas theAirsuchanEntertainmenthadleftonboththeirFaces,asproduc’dthosesadEffectsinthejealousALOUISA.ShewasnosoonerledtoherApartment,butshedesir’d

to be put to Bed, and the good natur’d AMENA, who really had a very greatkindnessforher,offer’dtoquittheDiversionsoftheBall,andstaywithherallNight; but the unfortunate ALOUISA was not in a Condition to endure thePresenceof any, especiallyher, soputheroff as civilly asherAnxietywouldgiveher leave,chusing rather to sufferher to return to theBall, than retainsohatefulanObject(asshewasnowbecome)inherfight;and’tislikelytheotherwasnotmuchtroubledatherRefusal.Buthow,(whenleftalone,andabandon’dto the whirlwinds of her Passion,) the desperate ALOUISA behav’d, none butthose, who like her, have burn’d in hopless Fires can guess, the most livelyDescriptionwou’dcomefarshortofwhatshefelt;sherav’d,shetoreherHairandFace,andintheextremityofherAnguishwasreadytolayviolentHandsonherownLife.InthisTempestofMind,shecontinu’dforsometime,tillatlengthragebeginningtodissipateitselfinTears,madewayforcoolerConsiderations;andhernaturalVanityresumingitsEmpireinherSoul,wasofnolittleServicetoheronthisOccasion.WhyamIthusdistlurb’d?MeanSpiritedasIam!Saidshe,D’ELMONT is ignorantof theSentiments Iamposses’dwith inhis favour;andperhaps’tisonlywantofIncouragementthathassolongdepriv’dmeofmyLover;myLetterborenocertainMarkbywhichhemightdistinguishme,andwho knows what Arts that Creature might make use of to allure him. I willtherefore (persu’d she, with a more cheerful Countenance) direct his erring.Search. As she was in this Thought (happily for her, who else might haverelaps’d)herWomenwhowerewaiting in thenextRoom,came in toknow ifshe wanted any towhing; yes, answer’d she, with a Voice and Eyes whollychang’d,I’llrise,oneofyouhelpmeonwithmyCloaths,andlettheothersendCHARLO to me, I have instant Business with him. ‘Twas in vain for ’em torepresenttoherthePrejudiceitmightbetoherHealthtogetoutofherBedatsounseasonableanHour,itbeingthenjustMidnight:TheyknewhertooabsoluteaMistressnot tobeobey’d,andexecutedherCommands,withoutdisputing theReason.Shewasnosooner ready, thanCHARLOwas introduc’dwhobeing thesamePersonthatcarry’dtheLettertoD’ELMONT,guess’dwhatAffairhewastobeconcern’din,andshuttheDoorafterhim.IcommendyourCaution,saidhisLady,forwhatIamnowgoingtotrustyouwith, isofmoreconcernmentthanmy Life. The Fellow bow’d, andmade a thousand Protestations of an eternalFidelity.Idoubt itnot,resum’dshe,gothenimmediatelyto theCourt, ’tisnotimpossible but in this hurry youmay get into theDrawingRoom; but if not,make some pretence to stay as near as you can ’till the Ball be over; listencarefullytoallDiscourseswhereyouhearCOUNTD’ELMONTmention’d,enquirewhoheDanceswith, andaboveall,watchwhatCompanyhecomesoutwith,and bring me an exact Account. Go, continu’d she hastily, these are all the

OrdersIhaveforyoutoNight,buttoMorrowIshallemployyoufarther.Thenturning to herEscritore, she sat down, and began to prepare a second Letter,whichshehop’dwou’dbemoreluckythantheformer.Shewasnotlongwriting,LoveandWit,suggestedaWorldofpassionateandagreeableExpressionstoherinaMoment:Butwhenshehadfinish’d thissofullaDiscoveryofherHeart,andwasabouttosignherNametoit;notallthatPassionwhichhadinspir’dherwith a Resolution to scruple nothing that might advance the compassing herWishes,nor thevanitywhichassur’dherofSuccess,were forcible: enough towithstandtheshockitgaveherPride;No,letmeratherdie!Saidshe,(startingupandfrightedatherownDesigns)thanbeguiltyofaMeannesswhichwou’drenderme unworthy of Life, OhHeavens! To offer Love, and poorly sue forPity!’tisInsupportable!Whatbewitch’dmetoharboursuchaThoughtaseventhe vilest of my Sex wou’d blush at? To pieces then (added she, tearing thePaper)withthisshamefulWitnessofmyFolly,myfuriousDesiresmaybethedestructionofmyPeace,butneverofmyHonour,thatshallstillattendmyNamewhenLoveandLifearefled.Shecontinu’dinthisTemper(withoutbeingabletocompose herself to rest) till Day began to appear, and CHARLO returned withNewswhich confirmed hermost dreaded Suspicions.He told her that he hadgain’d admittance to the Drawing Room several Times, under pretence ofdeliveringMessagestosomeoftheLadies;thatthewholeTalkamong’emwas,that D’ELMONT, was no longer insensible of Beauty; that he observ’d thatGentlemaninveryparticularConferencewithAMENA,andthathewaitedonherHome in his Chariot, her own not being in theway, I know it, saidALOUISA(walkingabout inadisorder’dMotion) Ididnordoubtbut that Iwasundone,and tomyotherMiseries, have that of being aiding tomyRival’sHappiness:Whatever his Desires were, he carefully conceal’d ’em, till my cursed Letterprompted aDiscovery; tenacious as Iwas, and too, too confident of this littleBeauty!Hereshestop’d,andwipingawaysomeTearswhichinspightofherrandownherCheeks,gaveCHARLOleavetoaskifshehadanymoreCommandsforhim.Yes(answer’dshe)IwillwriteoncemoretothisundescerningMan,andlethim know, ’tis not AMENA that is worthy of him; that I may do withoutprejudicing my Fame, and ’twill be at least some Easement to my Mind, toundeceive the Opinion he may have conceiv’d of her Wit, for I am almostconfidentshepassesfortheAuthoressofthoseLineswhichhavebeensofataltome;inspeakingthis,withoutanyfurtherThought,sheoncemoretookherPenandwrotetheseWords.

ToCountD’ELMONT.

I F Ambition be a Fault, ’tis only In those who have not sufficient stock ofMerittosupportit;toomuchHumilityisagreaterinyou,whosePersonand

Qualities are too admirable, not to ......any any Attempt you shall makejustifiable,aswellassuccesful.Heavenwhenitdistingush’dyouinsoparticularaMannerfromtherestofMankind,design’dyounotforvulgarConquests,andyou cannot without a manifest Contradiction to its Will, and an irreparableInjurytoyourself,makenpresentofthatHearttoAMENA,whenone,ofatleastanequalBeauty,andfarsuperiorineveryotherConsideration,wou’dSacrificeall to purshase the glorious Trophy; continue then no longer in a wilfulIgnorance, aim at a more exalted flight, and you will find it no difficulty todiscover who she is that languishes, and almosl dies for an Opportunity ofconfessing (without too great a breach ofModesty) that her Soul, and all theFacultiesofit,are,andmustbe,

EternallyYours.

THISshegavetoCHARLO,todeliverwiththesameCautionastheformer;buthewas scarce got out of theHouse before a new Fear assaulted her, and sherepented her uncircumspection.What have I done, cry’d she!Whoknows butD’ELMONTmayshewtheseLetterstoAMENA,sheisperfectlyacquantedwithmyHand,andIshallbethemostexposedandwretchedWomanintheWorld.ThusIndustriouswassheinformingNotionstoTormentherself;norindeedwasthereany thingof Improbability in thisConjecture.There are toomanyungenerousenough to boast such anAdventure; butD’ELMONT tho’ he would have givengoodPartofhisEstate to satisfyhisCuriosity,yetchose rather to remain inaperpetualIgnorance,thanmakeuseofanyMeansthatmightbedisadvantagiousto the Lady’s Reputation. He now perceiv’d hisMistake, and that it was notAMENA who had taken that Method to engage him, and possibly was notdisgusted to find she had a Rival of such Merit, as the Letter intimated.However,hehadsaidtoomanyfineThingstohertobelost,andthoughtitasinconsistentwithhisHonour ashis IncIination todesist aPursuit inwhichhehad all the Reason in theWorld to assure himself of Victory; for the youngAMENA(littlevers’dintheArtofDissimulation,sonecessarytoherSex)cou’dnotconcealthePleasureshetookinhisAddresses,andwithoutevenaseemingreluctancy, had given him a Promise of meeting him the next Day in theTuilleries;norcouldallhisunknownMistresshadwrit,perswadehim tomissthisAssignation,norletthatbesucceededwithanother,andthatbyathird,andso on,’till bymaking a shew of Tenderness; he began to fancy himself really

S

touch’dwith a Passion he only design’d to represent. ’Tis certain thisway ofFoolingrais’dDesiresinhimlittledifferentfromwhatiscommonlycall’dLove;andmadehimredoublehisAttacksinsuchaManner,asAMENAstoodinneedofallherVertuetoresist;butasmuchasshethoughtherselfoblig’dtoresentsuchAttempts,yetheknewsowellhowtoexcusehimself,andlaytheBlameontheViolenceofhisPassion,thathewasstilltooCharming,andtooDeartohernottobeforgiven.ThuswasAMENA(byhertoogenerousandopenTemper)broughtto the very brink of Ruin, and D’ELMONT was possibly contriving Means tocompleatit,whenherPagebroughthimthisLetter.

ToCountD’ELMONT.OME Malicious Persons have endeavour’d to make the littleConversationIhavehadwithyou,appearasCriminal;thereforetoputasloptoallsuchAspersions,ImustforthefuturedenymyselftheHonour

ofyourVisits,unlessCommandedtoreceive’embymyFather,whoonlyhasthePowerofdisposingof

AMENA.

THEConsternationhewasinatthereadingtheseLines,soverydifferentfromher formerBehaviour, ismore easily imagined than express’d, ’till castinghisEyes on theGround, he saw a small Note, which in the opening of this, hadfallenoutofit,whichhehastilytookup,andfounditcontainedtheseWords.

IguesstheSurprizemylovelyFriendisin,buthavenottimenowtounriddletheMystery:IbegyouwillbeatyourLodgingstowardstheEvening,andIwillinventaWaytosendtoyou.

’T WAS now thatD’ELMONT began to find therewereEmbarassments in anIntrigueofthisNature,whichhehadnotforefeen,andstay’datHomeallDay,impatiently expecting the clearing of an Affair, which at present seem’d soambiguous.When it grew a littleDuskish, hisGentleman brought in aYoungWoman,whom he immediately knew to beANARET, anAttendant onAMENA;andwhenhehadmadehersitdown,toldherhehop’dshewascometomakeanEclaircisment,whichwouldbeveryobliging tohim,and thereforedesir’d shewou’dnotdeferit.

MYLord, said she, ’tiswith anunspeakableTrouble I discharge thatTrust:myLadyhasrepos’dinme,ingivingyouaRelationofherMisfortunes;butnot

to keep you longer in suspence, which I perceive is uneasy to you; I shallacquaint you, that soon after you were gone, my Lady came up into herChamber, where, as I was preparing to undress her, we heard MonsieurSANSEVERIN inanangryToneaskwherehisDaughterwas,andbeing toldshewasabove,weimmediatelysawhimenter,withaCountenancesoinflam’d,asputusbothinamortalApprehension.Anilluse(saidhetoher)haveyoumadeof my Indulgence, and the Liberty I have allowed you! Could neither theConsiderations of the Honour of your Family, your own Reputation, nor myeternal Repose, deter you from such imprudent Actions, as you cannot beignorantmustbe the inevitableRuinof ’emall.MypoorLadywas toomuchsurpriz’d’atthesecruelWords,tobeabletomakeanyAnswerto’em,andfloodtrembling, and almost fainting, while he went on with his Discourse. Was itconfidentwiththeNicetiesofyourSex,saidhe,orwiththeDutyyouoweme,toreceivetheAddressesofaPersonwhosePretensionsIwasaStrangerto?IftheCountD’ELMONThasanythatareHonourable,whereforearetheyconceal’d?TheCountD’ELMONT! (cry’dmyLadymore frighted thanbefore) nevermadeanyDeclarationstomeworthyofyourKnowledge,nordidIeverentertainhimotherwise,thanmightbecomeyourDaughter.’Tisfalse(interuptedhefuriously) I ambut toowell inform’dof thecontrary;norhas themostprivateofyourshamefulMeetingsescap’dmyEars!Judge,Sir, inwhataConfusionmyLadywasinatthisDiscourse;’twasinvain,shemuster’dallherCouragetoperswadehimfromgivingCredittoanIntelligencesoinjurioustoher;hegrewthemoreenrag’d, and after a thousandReproaches, flung out of theRoomwith all theMarks of a most violent Indignation, But tho’ your Lordship is too wellacquaintedwiththemildnessofAMENA’sDisposition,not tobelieveshecouldbeartheDispleasureofaFather(whohadalwaysmosttenderlylov’dher)withindifference;yet’tisimpossibleforyoutoimagineinwhatanexcelsofSorrowshewasplung’d,shefoundeveryPassageofherillConduct(asshewaspleas’dto call it) was betray’d, and did not doubt but whoever had done her that illOffice toherFather,wou’d take care theDiscovery shouldnot be confin’d tohimalone.Grief,Fear,Remorse, andShameby turns assaultedher, andmadeherincapableofConsolation;eventhesoftPleasofLoveweresilenc’dbytheirTumultuousClamours,andforaTimesheconsider’dyourLordshipinnootherviewthanthatofherUndoer.How!cry’dD’ELMONT(interruptingher)cou’dmyAMENA, who I thought all sweetness, judge so harshly of me. Oh! my Lord,resum’dANARET,youmustforgivethosefirstEmotions,whichasviolentastheywere,wantedbutyourPresencetodissipateinaMoment;andifyourIdeahadnotpresentlythatPower,itlostnoHonourbyhavingFoestostrugglewith,sinceatlastitput’emalltoflight,andgain’dsoentireaVictory,thatbeforeMorning,

ofallherTroubles,scarceanybuttheFearsoflosingyouremain’d.AndImusttake theLiberty to assureyourLordship,myEndeavourswerenotwanting toestablishaResolutioninhertodespiseeverythingforLoveandyou.ButtobeasbriefasIcaninmyRelation;theNightwasnosoonergone,thanMonsieurher Father came into the Chamber, with a Countenance, tho’ more compos’dthanthatwithwhichhe leftus,yetwithsuchanAirofAusterity,asmademytimerousLadylosemostoftheSpiritshehadassum’dforthisEncounter.IcomenotnowAMENA,saidhe,toupbraidorpunishyourDisobedience,ifyouarenotwholly abandon’d by your Reason, your own Reflections will be sufficientlyyourTormentors.Buttoputyouinaway,(ifnotoclearyourFame,yettotakeawayallOccasionoffutureCalumny,)youmustwritetoCountD’ELMONT.

Iwillhavenodenialscontinu’dhe, (seeingherabout tospeak)and leadinghertoherEscritore,constrain’dhertowritewhathedictated,andyoureceiv’d;justasshewasgoingtoSealit,aServantbroughtwordthataGentlemandesir’dtospeakwithMonsieurSANSEVERIN,hewasoblig’dtoslepintoanotherRoom,and that absence gave her an Opportunity of writing a Note, which shedextrously flip’d into the Letter, unperceiv’d by her Father at his return,wholittlesuspectingwhatshehaddone,sentitawayimmediately.Now,saidhe,weshallbeable to judgeof the sincerityof theCount’sAffections,but till then IshalltakecaretoprovemyselfaPersonnotdisinterestedintheHonourofmyFamily.

AshespoketheseWords,hetookherbytheHand,andconductingher,thro’hisown,intoalittleChamber(whichhehadorder’dtobemadereadyforthatpurpose)shutherintoit;Ifollow’dtotheDoor,andsecondedmyLadyinherDesires,thatImightbepermittedtoattendherthere;butallinvain,hetoldme,hedoubtednotbutthatIhadbeenherConfidentinthisAffair,andorderedmetoquithisHouse ina fewDays.As soonashewasgoneout, Iwent into theGarden,andsaunter’dupanddownagoodwhile,hopingtogetanOpportunityof speaking to my Lady through theWindow, for I knew there was one thatlook’d into it;butnot seeingher, Ibethoughtmeofgettinga littleStick,withwhichIknock’dgentlyagainsttheGlass,andengag’dhertoopenit.Assoonassheperceiv’dme,aBeamofJoybrighten’dinherEyes,andglisten’dtho’herTears.DearANARET,saidshe,howkindlydoItakethisproofofthyAffection,’tisonlyinthyPowertoalleviatemyMisfortunes,andthouIknowartcometoofferthyAssistance.ThenafterIhadassur’dherofmywillingnesstoserveherinanycommand,shedesir’dmetowaitonyouwithanAccountofallthathadhappen’d and to give you her Vows of an eternal Love. My Eyes, said she

weeping,perhapsmayne’erbeholdhimmore,butImaginationshallsupplythatwant,andfrommyHearthenevershallbeAbsent.Oh!donottalkthus,cry’dtheCount, extreamly touch’d at thisDiscourse. Imust, Iwill seeher, nothingshallholdherfromme.Youmay,answer’dANARET,butthenitmustbewiththeApprobationofMonsieurSANSEVERIN,hewillbeproudtoreceiveyouinQualityofaSuitortohisDaughter,and’tisonlytoobligeyoutoapublickDeclarationthat he takes theseMeasures. D’ELMONT was not perfectly pleas’d with theseWords: he was too quick lighted not to perceive immediately whatMonsieurSANSEVERIN drove at, but as well as he lik’d AMENA, found no inclination inhimselftoMarryher;andthereforewasnotdelirousofanExplanationofwhathe resolv’dnot to seem tounderhand.Hewalk’d twoor three turns about theRoom,endeavouringtoconcealhisDisgust,andwhenhehadsowellovercometheshock,astobanishallvisibleTokensofit,Iwouldwillinglysaidhecoldly,comeintoanyproperMethodfortheobtainingthePersonofAMENA,aswellasherHeart;buttherearecertainReasonsforwhichIcannotmakeaDiscoveryofmyDesignstoherFather,’tillIhavefirstspokenwithher.MyLord,reply’dthesubtleANARET (easilyguessingathisMeaning; Iwish toHeaven therewereapossibilityofyourMeeting;thereisnothingIwouldnotrisquetoforwardit,andifyourLordshipcanthinkofanywayinwhichImaybeserviceabletoyou,inthisshortTimeIamallow’d tostay in theFamily, Ibegyouwouldcommandme.ShespokethiswithanAirwhichmadetheCountbelieveshereallyhaditinherPowertoservehiminthisOccasion,andpresentlyhitonthesurestMeanstobindhertohisInterest.Youareveryobliging,saidhe,andIdoubtnotbutyourIngenuityisequaltoyourgoodNature,thereforewillleavetheContrivanceofmyhappinessentirelytoyou,andthatyoumaynotthinkyourCarebestow’donan ungrateful Person, be pleas’d (continued he, giving her a Purse of Lewis-Dor’s)toacceptthissmallEarnestofmyfutureFriendship,ANARET, likemostofherFunction,wastoomercinarytoresistsuchaTemptation,tho’ithadbeengivenhertobetraytheHonourofherwholeSex;andafteralittlepause,reply’d,Your Lordship is too generous to be refus’d, tho’ in aMatter of the greatestDifficulty,asindeedthisis;forinthestrictConfinementmyLadyis,Iknownowaybutone,andthatextreamlyhazardoustoher;however,IdonotfearbutmyPerswations,joyn’dwithherownDesires,willinfluencehertoattemptit.YourLordship knows we have a little Door at the farther End of the Garden, thatopens into theTuillerys. I do, cry’dD’ELMONT interrupting her. I have severaltimesparted frommyCharmer there,whenmyEntreaties haveprevail’dwithhertostaylongerwithmethanshewou’dhavetheFamilytotakenoticeof.Ihope to order theMatter so, resum’d ANARET, that it shall be the Scene thisNightofamosthappyMeeting.MyLadyunknowntoherFather,hastheKeyof

it,shecanthrowittomefromherWindow,andIcanopenittoyou,whomustbewalkingnear it, aboutTwelveorOneaClock, forby that timeeverybodywillbeinBed.Butwhatwillthatavail,cry’dD’ELMONThastily;sincesheliesinherFather’sChamber,where’tisimpossibletopassWithoutalarminghim.YouLoversaresoimpatientrejoyn’dANARET smiling, Ineverdesign’dyoushouldhaveEntrancethere,tho’theWindowissolow,thataPersonofyourLordship’sStatureandAgilitymightmountitwithaGalliardstep,butIsupposeitwillturntoasgoodanAccount,ifyourMistressbymyAssistancestepsoutofit.Butcanshe,interruptedhe;willshe,dostthouthink?Fearnot,myLord,reply’dshe,bebutpunctualtotheHour,AMENA,shallbeyours,ifLove,WitandOpportunityhavepower tomakeher so.D’ELMONTwas transportedwith thisPromise,andthe Thoughts of what he expected to possess by her Means, rais’d hisImaginationtosohighapitch,ashecou’dnotforbearkissingandembracingherwith suchRaptures, asmight not have been very pleasing toAMENA, had shebeen witness of ’em. But ANARET who had other things in her Head thanGallantry, disengag’d her self from him as soon she cou’d, taking moreSatisfactioninforwardinganAffairinwhichshepropos’dsomuchAdvantage,thanintheCaressesofthemostaccomplish’dGentlemanintheWorld.

WHENshecameHome,shefoundeverythingasshecou’dwish.MONSIEURAbroad, andhisDaughter at theWindow, impatientlywatchingher return shetoldherasmuchoftheDiscourseshehadwiththeCountasshethoughtproper,extollinghisLoveandConstancy,andcarerullyconcealingallshethoughtmightgiveanumbragetoherVertue.ButinspightofalltheArtificeshemadeuseof,shefounditnoeasieMattertoperswadehertogetoutoftheWindow,thefearsshehadofbeingdiscover’d,andmoreexpos’dtoherFather’sIndignation,andthe Censure of theWorld, damp’d her Inclinations, andmade her deaf to theeagerSollicitionsofthisunfaithfulWoman.AstheywereDisputing,someoftheServants happening to come into the Garden, oblig’d ’em to break off; andANARET retir’d, not totally dispairing of compassing her Designs, when theappointedHourshouldarrive,andAMENAshouldknowthedarlingObjectofherWisheswassonear.NordidherHopesdeceiveher,theResolutionsofaLover,whenmadeagainsttheInterestofthePersonbelov’d,arebutofashortduration;andthisunhappyFairwasnosoonerleftalone,andhadleisuretoContemplateon theGraces of the CharmingD’ELMONT, but Love plaid his part with suchSuccess,asmadeherrepentshehadchidANARETforherProposal,andwish’dfornothingmorethananOppertunitytotellherso.Shepass’dseveralHoursinDisquietudesshehadneverknownbefore,tillatlastsheheardherFathercomeintothenextRoomtogotoBed,andsoonaftersomeBodyknock’dsoftlyatthe

Window, she immediately open’d it, and perceiv’d by the Light of theMoonwhichthenshoneverybright,thatitwasANARET,shehadnotPatiencetolistentothelongSpeechtheotherhadprepar’dtoperswadeher,butputtingherHeadasfarasshecould;topreventbeingheardbyherFather.WellANARET,saidshe,where is this Adventrous Lover, what is it he requires of me? Oh! Madam,reply’dshe,overjoy’datthecompliableHumourshefoundherin,heisnowattheGardenDoor, there’snothingwantingbutyourKey togivehimEntrance;what farther he requests, himself shall tell you. Oh Heavens! cry’d AMENA,searchingherPocketsandfindingshehaditnot;Iamundone,Ihaveleft it inmyCabinet in theChamberwhereIus’d to lie.TheseWordsmadeANARETatherWits end, she knew therewas no possibility of fetching it, there being somanyRoomstogothro’,sherantotheDoor,andendeavour’dtopullbacktheLock, but had not Strength, she then knew not what to do, she was sureD’ELMONTwason theother side, and fear’dhewould resent this usage to thedisappointmentofallhermercenaryHopes,anddurstnotcall toacquainthimwithhisMisfortuneforfearofbeingheard.AsforAMENA, shewasnowmoresensible thaneverof theviolenceofher Inclinations,by theextreamvexationthis Disappointment gave her: Never did People pass a Night in greateruneasiness, than these three; theCountwhowasnaturally impatient, couldnotbear a balk ot this naturewithout the utmost chagrin.AMENA languish’d, andANARETfrettedtoDeath,tho’sheressolv’dtoleavenoStoneunturn’dtosetallrightagain.EarlyintheMorningshewenttohisLodgings,andfoundhiminaveryillHumour,butsheeasilypacify’dhim,byrepresentingwithagreatdealofrealGrief,theAccidentthatretardedhisHappiness,andassuringhimtherewasnothingcou’dhinder the fulfilling it thenextNight.Whenshehadgain’d thisPoint,shecameHomeandgottheKeyintoherpossession,butcouldnotfindanopportunityallDayofspeakingtoherLady,MonsieurSANSEVERINdidnotstiroutofDoors,andspentmostofitwithhisDaughter;inhisDiscoursetoher,hesetthePassiontheCOUNThadforherintotruealight,thatitmadeaverygreatalterationinherSentiments;andshebegantoregretontheCondescensionsshehadgivenaMan,whohadneversomuchasmentionedMarriagetoher,withsomuch shame, as almost overwhelm’d her Love, and she was now determindnevertoseehim,tillheshoulddeclarehimselftoherFatherinsuchamanneraswouldbeforherHonour.

IN the mean time ANARET waited with a great deal of Impatience for theFamily going to Bed; and as soon as all was hush, ran to give the COUNTAdmitancce;andleavinghiminanAlleyonthefarthersideoftheGarden,madetheaccustom’dSignat theWindow.AMENApresentlyopen’d it,but insteadof

T

stayingtohearwhatshewouldsay, threwaLetterout,Carry that,saidshe, toCOUNTD’ELMONT, lethimknowtheContentsof itarewholly theresultofmyownReason.Andas foryourpart, I chargeyou troublemeno fartheron thisSubject; then shutting the Casement hastily, left ANARET in a strangeConsternation at this suddain Change of her Humour; however she made nodelay,butrunningtothePlacewheretheCountwaitedherreturn,deliver’dhimtheLetter,butadvis’dhim(whowasreadyenoughofhimself)nottoobeyanyCommandsmightbegivenhimtothehindranceofhisDesigns.TheMoonwasthenatthefull,andgavesoclearaLight,thatheeasilyfounditcontain’dtheseWords.

ToCountD’ELMONT,OOmanyProofshaveIgivenyouofmyweaknessnottofnakeyouthinkmeincapableof formingorkeepinganyResolution to thePrejudiceofthatPassion youhave inspir’dmewith:But know, thouundoerofmy

Quiet, tho’ IhaveLov’dandstilldoLoveyouwithaTenderness,whichI fearwillbeUnvanquisable;yetIwillrathersuffermyLife,thanmyVirtuetobecomeitsPrey.PressmethennomoreIconjureyou,tosuchdangerousInterviews,inwhichIdareneitherTrustmySelfnorYou, ifyoubelievemeworthyyourrealRegard, the way thro’ Honour is open ’to receive You, Religion, Reason,Modesty,andObedienceforbidtherest.

Farewel.

D’ELMONTknewthePowerhehadoverhertoowell,tobemuchdiscourag’datwhatheread,andaftera littleconsultatiqnwithANARET, theyconcludedheshouldgotospeaktoher,asbeingthebestSollicitor inhisownCause.Ashecame down theWalk, AMENA saw him thro’ the Glass, and the light of thatbelovedObject,bringingathousandpastEndearmentstoherMemory,madeherincapableof retiring from theWindow,and she remain’d in a languishingandimmoveable Posture, leaning her Head against the Shutter, ’till he drew nearenough to discern she saw him.He took this for no ill Omen, and instead offallingonhisKneesatanhumblfeDistance,assomeRomantickLoverswouldhavedone, redoubledhisPace, andLoveandFortunewhichon thisOccasionwereresolv’dtobefriendhim,presentedtohisViewalargeRolling-StonewhichtheGardinerhadaccidentallyleftthere;theIron-workthathelditwasveryhigh,

andstrongenoughtobearamuchgreaterweightthanhis,sohemadenomoretodo,butgettingonthetopofit,wasalmosttotheWasteabovethebottomofthe Casement. This was a strange Trial, for had she been less in Love, goodMannerswouldhaveoblig’dhertoopenit;howeversheretain’dsomuchofherformer Resolution, as to conjure him to be gone, and not expose her to suchHazards; that if her Father should come to know she held any clandestineCorrespondence with him, after the Commands he had given her, she wereutterly undone, and that he never must expect any Condescensions from her,withoutbeingfirstallow’dbyhim.D’ELMONT,tho’hewasalittlestartledtofindher somuchmoreMistress of her Temper than he believ’d she could be, yetresolv’dtomakeallpossibleuseofthisOpportunity,whichprobablymightbethelastheshou’deverhave,look’donherasshespoke,withEyessopiercing,so sparklingwith Desire, accompany’dwith so bewitching softness, asmighthave thaw’d the most frozen reservedness, and on the melting Soul stamp’dLove’sImpression.’Tiscertaintheyweretooirresistable tobelongwithstood,andputtinganendtoAMENA’sgraveRemonstrances,gavehimleavetoreplyto’eminthismanner.WhymyLife,myAngel,saidhe,myeverlastingTreasureofmySoul, shou’d theseObjections now be rais’d?How can you say you havegivenmeyourHeart?Nay,ownyouthinkmeworthythatinestimableJewel,yetdare not trust yourPersonwithme a fewHours:What haveyou to fear fromyour adoring Slave? I want but to convince you how much I am so, by athousand yet uninvented Vows. They may bespar’d, cry’d AMENA, hastilyinterrupting him, one Declaration to my Father, is all the Proof that he or Idemands of your Sincerity. Oh! Thou Inhuman and Tyrannick Charmer,answer’d he, seizing her Hand, and eagerly kissing it) I doubt not but yourfaithfulANAREThas toldyou, that Icouklnotwithout thehighest Imprudence,presentlydiscoverthePassionIhaveforyoutotheWorld.Ihave,myLord,saidthatcunningWenchwhostoodnearhim,andthat’twasonlytoacquaintherwiththeReasonswhy, for someTime, youwould have it a Secret, that youmuchdesir’dtospeakwithher.Besides(rejoyn’dtheCOUNT)considermyAngelhowmuchmore hazardous it is for you to holdDiscoursewithme here, than at afartherdistancefromyourFather;yourdenyingtogowithmeistheonlywaytomakeyourFearsprovetrue;hisjealousieofyoumaypossiblymakehimmorewatchfulthanordinary,andwearenotsurebutthatthisMinutehemaytearyoufrommyArms;whereasifyousuffermetobearyouhence,ifheshouldhappentocomeeventoyourDoor,andhearnonoise,hewillbelieveyousleeping,andreturn tohisBedwellsatisfy’d.With theseand the likeArgumentsshewasatlastovercome,andwiththeassistanceofANARET,heeasilyliftedherdown.Butthis rash Action, so contrary to the Resolution she thought herself a few

momentsbeforesofix’din,madesuchaconfusioninherMind,asrender’dherinsensibleforsomeTimeofallhesaidtoher.TheymadewhathasletheycouldintotheTuilleries,andD’ELMONThavingplac’dherononeofthemostpleasantSeats,wasresolv’dtoloosenotime;andhavinggivenhersomeReasonsforhisnotaddressingtoherFather,whichtho’weakinthemfelves,wereeasilybeliev’dby aHeart sowilling to be deceived as hers, he began to press for a greaterconfirmation of her Affection than Words; and ’twas now this inconsiderateLady found herself in the greatest Strait she had ever yet been in; all Natureseem’d to favour hisDesign, the pleasantness of the Place, the silence of theNight, the sweetness of the Air, perfum’d with a thousand various Odours,wastedbygentleBreezesfromadjacentGardens,compleatedthemostdelightfulScenethateverwas,toofferupaSacrificetoLove;notabreathbutflewwing’dwithdesire,andsentsoftthrillingWishestotheSoul;CYNTHIAherself,coldasshe is reported, assisted in the Inspiration, and sometimes shone with all herbrightness, as it were to feast their ravish’d Eyes with gazing on each othersBeauty; thenveil’dherBeamsinClouds, togivetheLoverboldness,andhidetheVirginsblushes.WhatnowcouldpoorAMENAdo,surroundedwithsomanyPowers, attack’d by such a charming Force without, betray’d by tendernesswithin:VirtueandPride,theGuardiansofherHonour,fledfromherBreast,andlefthertoherFoe,onlyamodestBashfulnessremained,whichforatimemadesomeDefence,butwithsuchweaknessasaLoverlessimpatientthanD’ELMONT,wouldhavelittleregarded.TheheatoftheWeather,andherConfinementhavinghindred her from dressing thatDay; she had only a thin silkNightGown on,whichflyingopenashecaughtherinhisArms,hefoundherpanting-HeartbeatmeasuresofConsent,herheavingBreast swell tobepress’dbyhis,andeveryPulse confess awish to yeild; her Spirits all dissolv’d, sunk in a Lethargy ofLove;hersnowyArms,unknowing,grasp’dhisNeck,herLipsmethishalfway,andtrembledatthetouch;infine,therewasbutaMomentbetwixtherandRuin;when the treadofsomeBodycominghastilydowntheWalk,oblig’d thehalf-bless’dPair to put a stop to fartherEndearments. ItwasANARET,whohavingbeen left Centinel in the Garden, in order to open the Door when her Ladyshould return, had seen Lights in every Room in the House. and heard greatConfusion, so ran immediately to give ’em notice of this Misfortune. ThesedreadfulTidingssoonrous’dAMENAfromherDreamofHappiness,sheaccus’dtheinfluenceofherAmorousStars,upbraidedANARET,andblam’dtheCountinTermslittledifferingfromdistraction,and’twasasmuchasbothof’emcoulddotoperswadehertobecalm.Howev’er,’twasconcludedthatANARET shouldgobacktotheHouse,andreturnto’emagain,assoonasshehadlearn’dwhataccident had occasion’d this Disturbance. The Lovers had now a second

Opportunity, if either of’em had been inclin’d to make use of it, but theirSentiments were entirely chang’d with this Alarm, AMENA’s Thoughts werewholly takenupwithherapproachingShame,andvow’dshewou’dratherdiethanevercomeintoherFather’sPresence,ifitweretruethatshewasmiss’d;theCount,whowantednotgoodNature,seriouslyreflectingontheMisfortuneskewas likely to bring on a youngLady,who tenderly lov’d him, gave him agreatdealofrealRemorse,andtheConsiderationthatheshouldbenecessitated,eithertoownaninjuriousDesign,orcomeintoMeasuresfortheclearingofit,whichwouldinnowayagreewithhisAmbition,madehimextreamlypensive,andwishAMENAagaininherChamber,moreearnestlythaneverhehaddone,togetheroutofit;theybothremain’dinaprofoundSilence,impatientlywaitingthe approach ofANARET; but she not coming as they expelled, and theNightwearingawayapace,verymuchencreas’dtheTroubletheywerein;atlengththeCount,afterrevolvingathousandInventionsinhisMind,advis’dtowalktowardtheGarden,andseewhethertheDoorwasyetopen.’Tisbetterforyou,Madam,saidhe,whatsoeverhashappen’d,tobefoundinyourownGarden,thaninanyPlace with me. AMENA comply’d, and suffer’d herself to be led thither,trembling,and ready tosinkwithFearandGriefateveryStep;butwhen theyfound all fast, and that therewas no hopes of getting Entrance, she fell quitesenseless,andwithoutanysignsofLife,atherLover’sFeet,hewasstrangelyata losswhat to dowith her, andmade a thousandVows if he got clear of thisAdventure, never to embark in another of this Nature; hewas little skill’d inproperMeanstorecoverher,and’twasmoretoherYouthandthegoodnessofher Constitution that she ow’d the Return of her Senses, than his awkardEndeavours; when she reviv’d, the piteous Lamentations she made and theperplexityhewasinhowtodisposeofher,wasverynearreducinghimtoasbada Condition as she had been in; he never till now having had occasion for aConfident, render’d him sounhappy as not to knowanyonePerson atwhoseHousehecou’d,withanyConvenience,trusther,andtocarryhertothatwherehe hadLodgings,was theway to bemade the talk of allParis.He ask’d herseveraltimesifshewouldnotcommandhimtowaitonhertosomePlacewhereshemight remain free fromCensure, tell sheheard fromherFather,butcou’dget noAnswer but upbraidings fromher. Somaking aVirtue ofNecessity, hewasoblig’dtotakeherinhisArms,withadesigntobringher(tho’muchagainsthisInclinations)tohisownApartment:Ashewasgoingthro’averyfairStreetwhich led to that inwhichhe liv’d,AMENA cry’doutwithasortof Joy, looseme,myLord,IseeaLightinyonderHouse,theLadyofitismydearestFriend,shehaspowerwithmyFather,and if IbegherProtection, Idoubtnotbutshewill afford itme, andperhaps find someway tomitigatemyMisfortunes; the

Countwasoverjoy’dtobeeas’dofhisfairBurthen,andsettingherdownattheGate,was preparing to take his leavewith an indifference,whichwasbut toovisible to theafflictedLady. Isee,myLord,saidshe, thepleasureyou take ingettingridofme,exceedsthetroublefor theRuinyouhavebroughtuponme;butgo,IhopeIshallresentthisUsageasIought,andthatImaybethebetterenabled to do so, I desire you to return the Letter I writ this fatal Night, theResolutionitcontainedwillservetoremindmeofmyshamefulBreachofit.

MADAM (answer’d he coldly, but with great Complaisance) you have saidenoughtomakeaLoverlessobedient,refuse;butbecauseIamsensibleoftheAccidentsthathappentoLetters,andtoshewthatIcanneverberepugnantevento themost rigorous of yourCommands, I shallmake no scruple in fulfillingthis,andtrusttoyourGoodnessfortheresettlingmeinyourEsteem,whennextyoumakemesohappyastoseeyou.TheformalityofthisComplimenttouch’dhertotheQuick,andthethoughtofwhatshewasliketosufferonhisaccount,fill’dherwithsojustanAnger,thatassoonasshegottheLetter,sheknock’dhastily at the Gate, which being immediately open’d, broke off any furtherDiscourse, shewent in, and he departed to his Lodging, ruminating on everyCircumstanceofthisAffair,andconsultingwithhimselfhowheshou’dproceed.ALOUISA (for itwasherHousewhichAMENAbyawhimsicaleffectofChancehadmadechoiceofforherSanctuary)wasnosoonertoldherRivalwascometospeak with her, but she fell into all the Raptures that succesfulMalice couldinspire, she was already inform’d of part of this Night’s Adventure; for thecunning CHARLO who by her Orders had been a diligent Spy on CountD’ELMONT’sActions, and as constant anAttendantonhimashis shadow;hadwatch’dhimtoMonsieurSANSEVERIN’sGarden,seenhimenter,andafterwardscomewithAMENA intotheTuilleries,whereperceiving’emSeated,ranHome,andbroughthisLadyanAccount;Rage,JealousieandEnvyworkingtheirusualEffectsinheratthisNews,madeherpromisetheFellowinfiniteRewardsifhewould invent some Stratagem to separate ’em, which he undertraking to do,occasion’dherbeingupsolate,impatientlywaitinghisreturn;shewentdowntoreceiveherwithgreatCivility,mix’dwithafeign’dsurprizetoseeheratsuchanHour, and in such a Dishabilee; which the other answering ingeniously, andfreelylettingherintothewholeSecret,notonlyofherAmour,butthecoldnesssheobserv’dinD’ELMONT’sBehaviouratparting,fill’d thiscruelWomanwithso exquisite a Joy, as shewas hardly capable of dissembling; therefore to getlibertytoindulgeit,andtolearntherestoftheparticularsofCHARLO,whosheheard was come in, she told AMENA she would have her go to Bed, andendeavour to compose herself, and that she would send for Monsieur

SANSEVERIN in theMorning,andendeavour to reconcilehim toher. Iwillalsoaddedshe,withadeceitfulsmile,seetheCountD’ELMONT,andtalktohiminamanner as shall make him truly sensible of his Happiness; nay, so far myFriendshipshallextend,thatiftherebeanyrealCauseformakingyourAmouraSecret,heshallseeyouatmyHouse,andpassforaVisitorofmine;IhavenobodytowhomIneedbeaccountableformyActionsandamabovetheCensuresoftheWorld.AMENA,thank’dherinTermsfullofgratitude,andwentwiththeMaid,whomALOUISAhadorder’dtoconducthertoaChamberprepar’dforher;as soonas shehadgot ridofher, shecall’d forCHARLO, impatient to hear bywhat contrivance this lucky Chance had befallen her. Madam, said he, tho’Iform’dathousandInventions,Ifoundnotanysoplausible,astoalarmMonsieurSANSEVERIN’sFamily,with anout-cryofFire.Therefore I rang theBell at thefore-gateoftheHouse,andbellow’dinthemostterribleaccentIcouldpossibleturnmyVoiceto,Fire,Fire,rise,oryouwillallbeburntinyourBeds.Ihadnotrepeatedthismanytimes,beforeIfoundtheEffectIwish’d;theNoisesIheard,andtheLightsIsawintheRooms,assur’dmetherewerenoSleepersleft;thenIrantotheTuilleries,designingtoobservetheLover’sproceedings,butIfoundtheywere appriz’dof theDanger theywere in, of beingdiscover’d, andwerecoming to endeavour anentrance into theGarden. Iknow the rest, interruptedALOUISA,theEventhasanswer’devenbeyondmyWishes,andthyRewardforthis good Service shall ’be greater than thy Expectations. As she said theseWords she retir’d toherChamber,more satisfy’d than shehadbeen formanyMonths.

QUITE different did poor AMENA pass the Night, for besides the grief ofhaving disoblig’d her Father, banish’d her self his House, and expos’d herReputation to the unavoidable Censures of the unpitying World; for anungrateful, or at best an indifferent Lover. She receiv’d a vast addition ofAfflictions,whentakingouttheLetterwhichD’ELMONThadgivenheratparting,possibletoweepoverit;andaccuseherselfforsoinconsideratelybreakingthenobleResolutionshehadform’d,whenitwaswrit.ShefounditwasALOUISA’sHand,fortheCounthymistakehadgivenherthesecondhereceiv’dfromthatLady,insteadofthatshedcsir’dhimtoreturn.NeverwasSurprize,Confusion,andDispairatsuchaheight,asinAMENA’sSoulatthisDiscovery;shewasnowassur’dbywhatsheread,thatshehadfledforProtectiontotheveryPerfsonsheought most to have avoided; that she had made a Confident of her greatestEnemy,aRivaldangeroustoherHopesineveryCircumstance.Sheconsider’dtheHighBirthandvastPossessionsthatALOUISAwasMistressofinoppositionto her Father’s scanted Power ofmaking her a Fortune.HerWit and Subtilty

against her Innocence and Simplicity: her Pride, and the respect her grandeurcommandedfromtheWorld,againstherowndeplor’dandwretch’dState,andlook’duponherselfaswholly lost.TheviolenceofherSorrowismoreeasilyimagin’dthanexpress’d;butofallhermelancholyReflexions,nonerack’dherequaltothebeliefshehadthatD’ELMONTwasnotunsensiblebythistimewhomthe Letter came from, and had onlymade a Court to her to amuse himself awhile,andthensufferhertofallaSacrificetohisAmbition,andfeedtheVanityofherRival;ajustIndignationnowopen’dtheEyesofherUnderstanding,andconsidering all the Passages of the Count’s Behaviour, she saw a thousandThingswhich told her, hisDesigns on herwere far unworthy of theName ofLove. None that were ever touch’d with the least of those Passions whichagitated theSoul ofAMENA, canbelieve theywouldpermitSleep to enter herEyes:ButifGriefandDistractionkeptherfromrepose;ALOUISAhadsoomuchBusinessonherHandstoenjoymuchmore;Shehadpromis’dAMENA tosendfor her Father, and theCount, and found there were not too manyMomentsbeforeMorning, to contrive somany different forms of Behaviour, as shoulddeceive’emallthree,compleattheRuinofherRival,andengagetheAddressesof her Lover; as soon as she thought it a proper Hour, she dispatch’d aMessengertoCountD’ELMONT,andanothertoMonsieurSANSEVERIN,whofullofSorrowashewas,immediatelyobey’dherSummons.Shereceiv’dhiminherDressing-room, and with a great deal of feign’d Trouble in her Countenance,accostedhim in thismanner.Howhard is it, said she, todissembleGrief, andinspite of all the Care, which I doubt not you have taken to conceal it, inconsideration of your own, andDaughter’sHonor, I too plainly perceive it inyour Face to imagine that my own is hid; How,Madam, cry’d the impatientFather, (then giving a loose to his Tears) are you acquainted then with myMisfortune?Alas,answer’dshe,IfearbytheConsequencesyouhavebeenthelasttowhomithasbeenreveal’d.Ihop’dthatmyAdvice,andthedailyProofstheCountgaveyourDaughterofthelittleregardhehadforher,mighthavefir’dhertoagenerousDisdain,andhaveathousandPardonstoaskofyouforBreachofFriendship,inconcealinganAffairsorequisiteyoushouldhaveknown.Oh!Madam,resum’dhe,interruptingher,IconjureyoumakenoApologiesforwhatispast,Iknowtoowellthegreatnessofyourgoodness,andthefavouryouhavealwaysbeenpleas’dtoHonourherwith;nottobeassur’dshewashappyinyourEsteem,andonlybeg Imayno longerbekept in Ignoranceof the fatalSecret.Youshallbeinform’dofall,saidshe,butthenyoumustpromisemetoActbymyAdvice;whichhehavingpromis’d,shetoldhimafterwhatmannerAMENAcametoherHouse,thecoldnesstheCountexpress’dtoher,andtheviolenceofherPassionforhim.Now,saidshe,ifyoushouldsufferyourragetobreakoutin

any publick Manner against the Count, it will only serve to make yourDaughter’sDishonourtheTable-TalkofallParis.HeistoogreatatCourt,andhas too many Friends to be compell’d to any Terms for your Satisfaction;besides,theleastnoisemightmakehimdiscoverbywhatmeanshefirstbecameacquaintedwithher,andherexcessive, Iwillnot say troublesomefondnessofhim,since;whichshouldhedo,theshamewou’dbewhollyher’s,forfewwou’dcondemn him for accepting the offer’d Caresses of a Lady so young andbeautiful as AMENA. But is it possible, cry’d he (quite confounded at theseWords) that she should stoop so low to offer Love. Oh Heavens! Is this theEffect of all my Prayers, my Care, and my Indulgence. Doubt not, resum’dALOUISA,oftheTruthofwhatIsay,Ihaveitfromherself,andtoconvinceyouitisso,IshallinformyouofsomethingIhadforgotbefore.ThenshetoldhimoftheNoteshehadflip’dintotheLetterhehadforc’dhertowrite,andofsendingANERET to his Lodgings, which she heightned with all the aggravatingCircumstancesherWitandMalicecou’dsuggest;tilltheoldManbelievingallshe said as anOracle,was almost senseless betweenGrief andAnger, but thelatter growing rather themost predominant, he vow’d to punish her in such amannerasshoulddeterallChildren,fromDisobedience.Now,saidALOUISA, itis,thatIexpesstheperformanceofyourPromise;thesethreatsavailbutlittletotheretrievingyourDaughter’sReputation,oryourquiet,bethereforeperswadedto make noWords of it, compose your Countenance as much as possible toserenity,andthinkifyouhavenoFriendinanyMonastrywhereyoucouldsendhertillthisDiscourse,andherownfoolishFollybeblownover.Ifyouhavenot,IcanrecommendyoutooneatSt.DENNISwheretheAbbessismynearRelation,and onmy Letterwill use herwith all imaginable Tenderness.Monsieurwasextreamly pleas’d at this Proposal, and gave her those thanks the seemingkindnesss of her offer deserv’d. I would not, resum’d she, have you take herHome,orseeherbeforeshegoes;orifyoudo,nottillallthingsarereadyforherDeparture,forIknowshewillbeprodigalofherPromisesofAmendment,’tillshehasprevail’dwithyourFatherlyIndulgencetopermitherstayatParis,andknowaswellshewillnothavethePowertokeep’eminthesameTownwiththeCount.She shall, if you please, remain conceal’d inmyHouse, ’till you haveprovidedforherJourney,anditwillbeagreatMeanstoputastoptoanyfartherReflexions themaliciousmaymaymakeonher; ifyougiveoutshe isalreadygonetosomeRelations in theCountry.Asshewasspeaking,CHARLOcametoacquainther,onewascometovisither.Shemadenodoubtbut’twasD’ELMONT,therefore hasten’d away Monsieur SANSEVERIN, after having fix’d him in aResolutiontodoeverythingassheadvis’d.ItwasindeedCountD’ELMONTthatwascome,whichassoonasshewasassur’dof,shewthrewoffherdejectedand

mournfulAir,andassum’doneallGaietyandgoodHumour,dimpl’dherMouthwithSmiles,andcall’dthelaughingCupidstoherEyes.

MY Lord, said she, you do well by this early visit to retrieve your Sexesdrooping fameofConstancy,andprove thenicetyofAMENA’sdiscernment, inconferringfavoursonaPerson,whotohisexcellentQualifications,hasthatofassiduity to deserve them; as he was about to reply, the rush of somebodycominghastilydowntheStairswhichfacedtheRoomtheywerein,oblig’d’emtoturnthatway.ItwastheunfortunateAMENA,whonotbeingabletoenduretheThoughts of staying in her Rivals House, distracted with her Griefs, and notregardingwhatshouldbecomeofher,assoonassheheardtheDoorswereopen,waspreparingtoflyfromthatdetestedPlace.ALOUISAwasvex’dtotheHeartatthefightofher,hopingtohavehadsomeDiscoursewiththeCountbeforetheymet;butshedissembledit,andcatchingho’dofherasshewasendeavouringtopass,ask’dwhereshewasgoing,andwhatoccasion’dtheDisordersheobserv’dinher.Igo,(answer’dAMENA)fromafalseLover,andafalserFriend,butwhyshou’d 1 upbraid you (continu’d she lookingwildly sometimes on theCount,and sometimesonALOUISA)TreacherousPair,youknow toowel1eachothersBaseness,andmyWrongs;nolongerthen,detainaWretchwhosePresence,hadyoutheleastSenseofHonour,Gratitude,orevencommonHumanity,wou’dfillyourConscienceswithRemorse andShame; andwhohasnownootherwish,thanthatofshunningyouforever.Asshespokethis,shestruggledtogetloosefromALOUISA’sArms,who,inspiteoftheAmazementshewasin,stillheldher.D’ELMONTwasnolessconfounded,andin..elyignorantoftheMeaningofwhathe heard, was at a loss how to reply, ’till she resum’d her reproaches in thismanner :Why,yeMonstersofbarbarity,saidshe,doyoudelight inbeholdingtheRuinsyouhavemade?IsnottheknowledgeofmyMiseries,myeverlastingMiseries,sufficienttocontentyou?AndmustIbedebarr’dthatonlyRemedyforWoes likemine?Death!OhcruelReturn forallmyLove,myFriendship!andtheconfidence I repos’d inyou.Oh! towhatamI reduc’dbymy toosoftandeasieNature,hardfateoftenderness,whichhealingothers,onlywoundsit’sself.–— Just Heavens! –— here she stopp’d, the violence of her Resentment,endeavouringtoventitselfinsighs,roseinherBreastwithsuchanimpetuosityaschoak’dthePassageofherWords,andshefellinaSwoon.Tho,theCount,andALOUISAwerebothinthegreatestConsternationimaginable,yetneitherof’emwerenegligentintryingtoRecoverher;astheywerebusi’dabouther,thatfatalLetterwhichhadbeentheCauseofthisDisturbance,felloutofherBosom,andbothbeingeagertotakeitup(believingitmightmakesomediscovery)hadtheirHandson itat thesametime; itwasbutslightlyfolded,and immediately

shew’d ’emfromwhat sourceAMENA’sdespairproceeded:HerupbraidingsofALOUISA,andtheBlushesandConfusionwhichheobservedinthatLadiesFace,assoonasevershesawitopen’d,putanendtotheMistery,andonelessquickofApprehensionthanD’ELMONT,wou’dhavemadenodifficulty infindinghisunknownAdmirer in thePersonofALOUISA: She, to conceal theDisorder shewasinatthisAdventureasmuchaspossible,call’dherWomen,andorder’d’emtoConveyAMENAintoanotherChamberwheretherewasmoreAir;asshewaspreparing to follow, turning a little towards the Count, but still extreamlyconfus’d, you’ll Pardon,me,myLord, said she, ifmy concern formyFriendobligesmetoleaveyou.AhMadam,reply’dhe,forbeartomakeanyApologiesto me, rather Summon all your goodness to forgive a Wretch so blind tohappinessasIhavebeen:Sheeithercou’dnot,orwou’dnotmakeanyanswertotheseWords,butseemingastho’sheheard’emnot,wenthastilyintotheRoomwhereAMENAwas,having theCount fullofvariousandconfus’dReflections;the sweetness of his Disposition made him regret his being the Author ofAMENA’sMisfortunes,buthowmiserableisthatWoman’sCondition,whobyherMismanagement is reduc’d tosopooraComfortas thepityofherLover; thatSexisgenerallytooGaytocontinuelonguneasy,andtherewaslittlelikelihoodhe cou’d be capable of lamenting Ills,which his smallAcquaintancewith thePassion fromwhich they sprung,madehimnot comprehend.Thepleasure theDiscoverygavehimofaSecrethehadsolongdesir’dtofindout,kepthimfrombeingtoomuchconcernedattheAdventurethatoccasion’dit;buthecouldnotforbear accusing himself of intollerable Stupidity, when he consider’d thePassages of ALOUISA’s Behaviour, her swooning at the Ball, her constantGlances, her frequent Blushes when he talk’d to her, and all his CogitationswhetheronALOUISA,orAMENA,weremingledwithawonderthatLoveshouldhave such Power. The diversity of his Thoughts wou’d have entertain’d himmuchlonger,iftheyhadnotbeeninterruptedbyhisPage,whocameinagreathurry,toacquainthim,thathisBrother,theyoungChevalierBRILLIANwasjustcome toTown, andwaitedwith Impatience for his comingHome:Asmuch aStranger as D’ELMONT was to the Affairs of Love, he was none to those ofFriendship,andmakingnodoubtbutthatthe’formeroughttoyieldtothelatterineveryrespect;contentedhimselfwithtellingoneofALOUISA’sServants,ashewentout,thathewou’dwaitonherintheEvening,andmadewhathasthecou’dtogivehisbelovedBrotherthewelcomeheexpectedaftersolonganabsence;and indeed the manner of their Meeting, express’d a most intire and sincereAffectiononbothsides.TheChevalierwasbutaYearyoungerthantheCount;theyhadbeenbredtogetherfromtheirInfancy,andtherewassuchasympathyin their Souls, and so great a Resemblance in their Persons, as very much

contributedtoendear’emtoeachotherwithaTendernessfarbeyondthatwhichisordinarilyfoundamongRelations,AfterthefirstTestimoniesofitwereover,D’ELMONT began to Question him how he had pass’d his Time since theirSeparation,andtogivehimsomelittleReproachesfornotwritingsooftenashemight have Expected. Alas! my dearest Brother, reply’d the Chevalier, suchvariousAdventureshavehap’ned tomesinceweparted,aswhenI relate’em,willIhopeexcusemyseemingNegligence;theseWordswereaccompany’dwithSighs, and aMelanchollyAir immediately overspreading his Face, and takingaway great part of the Vivacity, which lately sparkled in his Eyes, rais’d animpatient Desire in theCount to know the Reason of it, which when he hadexpress’d, theother (afterhavingengag’dhim, thatwhateverCauseshemightfindtoridiculehisFolly,hewou’dsuspendallappearanceofittilltheendofhisNarration)begantosatisfyinthisManner.

A

THE

STORYOFTHE

ChevalierBRILLIAN.

TSt.Omers,whereyouleftme,Ihappen’dtomakeanAcquaintancewith one Monsieur BELPINE, a Gentleman who was there on someBusiness;webeingbothprettymuchStrangersinthePlace,occasion’d

an Intimacy between us, which the disparity of our Tempers, wou’d haveprevented our Commencing at Paris; but you know 1 was never a lover ofSolitude, and forwant ofCompanymore agreeable,waswilling to encouragehis.Hewas indeed soobligingas to stay longer atSt.Omers thenhisAffairsrequired,purposelytoengagemetomakeAmiens inmywaytoParis.Hewasvery Vain, and fancying himself happy in the esteem of the fair Sex, wasdesirousIshouldbewitnessof theFavours theybestow’donhim.AmongtheNumberofthoseheusedtotalkof,wasMadamoiselleANSELLINAdelaTOUR,aParisianLady,andHeiressofagreatEslate,buthadbeensometimeatAmienswithMadamtheBaronessdeBERONVILLEherGod-Mother.TheWondershetoldmeofthisyoungLady’sWit,andBeauty,inclin’dmetoadesireofseeingher;andassoonasIwasinaConditiontoTravel,wetookourWaytowardsAmiens,heus’dmewithalltheFriendshiphewascapableofexpressing;andsoonafterwearrived,carry’dmetotheBaronesses:ButohHeavens!HowgreatwasmyAstonishmentwhen I foundANSELLINA as far beyondhis faintDescription, astheSunBeams the ImitationofArt;besides the regularityofherFeatures, thedelicacyofherComplexion,and the justSimmetryofherwholeComposition,shehasanundescribableSweetness thatplaysaboutherEyesandMouth,andsoftensallherAir:ButallherCharms,dazlingastheyare,wouldhavelosttheircaptivating Force on me, if I had believ’d her capable of that weakness forBELPINE,thathisVanitywouldhavemethink.SheisveryYoung;andGay,andIeasilyperceiv’dshesuffer’dhisAddressesmoreoutofDiversionthenanyrealRegard shehad forhim;heheldaconstantCorrespondenceatParis, andwascontinually furnish’d with every thing that was Novel; and by that meansintroduc’dhimselfintomanyCompanies,whoelsewou’dnothaveenduredhim;

butwhenatanytimeIwassohappyastoentertainthelovelyANSELLINAalone,and we had Opportunity for serious Discourse, (which was impossible in hisCompany) I found that she was Mistress of a Wit, Poynant enough to beSatyrical,yetitwasaccompaniedwithaDiscretionasverymuchheighten’dherCharms,andcompleatedtheConquestthatherEyesbegun.Iwillconfesstoyou,Brother, that Ibecamesodevoted tomyPassion, that Ihadno leisure foranyother Sentiments. Fears,Hopes,Anxities, jealous Pains, uneasie Pleasures; alltheArtilleryofLove,weregarrison’dinmyHeart,andathousandvarioushalfform’dResolutionsfill’dmyHead.ANSELLINA’s insensibilityamongaCrow’dofAdmirers,andthedisparityofourFortunes,wou’dhavegivenmejustCausesofDespair,iftheGenerosityofherTemperhadnotdissipatedtheone,andherYouth, and the hope herHourwas not yet come, the other. Iwas often aboutletting her know thePower she had overme, but something of an awewhichnone but thosewho truly Love can guess at, still preventedmy being able toutterit,andIbeliev’dshouldhavelanguish’d’tillthisMomentinanunavailingsilence,ifanaccidenthadnothapen’dtoemboldenme:IwentoneDaytovisitmyAdorable,andbeingtoldshewasintheGarden,wentthitherinhopestoseeher, but being deceiv’d inmyExpectation, believ’d theServantwho gavemethatInformationwasmistaken,andfencyingshemightberetir’dtoherCloset,assheveryoftendidinanAfternoon,andthepleasantnessofthePlaceinducingme to slay there till shewaswilling to admitme. I sat down at theFoot of aDIANA,curiouslycarv’dinMarble,andfullofmelancholyReflectionswithoutknowingwhat I did, took a black leadPenout ofmyPocket, andwrit on thePedestalthesetwoLines.

Hopeless,andSilent,Imuststilladore.

HerHearthsmorehardthanStonewhomI’dimplore.

I had scarce finish’d ’em, when I perceived ANSELLINA at a good distancefromme,comingoutofalittleArbour;therespectIhadforher,mademefearshe shouldknow Iwas theAuthorof ’em,andguess,what I found, Ihadnotgain’dCourageenoughtotellher.IwentoutoftheAlley,asIimagin’d,unseen,and design’d to come up another, andmeet her, before she cou’d get into theHouse.Buttho’Iwalkedprettyfast,shehadleftthePlacebeforeIcou’dattainit;andinherstead(castingmyEyestowardtheStatuewithanIntentiontoruboutwhatIhadwrit;IfoundthisAdditiontoit.

YouwrongyourLove,whileyouconcealyourPain,

FlintswilldissolvewithconstantdropsofRain.

BUT, m dear Brother, if you are yet insensible of thewonderful Effects ofLove,youwillnotbeabletoimaginewhatIfeltatthisView;Iwassatisfy’ditcould bewrit by noBody butANSELLINA, there being no other Person in theGarden,andknewaswellshecouldnotdesignthatEncouragementforanyotherMan,becauseonmanyOccasions shehad seenmyHand; and theDaybeforehadwrittenaSongforher,whichshedesir’dtolearn,withthatveryPenInowhadmadeuseof;andgoinghastilyawayat thesightofher,hadforgottotakewithme.Igaz’duponthedearobligingCharacters,andkiss’dtheMarblewhichcontain’d’em,athousandtimesbeforeIcou’dfindinmyHearttoefface’em;asIwasinthisagreeableAmazement,IheardBELPINE’sVoicecallingtomeashecameup thewalk,whichoblig’dme toputanend to it,and theObjectwhichoccasion’dit.HehadbeentoldaswellasI,thatANSELLINAwasintheGarden,andexpressingsomewondertoseemealone,ask’dwhereshewas,Ianswer’dhimwithagreatdealof realTruth, that Iknewnot, and that Ihadbeen theresomeTime,buthadnotbeensohappyastoEntertainher.Heseem’dnottogiveCredittowhatIsaid,andbegantousemeafteraFashionaswouldhavemuchmore astonish’dme fromanyotherPerson. Iwouldnot haveyou, saidhe, beconcern’datwhatIamabouttosay,becauseyouareoneofthoseforwhomIamwillingtopreserveaFriendship;andtoconvinceyouofmySincerity,giveyouleavetoaddressafterwhatmanneryoupleasetoanyoftheLadieswithwhomIhavebroughtyouacquainted,exceptingANSELLINA.ButItakethisOpportunitytoletyouknow,Ihavealreadymadechoiceofher,withadesignofMarriage,and from this time forward, shall lookonanyVisitsyou shallmake toher, asinjurioustomyPretensions.Tho’IwasnoStrangertotheVanityandInsolenceof BELPINE’s Humour, yet not being accustomed to such arbitrary Kind ofTreatment,hadcertainlyresentedit(ifwehadbeeninanyotherPlace)inaverydifferentManner, thanIdid,but the’consideration that tomakeaNoise there,would be a Reflection, rather than a Vindication on ANSELLINA’s Fame; Icontented myself with telling him he might be perfectly easie, that whateverQualifications the Lady might have that should encourage his Addresses, Ishouldnerergiveher anyReason toboast: aConquestoverme.TheseWordsmight have born two Interpretations, if the disdainfulAirwithwhich I spoke’em, and which I could not dissemble, and going immediately away had notmadehimtake’em,astheywerereallydesign’d,toaffronthim;Hewasfullof

Indignationand Jealousy (if it ispossible for aPerson tobe touch’dwith thatPassion, who is not capable of the other, which generally occasions it) buthowever, having taken it into his Head to imagine I was better received byANSELLINAthanhedesired;Envy,andasortofaWomanishSpleentransportedhimsofarastogotoANSELLINA’sApartment,andrailatmemostprofusely(asIhavesincebeento’d)andthreatenhowmuchhe’dbereveng’d,ifheheardIevershouldhavetheassurancetoVisitthereagain.ANSELLINAatfirstlaugh’dathisFolly,butfindinghepersisted,andbegantoassumemoreLibertythansheevermeant to afford him; instead of list’ning to his Entreaties, to forbid me thePrivilegeIhadenjoy’dofherConversation ;shepass’d thatverySentenceonhim,andwhennextIwaitedofher,receiv’dmewithmoreRespect thanever;andwhenatlastItooktheboldnesstoacquaintherwithmyPassion;IhadtheSatisfaction to observe from the frankness of her Disposition, that I was notindifferent toher;nor indeeddidshe,even inPublick,affectany reservednessmore than the decencies of her Sex and Quality requir’d; for after myPretensionstoherwerecommonlytalk’dof,andthosewhowereintimatewithher,wou’drallyheraboutme;shepass’ditoffwithaSpiritofGaityandgoodHumourpeculiartoherself,andbatednothingofherusualfreedomtome;shepermitted me to Read to her, toWalk and Dance with her, and I had all theOpportunities of endeavouring an encrease of her Esteem that I cou’d wish,whichsoincens’dBELPINE,thathemadenoscrupleofrevilingbothherandmeinallCompanieswhereverhecame;saying,IwasalittleworthlessFellow,whohadnothingbutmySwordtodependupon;andthatANSELLINAhavingnohopesof Marrying him, was glad to take up with the first that ask’d her. ThesescandalousReportsonmyfirsthearingof’emhadassuredlybeenfataltooneofus,ifANSELLINAhadnotcommandedmebyallthePassionIprofess’d,andbytheFriendshipshefreelyacknowledgedtohaveforme,nottotakeanyNoticeof’em. I set too high a Value on the favours she allow’d me, to be capable ofDisobedience; and she was too nice a Judge of the Punctillio’s of our SexesHonour,nottotakethisSacrificeofsojustaResentment,asaverygreatproofhowmuchIsubmittedtoherwill,andsuffer’dnotaDaytopasswithoutgivingmesomenewmarkhownearlyshewastouch’dwithit.IwasthemostcontentedandhappyPerson in theWorld,stillhoping that ina little time,shehavingnoRelations that had Power to contradict her Inclinations) I should be able toobtainevery thing fromher thatanhonourablePassioncould require; ’tilloneEveningcominHome,prettylatefromher,myServantgavemeaLetter,whichhetoldmewasleftforme,byoneofBELPINE’sServants;IpresentlysuspectedtheContents,and found Iwasnotmistaken; itwas reallyaChallenge tomeethim the nextMorning, andmust confess, tho’ I long’d for an Opportunity to

ChasticehisInsolence,wasalittletroubledhowtoexcusemyselftoANSELLINAbuttherewasnopossibilityofevadingit,withoutrenderingmyselfunworthyofher,andhop’d thatCircumstancewou’dbesufficient toclearme toher. Iwillnot trouble you, Brother, with the particulars of our Duel, since there wasnothingmaterial,butthatatthethirdpass(IknownotwhetherImaycallittheeffect ofmygoodor evilFortune) he receiv’dmySword agooddepth inhisBody,andfellwithalltheSymptomsofaDying-Man.ImadeallpossiblehasttosendaSurgeontohim.InmywayImettwoGentlemen,whoitseemshehadmadeacquaintedwithhisDesign(probablywithan intention tobeprevented).Theyask’dmewhatSuccess, andwhen Ihad inform’d ’em,advis’dme tobegone from Amiens before the News should reach the Ears of BELEPINE’sRelations, who were not inconsiderable in that Place. I made ’em thoseRetributions their Civilities deserv’d , but how eminent soever the Dangerappear’d that threstnedme, cou’d not think of leavingAmienswithout havingfirstseenANSELLINA. Iwent to theBaronnesses and foundmyCharmeratherToylet,andeitheritwasmyFancy,orelseshereallydidlookmoreamiableinthatUndress,thaneverIhadseenher,tho’adorn’dwiththeutmostIllustrations.Sheseem’dsurpri’datseeingmesoearly,andwithherwontedgoodHumour,askingmethereasonofit,putmeintoamortalAgonyhowtoanswerher,forImustassureyou,Brother,thatthefearsofherDispleasurewereathousandtimesmoredreadful tome, than anyother apprehensions; she repeated theQuestionthreeorfourtimesbeforeIhadCouragetoReply,andIbelieveshewasprettynear guessing the Truth by my Silence, and the disorder in my CountenancebeforeIspoke;andwhenIdid,shereceiv’dtheaccountofthewholeAdventurewithavastdealoftrouble,butnoanger;sheknewtoowellwhatIow’dtomyReputation,andthePosthisMjestyhadhonour’dmewith,tobelieve,Icou’d,oroughttodispencewithsubmittingtotheReflectionswhichmusthavefallenonme,hadIactedotherwisethanIdid.HerConcernandTears,whichshehadnotPower to contain at the thoughts of my Departure, joyn’d with her earnestConjurations tome to be gone, letmemore than ever into the Secrets of herHeart,andgavemeaPleasureas inconceivableas thenecessityofpartingdidthecontrary.Nothingcou’dbemoremovingthanourtakingleave,andwhenshetoreherselfhalfwilling,andhalfunwilling,frommyArms,hadsentmeawayinconsolable,ifherPromisesofcomingtoParis,assoonasshecould,withoutbeing takennoticeof, and frequentlywriting tome in themean time,hadnotgivenmeaHope, tho’adistantone,ofHappiness.ThusBrother,haveIgivenyou,inasfewWordsasIcou’d,aRecitalofeverythingthathashappen’dtomeofConsequencesinceourSeparation,inwhichIdarebelieveyouwillfindmoreto Pity than Condemn. The afflicted Chevalier cou’d not conclude without

letting fall some Tears, which theCount perceiving, ran to him, and tenderlyembracinghim,saidallthatcou’dbeexpededfromamostaffectionateFriendtomitigate his Sorrows, nor sufered him to remove from his Arms ’till he hadacomplish’d his Design; and then believing the hearing of the Adventures ofanother, (especially one he was so deeply interested in) would be the surestMeanstogiveaTrucetothemoremelancholyReflectionsonhisown;relatedevery thing that had befallen him since his coming to Paris. The Letters hereceiv’d from a Lady Incognito. his little Gallantries with AMENA, and theaccident thatpresentedtohisView,theunknownLadyinthePersonofoneofthe greatest Fortunes in allFrance.Nothing cou’d be a greaterCordial to theChevalier, than tofindhisBrotherwasbelov’dby theSisterofANSELLINA;hedidnotdoubtbut thatby this theremightbeapossibilityofseeinghersoonerthanesfehecou’dhavehop’d,andthetwoBrothersbegantoenterintoaseriousconsultationof thisAffair,whichendedwithaResolutiontofix theirFortunesthere.TheCounthadneveryetseenaBeautyformidableenoughtogivehimanHours uneasiness (purely for the sake of Love) andwould often say,Cupid’sQuiverneverheldanArrowofforcetoreachhisHeart; thoselittleDelicacies,those trembling aking Transports, which every light of the belov’d Objectoccasions, and so visibly distinguishes a real Passion from a Counterfeit, helook’d on as the Chimera’s of an idle Brain, form’d to inspire Notions of animaginaryBliss, andmakeFools lose themselves in seeking’; or if theyhadaBeing; itwas only inweak Souls, a kind of aDiseasewithwhich he assur’dhimselfheshouldneverbeinfected.AmbitionwascertainlythereigningPassionin his Soul, and ALOUISA’s Quality and vast Possessions, promising a fullGratificationofthat,hene’ersomuchaswish’dtoknowafartherHappinessinMarriage.

BUTwhiletheCOUNTandCHEVALIERwere thusEmploy’d, theRivalLadiespasst their Hours in a very different Entertainment, the despair and bitterLamentations that the unfortunate AMENA made, when she came out of herswooning,weresuchasmov’devenALOUISA toCompassion,and ifany thingbut resigningD’ELMONT cou’d have given herConsolation, shewou’dwillinghave apply’d it. There was now no need of further Dissimulation, and sheconfessed toAMENA, that she had Lov’d the CharmingCount with a kind ofMadnessfromthefirstMomentshebeheldhim:ThattofavourherDesignsonhim,shehadmadeuseofeveryStratagemshecou’dinvent,thatbyhermeans,the Amour was first discover’d to Monsieur SANSEVERIN, and his FamilyAlarm’dtheNightbefore;andLastly,thatbyherPersuasions,hehadresolv’dtosendhertoaMonastry,towhichshemustprepareherselftogoinafewDays

without taking any leave even of her Father; have you (cry’d AMENA hastilyinterruptingher)haveyouprevail’dwithmyFathertosendmefromthishatedPlace without the Punishment of hearing his upbraidings? Which the otheranswering in the Affirmative, I thank you, resum’d AMENA, that Favour hascancell’d all yourScoreofCruelty, for after theFollies I havebeenguilty of,nothing is so dreadful as the Sight of him. And, who wou’d, oh Heavens!(continuedsheburstingintoaFloodofTears)wishtostayinaWorldsofullofFalshood.ShewasabletoutternomoreforsomeMoments,butatlast,raisingherselfontheBedwhereshewaslaid,andendeavouringtoseemalitt’emorecompos’d:IhavetwoFavours,Madam,yettoaskofyou(rejoin’dshe)neitherof’emwill,Ibelieve,seemdifficulttoyoutogrant,thatyouwillmakeuseofthe Power you have with my Father, to let my Departure be as sudden aspossible,andthatwhileIamhere,ImayneverseeCountD’ELMONT.Itwasnotlikely thatALOUISA shou’d denyRequests so suitable to her own Inclinations,and believing, with a great deal of Reason, that her Presence was not verygrateful,lefthertotheCareofherWomen,whomsheorder’dtoattendherwiththe same Diligence as herself. It was Evening before the Count came, andALOUISAspenttheremainderoftheDayinveryunneasieReflections;sheknewnot, as yet, whether she had Cause to rejoyce in, or blame her Fortune in sounexpectedlydiscoveringherPassion,andanincessantvicissitudeofHopeandFears,rack’dherwithmostintollerableInquietude,tillthedarlingObjectofherWishesappeared;andtho’thefirstsightofhim,addedtoherotherPassions,thatof Shame, yet hemanag’d his Address sowell, and somodestly and artfullyhinted theKnowledge of hisHappiness, that every Sentiment gave place to anewAdmiration of theWonders of hisWit; and if before she lov’d, she nowador’d,andbegantothinkitakindofMeritinherself,tobesensibleofhis.HesoonputitinherPowertoobligehim,bygivinghertheHistoryofhisBrother’sPassion for her Sister, and she was not at all backward in assuring him howmuch she approved of it, and that shewou’dwrite toANSELLINA by the firstPost,toengagehercomingtoPariswithallimaginebleSpeed.Infine,therewasnothingHecou’dask,refus’d,andindeeditwouldhavebeenridiculousforhertohaveaffectedCoyness,aftertheTestimoniesshehadlongsincegivenhimofone of the most violent Passions that ever was; this fore-Knowledge sav’dabundanceofDissimulationonbothSides,andshetookcarethatifheshouldbewanting in his kind Expressions after Marriage, he should not have it in hisPowertopretend(assomeHusbandshavedone)thathisStockwasexhaustedina tediousCourtship.Every thingwas presently agreedupon, and theWeddingDay appointed,whichwas to be as soon as every thing cou’d begot ready tomake itMagnificent; tho’ theCount’sgoodNaturemadehimdesirous to learn

somethingofAMENA,yethedurstnotenquire,forfearofgivinganUmbragetohis intendedBride; but she, imagining theReasonofhisSilence, very franklytold him, how she was to be dispos’d of, this Knowledge made no smallAddition to his Contentment, for had she stay’d in Paris, he could expectnothingbutcontinualJealousiesfromALOUISA;besides,ashereallywish’dherhappy, tho’ he could not make her so, he thought Absence might banish ahopeless Passion from her Heart, and Time and other Objects efface an Idea,whichcouldnotbutbedestructivetoherPeace.Hestay’datALOUISA’sHouse’tillitwasprettylate,andperhapstheyhadnotpartedinsomeHourslonger,ifhisimpatiencetoinformhisBrotherhisSuccess,hadnotcarriedhimaway.Theyoung Chevalier was infinitely more transported at the bare Hopes of beingsomethingnearertheAimofallhisHopes,thanD’ELMONTwasattheAssuranceof losinghis inPossession, and couldnot forbear rallyinghim for placing theultimate of his Wishes on such aToy,as he argu’d Woman was, which theChevalierendeavouringtoconfute,therebeganaverywarmDispute,inwhich,neither of ’em being able to convince the other, Sleep at last interposed asModerator.ThenextDaytheywenttogethertovisitALOUISA,andfromthattimewereseldomasunder:ButinCompassiontoAMENA, they tookwhatCare theycouldtoconcealtheDesigntheyhadinHand,andthatunhappyLadywasinafewDays, according to herRival’sContrivance, hurried away,without seeingany of her Friends, When she was gone, and there was no farther need ofkeepingitaSecret,theNewsofthisgreatWeddingwasimmediatelyspreadoverthe whole Town, and every one talk’d of it as their particular Interests orAffections dictated. All D’ELMONT’s Friends werefull of Joy, and he met noinconfiderableAugmentationof it himself,whenhisBrother received aLetterfrom ANSELLINA, with an Account, that BELPINE’s Wound was found notDangerous, and that he was in a very fair way of Recovery. And it wasconcluded, that as soon as theWeddingwas over, theChevalier should go inPersontoAmiens,andfetchhisbelov’dANSELLINA,inorderforaSecond,andasmuchdesir’dNuptial.TherewasnoGloomnowlefttoCloudtheGaietyofthehappyDay,nothingcouldbemoreGrandthantheCelebrationofit,andALOUISAnowthoughtherselfattheendofallherCares;buttheSequelofthisgloriousBeginning,andwhatEffecttheDespairandImprecationsofAMENA(whensheheard of it) produc’d, shall, with the continuance of theChevalier BRILLIAN’sAdventures,befaithfullyrelatedinthenextPart.

EndoftheFirstPart.

EachDaywebreakthebondofHumaneLawsForLove,andvindicatethecommonCause.LawsforDefenceofcivilRightsareplac’d;LovethrowstheFencesdown,andmakesageneralwasteMaids,Widows,Wives,withoutdistinctionfall,TheswespingdelugeLove,comesonandcoversall.

DRYDEN.

LOVEinEXCESS:OR,THE

FATALENQUIRY.

TParttheSecond.

HE Contentment that appeared in the Faces of the newMarried Pair,addedsomuch to the Impatienceof theChevalierBRILLIAN to seehisbelovedANSELLINA,thatinafewDaysaftertheWedding,hetookleave

of them, anddeparted forAmiens:But ashumanHappiness is seldomof longcontinuance,andALOUISAplacingtheUltimateofher’sinthePossessionofherCharming Husband, secure of that, despis’d all future Events, ’twas time forFortune,who longenoughhad smil’d,now to turnherWheel, andpunish thepresumptionthatdefy’dherPower.

AS they were one Day at Dinner, a Messenger came to Acquaint CountD’ELMONTthatMonsieurFRANKVILLEwastaken,suddenly,soviolentlyIll, thathis Physicians despair’d of his Life; and that he beg’d to speak with himimmediately: This Gentleman had been Guardian to the COUNT during hisMinority, and the Care and Faithfulness with which that Trust had beenDischarg’d,made him,withReason, to regret the danger of losing so good aFriend:Hedelay’d theVisitnot aMoment, and foundhimas theServanthadtoldhim,inaConditionwhichcou’dcherishnohopesofRecovery,assoonasheperceiv’dtheCOUNTcomeintotheChamber,hedesir’dtobeleftalonewithhim,whichOrderbeingpresentlyobey’d.MydearCharge,(saidhetakinghimby theHand,andpressing tohis tremblingBosom)youseemeat thepointofDeath,buttheknowledgeofyourmanyVirtues,andtheConfidenceIhavethatyou will not deny me the request I am about to ask, makes me support theThoughtsofitwithModeration.TheotherassuringhimofhisreadinesstoservehiminanyCommand,encourag’dtheoldGentlemantoprosecutehisDiscourseinthismanner:YouarenotIgnorant,myLord(Rejoin’dHe) thatmySon(theonlyoneIhave;isonhisTravels,gonebymyApprobation,andhisownDesirestomake theTourofEurope;but IhaveaDaughter,whoseProtection Iwou’dentreat you to undertake; her Education in aMonastery has hitherto kept herintirely unacquaintedwith theGayeties of aCourt, or theConversationof theBeauMonde, and I have sent for her toParis purposely to Introduce her intoCompany,properforayoungLady,whoIneverdesign’dforaRecluse;Iknownot whether she will be here time enough to close my Eyes, but if you willpromise to receive her into your House, and not suffer her artless andunexperienc’dYouthtofallintothoseSnareswhicharedailylaidforInnocence,and takesofaraCare, thatneithershe,nor theFortuneI leaveher,be thrown

away upon a Man unworthy of her, I shall dye well satisfy’d. D’ELMONTanswer’d this Request, with repeated assurances of fulfilling it, and franklyoffer’d,ifhehadnootherPersoninwhomheratherwou’dconfide,totakethemanagement of the whole Estate he left behind him, till young FRANKVILLEshould return ––– The anxious Father was transported at this Favour, andthank’dhiminTermsfullofGratitudeandAffection;theyspentsomeHoursinsettlingthisAffair,andperhapshadnotendeditsosoon,ifWordhadnotbeenbrought that the young Lady his Daughter was alighted at the Gate; ’tisimpossible to express the Joy which fill’d the old Gentleman’s Heart at thisNews,andhebeganafreshtoputtheCOUNTinmindofwhathehadpromisedconcerningher:Astheywereinthisendearing,tho’mournfulEntertainment,thematchless MELLIORA enter’d, the Surprize and Grief for her Father’sIndisposition(havingheardofitbutsinceshecameintosheHouse)hinderedherfrom regarding any thing but him, and throwing herself on her Knees by theBedside,wash’dtheHandwhichhestretch’douttoraiseherwith,inafloodofTears,accompany’dwithExpressions,which,unstudy’dandincoherentastheywere,hadadelicacyin’em,thatshow’dherWitnotinferiourtoherTenderness,and that no Circumstance cou’d render her otherwise than the most lovelyPersonintheWorld;whenthefirsttransportsofherSorrowwereover,andthatwith much ado she was persuaded to rise from the Posture she was in: TheAffliction I fee thee in my Dear Child, (’said her Father) wou’d be a vastadditiontotheAgoniesIfeel,wereInotsohappyastobeprovidedwithMeansforamitigationofit,thinknotinlosingmethouwiltbeleftwhollyanOrphan,thisworthyLordwilldrythyTears.Therefore,mylastCommandstotheeshallhetoobligetheetoendeavourtodeservetheFavoursbe,ispleas’dtodousinaccepting thee for—Hewou’d have proceeded, but his Physicians (who hadbeen in Consultation in the next Room) coming in prevented him, andCountD’ELMONT takingthecharmingMELLIORAby theHand, ledher to theWindowandbeginning to speaksomeWordsofConsolation toher, thesofttnessofhisVoice, and graceful Manner with which he deliver’d himself (always theinseparableCompanionsofhisDiscourse,butnowmoreparticularly so)madehercastherEyesuponhim;butalas,hewasnotanObjecttobesafelygaz’dat,and inspightof theGriefshewas in,shefoundSomething inhisFormwhichdissipated it; a kind of painful Pleasure, a mixture of Surprize, and Joy, anddoubt, ran thro’ her in an instant; her Fathers Words suggested to herImagination, that shewas in a possibility of calling the charming Person thatslood before her, by a Name more tender than that of Guardian, and all theActions, Looks, and Address of D’ELMONT serv’d but to confirm her in thatBelief.Fornow itwas, that this insensiblebegan to feel thePowerofBeauty,

andthatHeartwhichhadsolongbeenImpregnable,surrender’dinaMoment;thefirstsightofMELLIORAgavehimaDiscomposurehehadneverfeltbefore,heSympathized inallherSorrows,andwasready to joynhisTearswithhers,butwhenherEyesmethis,theGodofLoveseem’dtheretohaveunitedallhisLightningsforoneeffectualBlaze, theirAdmirationofeachothersPerfectionswasmutual, and tho’ he had got the start in Love, as being touch’dwith thatAlmightyDart,beforeherAfflictionhadgivenherleavetoregardhim,yetthesoftnessofherSoulmadeupfor that little lossof time,anditwashardtosaywhose Passion was the Strongest; she listned to his Condolements, andassurancesofeverlastingFriendship,withapleasurewhichwasbuttoovisiblein herCountenance, andmore enflam’d theCOUNT.As theywere exchangingGlances,asifeachvyedwiththeotherwhoshoulddartthefiercestRays,theyheardasortofominousWhisperingabout theBed,andpresentlyoneof thosewho slood near it, beckon’d them to come thither; the Physicians had foundMonsieurFRANKVILLEinamuchworseConditionthantheylefthimin,andsoonafterperceiv’devidentSymptomsinhimofapproachingDeath,andindeedtherewerebutaveryfewMomentsbetweenhimandthatotherunfathomableWorld;the use of Speech had left him, and he cou’d take no other leave ot his dearDaughter than with his Eyes; which sometimes were cast tenderly on her,sometimesontheCOUNT,withabeseechinLook,asitwere,toConjurehimtobecarefulofhisCharge;thenuptoHeaven,aswitnessoftheTrustherepos’dinhim.Therecou’dnotbeaScenemoreMelanchollythanthisdumbFarewell,andMELLIORA, whose lost Disposition had never before been shock’d, had notCourage tosupport sodreadfulaoneas this,but fellupon theBed justasherFatherBreath’d his last, asmotionless as he. It is impossible to represent theAgony’s which fill’d theHeart of D’ELMONT at this View, he took her in hisArms,andassistedthosewhowereendeavouringtorecoverher,withawildnessinhisCountenance,atremblingHorrorshakingallhisFabrickinsuchamanner,asmighthaveeasilydiscover’dtotheSpestators(iftheyhadnotbeentoobusilyemploy’d to take notice or it) that he was Actuated by a Motive far morepowerful thanthatofCompassion.Assoonasshecametoherself, theyforc’dherfromtheDeadBodyofherFather(towhichsheClung)andcarriedherintoanotherRoom,anditbeingjudg’dconvenientthatsheshouldberemov’dfromthatHouse,where every thingwou’d servebut to remindherofherLoss, theCountdesir’dtheServantsofMonsieurFRANKVILLE shou’dbecall’d,and theninthepresenceof’emall,declar’d theirMaster’s lastRequest,andorderedanAccount of all Affairs shou’d be brought to his House, where he wou’dimmediately Conduct their young Lady, as he had promis’d to her Father. IfMELLIORAhadbeenwithoutanyothercauseofGrief, thisEclaircissementhad

beensufficienttohavemadeherMiserable:ShehadalreadyentertainedamosttenderAffection for theCOUNT, andhadnot so little discernment as not to besensibleshehadmadethelikeImpressiononhim;butnowshewak’dasfromaDreamofpromis’dJoys,tocertainWoes,andthesameHourwhichgaveBirthio her Passion, commenced an adequate Despair, and kill’d her Hopes justbudding.

INDEED there never was any Condition so truly deplorable as that of thisunfortunateLady; she had just lost a dear and tender Father,whoseCarewaseverwatchfulforher,herBrotherwasfaroff,andshehadnootherRelationintheWorldtoapplyherselftoforComfort,orAdvice;notevenanAcquaintanceatParisorFriend,buthimwhobutnewlywasbecomeso,andwhomshefounditdangeroustomakeuseof,whomsheknewitwasaCrimetoLove,yetcou’dnothelpLoving; themore she thought, themore shegrewDistracted, and thelessabletoresolveonanyThing;athousandTimesshecall’donDeathtogiveherease,but thatpaleTyrantfliesfromthePursuer,shehadnotbeenyet longenoughacquaintedwiththeillsofLife,andmustendure(howunwillingsoever)herpartofSufferingsincommonwiththerestofhumankind.

ASsoonasD’ELMONThadgivensomenecessaryDirections to theServants,hecametotheCouch,whereshewassittinginafix’dandsilentSorrow(tho’inwardlytoss’dwithvariousandviolentAgitations)andofferingherhisHand,entreatedhertopermithimtowaitonherfromthatHouseofWoe.Alas!Saidshe,towhatpurposeshou’dIremove,whobearmyMiseriesaboutme?WretchthatIam!—afloodofTears,hereinterpos’d,andhindredherfromproceeding,which falling from such lovely Eyes, had aMagnetick Influence to draw thesame from every beholder; butD’ELMONT who knew thatwas not theway toComfort her, dry’d his as soon as possible, and once more beg’d she wou’ddepart;suffermyreturnthen(answer’dshe)totheMonadtery,forwhathaveItodo inParis since I have lostmy Father? By nomeans,Madam (resum’d theCount hastily) thatwere to disapoint your FathersDesigns, and contradict hislastDesires;believemostlovelyMELLIORA(continu’dhetakingherbytheHandand letting fall someTearswhichhe cou’dnot restrain, upon it) that I bear atleastanequalShareinyourAffliction,andlamentforyou,andformyself:SucharegardmygratefulSoulpaidMonsieurFRANKVILLEforallhiswondrousCareandGoodnesstome,thatinhisDeathmethinksIamtwiceanOrphan.ButTearsarefruitlesstoreinspirehisnowcoldClay,thereforemusttransmittheLoveandDutyIowedhimliving,tohisMemoryDead,andanexactperformanceofhisWill;andsincehethoughtmeworthyofsovastaTrustasMELLIORA,1hopeshe

will be guided by her Fathers Sentiments, and believe that D’ELMONT (tho’ aStrangertoher)hasaSoulnotuncapableofFriendship.Friendship!DidIsay?(rejoyn’d he softning his Voice) that term is toomean to express a Zeal likemine, the Care, the Tenderness, the Faith, the fond Affection of Parents, —Brothers,—Husbands,—Lovers,allCompriz’dinone!OnegreatUnutterable!ComprehensiveMeaning, ismine! forMELLIORA!She returnednoAnswerbutSighs, to all he said to her; but he renewing his Entreaties, and urging herFather’sCommands,shewasatlastprevail’dupontogointohisChariot,whichhadwaitedattheDooralltheTimeofhisbeingthere.

AS they went, he left nothing unsaid that he believ’d might tend to herConsolation,butshehadGriefswhichatpresenthewasaStranger to,andhisConversation, in which she found a thousand Charms, rather Encreas’d, thanDiminish’dthetroubleshewasin:EveryWord,everyLookofhis,wasafreshDagger to her Heart, and in spight of the Love she bore her Father, and theunfeign’dConcernhissuddenDeathhadgivenher,shewasnowconvinc’dthatCOUNTD’ELMONT’sPerfectionswereherseverestWounds.

WHENtheycametohisHouse,HepresentedhertoALOUISA,andgivingherabriefAccountofwhathadhappened,engag’dthatLadytoreceiveherwithwithallimaginableDemonstrationsofCivilityandKindness.

HE soon left the two Ladies together, pretending Business, but indeed tosatisfie his Imparience, which long’d for an opportunity to meditate on thisAdventure.ButhisReflectionswerenowgrownfarlesspleasingthantheyusedto be; real Sighs flew from his Breast uncall’d: And MELLIORA’s Image indazling Brightness! In terrible Array of killing Charms; Fir’d Him with(impossible tobeattain’d)Desires:hefoundbysadExperiencewhat itwas toLove,andtoDespair.HeAdmired!Ador’d!Andwish’d,eventoMadness!Yethad too much Honour, too much Gratitude for the Memory of MonsieurFRANKVILLEand toosincereanAwefor the lovelyCauseofhisUneasiness, toformaThoughtthatcou’dencouragehisnewPassion.Whatwou’dhenothavegiven to have been Unmarried? How often did he Curse the Hour in whichALOUISA’s fondnesswas discover’d?And howmuchmore his ownAmbition,whichpromptedhimtotakeAdvantageofit,andhurry’dhimPrecipitatelytoaHymen,whereLove,(thenoblestGuest)waswanting?ItwasintheseracksofThought,thattheunfortunateAMENAwasremembr’d,andhecou’dnotforbearacknowledging the Justice of that Doom, which inflicted on him, these veryTormentshehadgivenher.AsevereRepentanceseiz’donhisSoul,andAlOUISAforwhomheneverhadanythingmorethananIndifferency;nowbegantoseem

N

DistastefultohisFancy,helook’donher,asindeedshewas,thechiefAuthorofAMENA’s Misfortunes, and abhorr’d her for that Infidelity, But when heconfider’d her, as theBar ’twixtHim andMELLIORA she appear’d like his illGeniustohim,andhecou’dnotsupporttheThoughtsofbeingoblig’dtoloveher (or at least to seem as if he did) withModeration. In the midst of theseReflectionshisServant came in anddeliver’d aLetter tohimwhichhadbeenjustleftbythePost.TheCOUNTimmediatelyknewtheHandtobeAMENA’s,andwascover’dwiththeutmostConfusionandRemorsewhenhereadtheseLines.

TothetooCharmingandPerfidiousD’ELMONT.OWHopes,andFears,andJealousiesareover!Doubtisnomore!Youareforeverlost!Andmyunfaithful,happyRival!TriumphsinyourArms,and

my Undoing! –– I need not wish you Joy, the haste you made to enter intoHymen’sBonds, and themore than ordinaryPompwithwhich thatCeremonywasCelebrated, assuresme youare highly satisfiedwith yourCondition; andthat any future Testimonies of the Friendship of so wretched a Creature asAMENA,wou’d be receiv’d by you,with the sameDisregard, as those she hasgivenyouofamoretenderPassion.—ShamefulRemembrance!OhthatIcou’dBlotitout!—EracefromtheBookofTimethosefonddeludedHours!ForgetIeversawtheLovelyfalseD’ELMONT!EverlistnedtohissoftpersuafiveAccents!AndthoughthisloveamightyPriceforRuin––MyFatherwritesthatyouareMarried, Commands my Return to Paris, and assume an Air as Gay, andChearfulasthatwithwhichIusedtoappear.Alas!HowlittledoesheknowhisDaughtersHeart?Andhowimpossibleisit,formetoObeyhim,canIlookonyouastheHusbandofALOUISA,withoutremembringyouwereoncetheLoverofAMENA?Can Love likemine, so fierce, so passionately, tender, e’re sink to acalm,coldIndifference?CanIbeholdthefondEndearmentsofyourbridalJoys(whichyou’dnotbeabletoRestrain,evenbeforeme)andnotburstwithEnvy?No, the Sight wou’d turn me quite Distracted, and I shou’d commit someDesperateViolencethatwou’dUndoeusall.—Therefore,Ihidemyselfforeverfrom it, bid an everlasting Adieu to all the guyDelights and Pleasures ofmyYouth.––ToallthePompandSplendoroftheCourt.––ToallthatthemistakenWorldcallsHappiness.—ToFather,Friends,Relations,all that’sDear—ButyourIdea,andthat,noteventheseconsecratedWalls,norIronGateskeepout;Sleeping or Waking you are ever with me, you mingle with my most solemnDevotions;andwhileIPraytoHeaventhatImaythinkonyounomore,aguiltyPleasurerisesinmySoul,andcontradictsmyVows!AllmyConfessionsareso

many Sins, and the sameBreathwhich tellsmyGhostly Father I abjure yourMemory, speaksyourdearNamewithTransport.Yes—Cruel!Ungrateful!—Faithlessasyouare,IstilldoLoveyou—Loveyoutothatinfinitedegree,thatnow,methinkssir’dwiththyCharms(repentingallI’vesaid)Icou’dwishevento renew those Moments of my Ruin! — Pity me D’ELMONT, if thou hastHumanity.––JudgewhattherackingsofmySoulmustbe,whenIresolve,withallthisLove,thisLanguishmentaboutme;nevertoseeyoumore.Everythingispreparing formyReception into holyOrders, (howunfit I amHeaven knows)andinafewDaysIshallput’ontheVailwhichexcludesmefromtheWorldforever;therefore,ifthesedistractedLinesareworthanAnswer,itmustbespeedy,oritwillnotcometomyHands.PerhapsnotfindmeLiving.—Icannomore—Farewel(thoudearDestroyerofmySoul)

EternallyFarewel,AMENA.

P.S.Idonoturgeyoutowrite,Alousia(IwishIcou’dnotsayyourWife)willperhapsthinkittoogreataCondescention,andnotsufferyousolongfromherEmbraces.—Yetifyoucangetloose,—Butyouknowbestwhat’spropertobedone— Forgive the restlesness of a dispairingWretch, who cannot cease toLove, tho’fromthisMomentshemustceasetotellyouso—Oncemore,andforEver,

Adieu

HADthisLettercameaDaysooner,’tisprobableitwou’dhavehadbatlittleEffectontheSoulofD’ELMONT,buthisSentimentsofLovewerenowsowhollychang’d, thatwhatbeforehewou’dbuthave laugh’dat,andperhapsdespis’d,now fill’d him with Remorse and serious Anguish. He read it over severalTimes,andfoundsomanyProofsinitofasincereandconstantAffection,thathebegantopityHer,withaTendernesslikethatofaRelation,butnomore:Thecharming MELLIORA had Engross’d all his sonder Wishes; else it is notimpossiblebutthatALOUISAmighthavehadmoreReasontofearherRivalshipafterMarriage,thanbefore.ThatLadyhavingbeenwithoutthepresenceofherdearHusbandsomeHours,hadnotpatiencetoremainanylongerwithoutseeingHim,andmakinganexcusetoMELLIORAforleavingheralone,camerunningtothe Closet where he was; how unwelcome she was grown, the Reader mayimagine,hereceiv’dher,notashewaswont;theGaitywhichusedtosparklein

hisEyes,(atoncedeclaring,andcreatingAmorousdesires;nowgavePlacetoasullenGloominess,helook’dnotonher,orifbychancehedid;’twasmorewithAngerthanwithLove,inspiteofhisendeavourstoconcealit,shewastooquicksighted(asallarethattrulyLove)nottobesensibleofthisAlteration.Howevershe took no notice of it, but Kissing and Embracing him (according to herCustomwhenevertheywerealone)beg’dhimtoleavehissolitaryAmusement,andhelpher toComfort theafflictedLadyhebrought there.HerEndearmentsserv’d but to encrease his Peevishness, and heighten her Surprize at hisBehaviour;and indeed, theMoment thatsheentered theClosetwas the lastofherTranquility.

WHENwithmuchperswasionsshehadprevail’dwithhimtogowithherintotheRoomwhereMELLIORAwas,heappearedsodisorder’dat thesecondSightof that Charmer, as wou’d certainly have let ALOUISA into the secret of hisPassion, had she not been rerir’d to a Window to recover herself from theConfusion her Husbands coldness had thrown her in, and by that fortunatedisregard of his Looks at that critical Instant, given him (who never wantedpresenceofMind)leavetoformbothhisCountenanceandmannerofAddress,soastogivenosuspicionoftheTruth.

THIS little Company was very far from being Entertaining to one another;every one had their particular Cogitations, and were not displeas’d not to beInterruptedinthem.Itgrowinglate,ALOUISAconductedMELLIORAtoaChamberwhichshehadorder’dtobeprepar’dforher,andthenretir’dtoherown,hopingthat when the COUNT shou’d come to Bed, she might be able to make someDiscoveryoftheCauseofhisUneasiness.Butshewasdeceiv’d,hespokenottoher,andwhenbyathousandlittleInventionssheurg’dhimtoreplytowhatshesaid,itwasinsuchafashionasonlylethersee,thathewasextreamlytroubledatsomething,butcou’dnotguessatwhat.AssoonasDaybroke,herose,andshutting himself into his Closet, left her in the greatest Consternationimaginable; she cou’d not think it possible that the Death of MonsieurFRANKVILLEShou’dworkthisTransformation,andknewofnootherMisfortunethathadhappened.AtlastsheremembredshehadheardoneoftheServantssay,aLetterwasbroughttotheirMasterbythePost,andbegantoreflectoneveryThing(inthepowerofFortunetodetermine)thatcou’dthreatenaDisturbance,yet was still as ignorant as ever. She lay not long in Bed, but putting on herCloathswithmoreExpeditionthanusualwenttotheCloset,resolvingtospeaktohiminamannerasshou’dobligehimtoputanendtotheuncertaintyshewasin,but finding theDoor lock’d,herCuriositymadeher look thro’ theKeyhole,

Y

and she saw him sometimes very intirely reading a Letter, and sometimeswriting,astho’itwereanAnswertoit.AsuddenThoughtcameintoherHead,and she immediately went softly from the place where she was, withoutknockingattheDoor,andstay’dinalittleChamberadjacenttoit,wherenonecouldpass to, or from theClosetwithout being perceiv’d by her; she had notwaitedlong,beforesheheardtheCountRing,andpresentlysawaServantenter,andsoonafterreturnwithaLetterinhisHand;shewou’dnotspeaktohimthen,forfearofbeingoverheardbyherHusband,butfollowedhimdownStairs,andwhenhecametowardsthebottom,call’dtohiminalowVoicetotarry’tillshecametohim;theFellowdurstnotbutObey,andtherebeingnobodynear’em,commandedhim to deliver her theLetter;But he either afraid or unwilling tobetray his Trust, excus’d himself from it as well as he cou’d, but she wasresolv’d to have it; and when Threats wou’d not avail, condescended toEntreaties, towhichsheaddedBribes,which lastArticle join’d to thepromiseshemadeofneverrevealingit,wonhimtoherPurpose.ShehadscarcepatiencetoforbearopeningitbeforeshegottoherChamber:TheSuperscription(whichshe sawwas forAMENA) fir’dherwithDisdainandJealousie, and it ishardlypossibletoimagine,muchlesstodescribetheTorrentofherIndignation,whenshefoundthatitcontain’dtheseWords.

TotheLovelyAMENA.OUaccusemeofCruelty,whenatthesameTimeyoukillmewithyours:HowVile!Howdespicable,must I begrown in yourOpinion,whenyou

believeIcanbeHappy,whenyouareMiserable?—CanIenjoytheTreasuresofaCourt,whileyouareshutwithinaCloyster?––ShallIsuffertheWorldtobedepriv’dofsuchaTreafureasAMENA?FortheCrimeofworthlessD’ELMONT––No, no Fair, injur’d Softness. Return, and bless the Eyes of every Beholder!Shine out again in your nativeLustre, uneclips’d byGrief, the Star ofBeautyand theguideofLove.—And, ifmyunluckyPresencewill beaDamp to theBrightness of yourFires, Iwill for ever quit thePlace. –– Tho’ I cou’dwish,you’d give me leave sometimes to gaze upon you, and draw some hop’dPresagesoffutureFortunefromtheBenignityofyourInfluence,—Yes,AMENA,I -wou’d sigh out my Repentance at your Feet, and try at least to obtain aPardonformyInfidelity.—For,’tistrue,whatyouhaveheard,—IamMarry’d—ButohAMENA!HappinessisnotalwaysanAttendantonHymen.––However,IyetmaycallyouFriend—IyetmayLoveyou,tho’inadifferentwayfromwhatI once pretended to; and believeme, that the Love of Souls, as it is themost

uncommon, especially in our Sex, so ’tis the most refin’d and noble of allPassions, and such a Love shall be for ever yours. EvenALOUISA (who hasrobb’d you of the rest) cannot justly resentmy giving you that part,—You’llwonderatthisAlterationinmyTemper,but’tissincere,IamnomoretheGay,theRovingD’ELMONT,andwhenyoucometoParis,perhapsyouwillfindmeinaConditionmoreliabletoyourPitythanIndignation.WhatshallIsayAMENA?MyCrimeismyPunishment,IhaveoffendedagainstLove,andagainstyou,andam,ifpossiible,asMiserable,asGuilty:TornwithRemorse,andTortur’dwith––Icannot—mustnotNameit––but’tissomethingwhichcanbetermednootherthantheutmostseverityofmyFate.—HastethentoPityme,tocomfort,to advise me, if (as you say) you yet retain any remains of your formerTendernessforthisUngratefulMan,

D’ELMONT.

UNGRATEFUL indeed!Cry’dALOUISA (Transportedwith Excess of Rage andJealousie)Oh theVillain!—WhatMiseries!WhatMisfortunes are there thoutalk’st of? What Unhappiness has waited on thy Himen? ’Tis I alone amwretched!baseDeceiver!

THEN, as if she wanted to discover something farther to heighten theIndignationshewasin,shebegantoreaditoveragain,andindeedthemoresheconsider’d themeaning ofwhat she read, themore her Passions swell’d, ’tillthey got at last the entire Dominion of her Reason: She tore the Letter in athousandpieces, andwasnotmuch lessunmerciful toherHair andGarments.’Tispossible,thatintheViolenceofherFury,shemighthaveforgotherpromisetotheServant,toventsomepartofitonherHusband,ifherWomancomingintotheRoomtoknowifshewasreadytodress,hadnotpreventedher,bytellinghertheCountwasgoneabroad,andhadleftWord,thatheshou’dnotreturn’tilltheEvening.ALOUISAhadthrownherselfontheBed,andtheCurtainsbeingdrawndiscover’d not the disorder shewas in, andwhich her Pridemade herwillingshou’d be still a Secret, therefore dismist her with dying, she wou’d call herwhen shewanted any thing.Tho’ALOUISAwas too apt to give a loose to herPassionsoneveryoccasion,totheDestructionofherownPeace,yetsheknewwellenoughhowtodisguise’em,whenevershefoundtheConcealingofthemwou’dbeanAdvantage toherDesigns:Andwhen theTransportsofherRagewassofarover,astogiveherLibertyofReflection,andshebegantoExaminetheStateofherAffection to theCount, shesoonperceiv’d ithadsomuch the

betterofallotherConfiderations, that inspiteof the injusticeshe thoughthimguiltyoftoher,shecou’dnotperswadeherselftodoanythingthatmightgivehim a pretence to Quarrel with her. She thought she had done enough inIntercepting thisLetter, and did not doubt but thatAMENAwou’d takehis notwriting tohersomuch toHeart,as topreventherever returning toParis,andresolv’dtoomitnothingofherformerEndearments,ormakeashewofbeinginthe leastdisoblig’d; thissortofCarriageshe imagin’dwou’dnotonly layhimmoreopenandunguardedtothediligentwatchshedelign’dtomakeonallhisWordsandActions,but likewiseawakenhimtoa justSenseofherGoodness,andhis own Ingratitude.—She rightly judg’d thatwhenPeople areMarry’d,JealousiewasnottheproperMethodtoreviveadecay’dPassion,andthatafterPossessionitmustbeonlyTenderness,andconstantAssiduitytoplease,thatcankeepupdesire,freshandgay.ManistooArbitraryaCreaturetobeartheleastContradiction, where he pretends an absolute Authority, and that Wife whothinks by ill humour and perpetual Taunts, to make him weary of what shewou’d reclaim him from, only renders her self more hateful, and makes thatjustifiable which before was blameable in him. These, and the likeConsiderationsmadeALOUISAputonaCountenanceofSerenity,andshesowellactedthepartofanUnsuspectingWife,thatD’ELMONTwasfarfromimaginingwhatshehaddone:Howeverhestillbehav’dwiththesameCautionasbefore,toMELLIORA;andcertainlyneverdidPeopledisguisetheSentimentsoftheirSoulsmoreartfullythandidthesethree—MELLIORAvail’dhersecretLanguishments,undertheCovertofhergriefforherFather,theCOUNThisBurninganguish,inagloomyMelancholyfor theLostofhisFriend ;butALOUISA’sTaskwasmuchthehardest,whohadnopretenceforgrief(raging,andbleedingwithneglectedLove, and stifled Pride) to frame her Temper to a seemingTranquility—Allmade it their whole study to deceive each other, yet none but ALOUISA wasintirelyinthedark;fortheCountandMELLIORAhadbuttootrueaguessatoneanother’smeaning,everylookofhis,forhehadEyesthatneedednoInterpreter,gaveher IntelligenceofhisHeart, and theConfusionwhich theunderstandingthose looks gave her, sufficiently told him how sensible she was of ’em.—SeveralDaystheyliv’dinthisManner,inwhichtimeMonsieurFRANKVILLEwasInterr’d. Which Solemnity, theCount took care shou’d be performed with aMagnificencesuitable to theFriendshiphepublicklyprofest tohavebornhim,andthesecretAdorationhisSoulpaidtohisRemains.

NOTHING happned of Moment, ’till a Day or two after the Funeral, aGentleman newly arriv’d atParis, came to visit theCount, and gave him anAccountofAMENA’shavingtakentheHabit;how,(saidD’ELMONTInterrupting

T

him) is it possible? — Has she then profest? Yes, answer’d the Gentleman,havingaSisterwhomIalwaystenderlylov’dattheMonasteryatSt.Dennis,myaffectionoblig’dmetomakeit inmywaytovisither.AMENAwaswithherattheGrate,whenshereceiv’dme;Iknownothow,amongotherDiscourses,wehapned to talkof the fineGentlemenofParis,which itwas Impossible todo,withoutmentioningCountD’ELMONT,theCOUNTanswer’dnotthisComplementas hewou’dhavedone at another time, but onlybowingwith anhumbleAir,gave him Liberty to prosecute his Discourse; the moment (resum’d he) thatAMENAheardyourName,theTearsrunfromherfairEyes;insuchabundance,andsheseem’dopprestwithtoviolentaGrief,thatshewasnotabletostayanylonger with us. When she was gone, my Sister whom she had made herConfidant,gavemetheHistoryofherMisfortunes,andwithal,toldme,thatthenextDayshewastobeInitiatedintoHolyOrders;MyCuriosityengag’dmetostayatSt.Dennis, toseetheCeremonyperform’d,whichwasSolemn;butnotwiththatMagnificencewhichIexpeded;itseemsitwasAMENA’sdesirethatitshouldbeasprivateaspossible,andforthatReason,noneofherRelationswerethere,andseveraloftheFormalitiesofEntranceomitted:Afteritwasover,mySisterbeckon’dmetocometotheGrate,whereIsawherbefore,andConjur’dmeintheNameofhernewSister,togivethistoyourHandsinspeakingtheseWords, he took a Letter out of his Pocket, which the COUNT immediatelyopening,tohisgreatsurprize,founditcontain’d,asfollows.

TotheInhumanD’ELMONT.O be pity’d by you, and that you shou’d tell me so, was all therecompenceIask’dforLossofFather,Friends,Reputation,andEternalPeace;butnow,toolate,Ifind,thatthefondMaidwhoscornstheWorld

forLove;issuretomeetforherrewardthescornofhimsheLoves—UngratefulMan!Cou’d you not spare oneMoment from that longDate ofHappiness, togive a last farewel to her you have undone?What wou’d not this BarbarousContempthavedrawnuponyou,wereIofALOUISA’sTemper?SureIam,allthatdisdainandrage,cou’lInspireMalicewith,hadbeenInflictedonyou,butyouwellknowmySoulisofaanotherStamp.––FoolthatIwas,andlittlevers’dinthebaseArts ofMan, be’iev’d Imight by tenderness, and faithfulFriendship,gainesteem;tho’WitandBeautythetwogreatProvocativestocreateLovewerewanting.ButdonotthinkthatIamyetsomeanastodesiretohearfromyou;no,IhaveputallfutureCorrespondencewithyououtofmyPower,andhopetodriveitevenfrommywish:Whetheryourdisdain,ortheHolyBannerIamlifted

under, haswrought this Effect, I know not, butmethinks I breath anotherAir,thinkonyouwithmoreTranquility,andbidyouwithoutdying,

EternallyAdieu,AMENA.

P.S.LetALOUISAknowIamnomoreherRival,HeavenhasmySoul,andIforgiveyouboth.

D’ELMONTwasstrangely fir’dat the reading theseLines,which lefthimnoRoomtodoubtthathisLetterhadmiscarried,hecouldnotpresentlyimaginebywhatmeans,butwasresolv’difpossible,tofinditout.However,hedissembledhis Thoughts ’till the Gentleman had taken his leave; then calling for theServant,whomhehadentrustedwiththecarryingit,hetookhimbytheThreat,andholdinghisdrawnSworddirectlytohisBreast,sworethatMomentshouldbehislast,ifhedidnotimmediatelyconfesstheTruth;thepoorFellow,frightedalmosttoDeath,trembling,andfallingonhisKnees,implor’dForgiveness,anddiscover’dall.ALOUISAwhowasinthenextChamber,hearingherHusbandcallfor that Servant, with a Tone somewhat more imperious than what he wasaccustom’d to, and a great Noise soon after, imagin’d some Accident hadhappen’dtobetrayher,andranintoknowtheCertainty,justastheCounthaddischarg’d the Servant, at once from his Service and his Presence. You havedone well Madam (said D’ELMONT, looking on her with Eyes sparkling withIndignation)youhavedonewell,byyourimpertinentCuriosityandImprudence,to rouze me from my Dream of Happiness, and remind me, that I am thatwretchedThingaHusband!’Tiswellindeed(answer’dALOUISA,whosawnowthat therewas no need of fartherDissimulation) that any thing canmake youremember, both what you are, and what I am. You, (resum’d he, hastilyinterruptingher)havetakenaneffectualMethodtoproveyourselfaWife!—averyWife!—Insolent—Jealous---andCensorious!—ButMadam(continuedhe frowning) sinceyouarepleas’d toassertyourPriveledge,beassur’d, I tooshalltakemyturn,andwillexertthe—Husband!Insayingthis,heflungoutoftheRoominspiteofherEndeavourstohinderhim,andgoinghastilythroughaGallerywhich had a largeWindow that looked into theGarden, he perceivedMELLIORA lying on a green Bank, in a melancholy, but a charming Posture,diredlyopposite to thePlacewherehewas;herBeautiesappear’d, ifpossible,more to Advantage than ever he had seen them, or at least, he had moreOpportunitythusunseenbyher,togazeupon’em;heinaMomentlostall theRageofTemperhehadbeenin,andhiswholeSoulwastakenupwithsoftness;

he stood for some Moments fix’d in silent Admiration, but Love has smallDominion inaHeart, thatcancontent it selfwithadistantProspect,and therebeing a Pair of back-Stairs at the farther end ot theGallery,which led to theGarden. He either forgot, or not regarded what Construction ALOUISA mightmake on this private Interview, if by Chance, from any of theWindows sheshouldbeWitnessofit.

MELLIORAwassointentonaBookshehadinherHand,thatshesawnottheCount ’till hewas close enough toher todiscernwhatwas theSubject ofherEntertainment,andfindingittheWorksofMonsieurL’FONTENELLE;Philosophy,Madam,atyourAge (saidhe toherwithanAir,whichexprest surprize) isaswond’rousasyourotherExcellencies;butIamconfident,hadthisAuthoreverseenMELLIORA, hisSentimentshadbeenotherwise thannow they seem tobe,and he would have been able to write of nothing else but Love and her.MELLIORAblush’dExtremelyathisunexpectedPresence,and theComplementhe made Her; but recollecting her self as soon as she cou’d; I have a betterOpinionofMonsieurL’FONTENELLE,(answer’dshe)butifIwerereallyMistressofasmanyCharmsasyouwou’dmakemebelieve,IshouldthinkmyselflittlebeholdingtoNature,forbestowingthemonme,bytheirmeansIweredeprivedof sochoicean Improvemcnt as thisBookhasgivenme.ThankHeaven, thenMadam,(resum’dhe)thatyouwereborninanAgesuccessivetothatwhichhasproducedsomanyfineTreatisesofthiskindforyourEntertainment;since(IamveryConfident)this,andalongspaceoffutureTimewillhavenootherTheme,butthatwhichatpresentyouseemsomuchaverseto.MELLIORAfoundsomuchdifficultyinendeavouringtoConcealthedisordershewasinatthisDiscourse,thatitrenderedherunabletoreply;andHe,whopossiblyguesttheoccasionofhersilence;takingoneofherHandsandtenderlypressingitbetweenhis,look’dsofullinherEyes,asheighten’dherConfusion,anddiscover’dtohisravish’dView,whatmosthewish’dtofind;Ambition,Envy,Hate,Fear,orAnger,everyotherPassionthatfindsEntranceintheSoul;Art,andDiscretion,mayDisguise,butLove, tho’ itmaybe feign’d, canneverbeConceal’d, notonly theEyes (thosetrueandmostPerfectIntelligencersoftheHeart)buteveryFeature,everyFacultybetraysit!ItfillsthewholeAirofthePersonpossestwithit;itwandersroundtheMouth!PlaysintheVoice!tremblesintheAccent!Andshowsitselfathouland different, nameless ways! EvenMELLIORA’s Care to hide it, made itmoreapparent,andtheTransportedD’ELMONTnotconfideringwherehewas,orwhomight be awitness of his Rapture, cou’d not forbear catching her in hisArms,andgraspingherwithanExtasie,whichplainlytoldherwhathisthoughtswere,tho’atthattimehehadnotPowertoput’emintoWords;andindeedthere

I

is no greater proof of a vast and elegantPassion, than the being uncapable ofExpressing it: –– He had perhaps held her in this strict embrace, ’till someAccidenthaddiscover’dandseparatedhimfromher;iftheAlarmthismannerofProceeding gave herModesty, had not made her force her self from him.—TheybothstoodinasilentConsternation,norwashemuchlessdisorder’dattheTemerity,theviolenceofhisungovernablePassionhadmadehimguiltyof,thanshewas at theLiberty he had taken; he knewnot how toExcuse, nor she, toReproach;Respect(theconstantAttendantonasincereAffection)hadtyedhisTongue, and shamemixedwith the uncertainty after whatmanner she shou’dresent it, Hers.At last, theNatural Confidence of his Sex Encourag’d him tobreakthismuteEntertainment.—ThereareTimesMadam(saidhe)inwhichthewisesthavenotPowerover theirownActions—If therefore Ihaveoffended,imputenottheCrimetome,butthatunavoidableimpulsewhichforaMomenthurry’d me frommy self, for be assured while D’ELMONT can Command hisThoughts, they shall be most obedient to yourWishes— AsMELLIORA wasabouttoreply,shesawaServantcominghastilytospeaktotheCOUNT,andwasnotalittlegladofsofavourableanopportunitytoretirewithoutbeingoblig’dtocontinueaDiscourse inwhichshemusteither layaseverePunishmentonherInclinations by making a quarrel with him, or by forgiving him too easily,TrespassagainstthestrictPreceptsofVirtueshehadalwaysprofess’d;Shemadewhathasceshecou’dintoherchamber,andcarry’dwithheraWorldoftroubledMeditations, shenowno longerdoubtedof theCOUNT’sPassion, ard trembledwiththeApprehensionofwhathemightintimebepromptedto;butwhensheReflectedhowdear thatPersonshehadsomuchcause tofear,was toher,shethoughtherself,atoncethemostunfortunateandmostGuiltyofherSex.

THEServantwhogave’emthisseasonableInterruptiondeliveredaLettertohisMaster,whichheopeninghastily,knowingthatitcamefromhisBrotherbytheSeal,foundtheContentsasfollows.

Hop’dmyDearestFriend,andBrother)bythisdaytohaveEmbrac’dyou,butFortunetakesdelighttodisappointourwishes,whenhighestrais’d,and

nearest to their Aim.–– The Letter I carry’d from her, whom I think it myHappiness to call Sister, joyn’d with my own Faith, Love, and Assiduity, atlength Triumph’d over all the little niceties and objectionsmyCharmermadeagainstourJourney,andtheCondescendedtoordereverythingrequisiteforourdeparture fromAmiens shou’d be got ready. — But how shall I Express theGrief,theHorrour,theDistractionofmySoul,whentheveryEveningbeforethe

Day we shou’d have set out, as I was sitting with her, a sudden, but terribleIllness,liketheHandofDeathseiz’donher,shefell(oh!myBrother)Cold,andSpeechlessinmyArms––Guess,whatIendur’datthatAfflictingMoment,allthatIhadofMan,orReasonleftme;andsurehadnottheCareoftheBaronnessandsomeotherLadies(whommyCriesdrewintoherAssistance)inalittletimerecover’dher,Ihadnotnowsurviv’dtogiveyouthisAccount:Again,IsawtheBeauties of her Eyes! again, I heard her Voice, but her Disorder was yet sogreat, that itwas thought convenient she shouldbe put toBed, theBaronnessseeingmyDespair,desiredmenot toquitherHouse,andbythatMeansIhadNewseveryHour,howherFevorencreas’dorabated,forthePhysiciansbeingdesir’dtodealfreely,assur’dus,thatwasherDistemper:ForseveralDaysshecontinuedinaConditionthatcouldgizeusnoHopesofherRecovery;inwhichTime,asyoumayimagine,IwaslittlecapableofWriting.––Thewildnessofmyunruly Grief made me not be permitted to come into her Chamber; but theycou’d not, without they had made use of Force, hinder me from lying at herDoor:IcountedallherGroans,heardeverySightheViolenceofherPaindrewfromher, andwatch’d theCountenance of everyPersonwho came out of herChamber,asMenwhowou’d formaJudgmentof futureConsequences,do theSignsinHeaven.—ButItroubleyouwiththistediousrecital,sheisnow,ifthereisanyDependanceon theDoctorsSkill,pastDanger, tho’not fit toTravel,atleast thisMonth,which gives no small Aleviation to the greatness ofmy Joys(whichotherwisewou’dbeunbounded) forherRecovery,since itoccasionssolongaSeparationfromthebestofBrothers,andofFriends:Farewell,mayallyourWishesmeet Success, and anEternal round ofHappiness attend you; toaddtomine,Ibegyou’llwritebythefirstPost,which,nexttoseeingyou,isthegreatestIcanTaste.Iam,myLord,withallimaginableTendernessandRespect,yourmostAffectionateBrotherandHumbleServant,

BRILLIAN

THECOUNTjudg’ditproperthatALOUISAshou’dseethisLetter,becauseitsomuchconcernedherSister,andwasorderingtheServanttocarryittoher,(notbeinghimselfwillingtospeaktoher)justasshewascomingtowardshim;Shehadreceiv’daLetterfromtheBaronessDEBERONVILL,atthesametimethattheChevalier BRILLIAN’s was brought, and was glad to take the Opportunity ofCommunicating the Contents of it, in hopes by this Conversation, to bereconcil’dtoherHusband:ButthegloomySullennessoftheHumourhehadlefther with, return’d at Sight of her, and after some little Discourse of Family

Affairs, which he could not avoid answering, walk’d carelesly away: Shefollow’dhimatadistance,’tillhewasgotuptotheGallery,andperceivinghewent towardhisCloset,mendedherPace, andwasclose tohimwhenhewasgoingin.MyLord,(saidshe)withaVoicebuthalfassured,andwhichwouldnothavegivenherleavetouttermore,ifhehadnotinterruptedher,bytellingherhewouldbe alone, and shutting theDoorhastilyuponher, but shepreventedhisLockingofit,bypushingagainstitwithallherForce,andhe,notexertinghis,for fear of hurting her, suffer’d her Entrance: But look’d on her with aCountenancesoforbidding,asinspiteofthenaturalHaughtinessofherTemper,andtheResolutionshehadmadetospeaktohim,render’dherunableforsomeMomentstobringforthaWord;butthesilentGrief,whichappear’dinherFace,pleadedmorewiththegoodNatureoftheCount,thananythingshecouldhavesaid:HebegantopitytheunhappinessofhertooviolentAffection,andtowishhimselfinaCapacityofreturningit,however,he(likeotherHusbands)thoughtitbesttokeepuphisResentments,andtakethisOpportunityofQuellingalltheWomaninherSoul,andhumblingallthelittleRemainsofPridethatLovehadleft her. Madam, (resum’d he) with an Accent, which tho’ something moresoftned,wasstill imperiousenough, ifyouhaveanyThingofConsequence toimparttome,Idesireyouwillbeasbriefasyoucan,forIwouldbelefttotheFreedomofmyThoughts ––ALOUISA cou’d not yet answer, but letting fall aShowerofTears,andthrowingherselfontheGround,Embrac’dhisKneeswithso Passionate a Tenderness, as sufficiently exprest her Repentance for havingbeenguiltyofanythingtodisobligehim:D’ELMONTwasmostsensiblytouch’datthisBehaviour,sovastlydifferentfromwhathecou’dhaveexpectedfromthegreatnessofherSpirit,andrailingherwithanobligingAir.Iamsorry(saidhe)thatanythingshouldhappentooccasionthisSubmission,butsincewhat’spast,isoutoteitherofourPowerstorecall:Ishallendeavourtothinkofitnomore,providedyou’llpromiseme,neverforthefuturetobeguiltyofanythingwhichmaygivemeanuneasinessbythesightofyours—’Tisimpossibletorepresentthe Transport of ALOUISA at this kind Expression, she hung’ upon his Neck,kissed the dear Mouth which had pronounc’d her Pardon, with Raptures ofunspeakableDelight,shesigh’dwithPleasure,asbeforeshehaddonewithPain,shewept, she even dy’dwith Joy! ––No, no,,myLord,myLife,myAngel,(cry’dshe,assoonasshehadPowertospeak)IneverwillOffendyoumore,nomorebeJealous,nomorebedoubtfulofmyHappiness!Youare!–youwillbeonlymine,Iknowyouwill—YourkindForgivenessofmyFolly,assuresmethatyouaremine,notmorebyDutythanbyLove!ATyefarmorevaluablethanthatofMarriage.TheCountconsciousofherMistake,hadmuchadotoconcealhisDisorderattheseWords,andbeingunwillingsheshouldproceed;assoonas

hecould (without seemingunkindor rude)disingag’dhimself fromherArms,and took a Pen in his Hand, which he told her he was about to employ inansweringtheChevalierBRILLIAN’sLetter;ALOUISAwhonowresolv’danentireObedience to hisWill, and remembring she had desired to be alone,withdrew,full of the Idea of an imagin’d Felicity — Her Heart was now at safe, shebeliev’d, that if her Husband had any Remains of Passion for AMENA, theimpossibility of ever seeingher again,would soon extinguish them, and sinceshe was so happily reconcil’d, was far from repenting her intercepting of hisLetter: But poor Lady, she did not long enjoy this Peace of Mind, and thisIntervalofTranquilityserv’dbuttoheightenherensuingMiseries.

THECount’ssecretPassionforMELLIORAgrewstrongerbyhisendeavouringto suppress it, and perceiving that she carefully avoided all Opportunities ofbeingalonewithhimoneMoment,sincehisBehaviourtoherintheGarden,hegrewalmostDilstractedwiththecontinualRestrainthewasforc’dtoputonallhisWordsandActions:HedurstnotSighnorsendanamorousGlance,forfearofoffendingher,andalarminghisWive’sjealousy,solatelylull’dtoSleep:HehadnoPersoninwhomhehadConfidenceenoughtotrustwithhisMisfortune,andhadcertainly sunkunder thePressureof it, ifALOUISA,whoobservinganAlteration in his Countenance and Humour, fearing he was really indispos’d(whichwastheexcusehemadeforhisMelancholy)hadnotperswadedhimtogo into theCountry, hoping that change ofAirmight do himgood:He had averyfineSeatnearAnjerville in theProvinceofLeBeausse,whichhehadnotbeen at for some Years, and he was very willing to comply with ALOUISA’sDesiresofpassingtheremainderoftheSummerinaSolitude,whichwasnowbecomeagreeabletohim;thegreatestDifficultywas, inperswadingMELLIORAtoaccompanythemthither;heguess’dbyherreserv’dBehaviour,thatsheonlywaitedanOpportunitytoleavethePlacewherehewas,andwasnotmistakeninhis Conjecture: One Day as they were talking of it, she told them she wasresolv’dtoreturntotheMonasterywhereshehadbeenEducated,thattheWorldwas too noisy a Place for one of her Taste,who had no relish for any of theDiversionsofit:EveryWordshespoke,waslikeaDaggertoD’ELMONT’sHeart;yet, he so artfully manag’d his Endeavours, between the Authority of aGuardian,andtheEntreatiesofaFriend,thatshewasatlastovercome.’TishardfortheseverestVirtuetodenythemselvestheSightofthePersonbelov’d,andwhateverResolutionswemake,therearebutfew,wholikeMELLIORAmightnotbysuchaLoverbeprevail’dupontobreakthem.

AS soon as their coming into the Country was spread abroad, they were

visited by all the Neighbouring People of Quality, but there was none sowelcometoD’ELMONTas theBaronD’ESPERNAY; theyhadbefore theCOUNT’sgoingintotheArmybeenveryintimateAcquaintance,andwereequallygladofthisopportunitytorenewaFriendfhip,whichTimeandAbsencehadnotentirelyerac’d. The Baron had a Sister young, and very agreeable, but gay even toCoquetry; they liv’d together,beingboth single, andhebroughtherwithhim,hearing the Count was Married, to visit his Lady: There were several otheryoungNobleMenandLadiesthere,atthesametime,andtheConversationgrewso delightfullyEntertaining, that itwas impossible for Persons less prepossestthan the COUNT and MELLIORA, to retain their Chagrin; but, tho’ there werescarce any in the Company that I might not have list’ned with a pleas’dAttention,towhatthosetwoadmirablePersonswerecapableofsaying,yettheirsecretSorrowskeptthembothinsilence,’tillMELANTHA,forthatwastheNameoftheBaronsSister,tookuponhertodiverttheCompanywithsomeVersesonLove; which she took out of her Pocket-Book and read to ’em: Every Bodyextoll’dthesoftnessoftheStile,andtheSubjecttheywereupon.ButMELLIORAwhowaswillingtotakeallopportunitiesofCondemningthatPassion,aswelltoconceal it inher self as to checkwhat everhopes theCountmight have, nowdiscoveredtheforceofherReason,theDelicacyofherWit,andthePenetrationofherJudgment,inamannersosweetlysurprizingtoallthatwereStrangerstoher,thattheypresentlyfound,thatitwasnotwantofNoble,andtrulyagreeableThoughts or Words to express ’em, that had so long depriv’d them of thePleasureofhearingher;sheurg’dtheArgumentsshebroughtagainstthegivingwaytoLove,andtheDangerofallsoftningAmusements,withsuchabecomingfierceness,asmadeeveryBodyoftheOpinionthatshewasbornonlytocreateDesire,notbesusceptibleof itherself.TheCountashewasmostConcern’d,tookthemostparticularNoticeofallshesaid,andwasnotalittlealarm’dtoseeher appear somuch in earnest, but durst not answer, orEndeavour to confuseher, because of ALOUISA’s prefence; But it was not long before he had anopportunity, a few Days after he met with one, as full as he cou’d wish.ReturningoneEveningfromtheBaronD’ESPERNAY’s,whomhehadnowmadetheConfidentofhisPassion,andwhohadEncourag’dhiminit,hewastoldthatALOUISAwasgoneouttotaketheAir,andhearingnomentionofMELLIORA’sbeingwith her, he stay’d not to enquire, but running directly to herChamber,made his Eyes his best Informers: He found her lying on a Couch in amostcharming Dissabillee, she had but newly come from Bathing, and her Hairunbraided, hung down upon her Shoulders with a negligence more BeautifulthanalltheAidsofArtcou’dforminthemostexactDecorumofDress;partofit fell upon her Neck and Breast, and with it’s Lovely Shadiness, being of a

DelicatedarkBrown,setofftovastAdvantage,thematchlesswhitenessofherSkin:HerGown and the rest of herGarmentswerewhite, and all ungirt, andloosely flowing, discover’d aThousand Beauties, which Modish Formalitiesconceal.ABooklayopenbyher,onwhichshehadreclin’dherHead,asifbeentir’d with Reading, she Blush’d at sight of theCount, and rose from off theCouch with a Confusion which gave new Lustre to her Charms, but he notpermittinghertostirfromtheplaceshewasin,satdownbyHer,andcastinghisEyesontheBookwhichlaythere,foundittobeOvid’sEpistles,HowMadam(cry’dhe,notalittlepleas’dwiththeDiscovery)dareyou,whotheotherDaysowarmly inveigh’d against Writings of this Nature, trust your self with soDangerousanAmusement?Howhappensit,thatyouaresosuddenlycomeovertoourParty? IndeedmyLord (answer’dshe,growingmoredisorder’d) itwasChance rather thanChoice, that directed thisBook tomyHands, I amyet farfromapprovingSubjectsofthisKind,andbelieveIshallbeeverso:NotthatIcanperceiveanyDangerinit,astomyself,theRetirementIhavealwaysliv’din,andthelittlePropensityIfindtoentertainaThoughtofthatuneasiePassion,has hitherto secur’dme from anyPrepossession,withoutwhich,Ovid’sArt isVain. Nay, Madam, reply’d the Count, now you Contradict your formerArgument,whichwas,thatthesesortofBookswere,asitwere,PreparativestoLove, and by their softning Influence, melted the Soul, and made it fit foramorousImpressions,andsofar,youcertainlywereintheright,forwhenoncetheFancyisfixedonarealObject,therewillbenoneedotAuxiliaryForces,theDear Ideawill spread it self thro’everyFacultyof theSoul, and inaMomentinformusbetter,thanalltheWritingsofthemostExperienc’dPoets,cou’ddoinanAge.Well,myLord,(saidsheendeavouringtoComposeherself;IamutterlyunambitiousofanyLearningthisway,andshallendeavourtoretaininMemory,moreof theMisfortunes that attended thePassionofSappho, than theTender,tho’neversoElegantExpressionsitproduc’d:AndifallReadersofRomancestook thisMethod, theVotariesofCupidwou’dbe fewer,and theDominionofReason more Extensive. You speak (Answer’d D’ELMONT) as tho’ Love andReason were Incompatible, there is no Rule said (she) my Lord, withoutException,theyareindeedsometimesunited,buthowoftentheyareatVariance,wheremaywenotfindProofs,Hisloryisfullofthem,anddailyExamplesofthemanyHair-brain’dMatches,andslips,muchlessexcusable,sufficientlyevincehowlittleReasonhastodointheAffairsofLove,Imean(continuedshe,withaveryferiousAir)thatsortofLove,fortherearetwo,whichhurriesPeopleontoan immediate Gratification of their Desires, tho’never so prejudicial tothemselves,orthePersontheypretendtoLove.PrayMadam(saidtheCountalittlenettledat thisDiscourse)whatLove is thatwhichseemsat least toMerit

theApprobation of a Lady so extreamly nice? It hasmanyBranches (reply’dshe)inthefirstPlacethatwhichweowetoHeaven,inthenexttoourKing,ourCountry, Parents, Kindred, Friends, and lastly, that which Fancy inclines, andReason guides us to, in a Partner for Life, but here everyCircumstancemustagree,ParityofAge,ofQuality,ofFortune,andofHumour,ConsentofFriends,and Equal Affection in each other, for if any one of these particulars fail, itrendersalltherestofnoEffect.Ah,Madam(cry’dtheCountnotabletosufferher to proceed.)What share of Pity then can you afford to aManwho, loveswherealmostalltheseCircumstancesarewanting,andwhatAdvicewou’dyougive awretch soCurst? Iwou’dhavehim think, (said shemoreGravely thanbefore) (HowMadam,resum’dhe) thinkdidyousay?Alas! ’TisThought thathasundonehim,that’sverypossible(answer’dshe)butyet’tiswantofthinkingjustly,forinaLoversMindIllusionsseemRealities,andwhatatanothertimewou’dbe look’donas Impossible, appears easie then:They indulge, and feedtheirnew-bornFollywithaprospectofaHope,tho’ne’resodistantaone,andinthevainpursuitofit,flyConsideration,’tilldispairstartsupinthemidway,andbar’s theirpromis’dView;whereas if theygavewaytodueReflexion, theVanityof theAttemptwou’dpresentlybe shown, and the samecause thatbid’emceasetohope,wou’dbid’emceafetowish;AhMadam(saidhe)howlittledo you know of that Passion, and how easily cou’d I disprove you by theExampleofmyFriend;despairandLoveareofanequalAgeinhim,andfromthe firstMomenthebeheldhisAdorableCharmer,hehasLangnishedwithouttheleastmixtureofaflatteringHope.IGranttheFlameswithwhichourModernGallantsareordinarilyanimated,cannot longsubsistwithoutFewel,butwhereLoveiskindledinaenerousHeartbyajustAdmirationoftherealMeansoftheObjectbelov’d,ReasongoesHandinHandwithit,andmakesitlastingasourLife.InmyMind(answer’dMELLIORAColdly,)anEsteemsoGround-maymoreproperly be ascribed to Friendship, then be it soMadam, (rejoyn’d theCountbriskly) Friendship and Love,where either are sincere, vary but little in theirmeaning, theremay indeed be someDistintions in theirCeremonies, but theirEssentialsarestillthesame:AndiftheGentlemanIspeakofweresohappyastohopehisFriendshipwou’dbeacceptable, ..arepromise thatheneverwou’dcomplainhisLovewerenotso.Youhaveastrangeway(saidshe)toConfoundIdea’s, which in my Opinion are so vastly ...erent, that i shou’d make noDifficultyingrantingmyFriendshiptoasmanyofmyAcquaintanceIhadMeritto deserve it; but if Iwere to Love in a generalManner, ’twould be aCrimewou’djustsurrendermeContemptibletoMankind:Madam(rejoyn’dtheCount)whenIspokeoftheCongruityofLoveandFriendship,Ididnotmeanthatsort,which ..ne, seems unworthy of theName of either, but ... Exalted one,which

madeOrestesandPilades,The...andPerithoussoFamous.That,whichhasno...rve,noseparateInteresl,ordividedThoughts, ...twhichfillsall,—givesalltheSoul,andesteems...LifeaTrifle,toproveitselfsincere––WhathasLovedomorethanyieldeverythingtotheobject...v’d?AndFriendshipmustdosotoo,oritisnotFriendship!ThereforetakeheedfairAngel(continue’dhe,takingherHand,andkissing it)howyou ...niseFriendship,whereyoune’remean toLove: ...observing,shewasSilent,yourHand, (saidhe)yourLip,yourNeck,yourBreast,yourAll.––All....wholeHeavenofBeautymustbenolongerinyour own Disposal — All is the Prize of Friendship! So much Confus’d asMELLIORA was, at theseWords, which gave her sufficient, Reason to fear hewou’d now declare himself more fully than she desir’d she had Spirit andResolutionenoughtowithdrawherHandfromhis,andwithalook,thatspokeherMeaningbuttooplainlyforthereposeoftheEnamour’dD’ELMONT:Ishalltake caremyLord (said she) how ICommence a Friendshipwith any PersonwhoshallmakeuseofittomyPrejudice.

THECountwasnowsensibleofhisErroringoingsofar,andfearinghehadundonehimselfinherEsteembyhisrashProceeding,thoughtitwasbestatoncetothrowoffaDisguisewhich,inspightofhisEndeavourswou’dfalloff,ofitself,andbymakingaboldandfreeConfessionofhisrealSentiments,obligehertoaDiscoveryofhers.—IdonotdoubtyourCaution,Madam,(answer’dhe)inthispoint:YourReservedBehaviour, even tome, convincesme,but too fully,how little you are disposed to give, or receive any Proofs of Friendship: Butperhaps(continue’dhe,withadeepsigh)my toopresumingEyehaverendredmea suspectedPerson,andwhileyou find inme theWretch Ihavediscrib’d,youfindnothinginmeworthyofahappierFortune;youareworthyevervthingmyLord,(saidMELLIORAquitebesideherselfattheseWords)norareyoulesshappythanyoudeservetobe,andIwou’drather that theseEyesshou’dloosetheir sight than view you otherwise than now I see you, blest in everyCircumstance,theDarlingoftheWorld,theIdoloftheCourt,andFavouriteofHeaven!Ohstop!(Cry’dD’ELMONThastilyInterruptingher)forbeartoCursemefarther, ratherCommandmyDeath, thanwish theContinuance ofmy presentMiseries.CruelMELLIORA, toowell,alas,youknowwhat Ihaveendur’dfromthefist fatalMoment Ibeheldyou,andonlyfeignanIgnorance todistractmemore:AThousandtimesyouhavereadmyRisingwishes,sparklinginmyEyes,and glowing on my Cheeks, as often see my Virtue struggling in silentTremblings,andLil...wastingAnguishtosuppressdesire.Nay,Madam(saidheCatching fast hold of both her Hands, seeing her about to rise) by all mysleeplessNights,andrestlessDays,byallmycountlessburningAgonies;byall

the Torments ofmy gall’d, bleedingHeart, I swear, that you shall hearme: Ihaveheardtoomuch(cry’dMELLIORAnotabletocontainherself)andtho’Iamunwilling to believe you have any farther aim in this Discourse than yourDiversion,yetImusttellyourLordship,thatthereareThemesmoreproperforit,thantheDaughterofyourFriend,whowasentrushedtoyourCarewithafardifferent Opinion of your Behaviour to her. What have I done (resum’d thealmost theDistractedCount, fallingatherFeet,andgraspingherKnees)whathave I done, Inhuman MELLIORA! To deserve this Rigour? My Honour hashitherto prevail’d abovedesire, fierce, and raging as it is, nor had I any otherhopesbymakingthisDeclaration,thantomeetthatpitymyMisfortunesmerit;andyoucannotwithoutIngratitudedeny:Pity,eventoCriminalsisallow’d,andsure,where the offence is unvoluntary, like mine, ’tis due: ’Tis impossible toguess theConflict inMELLIORA’s Breast at this Instant, she had heard amostPassionate Declaration of Love from a married Man, and by Consequence,whateverhisPretenceswere,cou’dlookonhisDesignsnootherwisethanaim’dattheDestructionofherHonour,andwasfir’dwithavirtuousIndignation.Butthen she saw in this married Man, the only Person in the World, who wascapableofInspiringherwithatenderThought,shesawhimreduc’dtothelastExtremityofDespairforhersake:Sheheardhissighs,shefelthisTremblingsasheheldher,andcou’dnotrefrainsheddingsomeTears,bothforhim,andforherself,who indeed suffer’d little less; but theCount was not so happy as to beWitnessofthisTestimonyofherCompassion:Hehadreclin’dhisHeadonherLap,possiblytohidethosethatforc’dtheirwaythro’hisEyes,atthesametime;andALOUISA’sVoicewhichtheyheardbelow,givingthembothanAlarm;theyhadnofurtheropportunity forSpeech,and theCountwasbut justgoneoutoftheRoom,andMELLIORAlaidontheCouchinthesamecarelessPosturewhichhehadfoundherin;whenALOUISAenter’dtheChamber,andafterhavingalittlepleasantlyReproach’dher,forbeingsolazyasnottoaccompanyherintheWalkshehadbeentaking,ask’dherifshehadnotseentheCount,whoshehadbeentoldwascomehome:PoorMELLIORAhadmuchadotoconcealtheDisordershewasinatthisQuestion,butrecoveringherselfaswellasshecould,answer’dintheAffirmative;butthathehadnotstaidtherelongerthantoenquirewhereshewasgone,andthatsheknewnotbuthemightbegoneinsearchofher:ThiswasenoughtomakeALOUISAtakeherleave,impatientfortheSightofherdearLord,aHappinessshehadnotenjoy’dsinceMorning,butshewasdisappointedofherHope.TheCount,aslateasitwasintheEvening,wentintohisChaise,whichhad not been set up since he came from theBaronD’ESPERNAY’s, and drovethitheragainwithalltheSpeedhecould.

THEBaronwasextreamlysurpriz’dathissudden.Return,andwithsomuchConfusionandMelancholyinhisCountenance.Butmuchmoreso,whenhehadgiven him an Account of what had pass’d between him and MELLIORA, andcou’d not forbear rallying him excessively on theOccasion.What, said he, aManofWit,andPleasurelikeCountD’ELMONT,aMan,whoknowstheSexsowell,couldheletslipsofavourableanOpportunitywiththefinestWomanintheWorld;One,forwholeEnjoymenthewou’dDie.—Cou’daFrown,oralittleangryCoyness, (which ten toonewasbutaffected)havePower tofreezesuchfierce Desires. The Count was not at present in a Humour to relish thisMerriment, hewas too feriously in Love to bear that any thing relating to it,shouldbeturn’dintoRidicule,andwasfarfromrepentinghehaddonenomore,sincewhathehaddone,hadoccasion’dherDispleaaure:ButtheBaron,whohadDesigns in his Head, which he knew cou’d not by any means be brought tosucceed,butbykeepingtheCount’sPassionwarm,madeuseofalltheArtificehewasMasterof,toemboldenthisrespectiveLover,totheGratificationofhisWishes:Andgrowingmoregrave thanhehadbeen,MyLord,saidhe,youdonot only injure the Dignity of our Sex in general, but your own Merits inparticular, andperhapsevenMELLIORA’s secret Inclinations,by thisunavailingdistantCarriage,andcauselessDespair.—Haveyounotconfess’dthatshehaslook’donyouwithaTenderness,likethatofLove,thatshehasblush’datyourSight,andtrembledatyourTouch?—Whatwouldyoumorethatsheshoulddo,orwhat indeed, can she domore, inModesty, to prove herHeart is yours?AlittleResolutiononyoursidewouldmakeherallyours—WomenaretaughtbyCustomtodenywhatmost theycovet,and toseemAngry,when theyarebestPleas’d;believeme,D’ELMONT, thatthemostrigidVirtueof’emall,neveryethated a Man for those Faults, which Love occasions: All this answer’d theCount,iswhatIreadilyagreeto:—ButOherFather’sMemory!MyObligationtohim!HerYouthandInnocenceareDaggerstomycoolReflexions—Wou’ditnotbePity (D’espernay! continuedhewithadeepSigh)even if she shou’dconsent, to ruin somuchSweetness?TheBaron couldnot forbear laughingattheseWords, and theCount who had started these Objections, only with theHopeofhavingthemremov’d,easilysuffer’dhimselftobeperswadedtofollowhis Inclinations; and it was soon concluded betwixt them, that on the firstOpportunity,MELLIORAshouldfallaSacrificetoLove.

THECountcamenotHome’tillthenextMorning,andbroughttheBaronwithhim, for they were now become inseparable Friends: At his return, he foundALOUISAinaveryillHumourforhisbeingabroadallNight,andinspiteoftheResolution she had made of shewing a perfect Resignation to her Husband’s

Will,couldnotforbeargivinghimsomeHints,howunkindlyshetookit,whichhebutlittleregarded,allhisThoughtswerenowbentonthegainingMELLIORA.ButthatLadyalarm’dathislateBehaviour,andwithReason,doubtingherownPowerof resenting it as sheought, or indeed resisting any futureAttemptshemight make, feign’d the necessity of performing some private Rules ofDevotion,enjoyn’dherasaPennance,andkeptherChamberthatshemightnotseehim.

THEDisquietudesofD’ELMONTforbeingforc’dtolive,butforthreeorfourDayswithoutthehappinessofbeholdingher,convinc’dhimhowimpossibleitwas for him to overcome his Passion, tho’ he should never so vigorouslyendeavour it, and that whateverMethod he shou’dmake use of to Satisfy it,mightbeexcus’dbytheNecessity.

WHAT is it thataLovercannotaccomplishwhenResolution isonhisSide?D’ELMONTafterhavingformedaThousandfruitlessInventions,atlastpitchedonOne, which promis’d him an assurance of Success: In MELLIORA’s ChambertherewasalittleDoorthatopen’dtoaPairofBackStairs,fortheConvenienceoftheServantscomingtocleantheRoom,andattheBottomofthatDescent,aGateintotheGarden.TheCountsethisWitstowork,togettheKeysofthosetwoDoors;thatoftheGardenstoodalwaysinit,norcou’dhekeepitwithoutitsbeingmiss’datNight,whentheyshou’dcometofasten theGate, thereforehecarefully took the Impression inWax, and had onemade exactly like it: Theother he cou’d by no means compass without making some excuse to go toMELLIORA’s Chamber, and she had desired that none might visit her: But heovercomethisBartohisDesignatlast;therewasaCabinetinit,wherehetoldALOUISAhehadputsomePapersofgreatConcern,whichnowhewantedtolookover,anddesiredshewouldmakeanApologytorhiscomingin,tofetchthem.MELLIORAimagin’dthiswasonlyaPretencetoseeher,buthisWifebeingwithhim, and he saying nothing to her, or taking any further notice than whatcommon Civility required, was not much troubled at it. While ALOUISA waspayingaCompliment to theRecluse,hewasdex’trousenough to flip theKeyoutoftheDoor,unperceiv’dbyeitherofthem.

ASsoonashehadgotthePassporttohisexpelledJoysinhisPossession,heorder’dacoupleofSaddleHorsestobemadeready,andonlyattendedbyoneServant,ridout,asiftotaketheAir;butwhentheyweregotabouttwoorthreeMiles from his House, Commanded him to return and tell his Lady, that heshould lye that Night at the Baron D’ESPERNAY’s, the Fellow obey’d, andclappingSpurstohisHorse,wasimmediatelylostinaCloudofDust.

D’ELMONT had sent this Message to prevent any of the Family sitting upexpecting him, and instead of going to theBarons, turn’d short, and went toAngerville,wheremeetingwithsomeGentlemenofhisAcquaintance,hepass’dtheHours ’tillbetweenTwelveandOne,aspleasantlyashis Impatience tobewithMELLIORAwouldgivehimleave:HehadnotmuchaboveaFurlongtoride,andhisDesiresmadehimnotsparehisHorse,whichhety’dbytheBridle,hotandfoamingashewas,toahugeOak,whichgrewprettynearhisGarden;itwasincompass’donlywithaHedge,andthatsolow,thathegotoveritwithoutanyDifficulty;helook’dcarefullyabouthim,andfoundnoTell-taleLightsinanyoftheRooms,andconcludingallwasashush’dashecou’dwish,open’dthefirstDoor,but theencreasingTransportsofhisSoul,ashecameupStairs, tobesonear theendofallhisWishes,aremoreeasily imagin’dthanexpress’d;butasviolentastheywere,theypresentlyreceivedavastAddition,whenhecameintothehappyChamber,andbyamostdelightfullGloom,aFriendtoLovers,(foritwasneitherDarknorLight,hebeheldthelovelyMELLIORAinherBed,andfastafleep,herHeadwasreclin’dononeofherArms;aPillowsofterandwhiterfarthan that it lean’d on, the otherwas stretch’d out, andwith its extension hadthrustdowntheBed-clothssofar, thatall theBeautiesofherNeckandBreastappear’dtoView.HetookaninexpressiblePleasureingazingonherasshelay,andinthissilentContemplationofherthousandCharms,hisMindwasagitatedwithvariousEmotions,andtheresistlessPosturehebeheldherin,rouz’dallthatwashonourableinhim,hethoughtitPityeventowakeher,butmoretowrongsuchInnocence;andhewassometimespromptedtoreturnandleaveherashefoundher.

BUT whatever Dominion, Honour and Virtue may have over our wakingThoughts,’tiscertainthattheyflyfromtheclos’dEyes,ourPassionsthenexerttheirforcefulPower,andthatwhichismostPredominantintheSoul,agitatestheFancy, and brings even Things impossible to pass: Desire, with watchfulDiligence repell’d, returns with greater Violence in unguarded Sleep, andoverthrows the vain Efforts of Day.MELLIORA in spite of her self, was oftenhappyinIdea,andpossess’daBlessingwhichShameandGuiltdeter’dherfrominreality.ImaginationatthisTimewasactive,andbroughtthecharmingCountmuchnearerthanindeedhewas,andhe,stoopingtotheBed,andgentlylayinghisFaceclosetohers,(possiblydesigningnomorethantostealaKissfromher,unperceiv’d) thatAction concurring at that Instantwith herDream,made herthrowherArm(stillslumbering)abouthisNeck,andinasoftandlanguishingVoice, cryout,O!D’ELMONT,cease, cease toCharm, to such a height—LifecannotbeartheseRaptures!—AndthenagainEmbracinghimyetcloser,—O!

too,toolovelyCount—ExtatickRuiner!

WHEREwasnowtheResolutionhewasformingsomeMomentsbefore?Ifhehad now left her, some might have applauded an Honour so uncommon, butmorewou’dhavecondemn’dhisStupidity,forIbelievethereareveryfewMen,how Stoical soever they pretend to be, that in such a tempting Circumstancewould not have lost all Thoughts, but those, which the present Opportunityinspir’d.Thathedid,ismostcertain,forhetoreopenhisWastecoat,andjoyn’dhis pantingBreast to hers,with such a tumultuousEagerness!Seiz’dherwithsucharapidityoftransportedHope-crown’dPassion,asimmediatelywak’dherfromanimaginaryFelicity,totheApproachesofasolidone.WherehaveIbeen(said she, just opening her Eyes) where am I ? — (And then coming moreperfectly to her self) Heaven! What’s this ? — I am D’ELMONT (cry’d theo’erjoy’dCount) the happyD’ELMONT!MELLIORA’s, the charmingMELLIORA’sD’ELMONT! Oh, all ye Saints, (resum’d the surpriz’d, trembling Fair) yeministring Angels! Whose Business it is to guard’ the Innocent! Protect andshieldmyVirtue!O!say,howcameyouhere,myLord?Love,saidhe,Lovethatdoesall, thatWonder–workingPowerhassentmehere, tocharmthee,sweetResister, into yielding. O! hold, (cry’d she, finding he was proceeding toLiberties,whichherModestycouldnotallowof)forbear,Idoconjureyou,evenbythatLoveyouplead,beforemyHonourI’llresignmyLife!Therefore,unlessyouwish to seeme dead, a Victim to your cruel, fatal Passion, I beg you todesist, and leave me:—I cannot—must not (answer’d he, growing still morebold) what, when I have thee thus! Thus naked in my Arms, trembling,defenceless,yielding,pantingwithequalWishes,thyLoveconfess’d,andeveryThought,Desire!What could’st thou think if I should leave thee?How justlywould’st thou scorn my easy Tameness; my Dulness, unworthy the Name ofLover, or even ofMan!— Come, come, no more Reluctance (continued he,gatheringKissesfromhersoftSnowyBreastateveryWord)DampnottheFiresthou hast rais’dwith seemingCoyness! I know thou artmine!Allmine!Andthus I—yet think (said she, interrupting him, and strugling in hisArms) thinkwhat’tisthatyouwou’ddo;nor,foraMoment’sJoy,hazardyourPeaceforever.ByHeaven,cry’dhe,IwillthisNightbeMasterofmyWishes,nomatterwhattoMorrowmaybringforth:AssoonashehadspoketheseWords;heputitoutofherPowereithertodenyorreproachhim,bysloppingherMouthwithKisses,and was just on the Point of making good what he had vow’d, when a loudknockingattheChamberDoor,putastoptohisbeginningExtacy,andchang’dthesweetConfusionMELLIORAhadbeenin,toalltheHorrors,ofaShameandGuilt–distractedApprehension:TheymadenoDoubtbutthatitwasALOUISA,

and that theywere betray’d; theCount’s greatest Concernwas forMELLIORA,andtheKnockingstillcontinuinglouder,allhecou’ddointhisExigence,wastomakehisEscapetheWayhecame:Therewasnotimefortakingleave,andhecouldonlysay,perceivingshewasreadytofaintwithherFears—Becomfortedmy Angel, and resolute in your Denials, to whatever Questions the naturalInsolenceof a JealousWifemayprovokemine to askyou; andwe shallmeetagain(ifD’ELMONTsurvivesthisDisappointmentwithoutDanger,ofsoquick,socurstaSeparation.MELLIORAwasintoomuchDistractiontomakeanyAnswertowhathesaid,andhehadlefttheRoomsomeMoments,beforeshecou’dgetSpirit enough to ask who was at the Door? But when she did, was as muchsurpriz’dtofinditwasMELANTHA,whodesir’d tobe let in,asbeforeshewasfrighted at the Belief it was ALOUISA, however, she immediately flift on herNight-GownandSlippers,andopen’dtheDoor.

YOU are a sound Sleeper indeed (Cry’d MELANTHA laughing) that all theNoise I havemade cou’d not wake you. I have not been all this time asleep(answer’d MELLIORA) but not knowing you were in the House, cou’d notimaginewho itwas that gaveme thisDisturbance. I heartily askyourPardon(saidMELANTHA)andIknow,myDear,youaretoogoodNatur’dtorefuseitme,especiallywhen you know theOccasion,which is so veryWhimsical, that asgraveasyouare,youcannothelpbeingdivertedwithit—Butcome(continu’dshe)getonyourCloaths,foryoumustgoalongwithme.Where,saidMELLIORA,Nay,nay,asknoQuestions(resum’dMELANTHA)butmakehaste,everyMinutethatwe Idle awayhere, losesus theDiversionof anAge.As she spoke theseWords,shefellintosuchanexcessiveLaughter,thatMELLIORAthoughtherMad,but being far from Sympathizing in herGaiety; it has always (said she) beenhithertomyCustomtohavesomeReasonforwhatIdo,tho’inneversotriflingan Affair, and you must excuse me, if I do not break it now. Pish (cry’dMELANTHA)youareoftheoddestTemper,—butIwillgiveyouyourWayforonce,providedyou’llgetyourselfreadyinthemeantime.IshallcertainlyputonmyCloaths(saidMELLIORA) lestIshouldtakecold,forIexpectyou’llnotpermit me to sleep any more this Night. You may be sure of it (rejoyn’dMELANTHA.)ButtothePurpose,––Youmustknow,havinganHourortwoonmyhands,IcamethisEveningtovisitALOUISA;andfoundherinthestrangestHumour!GoodGod!WhatunaccountableCreaturesthesemarriedWomenare?—herHusbanditseemshadsentherWord thathewou’d lyeatmyBrothers,andthepoorlovingSoulcou’dnotbeartoliveaNightwithouthim.Istay’dtocondolewithher,(tho’onmyLife,Icou’dscarceforbearLaughinginherFace)’tillitwastoolatetogoHome.—AbouttwelveaClocksheyawn’d,stretch’d,

and grew most horridly out of Temper; rail’d at Mankind prodigiously, andcurs’dMatrimonyasheartilyasoneofFourscorecou’ddo,thathadbeentwiceaWidow,andwasleftaMaid!—Withmuchado,ImadeherWomenthrustherinto Bed, and retired to a Chamber which they shew’d me, but I had noInclination to sleep, I remember’dmy self of five or sixBillet-Doux I had toanswer,—aLover,thatgrowingfoolishlytroublesome,Ihavesomethoughtsofdischarging toMorrow -—Another that I design to Countenance, to pique athird — a new Suit of Cloaths, and Trimmings for the next Ball —Half ahundred new Songs—and — a thousand other Affairs of the utmostConsequencetoayoungLady,cameintomyHeadinaMoment;andtheNightbeingextreamlypleasant,IlettheCandleintheChimney,open’dtheWindow,andfelltoconsidering—ButIhadnotbeenabletocometoaconclusionwhatllshoulddoinanyonethingIwasthinkingof,beforeIwasinterruptedinmyCogitations,with a noise of something rushinghastily thro’ theMyrtles undermyWindow,andpresentlyafter, saw itwasaMangoinghastilyalong towardthegreatAlleyof theGarden.—AtfirstIwasgoingtocryoutandAlarmtheFamily,takingitforaThief;But,DearMELLIORA,howgladamIthatIdidnot?—Forwhodoyouthink,whenIlook’dmoreheedfully,Iperceiv’ditwas?Nay,how should I know? (cry’d MELLIORA peevishly, fearing the Count’s,Inadvertencyhadexpos’dhimselfandhertothisfoolishWoman’sCuriosity)ItwasCountD’ELMONT(resum’dMELANTA)I’ll laymyLife,thathehasbeenonsome Intreague to Night: Andmet with a Disappointment in it, by his quickReturn.—Butpritheemakehast, for I long to rallyhimabout it.Whatwou’dyoudoMadam?(saidMELLIORA)youwou’dnotsuregotohim?Yes,(answer’dMELANTHA:IwillgodownintotheGarden,andsoshallyou.—Iknowyouhavea back Way from your Chamber — Therefore lay aside this unbecomingDemureness,and letusgo,and talkhim toDeath.Youmaydoasyouplease,(saidMELLIORA)butformypart,IamfornosuchFrolicks.Waseveranythingso young, so Formal as you are! (Rejoyn’dMELANTHA) but I am resolv’d toTeazeyououtofahumoursodirectlyoppositetotheBeau-Monde,and,ifyouwillnotConsenttogodownwithme:IwillfetchhimuptoyourChamber—Hold!Hold,(cry’dMeLLIORAperceivingshewasgoing)whatdoyoumean,forHeavenssakestay,whatwilllALOUISAthink?—Icarenotreply’d,theother;IhavesetmyHeartonanhoursDiversionwithhimandwillnotbebaulk’d,ifthereposeoftheWorld,muchless,thatofaJealous,sillyWife,dependedonit.

MELLIORAsawintotheTemperofthisCapriciousyoungLadytoowellnottobelieve she wou’d do, as she had said, and perhaps, was not over willing toventureherwiththeCountalone,atthatTimeofNight,andintheHumourshe

knew he was, therefore putting on an Air more chearful than that she wasAccustom’d to wear, well (said she) I will Accompany you into the Garden,sinceitwillsomuchobligeyou;outiftheCountbewise,hewill,byquittingthePlace,assoonasheseesus,disappointyouworsethanIshou’dhavedone,ifIhadkeptyouhere.WiththeseWordsshetookherbytheHand,andtheywentdowntheStairs,wheretheCountwasbutjustpastbeforethem.

HEhadnotPower togoaway,withoutknowingwho itwas, thathadgivenhimthatInterruption,andhadstoodallthisTime,ontheupperStepbehindtheinnerDoor.HisVexation, andDisdainwhen he heard itwasMELANTHAgavehimasmuchPain,ashisConcernwhilehebeliev’ditALOUISA,andhecou’dnotforbearmutteringa thousandCursesonher Impertinence.Healwaysdespis’d,butnowabhor’dher:Shehadbehav’dherselftohiminaFashion,asmadehimsufficiently Sensible she was desirous of engaging him, and he resolv’d toMortifiebythebitterestSlights,bothherPride,andLove,it’tisproper,tocallthatsortoflikingwhichAgitatestheSoulofCoquet,bythatName.

THELadieswalk’dintheGardenforsometime,andMelanthasearch’deveryBush, before she found theCount who stood Conceal’d in the Porch, whichbeingcover’dwithJessaminandFillaree,wasDark enough tohidehim fromtheirView,tho’theyhadpass’dclosetohimastheycameout.Hehadcertainlyremain’dthere’tillMorning,anddisappointedMELANTHA’ssearchinpartoftheRevengeheow’dher,ifhisDesirestobewithMELLIORA,onanyTerms,hadnotprevail’d,evenabovehisAngertotheother.Buthecou’dnotseethatCharmerofhisSoulandimaginetheremightbeyetanopportunitythatNightofstealingaKiss from her (now he believ’d resistless Lips) of Touching herHand!HerBreast!AndrepeatingsomefartherFreedomswhichhislateAdvantageoverherhadgivenhim,withoutbeingfill’dwithWishestooFieryandtooImpatienttoberestrain’d.Hewatch’dtheirturning,andwhenhesawthattheywerenearanAllywhichhadanotherthatledtoit,hewentroundandmetthem.

MELANTHAwasoverjoy’datsightofhim,andMELLIORA,tho’equallypleas’d,wasCover’dwith’suchaConfusion,at theRemembranceofwhathadpass’d,that itwashappyforher thatherCompanionsVolubilitygavehernoroomforSpeech.Thereisnothingmorecertain,thanthatLove,tho’itfillsthemindwitha thousand charming Ideas, which those untouch’d by that Passion, are notcapableofconceiving,yetitentirelytakesawaythePowerotUtterance,andthedeeper Impression it hadmadeon theSoul, the lessweare able to express it,when willing to indulge and give a loose to Thought; what Language canfurnnishuswithWordssufficient,allaretoopoor,allwantingbothinSublimity,

andSoftness,andonlyFancy!AloversFancy!canreachtheExaltedsoaringofa Lovers Meaning! But, if so impossible to be Describ’d, if of so Vast, soWonderful aNature asnothingbut it’s self canComprehend,howmuchmoreimpossiblemustitbe,entirelytoconcealit!WhatStrengthofboastedResons?WhatForceofResolution?WhatmodestFearsorcunningArtificecancorrecttheFiercenessofitsfieryFlashesintheEyes,keepdownthestrugglingSighs,commandthePulse,andbidtremblingcease?HonourandVirtuemaydistanceBodies,butthereisnoPowerineitherofthoseNames,tostoptheSpring,thatwith a rapidWhirl transports us fromour selves, and darts our Souls into theBosomofthedarlingObject.Thismayseemstrangetomany,evenofthosewhocall, andperhapsbelieve that theyareLovers,but the fewwhohaveDelicacyenoughtofeelwhatIbutimperfectlyattempttospeak,willacknowledgeitforTruth,andpitytheDistressofMELLIORA.

AStheywerepassingthro’aWalkofTreesoneachSide,whoseinterminglingBoughs made a friendly Darkness, and every thing Undistinguishable, theAmorousD’ELMONT throwinghis eagerArms round theWaist of his (no lesstransported)MELLIORA,andPrintingburningKissesonherNeck,reap’dpainfulPleasure,andcreatedinherarackingkindofExtasie,whichmightperhaps,hadtheybeennowalone,prov’dherDesireswerelittledifferentfromhis.

AFTERMELANTHAhadventedpartoftheRaillery,shewassobigwith,ontheCount,whichhebutlittleregarded,beingwhollytakenupwithotherThoughts,she propos’d, going into theWilderness, which was at the farther end of theGarden,andtheyreadilyagreeingtoit.Come,myLord,(saidshe)totheCount,you are Melancholly, I have thought of a way which will either indulge theHumouryouarein,ordivertit,asyoushallchuse;ThereareseverallittlePathsin thisWilderness, let us take each a separate one, andwhenwemeet,whichshallbehere,wherewepart,agreetotellanentertainingStory,which,whoeverfails in, shall be doom’d to the Punishment of being left here all Night: TheCountattheseWordsforgotallhisAnimosity,andwasreadytohugherforthisProposal.MELLIORAdidalittleopposeit;buttheothersweretooPowerfid,andshewas forc’d to submit: Thou art the dullestCreature, I’ll laymyLife, (myLord,cry’dMELANTHA, takingholdof theCountagaymanner) that it falls toherLot tostay in theWilderness.OhMadara, (reply’d theCount)youare toosevere,weoughtalways tosuspendourJudgment ’tillafter theTryal,which Iconfessmyselfsopleas’dwith,thatIamImpatientforitscomingon:Wellthen,(said she, laughing) farewel for half an Hour. Agreed (cry’d theCount) andwalk’d away: MELANTHA saw which way he went, and took another Path,

leavingMELLIORA togo forward in that, inwhich theywere,but Ibelieve theReaderwilleasilyimaginethatshewasnotlongtoenjoythePriviledgeofherMeditations.

AFTER theCount had gone some few Paces, he planted himself behind aThicket,which,while ithidhim,gave theOpportunityofobserving them,andwhenhefoundtheCoastclear,rush’dout,andwithunhurtingGripe,seizdoncemore on the unguarded Prey. Blest turn of Fortune, (said he in a Rapture,)Happy,happyMoment!—Lost,lostMELLIORA,(saidshe)mostunhappyMaid!— Oh why, my Lord, this quick Return? This is no Place to answer thee,(resum’dhe,takingherinhisArms,andbearingherbehindthatThicket,wherehehimselfhadstood) ’twas invain forher to resist, if shehadhad thePoweroverher Inclinations, ’till he, sittingher softlydown, andbeginning toCaressher in the manner he had done when she was in Bed, she assum’d Strengthenough to raiseher selfa little,andcatchingholdofhisTransgressingHands,laidherFaceonthem,andBath’dtheminafhowerofTears:O!D’ELMONT(saidshe)CruelD’ELMONT!WillyouthentakeAdvantageofmyWeakness?IconfessIfeelforyou,aPassion,farbeyondall, thatyet,everboretheNameofLove,and’thatIcannolongerwithstandthetoopowerfulMagickofyourEyes,nordenyanyThingthatcharmingTonguecanask;butnow’stheTimetoproveyourself theHeroe!subdueyourself,asyouhaveConquer’dme!besatisfiedwithVanquishingmySoul,fixthereyourThrone,butleavemyHonourfree!LifeofmyLife(cry’dhe)woundmenomorebysuchuntimelySorrows:IcannotbearthyTears,byHeaventheysinkintomySoul,andquiteunmanme,buttellme(continu’d he tenderly Kissing her) coud’st thou, with all this Love, thischarming—somethingmorethansoftness––cou’dstthouIsay,consenttoseemePaleandDead,stretch’datthyFeet,consum’dwithinwardBurnings,ratherthanblest,thanrais’dbyLove,andthee,toallaDeityinthyEmbraces?ForO!BelievemewhenIswear,that’tisimpossibletolivewithoutthee.Nomore,nomore(saidshelettingherHeadfallgentlyonhisBreast)tooeasilyIguessthy{sufferingsbymyown.Butyet,D’ELMONT’tisbettertodieinInnocence,thantoliveinGuilt.O!Why(Resum’dhe,sighingasifhisHeartwou’dburst)shou’dwhatwecan’tavoid,becall’daCrime?BeWitnessformeHeaven!HowmuchIhave struggl’d with this rising Passion, even toMadness struggl’d!— but invain,themountingFlameblazesthemore,themoreIwou’dsuppressit—myverySoul’sonFire—Icannotbearit—OhMELLIORA!DidstthoubutknowthethousandthPart, ofwhat thisMoment I endure, the strongConvulsionsofmywarring Thoughts, thy Heart steel’d as it is, and Frosted round with Virtue,wou’dburstit’s..cyShield,andmeltinTearsofBlood,topityme.Unkindand

Cruel!(answer’dshe)doInotpartakethemthen?—DoInotbear,atleast,anequalshareinallyourAgonies?Have—younoCharms––orhavenotaHeart?—AmostsusceptibleandtenderHeart?—Yes,youmayfeelitThrob,itbeatsagainstmyBreast,likeanImprison’dBird,andfainwou’dburstit’sCage!Doflytoyou,theaimofallit’sWishes!––OhD’ELMONT!—WiththeseWordsshesunkwholly intohisArmsunable to speakmore:Norwashe lessdisolv’d inRapture, both their Souls seem’d to takeWing together, and left their BodiesMotionless,asunworthytobearapartintheirmoreelevatedBliss.

BUT D’ELMONT at his returning Sense, repenting the Effects of the violentTransport, he had been in was now, preparing to take from the resistlessMELLIORA, the last, and only remaining Proof that shewas all his own,whenMELANTHA (who had contriv’d this separation onlywith aDesign to be alonewith theCount, and had carefully obeserv’dwhichway he took)was comingtowards them. The rustling of her Cloaths among the Bushes gave thedisappointedCoupleleavetorisefromthePosturetheywerein,andMELLIORAto abscondbehind aTree, before she could comenear enough to discernwhowasthere.

MELANTHA,assoonasshesawtheCount,putonanAir,ofSurprize,asifitwere but by Chance, that she was come into his walk, and Laughing with avisibleAffectation,blessme!Youhere,myLord!(saidshe)IvowthishasthelookofAssignation,butIhopeyouwillnotbesovainastobelieveIcameonpurpose to seek you. No Madam (answer’d he coldly) I have not the leastThought of being sohappy.Lord!You are strangelygrave (Rejoyn’d she) butsupposeIreallyhadcomewithaDesigntomeetyou,whatkindofaReceptionmightIhaveexpected?IknownoReasonMadam(saidhe)thatcanobligemetoentertain a Supposition so unlikely.Well then (resum’d she) I’ll put it past aSupposition,and tellyouplainly, that Ididwalk thiswayonpurpose todivertyourSpleen. Iamsorry(reply’dhe, tir’d toDeathwithher Impertinence) thatyou are disappointed; for I am not in a Humour at present, of receiving anyDiversion.Fie(saidshe)isthisananswerforthegay,Gallant,engagingCountD’ELMONT, to give aLadywhomakes aDeclaration of admiring him—whothinks itnot toomuchtomake thefirstAdvances,andwhowou’dbelieveherself fully recompenc’d for breaking thro’the nice Decorums of her Sex, if hereceiv’d itkindly—Madam(saidhe,nora littleamaz’dather Imprudence) IknowofnosuchPerson,orifIdid,Imustconfess,shou’dbeverymuchpuzledhowtobehaveinanAdventuresouncommon:Pish(answer’dshe,growingvextathiscoldness)IknowthatsuchAdventuresarenotuncommonwithyou:I’m

not to learn the Story of ALOUISA, and if you had not been first Address’d,perhapsmighthavebeen’tillnowunmarried.WellMadam(saidhe,moreoutofhumour)puttheCafethatwhatyousayweretrue,Iammarried;andtherefore,(interruptedshe)yououghttobebetteracquaintedwiththeTemperofourSex,and know, that aWoman, where she says she Loves, expeds a thousand finethingsinReturn.Butthereismorethanapossibility(answer’dhe)ofherbeingdisappointed,andmethinksMadam,aLadyofyourGaityshou’dbeconversantenoughwithPoetry,torememberthosetooLinesofafamousEnglishPoet.

Allnaturallyfly,whatdoesPursue’TisfitMenshou’dbeCoy,whenWomenWoe.

MELANTHAwas fretted to theHeart to findhimso insensible,butnotbeingoneofthosewhoareapttorepentanythingtheyhavedone,sheonlypretendedtofallintoaviolentfitofLaughter,andwhenshecameoutofit,Iconfess(saidshe) that Ihave lostmyaim,whichwas, tomakeyoubelieve Iwasdying forLoveofyou,raiseyoutothehighestDegreeotExpectation,andthenhavethepleasure of baulking you at once, by letting you know the jest.— But YourLordship is toohard forme,evenatmyownWeapon, ridicule! I ammightltyobliged to you Madam (answer’d he, more briskly than before) for yourAttention,however;but ’tisprobable, if Icou’dhavebeendrawnintoaBeliefthatyouwereinearnest,Imight,atsuchaTime,andsuchaPlaceasthis,havetakensomeMeasureswhichwou’dhavesufficientlyreveng’dmeonyou—butcomeMadam,(continu’dhe)theMorningbeginstobreak,ifyoupleasewewillfind out MELLIORA, and go into the House: As he spoke these Words, theyperceiv’dhercoming towards them,whohadonly takena little round tomeet’em,andtheyallthreemadewhathasttheycou’din:CountD’ELMONTaskedaformalleaveofMELLIORA togothro’herChamber,noneoftheServantsbeingyet stirring, to let him into theHouse anyotherway,whichbeinggranted, hecou’d not help sighing as he passed by theBed,where he had been lately socruellydisappointed,buthadnoopportunitytospeakhisThoughtsatthattimetoMELLIORA.

THECountrungforhisGentlemantorisetoundresshim,andorder’dhimtosendsomebodytotakecareofhisHorse,andwenttoBed,ALOUISAwasverymuchsurpriz’dathis return from theBaron’sat sounseasonableanHour,butmuch more so, when in the Morning, MELANTHA came laughing into theChamber,andtoldher,all thatsheknewoftheAdventureoftheNightbefore;her old fit of Jealousie now resum’d it’sDominion in herSoul, she cou’dnotforbear thinking, that there was something more in it, than MELANTHA had

discover’d;Andpresentlyimagin’dthatherHusbandstay’dnotattheBaron’s,because she was abroad, but she was more confirmed in this Opinion, whenMELANTHAcallingforherCoachtogohome;theCount toldherthathewou’daccompany her thither, having urgent Business with her Brother. ’Tis almostimpossibletoguesstherageALOUISAwasin,butshedislembledit’tilltheyweregone,thengoingtoMELLIORA’sChamber,sheventedpartofitthere,andbeganto question her about their Behaviour in theWilderness. Tho’MELLIORA wasgladtofind,sinceshewasjealous,thatshewasjealousofanyBodyratherthanherself,yetshesaidallthatshecou’d,toperswadeher,thatshehadnoReasontobeuneasie.

BUTALOUISAwasalwaysoftoofieryaNaturetolistenpatientlytoanythingthat cou’dbe offer’d, to alter theOpinion shehad takenup, tho’ itwerewithneversolittleanappearanceofReason,butmuchmorenow,whenshethoughtherself, inamannerConfirm’d:Forbear(saidshe)DearMELLIORA totakethepartofperfidy:Iknowhehatesme,IreaditinhisEyes,andfeelitonhisLips,allDayheshunsmyConverse,andatnight,colderthanIce,receivesmywarmEmbraces,andwhen,(ohthatIcou’dtearthetenderfollyfrommeHeart)withWords as soft as Love can Form, I urge him to disclose the Cause of hisDisquiet,heanswersbutinsighs,andturnsaway:Perhaps(reply’dMELLIORA)hisTempernaturally isgloomy,and love it self ,hasscarce thePower toalterNature. Oh no, (Interrupted ALOUISA) far from it: Had I ne’er known himotherwise,Icou’dforgivewhatnowIknow,buthewasonceaskindastenderMotherstotheirnewbornBabes,andfondasthefirstWishesofdesiringYouth:Oh!Withwhateagernesshasheapproach’dme,whenabsentbutanHour!—Hadstthou’ereseenhiminthoseDaysofJoy,even,thou,coldCloyster’dMaid,must have ador’d him What Majesty, then sat upon his Brow? –– WhatMatchlessGloriesshonearoundhim!—MiriadsofCupids,shotresistlessDartsineveryGlance,—hisVoicewhensoftnedinamorousAccents,boastedmoreMusick,thanthePoetOrpheus!Whene’rehespoke,methoughttheAirseem’dCharm’d,theWindsforgottoblow,allNaturelistn’d,andlikeALOUISAmeltedinto Transport — but he is chang’d in all –– the Heroe, and the Lover areExtinct,andallthat’sleft,oftheoncegayD’ELMONT,isadullsencelessPicture:MELLIORAwastoosensiblyTouch’dwiththisDiscourse,tobeablepresentlytomakeanyAnswer to it, andshecou’dnot forbearaccompanyingher inTears,while Alouisa renev’d her Complaints in this manner; his Heart (said she)hisHeartissoftforeverRavish’dfromme,thatBosomwhereIhadTreasur’dallmyJoys,myHopes,myWishes,nowburnsandpants,withlongingsforarivalCurst!Curst,MELANTHA,byHeaventheyareevenimpudentinGuilt,theyToy,

they Kiss, and make Assignations before my Face, and this Tyrant Husbandbravesmewith his falseshood, and thinks to aweme intoCalmness, but, if Iendure it — No (continu’d she stamping, and walking about the Room in adisorder’dMotion) I’ll be no longer the tame easiewretch I have been—allFrance shall Eccho with myWrongs— The ungratetul Monster!— Villain,whosewellnighwastedStreamofWealthhaddry’d,butformykindofsupply,shallheenslaveme!––OhMELLIORAshunttheMarriageBed,asthouwoud’staSerpentsDen,moreRuinous,morePoysonousfar,isMan.

’TWASinvainthatMELLIORAendeavour’dtopacifieher,shecontinuedinthisHumour all Day, and in the Evening receiv’d a considerable Addition to herformerDisquiet:TheCountsentaServantoftheBarons(havingnottakenanyofhisownwithhim)toacquainther,thatheshou’dnotbeathomethatNight.’Tis well (said she ready to burst with Rage) let theCount know that I canchangeaswellashe,andshallexcusehisAbsencetho’itlaststoallEternity,(gocontinu’dshe,seeinghimsurpriz’d)deliverthisMessageandwithal,assurehim,thatwhatIsay,Imean.ShehadscarcemadeanendoftheseWords,whensheflung out of the Room, unable to utter more, and lock’d her self into herChamber, leavingMELLIORA no less distracted, tho’ for different Reasons, toretiretoher’s.

SHEhadnot’tillnow,hadamomentsTimeforreflectionsinceherAdventureintheWilderness,andtheRemembranceofit,joyndwiththeDespair,anGriefofALOUISA,whichsheknewherself thesoleoccasionof, threwher intomostterribleAgonies.Shewas ready todiewith shame,where she consider’dhowmuchthesecretofherSoulwaslaidopentohim,whoofalltheWorldsheoughtmosttohaveconceal’ditfrom,andwithremorsetheMiseriesherfatalBeautywasliketobringonaFamilyforwhomshehadthegreatestFriendship.

BUTtheseThoughtssoongavewaytoanother,equallyasshocking,shewaspresentwhentheServantbroughtWordtheCountwou’dlieabroad,andhadalltheReason imaginable tobelieve thatMessagewasonlya feint, that’hemighthave an oportunity to come unobserv’d to her Chamber, as he had done theNightbefore.Shecou’dnotpresentlyguessbywhatmeanshehadgot in,andtherefore was at a loss how to prevent him, ’till recollecting all theCircumstances of that tender interview, she remembred thatwhenMELLENTHAhadsurpriz’dthem,hemadehisescapebythebackStairsintotheGarden,andthatwhentheywentdown,theDoorwaslock’d:ThereforeconcludeditmustbebyaKey,thathehadgain’dadmittance:AndbegantosetherInventiontoWork,how to keep this dangerous Enemy to her Honour, from coming in a second

Time.ShehadnoKeysthatwerelargeenoughtofilltheWards,andifshehadputonein,ontheinside,itwou’dhavefallenoutimmediatelyontheleasttouch,butatlast,aftertryingseveralways,shetoreherHandkerchiefintosmallpieces,andthrustitintotheholewithherBusk,sohard,thatitwasimpossibleforanyKeytoenter.

MELLIORA thought she had done a very Heroick Action, and sate her selfdownontheBed-sideinapleas’dContemplationoftheConquest,shebelievedherVirtuehadgain’dover herPassion:But alas,How little did sheknow thetrueStateofherownHeart?Shenosoonerhearda littlenoiseat theDoor,aspresentlyaftershedid,butshethought itwastheCount,andbegantotremblenotwithfear,butdesire.

ITwasindeedCountD’ELMONT,whohadborrow’dHorsesandaServantoftheBaron,andgotintotheGardenasbefore,butwithamuchgreaterAssurancenowofmakinghimselfentirelyhappyintheGratificationofhisutmostWishes.But’tisimpossibletorepresentthegreatnessofhisvexationandsurprize,whenall his Efforts to open theDoor, were in vain:He found something had beendone to theLock, but cou’dnot discoverwhat, nor by anymeans remove theobstaclewhichMELLIORAhadput there.She,on theotherhand,was inall theconfusion immaginable: Sometimes prompted by the violence of her Passion,she wou’d run to the Door, resolving to open it; and then, frighted with theapprehensionofwhatwou’dbetheConsequence,ashastilyflyfromit;Ifhehadstay’d much longer, ’tis possible love wou’d have got the better of all otherConsiderations,butalightappearingontheothersideoftheGarden,oblig’dthethricedisappointedLover,toquithisPost.HehadsentawaytheHorsesbytheServantwhocamewithhim,andhadnoopportunityofgoingtotheBaronstliatNight,socametohisownFore-gate,andthunder’dwithaforce,suitabletothefuryhewaspossestwith;itwaspresentlyopen’d,mostoftheFamilybeingup.ALOUISAhad rav’dher self intoFits, andherdisodercreated fullEmploymentfor the Servants, who busily running about the House with Candles fetchingthingsforher,occasion’dthatreflectionwhichhehadseen.

THE Count was told of his Lady’s Indisposition, but he thought he hadsufficientpretencenot tocomewhereshewas,after theMessageshehadsenthim by theBaron’s Servant, and order’d a Bed to bemade ready for him inanotherChamber.

ALOUISA soon heard he was come in, and it was with much ado, that herWomenprevailedonhernottoriseandgotohimthatmoment,solittledidshe

rememberwhatshehadsaid.Shepass’dtheNightinmostterribleInquietudes,and early in the Morning went to his Chamber, but finding it shut, she wasoblig’d towait, tho’withaWorldof impatience,’till sheheardhewasstirring,whichnotbeing till towardsNoon,shespentall thatTime inconsideringhowsheshou’daccosthim.

AS soon as theServantwhom she had order’d towatch, brought herWordthathisLordwasdressing,shewentintotheRoom,therewasnobodywithhim’buthisGentleman,andhewithdrawingoutofrespect, imaginingbyboththeirCountenances, theremightsomethingbesaid,notproperforhimtohear.Isee(said she) my Prefence is unwish’d, but I have learn’d from you to scornConstraint,andasyouopenlyavowyourfalshood,IshallmyIndignation,andmy just Disdain! Madam (answer’d he suddenly) if you have any thing toreproachmewith,youcou’dnothave’choseamoreunluckyTimefor it, thanthis, norwas I ever less dispos’d togiveyouSatisfaction.No, barbarous coldInsulter! (resum’d she) I had not the least hope you wou’d, I find that I amgrown so low in your Esteem, I am not worth pains of an Invention— ByHeaven, this damn’d indifference is worse than themost vile Abuse!— ’TisplainContempt!O that I cou’d resent it as I ought— then Sword, or Poisonshou’d revengeme—why am I so Curst to Love you still?—O that thoseFiends(continu’dshe,burstingintoTears) thathavedeform’dthySoul,wou’dchange thy Person too, turn every Charm to horrid Blackness, grim as thyCruelty,andfoulasthyIngratitude,tofreethatHeart,thyPerjuryhasruin’d.Ithought Madam (said he, with an Accent maliciously Ironical) that you hadthrownoff,eventheappearanccsofLoveforme,bytheMessageyousentmeYesterday—OthouTormenter(interruptedshe)lastthounotwrong’dmeinthetenderest Point, driven me to the last Degree ofMisery! ToMadness!— ToDespair?Anddost thou—can’st thouReproachmeforcomplaining?—Yourcoldness;yourunkindnessstungmetotheSoul,andthenIsaid,Iknownotwhat—butIrememberwell,thatIwou’dhaveseem’dcareless,andindifferentlikeyou,Youneed’not(reply’dhe)giveyourselfthetroubleofanApology,Ihavenodesign tomakeaquarrelof it:Andwish, forbothourPeace,youcou’daseasilymoderateyourPassions,asIcanmine,andthatyoumaythebetterdoso,IleaveyoutoreflectonwhatIhavesaid,andthelittleReasonIhaveevergivenyou for: such intemperance. He left the Chamber with these Words, whichinstead of quelling,more enflam’dALOUISA’s Rage. She threw her self downinto anElbowChair that slood there, and gave a loose to theTempest of herSoul, Sometimes she curst, and vow’d the bitterest Revenge: Sometimes shewept,andatothers,wasresolv’dtoflytoDeath,theonlyRemedyforneglected

W

Love:Inthemidstoftheseconfus’dMeditations,castingherEyeonaTablebyher,shesawPaper,andsomethingwrittenonit,whichhastilytakingup,foundittheCount’sCharacter,andread(toherinexpressibleTorment)theseLines.

The Dispairing D’ELMONT to his RepentingCharmer.

HATCruelStarlastNighthadInfluenceovermyinhumaneDear?Say,towhatCausemust ascribemyFatalDisappointment? For I wou’d fain

beliexie Iowe itnot toThee!—SuchanActionafterwhat thouhastconfest, Icou’dexpectfromnothingbutaCreatureofMELANTHA’sTemper––no,’tistoomuchofthevainCoquet,andindeedtomuchoftheJilt, formyAdorabletobeguiltyof—andyet—OhhowshallIexcusethee?wheneverythingwashush’d,DarknessmyFriend,andallmyWishesrais’d,wheneveryNervetrembledwithfierceDesires,andmyPulsebeatacalltoLove,orDeath––(ForifInotenjoythee;thatwillsoonarrivethen,thenwhat,butthyself,forgettingallthyVows,thytenderVowsofthemostArdentPassion,cou’dhavedestroyedmyHopes?—OhwherewasthenthatLovewhichlatelyflatter’dmyfonddoatingSoul,whensinking, dying in my Arms, my Charmer lay! And suffer’d me to reap eachPrologue favour to the greatest Bliss— But they are past, and rigid HonourstandstoGuardthosejoys,which—

THERE was no more written, but there needed no more to make ALOUISAbeforehalfdistracted,nowquiteso.Shewasnowconvinc’dthatshehadamuchmoredangerousRivalthanMELANTHA,andherCuriositywhoitmightbe,wasnotmuchlesstroublesometoherthanotherPassions.

SHEwasgoing to seekherHusbandwith thisTestimonyofhis Infidelity inherHand,whenhe,remembringhehadleftitthere,wascominghastilybacktofetchit.TheExcessofFurywhichshemethimwith,ishardlytobeimagin’d,sheupbraidedhiminsuchaFashionasmightbecalledreviling,andhadsolittleregardtogoodManners,orevendecencyinwhatshesaid,thatitdissipatedalltheconfusionhewasinatfirst,toseesoplainaProofagainsthiminherHands,androuz’dhimtoaragenotmuchInferiortoher’s.Sheendeavoured(tho’shetookawrongMethod)tobringhimtoaConfession,hehaddoneamiss;andhe,tolaytheTempestofherTongue,bystorminglouder,butneithersucceededintheirwish:Andhe,stungwith thebitternessofherReproaches,and tiredwith

Clamour,at last flungfromherwithasolemnVownever toeat,orSleepwithhermore,

AWIFEifequallyhaughtyandjealous,iflessfondthanALOUISAwillscarcebe able to comprehend the greatness of her Sufferings; And it is not to bewonder’dat,thatshe,soviolentinallherPassions,andagitatedbysomany,atonce, committed a thousandExtravagancies,which thosewho know the forcebutofone,bytheAidofReason,mayavoid.ShetoredowntheCount’sPicturewhichhung in theRoom,andstamp’don it, then theLetter,herownCloaths,andHair, andwhoever had seen her in that Posture, wou’d have thought sheappearedmorelikewhattheFuriesarerepresentedtobe,thanaWoman.

THECountwhen he took leave theNight before of theBaron D’ESPERNAY,hadpromis’dtoreturntohimin theMorning,andgivehimanAccountofhisAdventurewithMELLIORA,but thevexationofhisdisappointment,andquarrelwithhisWife,havinghindredhimall this time, theBaron came tohisHouse,impatienttoknowtheSuccessofanAffaironwhichhisownhopesdepended.He was told by the Servants that their Lord was above, and running hastilywithoutCeremony,thefirstPersonhesawwasALOUISA,intheconditionIhavedescrib’d.

THEBaron had passionately lov’d this Lady from the firstMoment he hadseen her, but it was with that sort of Love, which considers more it’s owngratification, than the Interest, orquiet, of theobjectbeloved.He imagin’dbytheWildnessofALOUISA’sCountenanceandBehaviour,thattheCounthadgivenhersomeextraordinavyoccasionofdistaste,andwassofarfrombeingtroubledattheSorrowhebeheldherin,thatherejoyc’dinit,astheadvancementofhisDesigns.ButhewantednotcunningtodisguisehisSentiments,andapproachingherwithatender,andsubmissiveAir,entreatedhertotellhimtheCauseofherdisorder.ALOUISAhadalwaysconsider’dhimasaPersonofworth,undonewhowas entitled to her Esteem by the vast respect he always paid her, and theAdmiration,whichineveryopportunity,heexprestforherWitandBeauty.ShewasnotperhapsfarfromguessingtheExtentofhisDesires,bysomeLooks,andprivate Glances he had given her, and, notwithstanding her Passion for theCount,was toovain tobeoffendedat it.On thecontrary, itpleas’dherPride,andconfirm’dherinthegoodOpinionshehadofherself,tothinkaManofhisSense shou’dbecompell’dby the forceofher irresistibleAttractions to adoreandtodespair,andthereforemade,noDifficultyofdisburtheningalltheanguishofherSoul,intheBosomofthis,asshebeliey’d,sofaithfulFriend.

THE Baron seem’d to receive this Declaration of her Wrongs, with allimaginableconcern:Andaccus’dtheCountofStupidityinsolittleknowingthevalue of a Jewel hewasMaster of, and gave her some hints, that hewas notunsensible who the Lady was, that had been the Cause of it, which ALOUISApresentlytakingholdon,OspeakherName,(saidshe)quick,letmeknowher,or own thy Friendship was but feign’d to undo me, and that thou hatest thewretchedALOUISA.Ofar(resum’dhe)farbesuchthoughts,firstletmeDie,toprovemyZeal—myFaith,sinceretoyou,whoonlynexttoHeaven,areworthyAdoration—butforgiveme, if Isay, in this,youmustnotbeobey’d.Owhy,saidshe?Perhaps, (answer’dhe)Iama trustedPerson—Aconfident,and if IshouldrevealthesecretofmyFriend,Iknow,tho’youapprov’dtheTreachery,youwou’ddetesttheTraytor.O!Never(rejoyn’dsheimpatiently)’twou’dbeaService,more than thewhole Study ofmyLife can pay –– am I notRack’d,Stab’d— and Mangled in Idea, by some dark Hand shaded with Night andIgnorance?Andshou’d Inotbegrateful for a friendlyClue toguideme fromthisLabyrinthofDoubt,toafullDayofCertainty,whereallthefeindmaystandexpos’d before me, and I have Scope to Execute my Vengeance? Besides,continu’dshe,findinghewassilentandseeminglyextreamlymov’datwhatshesaid)’tisjoyningintheCauseofGuilttohideherfromme—come,youmusttellme—yourHonour suffers else—both that, andpity, plead the Injur’d’sCause.Alas (saidhe).Honour canne’er consent to aDiscoveryofwhat,withsolemnVowsIhavepromis’dtoConceal;butOh!—ThereissomethinginmySoul,morePowerful,whichsays, thatALOUISAmustnotbedeny’d.Whythen(cry’d she) do you delay?Why keep me on the Rack, when one shortWordwou’deasemeofmyTorment? Ihaveconsider’d (answer’dheafterapause)Madam,youshallbesatisfied,dependonityoushall,tho’notthisMoment,youshall have greater Proofs thanWords can give you—OccularDemonstrationshall strike denial Dumb.What mean you? Interrupted she; you shall behold(saidhe)theguiltypair,link’dineachothersArms.OhESPERNAY(rejoyn’dshe)coud’st thoudo that?—’Tiseasie (answer’dhe)as IcanorderMatters—butlongerConferrencemay renderme supected— I’ll go seek theCount, for hemustbemyEngine tobetrayhimself—InaDayor two,at farthestyoushallenjoyalltheRevengeDetectioncanbestow.

ALOUISAwou’d fainhaveperswadedhim tohave toldher theNameofherRival, inpartof that fullConvictionhehadpromis’dher,but invain,andshewasoblig’dtoleavetheIssueofthisAffairentirelytohisManagement.

THEBaronwasextreamlypleas’dwiththeProgresshehadmade,anddidnot

doubt,butforthepurchaseofthissecretheshou’dobtaineverythinghedesiredofALOUISA.HefoundCountD’ELMONTfulloftroubledandperplexedThoughts,andwhen he had heard theHistory of his disappointment: I am sorry to hear(said he) that the foolishGirl does not knowher ownmind—but come (myLordcontinuedhe,afteralittlepause)donotsufferyourselftosinkbeneathaCaprice,whichallthosewhoconversemuchwiththatSexmustfrequentlymeetwith— I have a Contrivance in my Head, that cannot fail to render all herpeevishVirtuefrustrate:Andmakeherhappyinherowndespite.OhESPERNAY!(reply’dtheCount)thoutalkestasFriendshippromptsthee,IknowthouwishestmySuccess,butalas!Somany,andsuchunforeseenAccidentshavehappen’dhithertotopreventme,thatIbegintothinktheHandofFatehassetmedownforlost.ForshamemyLord(InterruptedtheBaron)bebenotsopoorinSpirit—OncemoreItellyouthatsheshallbeyours—aDayortwoshallmakeherso— and because I know you Lovers are unbelieving, and impatient— I willCommunicate theMeans. A Ball, and Entertainment shall be provided at myHouse, to which, all the Neighbouring People of Condition shall be invited,amongstthenumber,yourself,yourLady,andMELLIORA;itwillbelatebefore’tisdone,andImustperswadeyourFamily,andsomeotherswholivefarthestoff, toCountenance theDesign to stayallNight;all thatyouhave todo, is tokeep up your Resentment toALOUISA, that youmay have a pretence to sleepfromher;IshalltakecaretohaveMELLIORAplac’dwherenoImpedimentmaybaryourEntrance.ImpossibleSuggestion!(cry’dD’ELMONTshakinghisHead)ALOUISA is in too much Rage of Temper to listen to such an Invitation, andwithouther,wemustnothopeforMELLIORA.HowIndustriousareyou(resum’dtheBaron) to create difficulties where there is none; Tho’ I confess thismayhave,toyou,areasonableAppearanceofone.Butknow,myFriendshipbuildsit’shopestoserveyouonasureFoundation—thisjealousfuriousWife,makesme theConfidentofher imagin’d Injuries,Conjuresme touse allmy Interestwithyouforareconcilement,andbelievesIamnowpleadingforher—ImustforawhilerailatyourIngratitude,andCondemnyourwantofTaste,tokeepmyCreditwithher,andnowandthensweetenherwithadoubtfulHopethatitmaybepossibleatlasttobringyoutoacknowledge,thatyouhavebeeninanError;thisatonceconfirmsher,thatIamwhollyonherside,andengageshertofollowmyAdvice.

THO’ nothing Palls desire somuch as too easie an Assurance ofMeans togratifie it, yet a little hope ss absolutely necessary to preserve it. The fieryWishes ofD’ELMONT’s Soul, before chill’d by despair, and half supprest withcloudingGriefs, blaz’d now, as fierce, and vigorous as ever, and he found so

muchprobabilityinwhattheBaronsaid,thathewasreadytoadorehimfurtheContrivance.

THUSallParties,butMELLIORA, remain’dinasortofapleas’dExpectation.TheCOUNT doubted not of being happy, nor ALOUISA of having her curiositysatisfy’d by theBaron’sAssistance, nor himself of the reward he design’d todemandofherforthatgoodService;andeachlong’dimpatientlyfortheDay,orratherNight,whichwas tobring thisgreatAffair to aPeriod.PoorMELLIORAwastheonlyPerson,whohadnointervalofComfort.Restrain’dbyHonour,andenflam’d by Love, her very Soul was torn; And when she found that COUNTD’ELMONTmadenoattempt toget intoherChamberagain,asshe imagin’dhewou’d,shefellintoaDespairmoreterriblethanallherformerInquietudes;shepresentlyfancy’dthatthedisappointmenthehadmetwiththeNightbefore,haddriventhehopelessPassionfromhisHeart,andtheThoughtsofbeingnolongerbelovedbyhim,wereunsupportable.ShesawhimnotallthatDay,northenext,the quarrel between him andALOUISA having caus’d separate Tables, shewasoblig’d inDecency, toeat at thatwhere shewas, andhad theMortificationofhearing her self Curs’d everyHour, by the enrag’dWife, in theName of herunknownRival,withoutdaringtospeakaWordinherownVindication.

INthemeantimetheBarondiligenttomakegoodthePromiseshehadgiventheCOUNT and ALOUISA, for his own Ends, got every thing ready, and camehimself toD’ELMONT’s House, to entrent their Company at his. NowMadam(saidhe)toALOUISAthetimeiscometoproveyourServantsFaith;ThisNightshallputanendtoyouruncertainty:TheyhadnooppormnityforfartherSpeech;

MELLIORA came thatMoment into theRoom,whobeing ask’d to go to theBall, and seeming a little unwilling to appear at any publick Diversion, byReasonofthelateDeathofherFather,puttheBaroninaMortalApprehensionfor theSuccessofhisUndertaking:ButALOUISA joyning inhisEntreaties,shewasatlastprevail’dupon;TheCOUNTwentalongwiththeBaroninhisChariot:AndtheLadiessoonfollow’dinanOther.

THEREwasavastdealofCompanythere,andtheCountdanc’dwithseveralof the Ladies, and was extreamly gay amongst them: ALOUISA watch’d hisBehaviour, and regarded every one of them, in their Turn,with Jealousie, butwasfarfromhavingtheleastSuspicionofherwhomonlyshehadCause.

THO’ MELLIORA’s greatest Motive to go, was, because she might have thehappiness of feeing her admir’dCount; aBlessing, she had not enjoy’d thesetwoDays,yetshetookbutlittleSatisfactioninthatView,withoutanopportunity

of being spoke to byhim.But that uneasinesswas remov’d,when the seriousDances being over, and they all joyning in a grandBallet:He every now andthen, got means to say a Thousand tender Things to her, press’d her Handwhenever he turn’d her, and wou’d sometimes, when at a distance fromALOUISA,pretendtobeout,onpurposetostandstill,andtalktoher.ThiskindofBehaviour banish’d part of herSufferings for tho’she cou’d consider both his,andherownPassion innootherView, than thatofaverygreatMisfortune tothem both, yet there are somany Pleasures, even in the Pains of Love, Suchtenderthrillings,suchSoul-ravishingAmusements,attendsomehappyMomentsofContemplation, that thosewhomost Endeavour, canwish but faintly to befreedfrom.

WHEN itgrewprettylate,theBaronmadeasigntotheCounttofollowhimintoa littleRoomjoyning to thatwhere theywere,andwhenhehad,nowmyLord, (saidhe) I doubtnotbut thisNightwillmakeyou entirelyPossessorofyourWishes: I have prolonged theEntertainment, on purpose to detain those,who’tisnecessaryforourDesign,andhaveorderedaChamberforMELLIORA,which has no Impediment to Bar your Entrance: O! Thon best of Friends,(answer’dD’ELMONT)howshallIrequitethyGoodness?Inmaking(resum’dtheBaron)arightUseoftheOpportunityIgiveyou,forifyoudonot,yourenderfruitlessalltheLaboursofmyBrain,andmakemewretched,whilemyFriendisso.Oh! fearmenot (cry’dD’ELMONT in aRapture) Iwill notbedeny’d, eachFacultyofmySoulisbentuponEnjoyment,tho’DeathinallitsvariousHorrorsglar’d upon me, I’d scorn ’em all in Melliora’s Arms— O! the very Nametransportsme—NewfiresrsyBlood,and tingles inmyVeins––Imaginationpoints out all her Charms — Methinks I see her lie in sweet Confusion ––Fearing ––Wishing ––Melting—Her glowingCheeks—Her closing dyingEyes—hereverykindling—Oh’tis toovast forThought.EvenFancyflags,andcannotreachherWonders.Ashewasspeaking,MELANTHA,whohadtakennotice of his going out of theRoom, and had follow’d himwith aDesign oftalking to him, came time enough to hear the latter part of what he said, butseeing her Brother with him, withdrewwith as much haste as she came, andinfinitelymoreuneasinessofMind;shewasnowbut toowellassur’d thatshehad agreater difficulty than theCount’sMatrimonialEngagement toget over,beforeshecouldreachhisHeart,andwasreadytoburstwithVexationtothinkshewassupplanted:FullofaThoufand tormentingReflectionsshe return’d totheBallRoom,andwassooutofHumouralltheNight,thatshecouldhardlybecommonlyCiviltoanyBodythatspoketoher.

ATlast,theHoursomuchdesiredbytheCount,theBaron,andALOUISA(tho’forvariousReasons)wasarriv’d:TheCompanybrokeup;thosewholiv’dnear,which were the greatest part, went home, the others being entreated by theBaron, stay’d.When they were to be conducted to their Chambers, he call’dMELANTHA,anddesiredshewould takecareof theLadiesasheshoulddirect,butaboveall,charg’dtoplaceALOUISAandMELLIORAintwoChamberswhichheshowed,her.

MELANTHA was now let into the Secret she so much desired to know, theNameofherRival,whichshehadnotcometimeenoughtohear,whenshedidthe Count’s Rapturous Description of her. She had before found out, that herBrother was in Love with ALOUISA, and did not doubt, but that there was adoubleIntriguetobecarry’donthatNight,andwasthemoreconfirm’dinthatOpinion,whensheremembred,thattheBaronhadorder’dtheLockthatDaytobebetakenofftheDoorofthatChamberwhereM’ELLIORAwastobelodg’d.ItpresentlycameintoherHead,tobetrayallsheknewtoALOUISA,butshesoonrejected thatResolution foranother,whichshe thoughtwouldgiveheramorepleasingRevenge:SheconductedalltheLadiestosuchChambersasshethoughtfit, and ALOUISA to that her Brother had desired, having no design ofdisappointinghim,butMELLIORAsheledtoonewhereshealwayslayherself,resolving tosupplyherPlace in theother,where theCountwas tocome:Yes,(saidshetoherself)IwillreceivehisVowsinMELLIORA’sRoom,andwhenIfindhimrais’d to thehighestpitchofExpectation,declarewhoIam,andawehimintoTameness; ’twillbea-charmingPieceofVengeance,besides, ifhebenot the most ungratefulMan on Earth, he must Adore my Generosity in notexposinghimtohisWife,whenIhavehiminmyPower,aftertheColdnesshehasus’dmewith.ShefoundSomethingsopleasinginthisContrivance,thatnoConfiderationswhatever,couldhavePowertodeterherfrompursuingit.

WHENtheBaronfoundeverythingwassislentandreadyforhisPurpose,hewentsoftlytoCountD’ELMONT’sChamber,wherehewasimpatientlyexpected;andtakinghimbytheHand,ledhimtothat,wherehehadorderedMELLIORAtobeLodg’d.WhentheywereattheDoor,youseemyLord,(saidhe)Ihavekeptmy Promise; there lies the Idol of your Soul, go in, be bold, and all theHappiness, you wish attend you. The Count was in too great a hurry ofdisorder’dThoughtstomakehimanyotherAnswerthanapassionateEmbrace,andgentlypushingopentheDoorwhichhadnofastningtoit,lefttheBarontoprofecutetheremainingpartofhistreacherous.Design.

ALOUISAhadallthetimeofherbeingattheBaron’s,endur’dmostgrievous

RacksofMind,herHusbandappear’dtoherthatNight,moregayandlovely,ifpossiblethanever,butthatContentmentwhichsatuponhisFace,andaddedtohisGraces,stunghertotheSoul,whenshereflectedhowlittleSympathytherewasbetweenthem:ScarceaMonth(saidshetoherself)wasIbless’dwiththoselooksofJoy,apemsivesullennesshasdweltuponhisBrowe’ersince,’tillnow;’tis from my Ruin that his Pleasure flows, he hates me, and rejoyces in aPretence, tho never so poor a one, to be abcent from me. She was inwardlytosss’dwithaMultitudeof theseand the likeperturbations, tho theAssurancethe Baron had given her of Revenge, made her conceal them tolerably well,while shewas inCompany, butwhen shewas left alone in theChamber, andperceiv’dtheBarondidnotcomesofoonassheexpected.HerRagebrokeoutinalltheViolenceimaginable:ShegavealoosetoeveryfuriousPassion,andwhenshesawhimenter,CruelD’Espernay(saidshe)wherehaveyoubeen!—IsthistheFriendshipwhichyouvow’d?To leavemeheredistractedwithmyGriefs,while my perfidious Husband, and the cursed she, that robs me of him, areperhaps,ashappy,as theirguiltyLovecanmake them?Madam(answer’dhe)’tisbutaMomentsincetheyaremet:AMoment!(interruptedshe)aMomentistoomuch, the smallest Particle of undividedTime,maymakemyRival blest,andvastlyrecompenceforallthatmyRevengecando.AhMadam(resum’dtheBaron)howdearlydoyoustillLovethatmostungratefulMan:Ihadhopesthatthe fullKnowledgeof hisFalshoodmight havemadeyou scorn the scorner, Ishallbeableby toMorrow (reply’d theCunningALOUISAwhoknewhis driftwellenough)togiveyouabetteraccountofmySentimentsthannowIcan:—Butwhydowedelay(continuedsheimpatiently)aretheynottogether?—TheBaron saw this was no time to press her farther, and therefore taking aWaxCandlewhichstoodontheTable,inoneHand,andofferingtheothertoleadher,I am readyMadam (said he) tomake goodmy Promise, and shall esteem nootherHoursofmyLifehappy,butthosewhichmaybeserviceabletoyou:Theyhad only a small part of a Gallery to go thro’, and ALOUISA had no time toanswer to these lastWords, if shehadbeencompos’denough tohavedone it,beforetheywereattheDoor,whichassoonastheBaronhadbroughtherto,hewithdrewwithallpossibleSpeed.

THO’ theCount hadbeenbut avery little time in theArmsofhis suppos’dMELLIORA,yethehadmadesogooduseofit,andhadtakensomuchAdvantageof her complyingHumour, that all his Fearswere at an End, he now thoughthimself the most Fortunate of all Mankind; and MELANTHA was far fromrepenting theBreach of theResotion she hadmade of discovering her self tohim.HisBehaviour toherwasallRapture,allkillingextacy,andshe flatter’d

herselfwithaBelief,thatwhenheshou’dcometoknowtowhomheow’dthatblisshehadposess’d,hewouldnotbeungratetulforit.

WHAT a confus’dConsternationmust this Pair be in,whenALOUISA rush’dintotheRoomj—’tishardtosay,whichwasthegreatest,theCount’sconcernforhis imagin’dMELLIORA’sHonour, orMELLANTHA’s for her own; but if onemayformaJudgmentfromtheLevityoftheone’sTemper,andgenerosityoftheother’s, one may believe that his had the Preheminence: But neither of themweresolostinThought,asnottotakewhatmeasuresthePlaceandTimewou’dpermit, to baffle the Fury of this Incens’dWife:MELLANTHA slunk under theCloathsandtheCOUNTstartedupintheBedatthefirstAppearanceoftheLight,whichALOUISAhadinherHand,andinthemostangryAccenthecou’dturnhisVoiceto,ask’dhertheReasonofhercomingthere:Rage,atthissight(prepar’dandarm’dforitasshewas)tookawayallPowerofutterancefromher;butsheflewtotheBed,andbegantoteartheCloaths;(whichMELANTHAheldfastoverherHead)insoviolentamanner,thattheCountfoundtheonlywaytoTameher,was tomeetForcewithForce; so jumpingout,heseiz’donher,and throwingherintoaChair,andholdingherdowninit,Madam,Madam(saidhe)youareMad,andIassuchshalluseyou,unlessyoupromisetoreturnquietly,andleaveme. She cou’d yet bring forth no otherWords, thanVillain,—Monster!Andsuch likeNames,which her Passion and Injury suggested,which he but littleregardingbut for thenoise shemade; for shame (resum’dhe) exposenot thusyour self andme, if you cannot command your Temper, at least confine yourClamours—Iwillnotstir (saidshe, ravingandstruggling toget loose)’till1haveseentheFacethathasundoneme,I’lltearoutherbewitchingEyes—thecurstAdultress!AndleaveherMistressoffewerCharmsthanthoucanstfindinme:ShespokethiswithsoelevatedaVoice,thattheCountendeavour’dtostopherMouth,thatshemightnotalarmtheCompanythatwereintheHouse,buthecou’dnotdoittimeenoughtopreventherfromschriekingoutMurder.—Help!OrthebarbarousManwillkillme!AttheseWordstheBaroncamerunninginimmediately,fullofSurprizeandRageatsomethinghehadmetwithinthemeantime:HowcamethisWomanhere,cry’dtheCounttohim:AskmenotmyLord(saidhe)forIcananswernothing,buteverythingthiscursedNight,Ithink,hashappenedbyEnchantment;hewasgoingtosaysomethingmore,butseveralofhisGuestshearinganoise,andcryofMurder,anddirectedby theLights theysawinthatRoom,camein,andpresentlyafteragreatmanyoftheServants,thattheChamberwasasfullasitcou’dhold:theCountletgohisWifeonthesightofthefirstStrangerthatenter’d;andindeed,therewasnoneedofhisconfiningherinthatPlace(tho’heknewnotsomuch)fortheviolenceofsomanycontrary

PassionswarringinherBreastatonce,hadthrownherintoaSwoon,andshefellbackwhenheletgohisholdofher,Motionless,andinallappearanceDead.TheCountsaidlittle,butbegantoputonhisCloaths,asham’dofthePosturehehadbeenseenin;buttheBARONendeavour’dtoperswadetheCompany,thatitwasonly a Family Quarrel of no Consequence, told them he was sorry for thedisturbanceithadgiventhem,anddesir’dthemtoreturntotheirRest,andwhentheRoomwasprettyclear,order’dtwoorthreeoftheMaidstocarryALOUISAtoherChamber,andapplyThingsproper forherRecovery;as theywerebearingherout,MELLIORAwhohadbeenfrightedaswellastherest,withthenoisesheheard,wasrunningalongtheGallerytoseewhathadhappen’d,andmetthem;herTroubletofindALOUISAinthatCondition,wasunfeign’d,andsheafflictedthosethatwereemploy’dabouther,andaccompany’dthemwheretheycarry’dher.

THECountwasgoingtotheBed-sidetocomforttheconceal’dFair, thatlaystillundertheCloaths,wlienhesawMELLIORAattheDoor:WhatSurprizewaseverequaltohis,atthisView?––Hesloodlikeonetransfix’dwithThunder,heknew not what to think, or rather cou’d not think at all, confounded with aseeming Impossibility.Hebeheld thePerson,whomhe thoughthad lain inhisArms,whomhehadenjoy’d,whoseBulkandProportionhestillsawintheBed,whom hewas just going toAddress to, and forwhom he had been in all theAgoniesofSoulimaginable,comeinadistantChamber,andunconcern’d,ask’dcooly, how ALOUISA came to be taken ill! He look’d confusedly about,sometimes onMELLIORA, sometimes towards the Bed, and sometimes on theBaron; am I awake, (said he) or is every thing I see and hear, Illusion? TheBaroncouldnotpresentlyresolveafterwhatmannerheshouldanswer, tho’heperfectlyknewtheTruthofthisAdventure,andwhowasintheBed;for,whenhehadconductedALOUISAtothatRoom,inordertomaketheDiscoveryhehadpromised,hewent tohisSifter’sChamber,designing toabscond there, incasetheCountshouldflyoutonhisWife’sEntrance,andseeinghimthere,imaginewhoitwasthatbetray’dhim;andfindingtheDoorshut,knock’dandcall’dtohaveitopened;MELLIORA,whobegantothinksheshouldlyeinquietnowhere,ask’dwhowas there,andwhathewouldhave? IwouldspeakwithmySister,(reply’dhe,asmuchastonish’dthen, tohearwhoitwasthatanswer’dhim,astheCountwasnowtoseeher)andMELLIORAhavingassur’dhimthatshewasnotwithher,lefthimnoRoomtodoubt,bywhatmeanstheExchangehadbeenmade:FewMen,howamoroussoeverthemselves,carethat theFemalepartoftheir Family should be so, and he was most sensibly mortify’d with it, butreflecting that itcouldnotbekeptaSecret,at least from theCount,myLord,

(said he, pointing to the Bed) there lies the Cause of your Amazement, thatwickedWomanhasbetray’d theTrust I repos’d inher, anddeceiv’dbothyouandme;rise,continuedhe,throwingopentheCurtains,thoushameofthySex,andeverlastingBlotandScandaloftheNobleHousethouartdescendedfrom;rise, I say, or I will stab thee here in this Scene of Guilt; in speaking theseWords,hedrewouthisSword,andappearedinsucharealFury,thattheCount,tho’moreandmoreamaz’dwitheverythinghesawandheard,madenodoubtbuthewou’ddoashesaid,andrantoholdhisArm.

ASnoWomanthatisMistressofagreatshareofWit,willbeaCoquet,sonoWomanthathasnotalittle,canbeone:MELANTHA,tho’frightedtoDeathwiththeseunexpededOccurrences, feign’daCourage,whichshehadnot in reality,andthurstingherHeadalittleabovetheCloaths,BlessmeBrother(saidshe)IvowIdonotknowwhatyoumeanbyallthisBustle,neitheramIguiltyofanyCrime: Iwas vex’d indeed to bemade a Property of; and chang’dBedswithMELLIORA for a little innocentRevenge; for I always design’d to discovermyselftotheCount,timeenoughtopreventMischief.TheBaronwasnotsosillyastobelievewhatshesaid,tho’theCount,asmuchashehatedher,hadtoomuchGenerosity to contradict her, and keeping still hold of the Baron, comeD’Espernay,(saidhe)IbelieveyourSistersStarsandmine,havefromourBirthbeenatVariance,forthisisthethirdDisappointmentshehasgivenme;onceinMELLIORA’s Chamber, then in Wilderness, and now here; but I forgive her,thereforeletusretireandleavehertoherRepose.TheBaronwassensiblethatalltheRageintheWorldcouldnotrecallwhathadbeendone,andonlygivingher a furious Look, went with the Count out of the room, without sayinganythingmoretoheratthattime.

THEBaronwithmuchEntreating,atlastprevail’donCountD’ELMONTtogointohisBed,whereheaccompan’dhim;buttheywerebothofthemtoofulloftroubledMeditations, toSleep:HisSister’sIndiscretionvex’dtheBarontotheHeart,andtookawaygreatpartoftheJoy,forthefreshOccasiontheCounthadgivenALOUISA towithdrawherAffection fromhim.ButwithwhatWords canthe various Passions that agitated the Soul of D’ELMONT be described? TheTransportshehadenjoy’dinanimaginaryFelicity,werenowturn’dtosomanyrealHorrors; he saw himself expos’d to all theWorld for itwould have beenVanitytothelastDegree,tobelievethisAdventurewouldbekeptaSecret,butwhatgavehimthemostbitterReflection,wasthatMELLIORAwhensheshouldknowit,ashecou’dnotdoubtbutsheimmediatelywou’dbetolditbyALOUISA,wou’djudgeofitbytheAppearanceandbelievehim,atonce,themostvicious,

and most false of Men. As for his Wife, he though not of her, with anyCompassionforhisSuffering,butwithRageandHate,forthatjealousCuriositywhichhesuppos’dhadledhertowatchhisActionthatNight;(forhehadnottheleastSuspicionoftheBaron.)MELANTHAhealwaysdespised,butnowdetested,fortheTrickshehadputuponhim;youthoughtitwouldbenotonlyunmanly,butbarbaroustoletherknowhedidso:ItwasinvainforhimtoendeavourtocometoaDeterminationafterwhatmannerheshouldbehavehimselftoofthem,andwhen theNight was past, in forming a thousand several Resolutions, theMorningfoundhimasmuchtoseekasbefore;He tookhisLeaveearlyof theBaron,notbeingwilling to seeanyof theCompanyafterwhathadhappened,’tillhewasmoreCompos’d.

HEwasnotdece’v’d inhisConjectures concerningMELLIORA, forALOUISAwasno sooner recover’d fromherSwoon, than, she,withbitterExclamations,toldherwhathadbeentheOccasion,andputthatastonish’dFaironeintosuchavisibleDisorder,ashadshenotbeentoofullofMisery,totakeNoticeofit,hadmade her easily perceive that she was deeply interested in the Story: ButwhatevershesaidagainsttheCount,asshecouldnotforbearsomething,callinghim Ungrateful, Perjur’d, Deceitful, and Inconstant, ALOUISA took only, as aProof of Friendship to her self, and the Effects of that just Indignation allWomenoughttofeelforhim,thattakesaPrideinInjuringanyoneofthem.

WHEN the Count was gone, the Baron sent to ALOUISA to enquire of herHealth,andifhemighthaveleavetovisitherinherChamber,andbeingtoldshedesired he shou’d, resolv’d now tomake hisDemand.MELLIORA had but justparted fromher, in order to get herself ready to goHome, and shewas alonewhenhecamein.AssoonasthefirstCivilitieswereover,shebeganafreshtoconjurehimtoletherknowtheNameofherRival,whichheartfullyevading,tho’ not absolutely denying, made her almost distracted; the Baron carefullyobserv’d her everyLook andMotion, andwhen he found her Impatiencewasrais’d to the highest degree; Madam (said he, taking her by the Hand, andlookingtenderlyonher)youcannotblameaWretchwhohaswish’dallhehadaway toonepoor Jewel, tomake themosthecanof that, to supplyhis futureWants: I have already forfeited all pretence to Honour, and even commonHospitality,bybetraying theTrust thatwasrepos’d inme,andexposingundermy ownRoof, theManwho rakesme for his dearest Friend, andwhat else Ihavesuffer’dfromthatunavoidableImpulsewhichcompelledmetodoallthis,your selfmay judge,who toowell know, thePangs andTorturesof neglectedLove—Therefore,(continuedhewithadeepSigh)sinethis lastreserveison

myHopesdependance,donot.OhCharmingALOUISA,thinkmeMercinary,ifIpresume to set aPrice upon it,which I confess toohigh, yet nothing less canPurchase:NoPrice (reply’dALOUISA,who thought a littleCondescensionwasnecessary to win him to her purpose) can be too dear to buy my Peace, norRecompencetoogreatforsuchaService:What,notyourLove,saidtheBaron,eagerly kissing herHand?No (resum’d she, forcing herself to look kindly onhim)noteventhat,whensuchaProofofyoursengagesit;butdonotkeepmelongerontheRack,givemetheNameandthen.—ShespoketheselastWordswithsuchanAirofLanguishment, that theBaronthoughthisWorkwasdone,andgrowingbolder,fromherHandheproceededtoherLips,andanswer’dheronly inKisses,which distastful as theywere to her, she suffer’d him to take,withoutResistance,butthatwasnotallhewanted,andbelievingthistheCriticalMinute,hethrewhisArms,aboutherWaist,andbegantodrawherbylittleandlittletowardtheBed;whichsheaffected topermitwithakindofanunwillingWillingness;saying,Well,ifyouwou’dhavemeabletodenyyounothingyoucan ask, tell me the Name I so much wish to know: But the Baron was ascunningasshe,andseeing thro’herArtifice,wasresolv’d tomakesureofhisRewardfirst:Yes,yes,myadorableALOUISA(answer’dhe,havingbroughthernowveryneartheBed)youshallimmediatelyknowall,thyCharmswillforcetheSecretfrommyBreast,closeasitislodg’dwithinmyinmostSoul.—DyingwithRaptureIwilltelltheeall.—IfthataThoughtofthisinjuriousHusband,can interpose amidst Extatick Joys. What will not some Women venture, tosatisfy a jealousCuriosity?ALOVISA had feign’d to consent to hisDesires, (inhopes to engage him to a Discovary) so far, and had given him so manyLiberties, that now, it was asmuch as she cou’d do to save herself, from theutmostViolence, and perceiving she had been outwitted, and that nothing butthatreallyyieldingupherHonour,cou’dobligehimtorevealwhatshedesired.Villain,saidshe,(struggJingtogetloosefromhisEmbrace)darethybaseSoulbelievesovilelyofme?ReleasemefromthydetestedHold,ormyCriesshallforcetheetoit,andproclaimtheewhatthouart,aMonster!TheBaronwasnotenoughdeludedbyherpretenceofKindness,tobemuchsurpriz’datthissuddenturn of herBehaviour, and only cooly answer’d.Madam, I have no design ofusingViolence, but perceive, if I haddependedonyourGratitude, I hadbeenmiserably deceiv’d. Yes (said she, looking contemptibly on him) I own thouwould’st;forwhatsoeverImightsay,orthoucould’sthope,IlovemyHusbandstill,withanunbatedFondnessdoatuponhim!FaithlessandCruelasheis,hestill is lovely! His Eyes lose nothing of their brightness, nor his Tongue itssoftness! His every Frowns have more Attraction in them than any othersSmiles! and canst thou think! Thou, so different in all from him, that thou

seemeftnot thesameSpeciesofHumanity,norought’st tostile thyselfaMansinceheisnomore:Canstthou,Isay,believeaWoman,bless’dasALOUISAhasbeen,can’erblotout thedearRemembrance,andquit:herHopesofre-gain’dParadiseinhisEmbrace,forcertainHellinThine?ShespoketheseWordswithsomuchScorn,thattheBaronskill’dashewasineveryArttotempt,cou’dnotconcealtheSpiteheconceiv’datthem,andlettinggoherHand,(whichperforcehehadheld)IleaveyouMadam(saidhe)tothePleasureofenjoyingyourownHumour;neitherthat,noryourCircumstancesaretobeenvy’d,butI’dhaveyoutoremember,thatyouareyourownTormentor,whileyourefusetheonlymeanscan bring you Ease. I will have ease another way (said she, incens’d at theIndignitysheimaginedhetreatedherwith)andifyoustillpersistinrefusingtodiscover to me the Person who has injur’d me, I shall make no difficulty ofletting the Count know howmuch of his Secrets you have imparted, and forwhatReasonyouconceal theother:Youmaydoso(answer’dhe)andIdoubtnotbutyouwill—Mischief is thedarlingFavouriteofWoman!Blood is theSatisfaction perhaps, that you require, and if I fall by him, or he byme, yourRevengewillhaveitsaim,eitherontheUnlovingortheUnlov’d;forme,IsetmyLifeatnought,withoutyourLove’tisHell;butdonotthinkthatevendying,topurchaseAbsolution,I’drevealoneLetterofthatName,yousomuchwishtohear, theSecret shallbeburiedwithme.—Yes,Madam(continuedhe,withamalicious Air) that happy Fair unknown, whose Charms have made youwretched,shallundifcover’d,andunguess’dat.Triumphinthosejoysyouthinknone but your Count can give.ALOUISA had not anOpportunity tomake anyanswerer to what he said; MELLIORA came that Moment into the Room, andask’d if she was ready to go, and ALOUISA saying that she was, they bothdepartedfromtheBaron’sHouse,withoutmuchCeremonyoneitherside.

ALOUISAhadnotbeenlongathomebeforeaMessengercametoacquainther,that her Sifter having miss’d of her atParis, was now on her Journey to LeBeausse,andwou’dbewithher in a fewHours.She rejoyc’dasmuchat thisNews,asitwaspossibleforonesofullofdisquiettodo,andorder’dherChariotandSixtobemadereadyagain,andwenttomeether.

D’ELMONTheardofANSELLINA’scomingalmostassoonasALOUISA,andhisComplaisance for Ladies, join’dwith the extream desire he had of seeing hisBrother,whomhebeliev’dwaswithher,wou’dcertainlyhavegivenhimWingsto have flown to them with all imaginable Speed, had not the late Quarrelbetween him and hisWife,made him think itwas improper to joinCompanywithheronanAccountwhatever:HewassittinginhisDressingRoomWindow

inamelancholyanddisturb’dMeditation,ruminatingoneveryCircumstanceofhis last Nights Adventure, when he perceiv’d a couple of Horsemen comegalloping over the Plain, andmake directly toward hisHouse. TheDust theymade,kepthimfromdistinguishingwhotheywere,andtheywereveryneartheGatebeforehediscover’dthemtobetheChevalierBRILLIAN,andhisServant:TheSurprizehewasintoseehimwithoutANSELLINAwasverygreat,butmuchmoreso,whenrunningdown,assoonashesawhewasalighted,andopeninghisArmseagerly toEmbracehim; theotherdrawingback.No,myLord (saidhe)sinceyouarepleas’dtoforgetIamyourBrother,IpretendnootherwaytomerityourEmbraces:NorcanthinkitanyHappinesstoholdhiminmyArms,who keeps me distant from his Heart. What mean you (cry’d D’ELMONT,extreamly astonish’d at his Behaviour) you know so little (resum’d theChevalier)ofthepoweraLove,yourself,thatperhaps,youthinkIoughtnottoresentwhatyouhavingdonetoruinmeinmine:But,howeverSir,AmbitionisaPassion which you are not a Stranger to, and have settled your own FortuneaccordingtoyourWish,methinksyoushou’dnotwonderthatItakeitill,whenyouendeavourtopreventmydoingsoto:TheCountwasperfectlyConfoundedattheseWords,andlookingearnestlyonhim;Brother(saidhe)youseemtolaya heavy Accusation on me, but if you still retain so much of that formerAffectionwhichwasbetweenus,astodesireIshou’dbecleardinyourEsteem,youmustbemore explain inyourCharge, for tho’ I easilyperceive that I amwrong’d, I cannot seebywhatmeans Iamso.MyLord,youarenotwrong’d(cry’d theChevalierhastily)youknowyouarenot: IfmyTongueweresilent,the despair that fits upon my Brow, my alter’d Looks, and grief-sunk Eyes,wou’d proclaim your Babrarous — most unnatural Usage of me. UngratefulBRILLIAN(saidtheCOUNT,atonceinflam’dwithTendernessandAnger)isthistheConsolationIexpectedfromyourPresence?IknownotforwhatCauseIamupbraided,beingInnocentofany,norwhatyourTroublesare,butIamsuremyown are such, as needed not thisWeight to overwhelmme.He spoke this sofeelingly,andconcludedwithsodeepasighasmostsensiblytouch’dtheHeartofBRILLIAN.IfIcou’dbelievethatyouhadany(reply’dhe)itwereenoughtosinkmequite,andridmeofaLifewhichANSELLINA’slosshasmademehate.What said you, (interrupted the Count) ANSELLINA’s loss? If that be true, Ipardonallthewildnessofyourunjust:Reproaches,forwellIknow,despairhassmall regard toReason, but quickly speak theCauseof yourMisfortune:— IwasabouttoenquiretheReasonthatIsawyounottogether,whenyourunkindBehaviourdroveitfrommyThoughts.ThatQuestion(answer’dtheChevalier)ask’d by you some Days since, wou’d have put me past all the Remains ofPatience,butIbegintohopeIamnotsounhappyasIthought,butstillamblest:

inFriendship,tho’undoneinLove—butI’llnotkeepyoulongerinsuspence,myTaleofGriefisshortintheRepeating,tho’everlastinginitsConsequence.Insaying this, he sat down, and theCount doing the like, and assuring him ofAttention,hebeganhisRelationinthismanner.

YOUR Lordship may remember that I gave you an Account by Letter, ofANSELLINA’s Indisposition, and the Fears I was in for her; but by the time Ireceiv’d your Answer, I thought my self the happiest of Mankind: She wasperfectlyrecovered,andeveryDayIreceiv’dnewProofsofherAffection:WebegantotalknowofcomingtoParis,andsheseem’dnolessImpatientforthatJourney thanmy self, andoneEvening, the last I ever had theHonour of herConversation; she toldme, that in spite of the PhysiciansCaution, shewou’dleaveAmiensinthreeorfourDays;YoumaybesureIdidnotdisswadeherfromthat Resolution; but, how great was my Aslonishment, when going the nextMorning to the Baronesses, to give the Ladies theBonjour as I constant dideveryMorning,Iperceiv’danunusualcoldnessintheFaceofeveryoneintheFamily; the Baroness herself spoke not to me, but to tell me that ANSELLINAwou’d see noCompany:How,Madam, said I , am I not excepted from thosegeneralOrders,whatcanthissuddenalterationinmyFortunemean?Isuppose(reply’dshe)thatANSELLINAhasherReasonsforwhatshedoes:Isaidall thatdespaircou’dsuggest,toobligehertogivemesomelightintothisMistery,butallwasinvain,sheeithermademenoanswers,orsuchaswerenotSatisfactory,andgrowingwearywithbeingImportun’d,sheabruptlywentoutoftheRoom,andleftmeinaconfusionnottobeExpress’d:Irenew’dmyvisitthenextDay,andwasthendeny’dadmittancebythePorter:Thesame,thefollowingone,andas Servants commonly form their Behaviour, according to that of those theyserve, itwaseasy forme toobserve Iwas far frombeingawelcomeGuest: Iwrit to ANSELLINA, but had my Letter return’d unopen’d: And that Scorn soun...istly thrown upon me, tho’ it did not absolutely cure my Passion, yet itstirr’d up so much just Resentment in me, that it abated very much of itsTenderness:aboutaFortnightIremain’dinthisperplexity,andattheendofitwasplung’dintoagreater,whenIreceiv’dalittleBilletfromANSELLINA,whichasIremember,containedtheseWords.

ANSELLINAtotheChevalierBRILLIAN.SentyourLetterbackwithoutPerusing,believingitmightcontainsomething

ofaSubjectwhichIamresolv’dtoencouragenofarther:Idonotthinkitproper

atpresenttoacquaintyouwithmyReasonsforit;butifIseeyouatParis,youshallknowthem:IsetoutforthencetoMorrow,butdesireyounottopretendtoAccompanymethither,ifyouwou’dpreservetheEsteemof,

ANSELLINA.

I cannot but say, I thought thismanner of proceeding very odd, and vastlydifferentfromthatopennessofNature,Ialwaysadmir’dinher,butasIhadbeenalwaysamostobsequiousLover;Iresolv’dnottoforfeitthatCharacter,andgiveaProofofanimpliciteObediencetoherWill, tho’withwhatAnxietyofMindyoumayimagine.Istoodatadistance,andsawhertakeaCoach,andassoonasherAttendantswere out of sight, I got onHorseback, and follow’d; I severalTimeslayatthesameInnwhereshedid,buttookcarenottoappearbeforeher:Never was any fight more pleasin; tome, than that ofParis, because I therehop’d to havemyDestinyunravell’d; but your beingout ofTown, preventinghermakinganystay,Iwasreduc’dtoanothertryalofPatience;aboutSevenFurlongs from hence, hap’ning to Bait at the sameCabaret with her, I saw herWoman, who had been alway perfectly obliging to me, walking alone in theGarden; I took the liberty to showmy self to her, an ask her someQuestionsconcerningmyfutureFate towhichsheanwer’dwithall theFreedomIcou’ddesire, and observing the Melancholly, which was but too apparent in myCountenance:Sir,saidshe,tho’Ithinknothingcanbemoreblame-worthythanto betray the Secrets of our Superiors, yet I hope I shall stand excus’d fordeclaring somuch ofmyLady as theCondition you are in, seems to require;wou’dnot thereforehaveyoubelieve that in thisSeparation,youare theonlySufferer, I canassureyoumyLadybearsherpartofSorrow too.—Howcanthatbepossible(cry’dI)whenmyMisfortuneisbroughtuponme,onlybythechange of her Inclination? Far from it (answer’d she) you have a Brother, heonlyistoblame,shehasreceiv’dLettersfromMadamD’ELMONTwhichhave—as shewas speaking, shewas call’dhastily away,without being able to finishwhatshewasabout tosay,andIwassoImpatient tohear:Hernamingyou insuch a manner, planted ten thousand Daggers in my Soul! —What cou’d Iimagine by those Words, You have a Brother, he only is to Blame, and hermentioning Letters from that Brother’sWife ; but that itwas thro’ you Iwasmadewretched?Irepeatedseveraltimesovertomyselfwhatshehadsaid,butcou’dwrestnootherMeaningfromit, than thatyoubeingalreadyposess’doftheElderSifter’sFortune;werewillingtoEngrosstheother’stoo,bypreventingherfromMarrying:Pardonme,myLord,ifIhaveInjur’dyou,sinceIprotest,theThoughtsofyourdesigningmyundoing,was,ifpossible,moredreadfulto

methantheIllit,self.

YOUwill,reply’dtheCount,besoonconvinc’dhowlittleHandIhadinthoseLetters,whatevertheycontain’d,whenyouhavebeenhereafewDays.Hethentold him of the disagreement between himself and ALOUISA, her perpetualJealousy,herPride,herRage,andthelittleprobabilitytherewasoftheirbeingever reconcil’d, so as to live together as they ought, omitting nothing of theStory, but his Love forMELLIORA, and the Cause he had given to create thisuneasiness.Theybothconcluded,thatANSELLINA’salterationofBehaviourwasentirelyowingtosomethingherSisterhadwritten,andthatshewou’duseherutmostendeavourtobreakofftheMatchwhollyinRevengetoherHusband:Astheywerediscoursingonmeanstopreventit,theLadiescametotheGate;theysaw them thro’ theWindow, and ran to receive them immediately:TheCounthanded ANSELLINA out of the Coach, with great Complaisance, while theChevalierwou’dhavedonethesamebyALOUISA,butshewou’dnotpermithim,whichtheCountobserving,whenhehadpaid thoseComplement toherSister,whichhethoughtcivilityrequir’d,Madam(saidhe,turningtoherandfrowning)is it not enough, you make me wretched by your continual Clamours, andUpbraidings, but that your ill Naturemust extend to all, whom you believe Ilove?Sheanswer’dhimonlywithadisdainfulLook,andhaughtyToss,whichspokethePleasureshetookinhavingitinherPowertogivehimPain,andwentoutoftheRoomwithANSELLINA.

D’ELMONT’sFamilywasnowbecomeamostdistractedone,everyBodywasinconfusion,anditwashardforadisinterestedPerson,toknowhowtobehaveamongthem:TheCountwasready todiewithVexation,whenhereflectedontheAdventure at theBARON’swithMELANATHA, and howhard itwou’d be toclearhisConductinthatpointwithMELLIORA:She,ontheotherHand,wasasmuch tormented at his not attempting it. TheChevalier was in the height ofdespair,whenhefoundthatANSELLINAcontinuedherHumour,andstillavoidedlettinghimknowtheoccasionofit:AndALOUISA,tho’shecontentedherselfforsomeHourswithrelatingtoherSister,allthePassagesofherHusband’sunkindusage of her, yetwhen thatwas over, herCuriosity return’d, and she grew somadlyZealoustofindout,whoherrivalwas,thatsherepentedherBehaviourtotheBaron, and sent him the next Day privately, aBillet, wherein she assur’dhim, that she had acquainted theCount with nothing that had pass’d betweenthem,andthatshedesir’dtospeakwithhim.’TiseasytobelieveheneedednotasecondInvitation;hecameimmediately,andALOUISArenew’dherEntreatiesinthemostpressingmanner shewas capableof, but invain, he toldherplainly,

thatifhecou’dnothaveherHeart,nothingbutthefullPossessionofherPersonshou’dExtorttheSecretfromhim.’TwouldswellthisDiscoursebeyondwhatIdesign, to recount her various Starts of Passios, and different Turns ofBehaviour, sometimes louder than the Winds she rav’d! Commanded!Threatned!Then, still asApril Showers, orSummerDews shewept, andonlywhisper’dherComplaints,nowdissemblingKindness,thendeclaringunfeign’dHate; ’till at last, finding it impossible to prevail by any other means, shepromis’d to admit him atMidnight into her Chamber: But as it was only theforceofhertoopaissonateAffectionforherHusband,whichhadwork’dhertothispitchof ragingJealousie,soshehadnosoonermade theAssignation,andtheBaronhadlefther(’toseektheCounttopreventanysuspicionoftheirlongConversation)butallD’ELMONT’sCharmscamefreshintoherMind,andmadetheThoughtsofwhatshehadpromis’d,OdiousandInsupportable;sheopen’dherMouthmore thanonce tocallback theBaron, andRecantall that shehadsaid; but her ill Genius, or that Devil, Curiosity, which too much haunts theMindsofWomen,stillpreventedHer:Whatwillbecomeofme,(saidshetoherself)whatisitIamabouttodo?ShallIforegoemyHonour—quitmyVirtue,–– sullymyyetunspottedNamewith endless Infamy—andyieldmySoul toSin,toShame,andHorror,onlytoknowwhatIcanne’erRedress?IfD’ELMONThatesmenow,willhenotdosostill?—Whatwill thiscurs’dDiscoverybringmebutaddedTortures,and freshweightofWoe:Happyhad itbeen forher iftheseConsiderationscou’dhavelasted,butwhenshehadbeenaMinuteortwointhisTemper,shewou’drelapseandcry,what!mustItamelybearitthen?—EnduretheFloutsofthemaliciousWorld,andthecontemptofeveryfancyGirl,whowhile she pities, scornsmywant ofCharms—Shall I neglected tellmyTale of Wrongs, (O, Hell is in that Thought) till my despair shall reach myRival’sEars,andCrownherAdulterousJoyswithdoublePleasure.—WretchthatIam!––FoolthatIam,tohesitate,myMiseryisalreadypastAddition,myeverlastingPeaceisbroke!Losteventohope,whatcanImoreendure?—No,since I must be ruin’d, I’ll have the Satisfaction of dragging with me toPerdition,theVile,theCursed,shethathasundoneme;I’llbereveng’donher,thendiemyself,andfreemefromPollution.Asshewas in this lastThought,she perceiv’d at a good distance from her, the Chevalier BRILLIAN andANSELLINAinDiscourse;thefightofhimimmediatelyputanewcontrivanceintoherHead,andshecomposedherselfasshecou’d,andwenttomeetthem.

ANSELLINA having been left alone, while her Sister was Entertaining theBaron,hadwalk’ddownintotheGardentodivertherself,wheretheChevalier,whowason thewatchforsuchanopportunity,hadfollow’dher;hecou’dnot

forbear,tho’inTermsfullofRespect,taxingherwithsomelittleInjusticeforherlateUsageofhim,andBreachofPromise,innotlettinghimknowherReasonsfor it: She, who by Nature was extreamly averse to the disguising herSentiments,suffer’dhimnotlongtopressherforanEclarcisment,andwithherusualFreedom,toldhimwhatshehaddone,waspurelyincompliancewithherSister’s Request; that she cou’d not help having the sameOpinion of him asever,butthatshehadpromis’dALOUISAtodeferanyThoughtsofmarryinghim,tillhisBrothershou’dconfesshisError:Theobligingthingsshesaidtohim,tho’shepersistedinherResolution,dissipatedgreatpartofhisChagreen,andhewasbeginning toexcuseD’ELMONT, andpersuadeher thatherSister’sTemperwasthefirstoccasionoftheirquarrel,whenALOUISAinterruptedthem.Ansellinawasa little out of Countenance at her Sister’s Presence, imagening she wou’d beIncens’datfindingherwiththeChevalier;butthatdisstressedLadywasfullofotherThoughts,anddesiringhimtofollowhertoherChamber,assoonastheywere set down, confess’d to him, how, fir’d with bis Brother’ Falshood, sheendeavour’d to revenge it upon him, that she had been his Enemy, but waswilling to enter into any Measures for his Satisfaction, provided he wou’dcomplywithone,whichsheshouldpropose,whichhefaithfullypromising,aftershehadswornhimtoSecrecy,discover’dtohimeveryCircumstance,fromherfirstCauseofJealousy, to theAssignationshehadmadewith theBaron;now,said she, it is in your Power to preserve both yourBrother’sHonour, andmyLife(whichIsoonerwillresignthanmyVertue)ifyoustandconceal’dinalittleCloset, which I shall convey you to, and the Moment he has satisfy’d myCuriosity, by telling me her Name that has undone me, rush out, and be myProtector. The Chevalier was infinitely Surpriz’d at what he heard, for hisBrotherhadnotgivenhimtheleasthintofhisPassion,butthoughttherequestshemade,tooreasonabletobedeny’d.

WHILEtheywereinthisDiscourse,MELLIORA,whohadbeensittingindulgingher Melancholly in that Closet which ALOUISA spoke of, and which did notimmediatelybelongtothatChamber,butwasasortofanEntry,orPassage,intoanother, and tir’d with Reflection, was fallen asleep, but on the noise whichALOUISA and the Chevalier made in coming in, wak’d, and heard to herinexpressible trouble, the Discourse that pass’d between them: She knew thatunknown Rival was herself, and condemn’d the Count of the highestImprudence,inmakingaconfidant,asshefoundhehad,oftheBaron;shesawherFate,atleastthatofherReputationwasnowupontheCrisis,that,thatveryNightshewastobeexpos’dtoalltheFuryofanenrag’dWife,andwassoshookwithapprehension,thatshewasscarceabletogooutoftheClosettimeenough

topreventtheirdiscoveringshewasthere;whatcou’dshedointhisExigence,theThoughtsofbeingbetray’d.,wasworsetoherthanathousandDeaths,anditwastobewondredat,asshehassinceconfest,thatinthatheightofDesparation,shehadnotputanendtotheTorturesofReflection,bylayingviolentHandsonherownLife:AsshewasgoingfromtheClosethastilytoherownAppartment,theCount andBaron pass’d her, and that sight heightening the distraction shewas in, she stept to theCount, and in a faultring, scarce intelligible Accent,whisper’d, forHeaven’sSake letmespeakwithyoubeforeNight,makesomepretence tocome tomyChamber,where I’llwait foryou.AndassoonasshehadspoketheseWords,dartedfromhimsoswift,thathehadnoopportunityofreplying, if he had not been toomuch overwhelmedwith joy at this seemingChangeofhisFortunetohavedoneit;hemisunderstoodpartofwhatshesaid,andinsteadofherdesiringtospeakwithhimbeforeNight,heimagined,shesaidat Night. He presently communicated it to theBaron, who congratulated himuponit;andneverwasanyNightmoreimpatientlylong’dfor,thanthiswasbythem both. They had indeed not many Hours of Expectation, but MELLIORAthoughtthemAges,allherhopeswere,thatifshecou’dhaveanopportunityofdiscovering to Count D’ELMONT what she had heard between his Wife andBrother,hemightfindsomemeanstopreventtheBaron’sTreacheryfromtakingEffect. But when Night grew on, and she perceiv’d he came not, and sheconsider’d how near she was to inevitable Ruin, whatWords can sufficientlyexpressherAgonies?SoIshallonlysay,theyweretooviolenttohavelongkeptCompanywithLife,Gait,Horour,Fear,Remoree,andShameatonceoppress’dher, and she was very near sinking beneath their Weight, when somebodyknock’dsoftlyattheDoor;shemadenodoubtbutitwastheCount,andopen’dit immediately, and he catching her in his Arms with all the eagerness oftransportedLove,shewasabouttoclearhisMistakeandlethimknowitwasnotan amourous Entertainment she expected from him; when a sudden cry ofMurder,andthenoiseofclashingSwords,madehimletgohishold,anddrawhisown,andrunalongtheGallerytofindouttheoccasion,wherebeingintheDark,andonlydirectedbythenoiseheheardinhisWife’sChamber,somethingmet the point and a great shriek following it, he crv’d for Lights but nonecomingimmediately;hesteppingfartherstumbledattheBodywhichhadfallen,hethenredoubledhisoutcrys,andMELLIORA,frightedasshewas,broughtonefromherChamber,andatthesameInstantthattheydiscover’ditwasALOUISA,whocomingtoalarmtheFamily,hadbyAccidentrunonherHusband’sSword,theysawtheChevalierpursuingtheBaron,whomortallywounded,droptdownbyALOUISA’sside;whatadreadfulViewwas this?TheCount,MELLIORA,andtheServants,whobythistimeweremostofthemrowz’d,seem’dwithoutSence

orMotion,onlytheChevalierhadSpiritenoughtospeak,orthink,sostupify’dwaseveryonewithwhattheysaw.ButheorderingtheServantstotakeuptheBodies,sentoneof’emimmediatelyforaSurgeon,buttheywerebothofthempasthisArttocure;ALOUISAspokenomore,andtheBaronliv’dbuttwoDays,inwhichtimethewholeAccount,asitwasgather’dfromtheMouthsofthosechieflyconcern’d,wassetdown,andtheTragicalpartofitbeingsaidbeforetheKING,thereappear’dsomuchofjusticeintheBARON’sDeath,andAccidentinALOVISA’s, that theCount andChevalier found it no difficultmatter to obtaintheirPardon.TheChevalierwassoonafterMarried tohisbelovedANSELLINA;butMELLIORAlook’donherselfasthemostguiltyPersonuponEarth,asbeingthe primary Cause of all the Misfortunes that had happen’d, and retir’dimmediatelytoaMonastery,fromwhence,notalltheentreatiesofherFriends,nor the implorationsof theAmorousD’ELMONT cou’dbringher, shewasnowresolv’d topunish,by avoluntaryBanishment fromall she everdid, or cou’dlove;theGuiltofIndulgingthatPassion,whileitwasaCrime.He,notabletolivewithouther,atleastinthesameClimate,committedtheCareofhisEstatetohisBrother,andwenttoTravel,withoutanInclinationevertoreturn:MELANTHAwhowas not of aHumour to take any thing toHeart,wasMarried in a shortTime,andhadthegoodFortunenottobesuspectedbyherHusband,thoughshebroughthimaChildinSevenMonthsafterherWedding.

SuccesscanthenaloneyourVowsattend,

WhenWorth’stheMotive,ConstancytheEnd.

EPILOGUEtotheSpartanDame.

T

LOVEinEXCESS:OR,THE

FATALENQUIRY.

TheThirdandlastPart.

HO Count D’elmont never had any tenderness for Alouisa and herExtravaganceofRageandJealousie,join’dtohisPassionforMelliora,had everyDayabated it, yet themannerofherDeathwas toogreat a

shock to the sweetness of hisDisposition, to be easilywornoff; he cou’dnotremember herUneasiness, without reflecting that it sprung only from her tooviolentAffectionforhim;andtho’therewasnopossibilityoflivinghappilywithher,when he consider’d that she died, not only for him, but by hisHand, hisCompassionfor theCause,andHorrorfor theunwish’d,aswellasundesign’dEvent,drewLamentationsfromhim,moresincere,perhaps,thansomeofthoseHusbands,whocallthemselvesverylovingones,wou’dmake.

TO alleviate the troubles of hisMind, he had endeavoured all he cou’d, topersuadeMellioratocontinueinhisHouse;butthatafflictedLadywasnottobeprevail’d upon, she look’d on her self, as in amanner, accessary toAlouisa’sDeath,andthoughttheleastsheow’dtoherReputationwastoseetheCountnomore,andtho’intheformingthisResolution,shefeltTormentsunconceivable,yet the strength of her Virtue enabled her to keep it, and she returned to theMonastery, where she had been Educated, carrying’ with her nothing of thatPeaceofMindwithwhich,sheleftit.

NOTmanyDayspass’dbetweenherDeparture,andtheCount’s;hetookhisway towardsItaly,by thePersuasionsofhisBrother,who,sincehefoundhimbent to Travel, hop’d that Garden of the World might produce something todivert his Sorrows; he took but two Servants with him, and those rather forconveniency than State:Ambition, once his darling Passion, was now wholly

extinguish’dinhimbytheseMisfortunes,andhenolongerthoughtofmakingaFigureintheWorld;buthisLovenothingcou’dabate,and’tistobebeliev’dthattheviolenceofthatwou’dhavedrivenhimtotheuseofsomefatalRemedy,iftheChevalierBrillian,towhomhelefttheCareofMelliora’sandherBrother’sFortune as well as his own, had not, tho’ with much difficutry, obtain’d aPromisefromher,ofconversingwithhimbyLetters.

Thiswasallhehadtokeephopealive,andindeeditwasnoinconsiderableConsolation,forshethatallowsaCorrespondenceofthatKindwithaManthathasanyInterest inherHeart,canneverpersuadeherself,whileshedoesso, tomakehimbecome indifferent tohere.Whenwegiveour selves the liberty;ofeventalkingofthePersonwehaveoncelov’d,andfindtheleastpleasureinthatDiscourse, ’tis ridiculous to imagine we are free from that Passion, withoutwhich,thementionofitwouldbebutinsipidtoourEars,andtheremembrancetoourMinds,tho’ourWordsareneversoCold,theyaretheEffectsofasecretFire,whichburnsnotwith lessStrength fornotbeingDilated.TheCounthadtoomuchExperienceofalltheWalksandTurnsofPassiontobeignorantofthis,ifMeliorahadendeavouredtodisguiseherSentiments,butshewentnotsofar,shethoughtitasufficientvindicationofherVirtue,towitholdtherewardingofhisLove,without feigningacoldness towhichshewasastranger,andhehadthesatisfactiontoobserveatendernessinherStile,whichassur’dhim,thatherHeartwasunalterablyhis,andverymuchstrengthen’dhisHopes,thatoneDayherPersonmightbesotoo,whentimehadalittleeffac’dtheMemoryofthoseCircumstances,whichhadobligedhertoputthisconstraintonherInclinations.

HE wrote to her from every Post-Town, and waited till he receiv’d herAnswer,bythismeanshisJourneywasextreamlytedious,butnoAdventuresofanymoment, falling in hisway ’till he came toRome, I shall not troublemyReaderswitharecitalofparticularswhichcou’dbenowayEntertaining.

BUT, how strangely do they deceive themselves, who fancy that they areLovers, yet on every little turn of Fortune, or Change of Circumstance, areagitated:with anyVehemence, byCaresof a far differentNature?Love is toojealous,tooarbitiaryaMonarchtosufferanyotherPassiontoequalizehimselfinthatHeartwherehehasfix’dhisThrone.Whenonceenter’d,hebecomesthewholeBusinessofourLives,wethink—weDreamofnothingelse,norhaveaWish not inspir’d by him:Thosewho have the Power to apply themselves soseriouslytoanyotherConsiderationastoforgethim,tho’butforaMoment,arebut Lovers in Conceit, and have entertain’d Desire but as an agreeableAmusement,whichwhen attendedwith any Inconvenience, theymaywithout

muchdifficultymakeoff.SuchasortofPassionmaybeproperlyenoughcall’dLiking,butfallswidelyshortofLove.Love,iswhatwecanneitherresist,expel,nor even alleviate, ifwe shouldnever sovigorously attempt it; and tho’ somehaveboasted,ThusfarwillIyieldandnofarther, theyhavebeenconvinc’doftheVanity of forming suchResolutions by the impossibility of keeping them.Liking is a flashy Flame, which is to be kept alive only by ease and delight.Love, needs not this fewel to maintain its Fire, it survives in Absence, anddisappointments,itendures,unchill’d,thewintryBlastsofcoldIndifferenceandNeglect,andcontinuesitsBlaze,eveninastormofHatredandIngratitude,andReason,Pride,orajustsensibilityofconsciousWorth,invainopposeit.Liking,playsgailyround,feedsontheSweetsingross,butiswhollyinsensibleoftheThornswhich guard the nicer, andmore refin’dDelicacies ofDesire, and canconsequently give neither Pain, nor Pleasure in any superlative degree. Lovecreates intollerable Torments! Unspeakable joys! Raises us to the highestHeavenofHappiness,orsinksustothelowestHellofMisery.

CountD’elmont experienc’d theTruthof thisAssertion; forneitherhis justconcern nor themanner ofAlouisa’sDeath cou’d curb the Exuberance of hisJoy, when he consider’d himself belov’d byMelliora , nor any Diversion ofwhichRome affordedgreatVariety, be able tomakehim support being absentfrom her withModeration. There are I believe, but fewmodern Lovers, howPassionateandconstantsoevertheypretendtobe,whowou’dnotintheCount’sCircumstances have found somematter ofConsolation; but he seem’dwhollydeadtoGaiety.Invain,alltheRomanNobilitycourtedhisacquaintance;invainthe Ladies made use of their utmost Artifice to engage him : He prefer’d asolitaryWalk, a lonely Shade, or theBank of some purling Stream,where heundisturb’dmightcontemplateonhisbelov’dMelliora,toallthenoisyPleasuresoftheCourt,ortheendearmentsoftheinvitingFair.Infine,heshun’dasmuchaspossibleallConversationwiththeMen,orCorrespondencewiththeWomen;returningalltheirBillet-Deux,ofwhichscarceaDaypast,withouthisreceivingsomeunanswer’d.

ThismannerofBehaviourinalittletimedeliver’dhimfromthePersecutionsoftheDiscreet;buthavingreceivedoneLetterwhichhehadus’dashehaddonethe rest, it was immediately seconded by another; both which contain’d asfollows:

LetterI.

I

U

TotheneverEnoughAdmir’dCOUNTD’ELMONT.

nyourCountry,whereWomenareallow’dthepreviledgeofbeingseenandAddress’dto,itwou’dbeaCrimeunpardonabletoModesty,tomakethefirst

advances.Buthere,whererigidRulesareBar’s,aswelltoReason,astoNature:Itwou’dbeasgreata..e,tofeignanInfidelityofyourMerit.Isay,feign,asIlook on it, as an impossibility really to behold youwith indifferency:But, if Icou’dbelievethatanyofmy..xwereingoodearnestsodull,Imustconfess,Ishou’denvythathappyStupidity,whichwou’dsecuremefromthePainssuchaPassion, as you create, must Inflict; unless, from the Millions whom yourCharmshavereach’d;youhaveyetacornerofyourHeartUnpreposses’d;andanInclinationwillingtoreceivetheImpressionof,

YourmostPassionateandTender,(but’tillshereceivesafavourableAnswer)YourunknownAdorer..

LetterII.

TotheUngratefulD’ELMONT.

nworthy of the Happiness design’d you! Is it thus, That you return theCondescentionofaLady?HowfabulousisReport,whichspeaksthoseof

yourCountry,warmandfullofamorousDesires?–Thou,sure,artcolderthanthebleaknorthernIslanders—dull,stupidWretch!InsensibleofeveryPassionwhichgiveLustretotheSoul,anddifferManfromBrute!––WithoutGratitude—WithoutLove—WithoutDisire—Dead,eventoCuriosity!—HowIcou’ddespiseTheeforthisnarrownessofMind,weretherenotsomethinginthyEyesandMeinwhich assureme, that this negligent Behaviour is but affected; andthat thearewithin thyBreast, someSeedsof hiddenFire,whichwant but theInfluenceofCharms,morepotentperhaps thanyouhave yet beheld, to kindleintoBlaze.MakehastthentobeEnliven’d,forIflattermyself’tisinmyPower

I

toworkthiswonder,andlongtoinspiresoLovelyaFormwithSentimentsonlyworthyofit,––TheBearerofthis,isaPersonwhoIdareConfidein––Delaynottocomewithhim,forwhenonceyouareTaughtwhat’tistoLove;you’llnotbeIgnorantthatdoubtfulExpectationistheworstofRacks,andfromyourownExperience.PitywhatIfeel,thuschill’dwithDoubt,yetburningwithDesire,

Yours,Impatiently.

TheCountwasprettymuchsurpriz’dattheoddTurnofthisBillet;butbeingwilling toputanEnd to theLadiesTrouble,aswellashisown;satdownandwithoutgivinghimselfmuchTimetothink,writtheseLinesinAnswertoHers.

TotheFairINCOGNITA.MADAM,

fyouhavenootherdesigninWritingtome,thanyourDiversion,methinksmyMourningHabit, towhichmyCountenance andBehaviour are noway

Unconformable,mightinformyou,Iamlittledispos’dforRaillery.IfinEarnestyoucanfindanythinginmewhichpleasesyou,Imustconfessmyselfentirelyunworthy of the Honour, not only by my personal Demerits, but by theResolutionIhavemadeofConversingwithnoneofyourSexwhileIcontinueinItaly. I shou’d be sorry however to incurr the Aspersion of an unmannerlyContemner of Favours,which tho’ I do not desire, I pretend not to deserve. IthereforebegyouwillbelievethatIreturnthis,asIdidyourFormer,onlytoletyou see, that since I decline making any use of your Condescentions to myAdvantage; Iamnotungenerousenough todoso toyourPrejudice,and toallLadiesdeservingtheregardofaDisinterestedWellwisher;shallbean

HumbleServant,D’Elmont.

THECountorder’doneofhisServantstodeliverthisLettertothePersonwhobroughttheother;buthereturn’dimmediatelywithitinhisHand,andtoldhisLordshipthathecou’dnotprevailontheFellowtotakeit; thathesaidhehadbusinesswiththeCountandmustneedsseehim,andwassoImportunate, thatheseem’drathertoDemand,thanEntreataGrantofhisRequest.D’ELMONTwas

astonish’d,aswellhemight,butcommandedheshouldbeadmitted.

NOTHING cou’d be more comical than the appearance of this Fellow, heseem’dtobeaboutthree-scoreYearsofAge,butTimehadnotbeenthegreatestEnemytohisFace,fortheNumberofScars,wasfarexceedingthatofWrincles,hewastallabovethecommonStature,butsolean,that,tillhespoke,hemighthavebeen taken for oneof thoseWretcheswhohavepass’d theHandsof theAnatomists, nor wou’d his Walk have dissipated that Opinion, for all hisMotions,asheenter’dtheChamber,hadmoreoftheAirofClock-work,thanofNature; hisDresswas not less particular; he had on a Suit of Cloaths;whichmight perhaps have been good in theDays of hisGreatGrand-father, but thePersonwhotheyfittedmusthavebeenfivetimeslargerabouttheBodythanhimwhoworethem;alargebroadbuffBelthoweverremedy’dthatInconvenience,andgirt themcloseabouthisWaste, inwhichhungaFaulchion, twoDaggers,and a Sword of amore than ordinary Extent; the rest of his Equipage was aCloak,whichbuttoningroundhisNeckfellnotfolowashisHips,aHat,whichinrainyweatherkepthisShouldersdrymuchbetterthananIndianUmbrellaoneGlove and a formidable pair ofWhiskers. As soon as he saw the Count, myLord,saidhe,withaveryimpudentAir,myOrdersweretobringyourself,notaLetter fromyou, nordo I use tobe employ’d inAffairs of thisNature, but toserveoneottherichestandmostbeautifulLadiesinRome,whoIassureyou,itwill bedangerous todisoblige.D’elmont ey’dhim intenstively all the timehespoke,andcou’dscarce,notwithstandinghisChagreen,forbearLaughingattheFigur he made, and the manner of his Salutation. I know not, answer’d he,Ironically,whatEmploymentsyouhavebeenus’dto,butcertainlyyouappeartome,oneofthemostunfitPersonsintheWorldforwhatyounowundertake,andit the Contents of the Paper you brought me, had not inform’d me of yourAbilitiesthisWay,IshouldneverhavesuspectedyouforoneofCupid’sAgents:Youaremerry,myLord, reply’d theother,but Imust tellyou, IamaManofFamilyandHonour,andshallnotputupanAffront;but,continuedhe,shakingthefewHairswhichfrequentSkirmisheshadleftuponhisHead,Ishalldefermyownsatisfaction’tillIhaveprocur’dtheLadies;therefore,ifyourLordshipwillpreparetofollow,Ishallwalkbefore,ataperceivableDistance,andwithoutSt.Peter’sKey,opentheGateofHeaven.Ishouldbeapt(saidtheCount)notabletokeephisCountenanceattheseWords)rathertotakeitfortheotherPlace;butbeitasitwill,IhavenottheleastInclinationtomaketheExperiment,therefore,youmaywalkassoonasyoupleasewithoutexpectingmetoaccompanyyou.Thenyouabsolutelyresufusetogo(cry’dtheFellow,clappinghisHandonhisForhead,andstaringathim,asifhemeanttoscarehimintoCompliance!)Yes

(answer’dtheCount,laughingmoreandmore)Ishallneithergo,norwalkanyfarthertimeorWordswithyou,sowou’dadviseyounottobefaucy,ortarrytillmy Anger gets the better of myMirth, but take the Letter and be gone, andtroublemenomore.Theother;attheseWordssaidhisHandonhisSword,andwasabouttomakesomeveryimpudentReply,whenD’elmont,growingwearyofhisImpertinence,madeaSigntohisServants,thattheyshouldturnhimout,which he perceiving, took up theLetterwithout being bid a second time, andmuttering some unintelligible Curses between his Teeth, march’d out, in thesameaffectedStrut,withwhichheenter’d.

THISAdventure,tho’surprizingenoughtoaPersonsoentirelyunacquaintedwiththeCharacterandBehaviouroftheseBravo’s,asD’elmontwas,gavehimbutverylittlematterofReflection,anditbeingthetimeforEveningServiceatSt.Peter’s,hewent,accordingtohisCustom,tohearVesper’sthere.

NOTHING is more Common, than for the Nobility and Gentry of Rome, todivert themselves withWalking, and talking to one another in theCollonadeafterMass, and theCount, tho’averse toall,otherpublickAssemblies,wou’dsometimesspendanHourortwothere.

AShewaswalkingtherethisEvening,aLadyofaverygallantMeinpass’dswiftlybyhim,andflurtingoutherHandkerchiefwithacarelessAir,asitwerebyChance,drop’danAgnusDeisetroundwithDiamondsathisFeet,hehadtoomuchComplaisancetoneglectendeavouringtoovertaketheLady,andpreventthePainheimagin’dshewou’dbein,whensheshou’dmisssorichaJewel:Butshe, who knew well enough what she had done, left the Walk where theCompanywere,andcross’dovertotheFountain,whichbeingmoreretir’dwasthemostproperforherDesign:ShestoodlookingontheWater,inathoughtfulPosture,when theCount cameup to her, and bowing,with anAir peculiar tohimself,andwhichallhisChagreencouldnotdepriveofanirresitablePowerofattraction, Presented the AgnusDei to her. I think my self, Madam, said he,highly, indebted to Fortune, for making me the means of your recovering aJewel, the Loss of which wou’d certainly have given you some disquiet: OhHeavens!cry’dshe,receivingitwithanaffectedAirofSurprize,couldaTriflelikethis,whichIknewnotthatIhadletfall,norperhapsshou’dhavethoughtonmore,cou’dthis,andbelongingtoaWomantoo,meettheRegardofhim,whopridesinhisInsensibility?Him!WhohasnoEyesforBeauty,nornoHeartforLove!AsshespoketheseWordsshecontriv’dtoletherVailfallbackasifbyAccident,anddiscover’daFace,Beautifuleven toPerfection!Eyesblackandsparkling,aMouthform’dtoInvite,aSkindazlinglywhite,thro’whichamost

delightfulBloomdiffus’dachearfulWarmth’,andglow’d inamorousBlushesonherCheeks.TheCountcouldnotforbeargazingonherwithAdmiration,andperhaps,was, for aMoment, pretty near receed’ng from that Insensibility shehad reproach’d him with; but the Image of MELLINORA, yet unenjoy’d, allravishinglyKindandTender, roseprcsently inhisSoul, fill’dallhisFaculties,andleftnoPassagefreeforrivalCharms.Madam,saidheafteralittlePause,theItalianLadiestakecaretoskreentheirtoodazlingLustrebehindaCloud,and,ifI durst take that Liberty, have certainly reason to Tax your Accusation ofInjustice;he,onwhomtheSunhasnevervouchsafedtoshine,oughtnot tobecondemn’dfornotacknowledgingitsbrightness;yoursisthefirstFemaleFaceIhavebeheld,sincemyArrivalhere,anditwou’dhavebeenasridiculoustohavefeign’dmy self susceptibleofCharmswhich Ihadnever seen, as itwou’dbeStupidity,not toconfess those Inowdo,worthyAdoration.Well, resum’dshesmiling,ifnottheLover’s,Ifind,youknowhowtoActtheCourier’sPart,butcontinuedshe, lookinglanguishinglyonhim,allyoucansay,willscarcemakemebelieve, that there requires not amuchbrighterSun thanmine, toThawacertain FrozenResolution, you pretend to havemade. There need nomore toconfirm theCount in the Opinion he had before conceiv’d, that this was theLadyfromwhomhehadreceiv’dthetwoLettersthatDay,andthoughthehadnow the fairest Opportunity in the World to put an End to her Passion, byassuringherhowimpossibleitwasforhimevertoreturnit,andwasforminganAnswertothatpurpose;whenaprettydealofCompanycomingtowardthem,she drew herVail over her Face, and turning hastily from him,mingledwithsomeLadies,whoseem’dtobeofherAcquaintance.

THECount knew by experience, the unutterable Perturbations of Suspence,andwhatagonizingTortures rendanamorousSoul,dividedbetwixtHopeandandFear:DespairitselfisnotsoCruelasUncertainty,andinallIlls,especiallyin those of Love, it is less Misery to Know, than Dread the worst. TheRemembrance of what he had suffer’d thus agitated, in the Beginning ot hisPassionforMELLIORA,madehimextreamlypitytheunknownLady,andregrether Hidden Departure; because it had prevented him from setting her into somuchofhisCircumstances,ashebeliev’dwerenecessarytoinducehertorecallherHeart.Butwhenheconsider’dhowmuchhehadstruggled,andhowfarhehadbeenfrombeingabletorepelDesire,hebegantowonderthatitcou’deverenter into hisThoughts that therewas even a possibility forWoman, somuchstrongerinherFancy,andweakerinherJudgment,tosuppresstheInfluencceofthatpowerfulPassion;againstwhich,noLaws,noRules,noForceofReason,orPhilosophy,aresufficientGuard.

THESE Reflexions gave no small Addition to his Melancholy; Amena’sRetirement from theWorld,Alouisa’s JealousyandDeath,Melliora’sPeaceofMind andReputation, and theDespair of several, whom hewas sensible, theLoveofhim,hadrendredmiserable,camefreshintohisMemory,andhelook’donhimselfasmostunhappy,inbeingtheoccasionofmakingothersso.

THENightwhich succeeded thisDayofAdventures, chancing tobe abroadprettylate;ashewaspassingthro’aStreet,heheardaClashingofSwords,andgoing nearer to the placewhere theNoisewas, he perceived by some Lightswhich glimmer’d from a distant Door, a Gentleman defending himself withmuch Bravery against Three, who seem’d eager for his Death.D’elmont wasmov’dtothehighestIndignationatthesightofsuchBaseness;anddrawinghisSword,flewfuriouslyontheAssasins,justasoneofthemwasabouttorunhisSwordintotheBreastoftheGentleman;who,bythebreakingofhisownBlade,was left unarm’d. Turn Villain, cry’d D’elmont, or while yon are acting thatInhumanty, receive the just Reward of it from me. The Ruffian fac’d aboutimmediately,andmadeaPassathim,whileoneofhisComradesdidthesameontheotherside;andthethirdwasgoingtoexcuteontheGentleman,whathisfellowsSurprizehadmadehimleaveundone:Buthenowgain’dTimetopullaPistol out of his Pocket, with which he shot him in a Moment dead, andsnatchinghisSwordfromhimashefell,rantoassisttheCount,who’tislikelywou’d have stood in need of it, being engag’d with two, and those the mostdesparatesortofBravo’s,VillainsthatmakeaTradeofDeath.ButtheNoiseofthePistolmade themapprehensive therewasa fartherRescue,andput ’em toflight. The Gentleman seem’d agitated with a more than ordinary Fury; andinstead of slaying toThank theCount, or enquire howhe had escap’d, ran inpursuit of thosewho had assaulted him; so swiftly, that itwas in vain for theCount,notbeingwellaccaintedwith theTurningsof theStreets, toattempt tofollowhim,ifhehadaMindtoit:ButfeelingtherewasaMankill’d,andnotknowing either the Persons who fought, or the occacion of their Quarrel, herightly judg’d, thatbeingaStranger in theplace,hisWordwou’dnotbeveryreadilytakeninhisownVindication;thereforethoughthiswisestCoursewou’dbe to make off, with what Speed he cou’d, to his Lodging. While he wasconslidering, he saw something on theGroundwhich glitter’d extreamly; andtakingitup,foundthatitwaspartoftheSwordwhichtheaslaultedGentlemanhad theMisfortune to have broke: TheHiltwas of a fine Piece ofAgate, setroundontheTopwithDiamonds,whichmadehimbelievethePersonwhomhehadpreserv’d,wasofconfiderableQuality,aswellasBravery.

HEhadnotgonemanyPaces from theplacewhere theSkirmishhappened,beforeaCryofMurdermethisEars,andagreatConcourseeofPeoplehisEyes:He had receiv’d two or three slightWounds,which, tho’ notmuchmore thanSkin-deep, hadmade his Linnen bloody, and he knewwou’d be sufficient tomakehimbeapprehended,ifhewereseen,whichitwasverydifficulttoavoid:HewasinanarrowStreet,whichhadnoTurning,andtheCrowdwasverynearhim,whenlookingroundhimwithagooddealofVexationinhisThoughts,hediscern’daWall,whichinonepartofitseem’dprettylow;Hepresentlyresolv’dtoClimb it, and trust to Fortune forwhatmight befall him on the other side,rather than stay to be exposed to the Insults of the Outrageous Mob; who,ignorantofhisQuality,andlookingnofartherthantheoutsideofThings,wou’ddoubtlesshaveconsider’dhimnootherwise,thanaMidnightRioter.

WHEN he was got over theWall, he found himself in a very fine Garden,adorn’d with Fountains, Statues, Groves, and every Ornament, that Art, orNature,cou’dproduce,fortheDelightoftheOwner.AttheupperEndtherewasaSummer-house,intowhichhewent,designingtostay’tilltheSearchwasover.

BUT He had not beenmanyMoments in his Concealment before he saw aDooropenfromtheHouse,andtwoWomencomeout;theywalk’ddirectlyuptotheplacewherehewas;hemadenodoubtbutthattheydesign’dtoenter,andretir’d into the farthest Corner of it:As they came pretty near, he found theywereearnestinDiscourse,butcou’dunderstandnothingofwhattheysaid,’tillshe,whoseem’dtobetheChief,raisingherVoicealittlehigherthanshehaddone: Talk no more, Brione said she, if e’re thy Eyes are Blest to see thisCharmerofmySoul,thouwil’tceasetowonderatmyPassion;greatasitis,’tiswantingofhisMerit.—Oh!HeismorethanRaptur’dPoetsfeign,orFancycaninvent!SupposeHimso,(cry’dtheother,)yetstillhewants thatCharmwhichshou’d Endear the others to you — Softness, — Heavens! To Return yourLetters!ToInfultyourMessenger!ToflightsuchFavoursasanyManofSoulwou’ddietoobtain!MethinkssuchUsageshou’dmakehimodioustoyou,—evenIshou’dscornsospiritlessaWretch.Peace,thouProphaner,saidtheLadyinanangryTone,suchBlasphemydeservesaStab—ButthouhastneverheardhisVoice,norseenhisEyes,andI forgiveThee.Haveyouthenspoke tohim,interuptedtheConfidant,Yes,answerdtheLady,andbythatConversation,ammoreundonethanever;itwastotelltheethisAdventure,IcametoNightintothis agreeable Solitude.With theseWords they came into the Summer-house,and theLadyseatingherselfonaBench ;Thouknow’st,resum’dshe, IwentthisEvening toSaintPeter’s, there IsawthegloriousMan;sawhiminallhis

Charms;andwhileIbow’dmyKnee,inshowtoHeaven,mySoulwasprostrateonly to him. When the Ceremony was over, perceiving he stay’d in theCollonade, Ihadnopower to leave it,but stood, regardlesswhoobserv’dme,gazingonhimwithTranports,whichonlythosewho’Lovelikeme,canguess!— God!With what an Air he walk’d!What new Attractions dwelt in everyMotion—Andwhen he return’d the Salutes of any that pass’d by him, howgracefulwashisBow!HowloftyhisMein,andyet,howaffable!-—AsortofaninexpressibleawfulGrandeur,blendedwithtenderLanguishments,strikestheamaz’dBeholder at oncewith Fear and Joy!—Something beyondHumanityshinesroundhim!SuchlooksdescendingAngelswear,whensentonHeavenlyEmbassiestosomeFavouriteMortal!SuchistheirForm!SuchRadientBeamstheydart;andwithsuchSmilestheytempertheirDivinitywithSoftness!—Oh!WithwhatPaindidIrestrainmyselffromflyingtohim!fromrushingintohisArms!FromhangingonhisNeck,andwildlyutteringallthefuriousWishesofmyburningSoul!––I trembled—panted—rag’dwith inwardAgonies.Norwas all the Reason I cou’d muster up, sufficient to bear me from his Sight,without having first spoke to him.To that end I ventur’d to pass by him, anddrop’danAgnusDeiathisFeet,believingthatwou’dgivehimanOcccasionoffollowingme,which he did immediately, and returning it tome, discover’d anewHoardofun-imagin’dCharms—AllmyfondSoulconfess’dbeforeofhisPerfections, were mean to what I now beheld! Had’st thou but seen how heapproach’dme—withwhatanawfulReverence—withwhatasoftbeseeching,yetcommandingAir,hekiss’dthehappyTrifle,ashegaveitme,thouwould’sthaveenvy’ditaswellasI!Atlasthespoke,andwithanAccentsoDivine,thatif the sweetest Musick were compar’d to the more Celestial Harmony of hisVoice, itwou’donlyservetoprovehowvastlyNaturedo’sexcellallArt.But,Madam,cry’d theother, I am impatient to know the End of thisAffair; for Ipresumeyoudiscover’d tohimbothwhat, andwhoyouwere?MyFaceonly,reply’d theLady, fore’re Ihadopportunity todomore, thatmaliciousTrifler,Violletta, perhaps envious ofmyHappiness, came toward uswith aCrowdofImpertinents at her Heels. Curse on the Interruption, and broke off ourConversation,justatthatBlest,butIrrecoverableMoment,whenIperceiv’dinmyCharmingConqueror’sEye’s,agrowingTenderness,sufficienttoencourageme to reveal my own. Yes, Brione, those lovely Eyes, while fix’d on mine,shone, with a Lustre, uncommon, even to’ themselves — A livelier Warmtho’respread his Cheeks— Pleasure sat smiling on his Lips— those Lips,myGirl,whichevenwhentheyaresilent,speak;butwhenunclos’d,andthesweetGalesofbalmyBreathblowonyou,hekillsyouinaSigh;eachhurry’dSenseisravish’d and your Soul glowswithWonder andDelight. Oh! To be forc’d to

leavehim in thisCrisis,whennew-desirebegan todawn;whenLove itsmostlively Symptoms was apparent, and seem’d to promise all myWishes covet,what Separation ever was so cruel? Compose your self, dear Madam, saidBrione,ifhebereallyinLove;aswhosoInsensibleasnot tobeso, thatoncehas seen your Charms? That Love will teach him speedily to find out anopportunityasfavourableasthatwhichyouhavelatelymiss’d,’orifheshou’dwantContrivancetoprocurehisownHappineis,’tisbutyourwritingtoappointaMeeting.Hemust—Heshallbemine!Cry’dtheLadyinaRapture,MyLove,fierceasitwasbefore,fromHopereceivesAdditiontoitsFury;Irave—Iburn—IammadwithwildDesires—Idie,Brione,ifInotpossesshim.InspeakingtheseWords, she threwher selfdownonaCarpetwhichwas spreadupon theFloor;andaftersighingtwoorthreetimes,continuedtodiscovertheViolenceofherimpatientPassioninthismanner:OhthatthisNight,saidshe,werepast,—the Blisful Expectation of to morrows Joys, and the distracting Doubts ofDisappointment, swell my unequal bearing Heart by turns, and rack me withVicissitudesofPain––Icannotliveandbearit—soonastheMorningbreaks,I’llknowmyDoom—I’IIsendtohim—but’tisanAgetillthen—OhthatIcou’d sleep—Sleepmight perhaps anticipate theBlessing, and bring him inIdeatomyArms—but’tisinvaintohopeoneMoment’scoolSerenityinLovelikemine–myanxiousThoughtshurrymySensesinEternalWatchings!—OhD’elmont!D’elmont! Tranquill, Cold, and CalmD’el-mont! Little doest thouguess the Tempest thou hast rais’dwithinmy Soul, nor know’st to pity theseconsumingFires!

THECount list’ned to all this Discourse with a World of Uneasiness andImpatience; and tho’ at the firsthe fancy’dhe remember’d theVoice, andhadReason enough from the beginning, especially when the Agnus Dei wasmention’d,tobelieveitcou’dbenootherthanhimself,whomtheLadyhadsopassionatelydescrib’d;yethehadnotConfidence toappear tillshehadnam’dhim; but then, no considerarion was of force to make him neglect thisopportunity of undeceiving her; his good Sense, aswell as goodNature, kepthimfromthatVanity,toomanyofhisSeximitatetheweakerin,ofbeingpleas’dthat it was in his Power to create Pains, which it was not in his Power, sodevotedashewas,toease.

HE stept fromhisRetirementassoftlyashecou’d,becausehewas loath toalarmthemwithanyNoise, ’till theyshou’ddiscoverwhoitwas thatmade it,which theymight easily do, in his advancing toward themnever so little, thatpartoftheBowerbeingmuchlighterthanthatwherehehadstood;butwithhis

over-caution in sliding his Feet along, to prevent being heard, one of themtangledintheCorneroftheCarpet,whichhappenednottolieverysmooth,andnotbeingsensiblepresentlywhatitwasthatEmbarrass’dhim:HefellwithpartofhisBodycrosstheLady,andhisHeadinBrione’sLap,whowassittingontheGroundbyher.TheMannerofhisFallwasluckyenough,forithinder’deitherofthemfromrising,andrunningtoalarmtheFamily,ascertainlyinsuchafrighttheywou’d have done, if hisWeight had not detain’d them; they both gave agreatShriek,but theHousebeingat agooddistance, theycou’dnot easilybeheard; andhe immediately recoveringhimself, beg’dPardon for theTerror hehadoccasion’dthem,andaddressingtotheLady,whoatfirstwasdyingwithherFears,andnowwithConsternation:D’elmont,Madam,saidhe,cou’dnothavehadtheAssurancetoappearbeforeyou,afterhearingthoseundeserv’dPraisesyourExcessofGoodnesshasbeenpleas’dtobestowuponhim,butthathisSoulwou’d have reproached him of the highest Ingratitude, in permitting you tocontinue longer in an Error, which may involve you in the greatest ofMisfortunes, at least I am—Ashewas speaking, threeor fourServantswithLightscamerunningfromtheHouse;andtheLady,tho’inmoreConfusionthancanbewellexprest,hadyetPresenceofMindenoughtobidtheCountretiretothe place where he had stood before, while she and Brione went out of theSummer-housetolearntheCauseofthisInterruption:Madam,cry’doneoftheServants, as soon ashe sawher, theOfficersof Justice arewithin;whobeingrais’dbyanAlarmofMurther,cometobegyourLadyshipsPermissiontosearchyourGarden, being, as they say, inform’d that the Offendermade his Escapeover thisWall. ’Tisvery improbable, reply’d theLady, for I havebeenhere aconsiderableTime, andhaveneither heard the leastNoise,nor seen anyBody:However theymaysearch,andsatisfy themfelves—goyou,and tell themso.ThenturningtotheCount,whenshehaddismiss’dherServants;MyLord,saidsheTrembling,IknownotwhatstrangeAdventurebroughtyouheretoNight,orwhetheryouarethePersonforwhomtheSearchismade;butamsensible,ifyouarefoundhere,itwillbeequallyinjurioustoyourSafety,andmyReputation;Ihave a Back-door, thro’ which you may pass in Security: But, if you haveHonour,(continu’dshe)Sighing,Gratitude,orgoodNature,youwillletmeseeyou tomorrowNight.Madam, (reply’dhe,) assureyour self that therearenotmany things Imoreearnestlydesire thananopportunity toconvinceyou,howsensibly I am touch’dwith your Favours, and howmuch I regretmywant ofPowerto––you,(interruptedshe,)canwantnothingbuttheWilltomakemethehappiestofmySex—butthisisnoTimeforyoutoGive,ormetoReceiveanyProofsofthatReturnwhichIexpect—OncemoreIconjureyoutobeheretomorrowNight atTwelve,where theFaithfulBrione shall attend to admityou.

Farewell—bepunctualandsincere–’TisallIask—whenIamnot,answer’dhe),JmayallmyHopesforsakeme.BythistimetheywerecometotheDoor,whichBrione,openingsoftly,lethimout,andshutitagainimmediately.

THE Count took care to Remark the place that he might know it again,resolvingnothingmore than tomakegoodhisPromiseat theappointedHour,but cou’d not help being extreamly troubled, when he consider’d howunwelcomehisSinceritywou’dbe, and theConfusionhemustgive theLady,wheninsteadofthoseRapturestheViolenceofhermistakenPassionmadeherhope,sheshou’dmeetwithonlycoldCivility,andthekillingHistoryofthePre-engagementofhisHeart.IntheseandthelikemelanchollyReflectionshespentthe Night; and when Morning came, receiv’d the severest Augmentation ofthem,whichFatecou’dloadhimwith.

ITwas scarce fullDaywhen a Servant came into hisChamber to acquainthim,thatayoungGentleman,aStranger,desir’dtobeadmitted,andseem’dsoimpatient tillhewas,That,said theFellow,notknowingofwhatConsequencehisBusinessmaybe,IthoughtitbettertoRisqueyourLordship’sDilspleasurefor thisearlyDirturbance, thanbydismissinghim, fillyouwithanunfatisfy’dCuriosity. The Count was far from being Angry, and commanded that theGentlemanshouldbebroughtup,whichOrderbeing immediatelyobey’d, andtheServantwithdrawnoutofRespect:PuttinghisHeadoutoftheBed,hewassurpriz’dwith theAppearance of one of themost beautifulChevaliers he hadever beheld, and in whose Face, he imagin’d he trac’d some Features notUnknowntohim.Pardon,meSir,saidhe,throwingtheCurtainsmorebackthantheywerebefore, that1 receive theHonouryoudome, in thismanner—butbeing ignorantofyourName,Quality, theReasonofyourdesire toseeme,oranythingbutyourImpatiencetodoso,ingratifyingthat,Ifear,IhaveinjuredtheRespect,whichIbelieve,isdue,andwhich,Iamsure,myHeartisinclinabletopaytoyou.Visits,likemine,reply’dtheStranger,requirebutlittleCeremony,and I shall easily remit thatRespect you talkof,while I amunknown toyou,providedyouwillgivemeoneMarkofit,thatIshallaskofyou,whenyoudo.Thereareveryfew,reply’dD’elmont,thatIcou’drefusetoone,whoseAspectPromisestodeservesomany.Firstthen,cry’dtheotherprettywarmly,IdemandaSisterofyou,andnotonlyher,butaReparationofherHonour,whichcanbedonenootherwisethanbyyourBlood.ItisimpossibletorepresenttheCount’sastonishmentattheseWords,butconsciousofhisInnocenceinanysuchAffair:Ishou’dbesorrySeignior,saidhecooly, thatPreciptationshouldhurryyoutodoanyActionyouwou’dafterwardsRepent;youmustcertainlybemistakenin

thePerson towhomyou are talking—Yet, if Iwere rash like you,what fatalConsequencesmightensue;but there issomething inyourCountenancewhichengagesmetowishamorefriendlyInterviewthanwhatyouspeakof:Thereforewou’d persuade you to consider calmly, and you will soon find, andacknowledgeyourMistake; and, to further thatReflection, I assureyou, that IamsofarfromConversingwithanyLady,intheManneryouseemtohint,thatIscarcelyknowtheName,orFaceofanyone.—Nay,more,IgiveyoumyWord,towhich I joynmyHonour, that, as I neverhave, I neverwillmake the leastPretensionsofthatkindtoanyWomanduringtheTimeofmyResidencehere.ThispoorEvasion,reply’dtheStrangerwithaCountenanceallinflam’d,illsuitsaManofHonour.—This isnoRoman,no, ItalianBono-Roba,who Imean—butFrenchlikeyou—likebothofus.—AndifyourIngratitudehadnotmadeitnecessary for your Peace, to erace all Memory ofMonsieur Frankville, youwou’dbeforenow,bythenearresemblanceIbeartohim,haveknownmeforhisSon, and that ’tisMelliora’s— the fond— the soft— the ruin’dMelliora’sCausewhichcallsforVengeancefromherBrother’sArm!NeverwasanySoulagitated with more violent Emotions, than that of Count D’elmont at theseWords.Doubt,Grief,Resentment, andAmazement,made suchaConfusion inhis Thoughts, that he was unable for some Moments to answer this cruelAccusation;andwhenhedid,theBrotherofMelliorasaidhewithadeepSigh,wou’dcertainlyhavebeen,nexttoherself,themostwelcomePersonuponEarthtome;andmyJoytohaveEmbrac’dhimasthedearestofmyFriends,atleasthaveequall’d theSurprize I am in, to findhimwithoutCause,myEnemy.—But,Sir,ifsuchaFavourmaybegrantedtoanunwillingFoe,Iwou’ddesiretoknow.WhyyoujoynRuintoyourSistersName?Oh!GiemePatienceHeaven,cry’dyoungFrankvillemoreenrag’d;isthisaQuestionfitforyoutoask,ormetoAnswer?IsnotherHonourTainted––Famebetray’d.--HerselfaVagabond,and herHouse abus’d, and all by you; the unfaithful Guardian of her injuredInnocence:—AndcanyouasktheCause?—No,ratherrisethisMoment,andifyouareaMan,whodaremaintaintheillyouhavedone,defenditwithyourSword not with vain Words and Womanish Excuses: All the other Passionswhichhadwarr’dwithinD’elmont’Breast,nowgavewaytoIndignation:RashyoungMan, saidhe, jumpinghastily out of theBed, andbeginning to put hisCloathson:YourFatherwou’dno thushaveus’dme;nor, didheLive, cou’dblameme for vindicating as I oughtmywoundedHonour ––That I doLoveyourSifter,isasTrueasthatyouhavwrong’dme,—Baselywrong’dme.Butthat herVirtue suffers by that Love, is false!And Imustwrite, theMan thatspeaks it,Lyar, tho’ inherBrother’sHeart.ManyotherviolentExpressions tothesameEffect,pass’dbetweenthem,whiletheCountwasdressinghimself,for

hewou’dsuffernoServant tocome in, tobeWitnessofhisDisorder.But thesteady Resolution with which he had attested his Innocence, and thatinexpressible sweetness of Deportment, equally Charming to both Sexes, andwhich not even Anger cou’d render less graceful, extreamly cool’d the HeatFrankvillehadbeeninalittlebeforeandheinsecret,begantorecedeverymuchfromtheillOpinionhehadconceiv’d,tho’thegreatnessofhisSpiritkepthimfromacknowledginghehadbeeninanError;’tillchancingtocasthisEyesonaTablewhichstood in theChamber,hesawthehiltof thebrokenSwordwhichD’elmont had brought home the Night before, lying on it; he took it up, andhavingfirstlook’donitwithsomeConfusioninhisCountenance.MyLord,saidhe, turning to theCount, I conjureyou,beforeweproceed further, toacquaintme truely, how this came into your Possession, Tho’D’elmont had as great aCourage,whenanylaudableOccasionappearedtocallitforth,asanyManthateverliv’d,yethisnaturalDispositionhadsuchanuncommonSweetnessinit,asnoProvocation cou’d sowre; itwas always amuchgreaterPleasure to him toForgive thanPunish Injuries; and if at any time hewasAngry, hewas neverRude, orUnjust. The little starts of Passion,Frankville’s rash Behaviour hadoccasion’d, alldissolv’d inhismoreaccustomarySoftness,whenheperceiv’dtheothergrowingCalm.AndansweringtohisQuestion,withthemostobligingAccent intheWorld:ItwasmygoodFortune,(saidhe) tobeinstrumental lastNight, intheRescueofaGentlemanwhoappearedtohavemuchBravery,andbeingAttack’dbyodds,behav’dhimselfinsuchaManner,aswou’dhavemadehimstandbutlittleinneedofmyAssistance,ifhisSwordhadbeenequaltotheArmwhich held it; but the breaking of that, gaveme theGlory of not beingunserviceabletohim.AftertheSkirmishwasover,Itookitup,hopingitmightbe themeans sometime or other ofmy discoveringwho the Personwas,whoworeit;notoutofVanityofreceivingThanksforthelittleIhavedone,butthatIshou’dbegladoftheFriendshipofaPerson,whoseemssoworthymyEsteem.Oh far! (cry’dFrankville,with aTone andGesture quite altered,) infinitely farfromit–Itwasmyselfwhomyoupreserv’d;thatveryManwhoseLifeyoubutlast Night so generously redeem’d, with the hazard of your own, comes nowprepar’dtomakethefirstuseofitagainstyou—IsitpoflibjethatyoucanbesoheavenlygoodtoPardonmywildPassionsHeat?Letthisbewitness,withwhatJoyIdo,answer’dtheCount,tenderlyEmbracinghim,whichtheothereagerlyreturning; they continu’d lock’d in eachothersArms for a considerableTime,neither of them being able to say more, than — And was it Frankville IPreserv’d!––AndwasittoD’elmontIowemyLife!

AFTER thismutualDemonstrationofaperfectReconcilementwasover;See

W

here,myLord,saidFrankville,givingaPapertotheCount,heoccasionofmyRashness, and letmy just concern for aSistersHonour, be at least some littleMittigation ofmy Temerity, in accosting your Lordship in so rude aManner.D’elmontmadenoAnswer,butlookinghastilyoverthePaperfounditcontain’dtheseWords.

ToMonsieurFRANKVILLE.HILEyourSistersDishonourwasknownbuttofew,andtheinjuriousDestrroyerofit,outofthereachofyourRevenge;IthoughtitwouldillbecometheFriendshipIhavealwaysprofess’dtoyourFamily,to

disquietyouwith theKnowledgeofaMisfortune,whichitwasnowayinyourPowertoRedress.

BUT Count D’elmont, having by the Solicitation of his Friends, and theremembranceofsomeslightServices,obtain’daPardonfromtheKING,fortheMurderofhisWife;hassincetakenbutlittlecaretoconcealtheReasonswhichinduc’dhimtothatbarbarousAction;andallParisisnowsensiblethathemadethatunhappyLady’sLifeaSacrificetothemoreattraciveBeautiesofMelliora,inbloodyRecompencefortheSacrificeshehadbeforemadehimofherVirtue.

INshort, theNobleFamilyoftheFrankvillesis foreverdishonour’dby thisUnfaithfulGuardian; and all who wish you well, rejoice to hear that his illGeniushasledhimtoaplacewhich,ifheknewyouwereat,certainlyPrudencewou’d make him of all others most avoid; for none believes you will so fardegeneratefromtheSpiritofjourAncestors,astopermithimtogounpunish’d.

INfindingtheCount,youmayprobablyfindyourSistertoo;fortho’aftertheDeathofAlouisa,shamemadeherretiretoaMonastry,shehassinceprivatelyleft it without acquainting the Abbess, or any of the Sistesrhood, with herDeparture;norisitknowntoanyone,where,orforwhatCausesheabsconds;butmostPeopleimagine,asindeeditishighlyreasonable,thattheViolenceofherguiltyPassionforD’elmonthasengag’dhertofollowhim.

IamnotunsensiblehowmuchIshockyourTemperbythisRelation,buthavetoomuchrealconcernforyourHonour,toendureyoushou’d,thro’IgnoranceofyourWrongs,remainPassiveinsuchaCause,andperhapshugtheTreacherousFriend in your most strict Embrace? Nor can I forbear, tho; love not Blood,urgingyoutotakethatjustRevenge,whichnexttoHeavenyouhavethegreatest

Claimto.

Iam,Sir,withalldueRespect,

Yours,Sanseverin.

THE Count swell’d with Indignation at every Paragraph of this maliciousLetteri"butwhenhecametothat,whichmention’dMelliora’shavingwithdrawnherselffromtheMonastry,heseem’dtobewhollyabandon’dbyhisReason;allEndeavours to represent hisAgonieswou’d be vain, and none but thosewhohavefelt thesame,canhaveanyNotionofwhathesuffer’d.Heread thefatalScrollagainandagain,andeverytimegrewwilderthanbefore;hestamp’d,bithisLips,look’dfuriouslyabouthim,then,startingfromtheplacewherehehadstood, measur’d the Room in strange, disorder’d, and unequal Paces; all hisMotions,allhisLooks,allhisAirwerenothingbutDistraction:Hespokenotforsome time, oneWord, either prevented by the riling Passions in his Soul, orbecause it was not in the Power of Language to express the greatness of hisMeaning; and when, atlast, he open’d his Mouth, it was but to utter halfSentences,andbrokenComplainings:Isitpossible,hecry’d,—gone,—lefttheMonastryunknown—andthenagain—false—falseWoman?—Wretched—wretchedMan!There’snosuchThingonEarthasFaith—isthistheEffectofallhertenderPassion?—Sosoonforgot—whatcanbeherReason?—ThisAction kits not with her Words, or Letters. In this manner he rav’d with aThousand such like Breathings of a tormented Spirit, toss’d and confoundedbetweenvariousSentiments.

MONSIEURFrankville stood for a goodwhile silently observing him; and ifbefore,hewerenotperfectlyassur’dofhisInnocence,theAgonieshenowsawhim in, which were too natural to be suspected for Counterfeit, entirelyconvinc’dhimhewasso.WhenthefirstgustofPassionwasblownover,andheperceiv’danylikelyhoodofbeingheard,hesaidaThousandtenderandobligingThingstoperswadehimtoModeration,buttoverylittleEffect,tillfinding,thatthatwhichgavehimthemoststingingReflectionwas, theBelief thatMelliorahadforsooktheMonastry,eitherbecauseshethoughtofhimnomore,andwaswilling to divert her enfranchis’d Inclinationwith theGaieties ot theTownorthatsomehappierManhadsupplantedhiminherEsteem.Judgenot,myLord,(said he) so rashly of my Sister’s Fidelity, nor know so little of your ownunmatch’dPerfections,astosuspectthatshe,whoisBlestwithyourAffection,can consider any otherObject asworthy herRegard: Formy part, since your

Lordship knows, and I firmly believe, that this Letter contains a great manyUntruths,IseenoReasonwhyweshouldnotimagineitallofapiece:IdeclareIthink it much more improbable that she should leave the Monastry, unlesssollicitedtheretobyyou,thanthatshehadthePowertodenyyouanythingyourPassion might request. The Count’s Disorder visibly abated at thisRemonstrance;andsteppinghastilytohisCabinet,hetookoutthelastLetterhereceiv’dfromMelliora, and found itwasdatedbut twoDaysbefore that fromMonsieur Sanfeverin; he knew she had not Art, nor was accustom’d toendeavourtodisguiseherSentiments;andshehadwrittensomanytenderthingsin that, as when he gave himself leave to consider, he could not, withoutbelieving her to be either the most Dissembling, or most fickle of her Sex,continueintheOpinionwhichhadmadehim,afewMomentsbefore,souneasy,thatshewasnolonger,whatshealwayssubscrib’dherself,EntirelyHis.

THE Tempest ot Rage and Grief being hush’d to a little more Tranquillity,CountD’elmont, to remove all Scrupleswhichmight be yet remaining in theBreast ofMonsieurFrankville, entertain’d himwith the whole History of hisAdventures, from the Time of his Gallantry with Amena, to the Misfortuneswhichhadinduc’dhimtoTravel,disguisingnothingoftheTruth,butsomepartoftheDiscourseswhichhadpass’dbetweenhimandMelliora thatNightwhenhesurpriz’dherinherBed,andintheWilderness:Fortho’hefreelyconfess’dthe Violence of his own unbounded Passion, had hurry’d him beyond allConsiderations but those of gratifying it; yet he was too tender ofMelliora’sHonour, torelateanythingofher,whichherModestymightnotacknowledge,withouttheExpenceofaBlush.

Frankvillelist’nedwithabundanceofAttentiontotheRelationhemadehim,and could find very little in hisConduct to accuse:Hewas himself toomuchsusceptibleofthePowerofLove,nottohaveCompassionforthosethatsuffer’dbyit,andhadtoogreatashareofgoodSensenottoknowthat,thatPassionisnot to be Circumscrib’d; and being not only, not Subservient, but absolutelyControlleroftheWill,ititwouldbemeerMadness,aswellasillNature,tosayaPersonwasBlame-worthyforwhatwasunavoidable.

WHENLoveoncebecomesinourPower,itceasestobeworthyofthatName;noManreallypossestwithit,canbeMasterofhisActions;andwhateverEffectsit may Enforce, are no more to be Condemn’d, than Poverty, Sickness,Deformity,oranyotherMisfortuneincidenttoHumaneNature.Methinksthereisnothingmoreabsur’dthantheNotionsofsomePeople,whoinotherThingsarewiseenoughtoo;butwantingEleganceofThought,Delicacy,orTenderness

ofSoul,toreceivetheImpressionofthatharmoniousPassion,lookonthosetobemad,whohaveanySentimentselevatedabovetheirown,andeitherCensure,orLaugh, atwhat they are not refin’d enough to comprehend.These Insipids,whoknownothingoftheMatter,tellusverygravely,thatweoughttoLovewithModerationandDiscretion,—andtakeCarethatitisforourlnterest,—thatweshould never place our Affections, but where Duty leads, or at least, whereneither Religion, Reputation, or Law, may be a Hindrance to our Wishes.—Wretches!Weknowallthis,aswellasthey;weknowtoo,thatwebothdo,andleaveundonemanyotherThings,whichweoughtnot;butPerfectionisnottobeexpectedonthissidetheGrave:Andsince’tisimpossibleforHumanitytoavoidFrailtiesofsomekindorother,thosearecertainlyleastblamable,whichspringonlyfromatoogreatAffluenceofthenoblerSpirits.Covetousness,Envy,Pride,Revenge,aretheEffectsofanEarthly,Base,andSordidNature,Ambition,andLove, of anExaltedone; and if they areFailings, they are such as plead theirownExcuse,andcanneverwantForgivenessfromagenerousHeart,providednoindirectCoursesaretakentoprocuretheEndsoftheformer,norInconstancy,orIngratitude,staintheBeautyofthelatter.

NOTWITHSTANDINGall’thatMonsieurFrankvillecouldsay,theCount,tho’notintheRageofTemperhehadbeenin,wasyetverymelancholly;whichtheotherperceiving, Alas, my Lord, said he Sighing, if you were sensible of theMisfortunes of others, youwould think your ownmore easy to be born: YouLove,andareBelov’d;noObstacleremainsbetweenyouandyourDesires;buttheFormalityofCustom,whichalittletimewillRemove,andatyourreturntoParisyouwilldoubtlessbehappyif’tis inmySister’sPowertomakeyouso:YouhaveasureProspectofFelicitytocome,butmineispast,never,Ifear,toberetriev’d.Whatmeanyou?Cry’dtheCountprettymuchsurpriz’dathisWords,and theChangewhichheobserv’d inhisCountenance; IaminLove!Reply’dHe,Belov’d!Nay,haveEnjoy’d—Ay, there’s theSourceofmyDespair—IknowtheHeavenIhavelost,andthat’smyHell.––TheInterestD’elmonthadinhisConcerns,asbeingSontotheManwhomhehadlovedwithakindofsilialAffection,andBrother to theWomanwhomheador’dabove theWorld,madehim extreamly desirous to know what the Occasion of his Disquiet was, andhaving exprest himself to that purpose; I shall make no Difficulty, reply’dFrankville,torevealtheSecretofmyLove,tohimwhoisaLover,andknowssowell,howtopity,andforgive,theErrorswhichthatPassionwillsometimesleadusinto.TheCountwastooimpatienttoheartheRelationhewasabouttogivehim,tomakeanyotherAnswertotheseWordsthanwithahalfSmile;whichtheotherperceiving,without any fartherPrelude, began to satisfyhisCuriofitym

Y

thismanner.

TheHistoryofMonsieurFRANKVILLE.OUknow,myLord,saidhe,thatIwasbredatRheimswithmyUncle,theBishopofthatPlaceandcontinu’dwithhim,’tillafter,promptedbyGlory,

and hope of that Renown you have since so gallantly acquir’d; you left thePleasuresoftheCourtfortheFatiguesaudDangersoftheField:WhenIcamehome,Ineverceas’dsollicitingmyFathertopermitmetoTravel,’tillweary’dwithmycontinualJmportunies,andperhaps,notmuchdispleas’dwithmyThirstofImprovement,heatlastgaveleave.1leftParisalittlebeforetheConclusionofthePeace,andbythatmeansremain’dwhollyaStrangertoyourLordship’sPerson, tho’perfectlyacquaintedwith thoseadmirableAccompishmentswhichFameiseverywheresofullof.

IHAVEbeenintheCourtsofEngland,Spain,andPortugal,butnothingverymaterial hapning tome in any of thosePlaces, itwould be rather ImpertinentthanDiverting to defer, for Trifles, themainBusiness ofmyLife, tha’ ofmyLove,whichhadnota..Being’tillIcameintothisCity.

IHAD been here but a little Time before I had a greatmanyAcquaintance,amongtheNumberofthemwasSeigniorJaquesHonoriusCittolini:He,ofallthe rest, I was most intimate with; and tho’ to the Generality of People hebehav’dhimself,withanAirofImperiousness,hewastome,alltree,andeasy;heseem’dasifhetookaPleasureinObligingme;carry’dmeeverywherewithhim;introducedmetothebestCompany:WhenIwasabsenthespokeofme,asofPersonwhohehadthehighestEsteemfor;andwhenIwaspresent, if therewereany inCompanywhose rankoblig’dhim toplace themaboveme in theRoom;hetookcaretotestifythatIwasnotbelowtheminhisReflectsinfine,hewasnevermorehappythanwhenhewasgivingmesomeProofhowmuchhewasmyFriend;and Iwasnota little satisfy’d thataManofalmost twicemyYears should believeme qualify’d for hisCompanion in such amanner as hemademe.

WHEN themelanchollyAccount ofmy FathersDeath came tomyEars, heomittednothingtopersuademetosellmyEstateinFrance,andsettleinRome;he toldme he had aDaughter,whoseHeart had been the aim of the chiefestNobility;butthathewou’dbuymyCompanyatthatPriceandtokeepmehere,

wou’d giveme her. This Propositionwas not altogether so pleasing tome, asperhaps,heimagin’ditwou’dbe:IhadheardmuchTalkofthisLady’sBeauty,but I had never seen her; and at that Time, Love was little in my Thoughts,especially that sort which was to end in Marriage. However, I wou’d notabsolutely refuse hisOffer, but evaded it,which I had the better pretence for,becauseVioletta,(sowashisDaughtercall’d)wasgonetoVitterbotoVisitasickRelation,andIcou’dnothavetheopportunityofseeingher.Inthemeantime,hemademeacquaintedwithhisdeepestSecrets;amongmanyotherThingshetoldme, that tho’ theirFamilywasoneof thegreatest inRome,yetby the toogreatLiberalityofhisFather,himselfandoneSisterwasleftwithverylittletoSupporttheGrandeuroftheirBirth;butthathisSisterwhowasacknowledg’daWomanofanuncommonBeauty,hadthegoodFortunetoappearso,toSeigniorMarcariusFialajco:hewasthepossessorofimmenseRiches,butveryOld;butthe young Lady found Charms enough in his Wealth to ballance all otherDeficiencies,SheMarried,andBuriedhiminaMonth’sTime,andhedy’dsoful1offondnesstohisovelyBride,thatheleftherMistressofallhehadintheWorld;givingonly toaDaughterhehadbya formerWife, theFortunewhichher Mother had brought him, and that too, and herself to be dispos’d of, inMarriage,asthisTriumphantWidowshouldthinkfit;andshe,likeakindSister,thoughtnoneworthyofthatAlliance,butherBrother;andinafewDayshesaid,hedidnotdoubtbutthatIshou’dseehimaBridegroom.Iask’dhimifhewashappyenogh tohavemadean Interest in theyoungLady’sHeart;andheveryfranklyanswer’d,ThathewasnotofaHumourtogivehimselfmuchuneasinessabout it, since itwaswholly in hisSister’sPower tomakehimMaster of herPerson, and she resolv’d to do that, or Confine her in aMonastry for ever. Icou’d not help feeling aCompassionate concern for thisLady, tho’ shewas aStrangertome,forIcou’dnotbelieve,soBeautifulandaccomplish’daWoman,ashehadoftendescrib’dhertobe,cou’dfindanythinginherdesign’dHusbandwhich cou’dmake thisMatch agreeable.No thing canbemoredifferent fromGraceful, than the Person ofCittolini; he is of a black swarthy Complexion;hook’d-Nos’d,wallEy’d,shortofStature;andthenheisveryLean,theworst-shap’dManIeversaw;thenforhisTemper,asfriendlyashebehav’dtomeIdiscern’d a great deal of Treachery, and Baseness in it to others; a perpetualpeevishness and Pride appear in his Deportment to all those who had anydependanceonhim:AndIhadbeentoldbysomewhoknewhimperfectlywell,thathiscruelUsageofhisfirstLadyhadbeenthemeansofherDeath;butthatwasnoneofmyBusiness, and tho’ Ipity’d theLady,yetmygratitude tohimengag’dmetowishhimSuccessinallhisUndertakings.’TilloneDay,unlucklybothforhimandme,asithassinceprov’d;hedesir’dmetoAccompanyhimto

the House of Camilla Ciamara, for so is his Sister call’d, being, willing Ifi....pose, that I shou’d be aWitness of the extraordiry State she liv’d in; andindeed,inalltheCourtsIhavebeenat,IneversawanythingmoreMagnificentthanherApartments; thevast quantityofPlate; theRichnessof theFurniture,and the number of Servants attending onHer,might havemade her be takenratherforaPrincess, thanaprivateWoman.TherewasaverynobleCollation,andshesatatTablewithus,herself,aparticularFavourfromanItalianLady.SheisbymanyYearsyoungerthanherBrother,andextreamlyHandsome;buthas,Iknownotwhat,offiercenessinherEyes,whichrendersher,atleasttome,aBeauty,withoutaCharm.After theEntertainment,Cittolini tookme into theGardens,whichwereanswerabletowhatIhadseenwithin,fullofCuriosities;atoneendtherewasalittleBuildingofMarble,towhichheledme,andenteringintoit,seehere,Monsieur,saidhe,thePlacewheremySisterspendsthegreatestpart of herHours, and tellme if ’tis in this kindofDiversion that theFrenchLadies take Delight. I presently saw it was full of Books, and guess’d thoseWordsweredesign’d as aSatyr onourLadies,wholedisposition toGallantryseldomaffordsmuchtimeforReading;buttomakeasgoodaDefencefortheirHonourasIwasable.Seignior,reply’dI,itmustbeconfest,thatthereareveryfewLadiesofanyNation,who think theAcquisitionofKnowledge,worth thePains it must cost them in the Search, but that ours is not without someExamples, thatallarenotof thatMind;ourfamousD’anois,andD’aciermayevince.Well,Well,interruptedhelaughing;thepropensitywhichthatSexbearstoLearning is so trifling, that I shall notpretend tohold anyArgumenton itsPraise;nordid Ibringyouhere somuch to engageyou toAdmiremySistersmanner of Amusement, as to give you an Opportunity of diverting your self,while Igo topayaCompliment tomyMistress;who, tho’ IhaveaverygreatConfidenceinyoo,Idarenottrustwiththesightofsoaccomplish’daChevalier.WiththeseWordsheleftme,andI,designingtodoashehaddesir’d;turn’dtotheShelvestotakedownwhatBookIcou’dfindmostSuitabletomyHumour;butgoodGod!AsIwastumblingthemover,Isawthro’aWindowwhichlook’dintoaGardenbehindtheStudy;tho’bothbelongingtoonePerson:AWoman,orratherAngel,comingdownaWalkdirectlyoppositetowhereIwas,neverdidIseeinonePersonsuchvariousPerfectionsblended,neverdidanyWomanwearsomuchofherSoulinherEyes,asdidthisCharmer:IsawthatmomentinherLooks, all I have since experienc’d of her Genius, and her Humour; Wit,Judgment,goodNatureandGenerosityareinherCountenance,conspicuousasinherActions;but togoabout tomakeaDescription,were towrongher;ShehasGracessopeculiar,thatnonewithoutknowingher,canbeabletoconceive;andtho’nothingcanbefinerthanherShape,ormoreregularthanherFeatures;

yet those, our Fancy or a Painters Art may Copy: There is something soinexpressibly striking in her Air; such a delightful Mixture of awful andattractive in every little Motion, that no Imagination can come up to. But ifLanguageistoopoortopaintherCharms,howshallImakeyousensibleoftheEffectsof themonme!TheSurprize—theLove—theAdorationwhich thisfatalViewinvolv’dmein,butbythatwhich,yousay,yourselffeltatthefirstSight ofMelliora. Iwas,methought all Spirit,— I beheld herwithRaptures,suchasweimagineSoulsenjoywhenfreedfromEarth,theymeeteachotherintheRealms ofGlory; ’twasHeaven to gaze upon her:ButOh!TheBlisswasshort, theEnviousTrees obscur’d herLustre fromme.—TheMoment I lostSightofher,IfoundmyPassionbymyPain,theJoywasvanish’d,buttheStingremain’d—Iwassobury’dinThought,thatIneversomuchasstirr’daSteptoendeavourtodiscoverwhichwayshewent;tho’ifIhadconsider’dtheSituationof the Place, it would have been easy for me to have known, there was aCommunicationbetweenthetwoGardens,andifIhadgonebutafewPaces,outoftheStudy,musthavemether;butLovehadforthepresentdepriv’dmeofmySences; and it but just enter’d into my Head that there was a Possibility ofrenewingmyHappiness, when I perceiv’dCittolini returning.When he cameprettynear;DearFrankville,saidhe,pardonmyNeglectofyou;butIhavebeenatCamilla’sApartment,andamtoldsheisinthelowerGarden;Iwillbutspeakto her, snatch a Kiss and be with you again: He went hastily by me withoutstayingforanyAnswer,and itwaswellhedidso, for theConfusionIwas in,hadmademelittleabletoreply.HisWordsleftmenoroomtohopeitwasanyotherthanCamillaIhadseen,andtheTreacheryIwasguiltyoftomyFriend,inbutwishingtoinvadehisRight,gavemeaRemorsewhichIhadneverknownbefore:But theseReflexions lastednot long;LovegenerallyexertshimselfontheseOccasions,andisneveratalossformeanstoremovealltheScruplesthatmay be rais’d to oppose him. Why, said I to my self, should I be thusTormented? She is not yet married, and ’tis almost impossible she can withSatisfaction,everyieldtobeso,tohim.CouldIbuthaveopportunitytoTalktoher, to let her know my Passion, — to endeavour to deliver her from theCaptivitysheisin,perhapsshewouldnotcondemnmyTemerity:IfoundagreatdealofPleasureinthisThought,butIwasnotsuffer’dtoenjoyitlong;Honoursuggested tome, thatCittolini lov’dme,hadOblig’dme, and that to supplanthimwould be Base and Treacherous: Butwould it not bemore so, cry’d theDictatesofmyLove, topermit theDivineCamilla to fallaSacrifice toonesoeverywayundeservingofher;onewho’tislikelysheabhors;onewhodespisesherHeart,sohemaybutpossessherFortunetosupporthisPride,andherPersontogratifyaPassionfarunworthyoftheNameofLove;One!who’tisprobable,

M

whenMasteroftheoneandsatiatedwiththeother,maytreatherwiththeutmostInhumanity.Thus,foratime,weremyThoughtsatStrife;butLoveatlengthgottheVidiory,andIhadsowellcompos’dmyselfbeforeCittolini’sReturnthathesaw nothing of the Disorder I had been in; but it was not so with him, hisCountenance,atthebestdispleasingenough,wasnowtheperfectRepresentativeof Ill Nature, Malice, and Discontent.Camilla had assur’d him, that nothingcouldbemore herAversion, and that shewas resolv’d, tho’ aMonastickLifewaswhatshehadnoInclinationto,yetshewouldflytothatShelter,toavoidhisBed.Youmayimagine,myLord,IwasTransportedwithanExcessofJoy,whenhetoldmethis;butLovetaughtmetodissembleit,’tillIhadtakenleaveofhim,whichImadeanExcusetodo,assoonaspossible.

NOwallthattroubledmewastofindanOpportunitytodeclaremyPassion;and,Iconfess,1wassodullinContrivance,thattho’ittookupallmyThoughts,none of them were to any purpose: Three or four Days I spent in fruitlessProjections, the last of which I met with a new Embarrashment; Cittolini’sDaughterwasretum’dherenew’dhisDesiresofmakingmehisSon,andinvitedmethenextEveningtohisHouse,whereIwastobeentertain’dwiththefightofher; IcouldnotwellavoidgivinghimmyPromise tobe there,but resolv’d inmyMindtobehavemyselfinsuchamannerasshouldmakehetdisapproveofme.While Iwas thusbusied inContrivinghow toavoidViolletta, and engageCamilla,aWomanwraptupverycloselyinherVailcametomyLodgings,andbroughtmeaNote,inwhichIfoundtheseWords.

ToMonsieurFRANKVILLE.

YFatherisresolv’dtomakemeYours;andifhehasyourConsent,minewill not be demanded’, he has Commanded me to receive you to

morrowy,butIhaveaparticularReasontodesiretoseeyousooner;IamtopafsthisNightwithCamillaatmyAuntCiamara; there isa littleWicket thatopensfrom the Garden, directly opposite to the Convent of St. Francis, if you willfavourmesofarastocomethereatTen-aClocktoNight,andgiveSevengentleKnocks at the Gate: You shall know the Cause of my Entreating this privateInterview,whichisofmoreMomentthantheLifeof

Violetta.

NEVERhadIbeenmorepleasinglysurpriz’d,thanattheReadingtheseLines;I could not imagine the Lady could have any other Reason for seeing me inprivate, thantoconfessthatherHeartwaspre-engag’d,anddisswademefromtakingtheAdvantageofherFather’sAuthority,asecretHopetoo,sprungwithinmySoul,thatmyAdorableCamillamightbewithher;andafterIhaddismiss’dtheWoman,withanAssurancethatIwouldattendherLady,IspentmyTimeinvastIdea’sofapproachingHappiness’tilltheappointedHourarriv’d.

BUT how great was my Disappointment, when being admitted, I cou’ddistinguish, tho’ the Placewas very dark, that Iwas receiv’d but by one, andaccostedbyher, inamannerverydifferent fromwhat Iexpected: Iknownot,Monsieur,saidshe,howyouinterpretthisFreedomIhavetaken,butwhateverwepretend,ourSex,ofall Indignities,can the least support thosedone toourBeauty;IamnotvainenoughofminetoassuremyselfofmakingaConquertofyourHeart; and if theWorld shouldknowyouhaveseen,andrefus’dme,myflightedCharmswouldbe theThemeofMirth to thosewhoseEnvynow theyare:Ithereforebeg,thatIamdislik’d,nonebutmyselfmayknowit;whenyouhave seen my Face, which you shall do immediately, give me your Opinionfreely; and if it is not tomyAdvantage,make somepretence tomyFather toavoid coming to our House. I protest to you, my Lord that I was so muchsurpriz’datthisoddkindotproceeding,thatIknewnotpresentlyhowtoReply,whichsheimaginingbymySilence:Come,come,Monsieur,saidshe,Iamnotyet on even Termswith you, having often seen your Face, and youwholly aStrangertomine.ButwhenourKnowledgeofeachother isMutal, IhopeyouwillbeasfreeinyourDeclarationasIhavebeeninmyRequest.TheseWordsIthought were as proper for my purpose as I cou’d wish, and drawing back alittle, as she was about to lead me: Madam, said I, since you have thatAdvantage,methinksitwerebutjust,youshou’drevealwhatsortofSentimentsthesightofmehasinspir’d,forIhavetoomuchReasonfromtheKnowledgeofmyDemerit,tofear,youhavenootherdesigninexposingyourCharms,thantoTriumphin theCaptivatingaHeartyouhavealreadydoom’dtoMisery; Iwilltellyounothing,answer’dshe,ofmySentiments’tillIhaveaperfectknowledgeofyours.As she spoke this, she gaveme herHand to conduitme out of thatPlace of Darkness; as we went, I had all the Concern at the apprehension ofbeing toomuchapprov’dofby thisyoungLady, as I shou’dhavehad for thecontrary,ifIhadimaginedwhoitwasIhadbeentalkingwith,forassoonaswecameoutoftheGrotto,IsawbythelightoftheMoon,whichshonethatNight,with an uncommon Lustre, the Face which in those Gardens had before soCharm’dme,andwhichhadneversincebeenabsentfrommyThoughts.What

Joy,whatamixtureofExtacyandWonder, thenfill’dmyraptur’dSoulat thissecondview, I cou’dnot presently trustmyEyes, or thinkmyHappinesswasreal:Igazd,andgaz’dagain,insilentTransport,forthebigBliss,surpass’dthereachofWords.WhatMonsieur,saidshe,observingmyConfusion,areyouyetDumb,is thereanythingsodreadful in theformofVioletta, todepriveyouofyourSpeech?NoMadam,reply’dI,’tisnotViolettahasthatPower,butshe,whounknowingthatshedidso,caughtatfirstsighttheVictoryo’remySoul;she!forwhomIhaveventedsomanySighs!sheforwhomIlanguish’dandalmostdy’dfor;whileViolettawasatVitterbo:She!TheDivineCamillaonlycou’dinspireaPassionsuchasmine!––OhHeavens!cry’dshe,andthatinstantIperceiv’dherlovelyFaceall crimson’do’rewithBlushes; is it thenpossible thatyouknowme,haveseenmebefore,andthatIhavebeenabletomakeanyImpressiononyou?IthentoldheroftheVisitIhadmadetoCiamarawithCittolini,andhowbyhisleavingmeintheMarble-Study,Ihadbeenblestwiththesightofher;andfromhisFriendbecamehisRival:IletherknowtheConflictsmyHonourandmyObligationstoCittolinihadengagedmein;thethousandvariousInventionsLove had suggested to me, to obtain that Happiness I now enjoy’d, theopportunityofdeclaringmyselfherSlave;andinshort,conceal’dnottheleastThought,tendingtomyPassion,fromHer.She,inrequital,acquaintedme,thatshe had often seenme fromherWindow, go into theConvent of St.Francis,walking in the Collonade at St. Peters, and in several other Places, and,promptedbyanextravaganceofgoodNature,andGenerosity,confess’d,thatherHeart Felt something at those Views, very prejudicial to her Repose: ThatCittolini,alwaysdisagreeable,wasnowgrownOdious ; that theDiscourseshehadheardofmy intendedMarriagewithhisDaughter,hadgivenheranalarmimpossible to be express’d, and that, unable longer to support the Pangs ofundiscover’dPassion,shehadwrittomeinthatLadiesName,whosheknewIhadneverseen, resolving, if I lik’dherasVioletta, toownherselfCamilla, ifnot, to go the next Day to a Monastry, and devote to Heaven those CharmswhichwantedforcetomakeaConquestwherealoneshewish’dtheyshou’d,Imust leave it to your Lordship’s imagination to conceive thewild tumultuoushurryofdisorder’dJoywhichfill’dmyravish’dSoulatthisCondescention;forIam now as unable to describe it, as I was then to thank the Dear, the tenderAuthorofit;butwhatWordshadnotPowertodo,LooksandActionstestified:IthrewmyselfatherFeet,Embrac’dherKnees,andkiss’dtheHandsherais’dme with, with such a Fervor, as no false Love cou’d feign; while she, allsoftness, all divinely Kind, yielded to the pressure of my glowing Lips, andsuffer’dme to takeall the freedomwhichHonourandModestywou’dpermit.This interviewwas too felicitous to be easily broken off, itwas almost broad

Daywhenweparted,andnothingbutherPromise,thatIstou’dbeadmittedthenextNight,cou’dhaveenabledmetotakeleaveofher.

Iwentawayhighlysatisfy’d,asIhadgoodReason,withmyCondition,andafter recollectling all the tender Passages of our Conversation; I began toconsiderafterwhatmannerIshou’dproceedwithCittolini:ToVisitandAddresshisDaughter,Ithought,wou’dbeTreacherousandDeceitfultothelastdegree;and how to come off, after the Promise Imade of seeing her that Evening. Icou’dnot tell, at last, sinceNecessityoblig’dme toone I resolv’dof, the twoEvilstochusetheleast,andrathertoseemRudethenBase,whichImusthavebeen, had I by counterfeiting a Desire to engage Violetta, left room for apossibilityofcreatingoneinher.Itherefore,writ,toCittolinianExcusefornotwaitingonHimandhisDaughter,asIhadpromis’d,tellinghimthatI,onmoreseriousReflectionfounditwhollyinconsistent,eitherwithmyCircumstances,orInclinations,tothinkofpassingallmyLifeinRome;thatIthank’dhimfortheHonour he intendedme, but that it wasmyMisfortune, not to be capable ofaccepting it. Thus, with all the Artifice I was Master of, I endeavour’d tosweetenthebitterPillofRefusal,butinvain;forhewassomuchDisgustedatit,that he visitedme nomore: I cannot say, I hadGratitude enough to bemuchconcern’datbeingcompell’dtousehiminthisFashion;for,sinceIhadbeheld,andAdor’dCamilla,Icou’dconsiderhimnolongerasaFriend,butasthemostdangerousEnemytomyHopesandme.AllthistimeIspentthebestpartoftheNightswithCamilla,andinoneofthem,aftergiving,andreceivingathousandVowsofeverlastingFaith,Isnatch’daluckingMoment,andobtainedfromtheDear,meltingCharmer,allthatmyFondest,andmosteagerWishescou’daspireto.Yes,myLord,thesoft,thetremblingFair,dissolv’dinLove;yieldedwithoutReserve,andmetmyTransportswithanequalArdor;andItrulyprotesttoyourLordship,thatwhatinothers,pallsDesire,addedfreshForcetomine;themoreIknew; themore Iwas inflam’d,and in thehighestRapturesofEnjoyment, theBlisswasdash’dwithFears,whichprov’dalas,but tooProphetick, that somecurstChancemightdrivemefrommyHeaven:Therefore,tosecureitmineforever..Ipress’dthelovelyPartnerofmyJoys,togivemeleavetobringaPriestwithmethenextNight;whobygivingaSanctiontoourLove,mightputitpastthe Power ofMalice to Disunite us: Here, I experienc’d the greatness of herSoul, and her almost unexampledGenerosity; for in spite of all herLove, herTenderness,andtheunboundedCondescentionsshehadmademe,itwaswithallthedifficultyintheWorld,thatIpersuadedhertothinkofMarryingmewithoutaFortune;whichbyherFather’sWill,waswhollyintheDisposalofCiamara,who it wou’d have been Madness to Hope, wou’d ever bestow it upon me.

W

However,myArgumentsatlastprevailed;IwastobringaFryaroftheOrderofSt.Francis, who was my intimate Friend, the next Night to join our Hands;whichdone,shetoldme,shewou’dadvisetoleaveRomewithwhatspeedwecou’d, for she doubted not butCittolini wou’d make use of any means, tho’never so base or Bloody, to Revenge his Disappointment. This Proposalinfinitelypleas’dmeandafterIhadtakenleaveofher,IspenttheremainderoftheNight,incontrivingthemeansofourEscape:EarlyintheMorningIsecur’dPost-Horses, and then went to the Convent of St. Francis; a Purse of LewisD’ors soon engag’d the Fryar to my Interest, and I had every thing ready inwonderfulOrder,considering theshortnessof theTime, forourDefign:WhenreturningHometowardsEvening,aswelltotakealittlerestaftertheFatigueIhadhad,astogivesomeothernecessaryDirections,concerningtheAffairtomyServants,whenoneofthemgavemeaLetter,whichhadbeenjustleftforme.

MonsieurFrankvillecou’dnotcome to thisPartofhisStory,withoutsomeSighs,butsuppressingthemaswellashewasable,hetooksomePapersoutofhisPocket,andsinglingoutone,readtotheCountasfollows.

ToMonsieurFRANKVILLE.

ITH what Words can I represent the greatness of my Misfortune, orExclaimagainstthePerfidyofmyWoman?Iwasoblig’dtomakeherthe

Confidant of my Passion, because without her Assistance, I cou’d not haveenjoy’d the Happiness of your Conversation, and ’tis by her that I am nowBetrayed—undone,—losttoallhopesofeverseeingyoumore—WhathaveInotendur’dthisDay,fromtheupbraidingsofCiamaraandCittolini,but that Ishou’ddespise,nay,myownRuintoo,ifyouweresafe—ButOh!theirMaliceaims to woundmemost, through you— Bravo’s are hir’d, the Price of yourBloodispaid,andtheyhavesworntotakeyourLife—GuarditIconjureyou,ifyouwou’dpreservethatofCamilla’s.AttemptnottocomenearthisHouse,norwalk alone, when Night may be anUmbrage to their Designs.—; I hearmycruelEnemiesreturningtorenewtheirPersecutions,andIhaveTimetoinformyonnomore, than that ’tis to theGenerousVioletta, youare indebted for thisCaution:She, inpityofmyAgonies,and topreventherFather fromexecuting

O

theCrime he intends; conveys this to you, flight it not, if youwou’d havemebelieveyouLove,

Camilla.

WHATaturnwashere(continu’dhe,sadly)inmyFortune?HowonasuddenwasmySceneofHappinesschang’dtotheblackestDespair?—Butnottotireyour Lordship, and spin out my Narration, which is already too long withunavailing Complainings. I every Day expected a Challenge from Cittolini,believinghewou’d,at least, take thatMethodat first,but it seemshewas forchusing the surest, not the fairestway:And I have since prov’d, thatmyDearCamillahadtoomuchReasonfortheCautionshegaveme.TenDaysIlingredoutwithoutbeingabletoinventanymeans,eithertoseeher,orwritetoHer;attheendofwhich,Ireceiv’danotherLetterfromHer,which,ifIweretotellyoutheSubstanceof,wou’dbetowrongher;sincenoWordsbutherownarefittoExpressherMeaning,and’tisforthatReasononly,IshallReadit.

ToMonsieurFRANKVILLE.

FalltheWoeswhichwaitmhumaneLife,surethereisnoneEqualtothataLoverfeelsinAbsence;’tisakindofHell,anearnestofthosePains,we

are told, shall be the Portion of theDamn’d—TenwholeNights, andDays,accordingtothevulgarReckoning,butinmine,asmanyAges,haveroll’dtheirtediousHoursawaysincelastIsawyou,inallwhichtime,myEyeshaveneverknownoneMomentcessationfrommyTears,normysadHeartfromAnguish;restlessIwanderthro’thishatedHouse—Kisstheclos’dWicket—stop,andlookateveryPlacewhichIrememberyourdearstepshaveblest,then,withwildRavings,thinkofpastJoys,andcursemypresentWoes.—yetyouperhapsareCalm,nosympathisingPanginvadesyourSoul,andtellsyouwhatminesuffers,else,youwou’d,youmusthavefoundsomeMeanstoeaseyourselfandme—’tistrue,Ibidyounotattemptit—butOh!Ifyouhadlov’dlikeme,youcou’dnothaveobey’d––Desirehasno regard toPrudence, it despisesDanger, andover-looksevenImpossibilities—butwhetheramIgoing?—Isay,Iknownotwhat—Oh,marknotwhatDistractionutters!ShunthesedetestedWalls!—’tisReasonnowcommands!flyfromthisHouse,whereinjur’dLove’senslav’d,and

DeathandTreacheryreign––Ichargetheecomenotnear,norprovethyFaithsohazardous away— forgive the little Fears,which ever dwellwithLove— Iknowthouartallsincerity!—allGod-likeTruth,andcan’stnotchange—yet,if thou shouldst,— tormentingThought!—Why then, there’s not aHeaven-abandon’dWretch, so lost— so Curst as I—What shall I do to shake offApprehension?inspiteofallthyVows—thyardentVows,whenIbutthinkofanyMaid,byLove,andfondbeliefundone,adeadlycoldrunsthro’myVeins,congealsmyBlood,andchillsmyverySoul!—GazingontheMoonlastNight,herLustrebrought fresh tomyMemory those transportingMoments,whenbythatLightIsawyoufirstaLover,and,IthinkInspiredme,whoamnotusuallyfondofVersifying,tomakeherthisComplaint.

M

The Unfortunate CAMILLA’s Complaint to theMoon,fortheAbsenseofherDearHENRICUSFRANKVILLE.

ild Queen of Shades! Thou sweetly shining Light! Once, m more thanPhoebus,welcometomySight.

’TwasbythyBeamsIfirstHENRICUSsawAdorn’dwithsoftness,anddisarm’dofawe!Neverdid’stthouappearmorefair!morebright!ThanonthatDear,thatCause-remembredNight!WhenthedullTyesofFriendshiphedisclaim’d,AndtoInspireatend’rerPassionaim’d:Alas!hecou’dnotlong,invain,imploreForthat,whichtho’unknown,washisbefore;NorhadIArttheSecrettoDisguise,MySoulspokeallherMeaningthro’myEyes,AndeveryGlancebright’nedwithgladSurprise!LosttoallThought,butHisTransportingCharms,Isunk,unguarded!MeltinginhisArms!Blestatthatlavishrate,myState,thatHourI’dnothaveChang’dforallinfortune’sPow’r,Nay,haddescendingAngel’sfromonHighSpreadtheirbrightWingstowasfmetotheSky,Thusclasp’d!CoelestialCharmshadfail’dtomoveAndHeav’nbeenslighted,forHENRICUSLove.HowdidIthenthyhappyInfluenceBless?HowwatcheachjoyfulNight,thyLightsencrease?ButOh!Howalter’dsince—Despairingnow;IViewthyLustrewithcontractedBrow:Pensive,andsullenfromtheRayswou’dhide,AndscarcetheglimmeringStar’smyGriefsabide,InDeath-likedarknesswou’dmyFatedeplore,AndwishTheetogodown,toRisenomore!

PITY the Extravagance of a Passion which only Charms like thine cou’dCreate,nortooseverelychidethissoftImpertinence,whichIcou’dnotrefrain

sendingyou,whenIcanneitherseeyou,norhearfromyou:towrite,givessomelittlerespite tomyPains ,because Iamsureofbeing inyourThoughts,whileyouartReadingmyLetters.TheTenderHearedVioletta,preferringtheTyesofFriendshiptothoseofDuty,givesmethishappyopportunity,butmyIll-fortunedeprivesme too of her, she goes toMorrow to her fathers Villa, andHeavenknowswhenIshallfindmeanstosendtoyouagain.

Farewel,ThouLoveliest,Dearest,andDivineCharmer––ThinkofmewithaConcern full of Tenderness, but that is not enough; and youmust pardonme,whenIconfess,thatIcannotforbearwishingyoumightfeelsomeofthosePains,impatientlongingbrings.—Allothersbefaraway,asfar,asJoyis,whenyouareabsentfrom

YourUnfortunate

Camilla.

P.S.Since Iwrit this, aFancycame intomyHead, that if youcou’d findaFriendTrustyenough toconfide in,andoneunknown toourFamily,hemightgain admittance tome inCittolini’s Name, as sent by him, while he is at theVilla.Iflattermyselfyouwilltakeasmuchpleasureinendeavouringtoletmehearfromyou,asIdointhehopeofit.OncemoreAdieu.

YOURLordshipmay judge, bywhat I have toldyouof theSincerity ofmyPassion,howgladIshouldhavebeentohavecomply’dwithherRequest,butitwasutterlyimpossibletofindanybodyfitforsuchaBusiness:Ipass’dthreeorfour Days more, in Disquietudes too great to be expresst; I faunter’d up anddowntheStreetwheresheliv’d,inhopestoseeheratsomeoftheWindows,butFortuneneverwassofavourabletome,thusIspentmyDays,andleftthesightofthosedearWallsatNights,butinobediencetotheChargeshehadgivenmeofpreservingmyLife.

THUS,myLord,hasthebusinessofmyLoveengrossedmyHours,eversinceyour Lordships arrival, and tho’ I heard that you were here, and extreamlywish’dtokissyourHands,yetIcou’dnevergetoneMomentcompos’denoughto wait on you in, ’till what my Desires cou’d not do, the rashness of myIndignation effected;LastNight, being atmyBankerswhere allmyBills andLettersaredirected,Ifoundthis,fromMonsieurSanseverin,theRagewhichtheContentsofitputmein,keptmefromremembringthatCircumspection,which

Camilla had enjoyn’d, and I thought of nothing but revenging the injury Iimagin’dyouhaddoneme:AsIwascomingHome,Iwasattack’dasyousaw,whenyousogenerouslypreserv’dme, thejustIndignationIconceivd’dat thisbaseprocedureofCittolini’stransportedmesofar,astomakemeforgetwhatIowedtomyDeliverer,toruninpursuitofthosewhoassaultedme,butsoonlostsight of them, and returning, asGratitude andHonour call’dme, to seek, andthank you for your timely Assistance, I found a Throng of People about theBody of the Villain I had killed, some of them were for Examining me, butfindingnoWoundsaboutme,noranymarksoftheEngagementIhadbeenin,IwasleftatmyLiberty.

THUS,myLord,haveIgivenyou,inasbrieamannerastheChangesofmyFortunewou’dpermit,theAccountofmypresentmelanchollyCircumstances,inwhich,ifyoufindmanythingsblameable,youmustacknowledgetherearemorewhichrequireCompassion.

IseenoReason,answer’dtheCount,eitherfortheoneortheother,youhavedone nothing but what anyManwho is a Lover, wou’d gladly have it in hisPower todo,andas foryourCondition, it certainly ismore tobeenvy’d thanpity’d:TheLadyloves,isConstant,anddoubtlesswillsomewayorother,findmeansforherEscape,—Impossible!Cry’dFrankville,interruptinghim,sheistoostrictlywatch’dtosuffersuchaHope.IfyouwillprepareaLetter,resum’dD’elmont,myselfwillundertaketobetheBearerofit;IamentirelyaStrangertothePeopleyouhavebeenspeakingor,or ifIshouldchancetobeknowntothem,cannotbesuspectedtocomefromyou,sinceourIntimacy,solatelyborn,cannotyetbe talk’dof, to theprejudiceofourDesign;andhowdoyouknow,continued he smiling, but, if I have the good Fortune to be introduc’d to thisLady, thatIshallnotbeable toassistherInventiontoformsomeScheme,forboth your future Happiness. This offer was too agreeable to be refus’d,Frankville accepted it with all the Demonstations of Gratitude and Joyimaginable, and setting himself down to the Count’s Scrutore, was not longWritingthefollowingBilletwhichhegavehimtoreadbeforeheseal’dit.

TothemostLovelyandAdorableCAMILLA

IftoconsumewithinwardBurnings,tohavenoBreathbutSighs,towishforDeath, or Madness to relieve me from the racks of Thought, be Miseryconsummate,suchismine!AndyetmytoounjustCamillathinksIfeelnoPain,andchidesmycoldTranquility;cou’dIbeso,IwereindeedaWretchdeservingofmy nate, but far unworthy of your Pity orRegard.No, no, thouLoveliest,Softest,mostangelicCreature,thatHeaven,inlavishBounty,eversenttocharmtheadoringWorlds;he that cou’dknowoneMoments stupidCalm in suchanAbsence,oughtnevertobeblestwiththoseunboundedJoysthyPresencebrings:Whatwou’dInotgive,whatwou’dInothazardbutoncemoretobeholdthee,togazeuponthyEyes,thoseSunsofkindlingTransports!totouchthyenliveningHand! to feedupon the ravishing sweetnessof thyLips!Oh the Imagination’sExtacy!LifeweretoopoortosetonsuchaCast,andyoushou’dlonge’rethis,haveprov’d the littleValue Ihave for it, incompetitionwithmyLove ifyourCommands had not reftrain’dme.Cittolini’sMalice, however, had last Nightbeen gratify’d, if the Noble Count D’elmont had not been inspir’d for myPreservation,itistohimIamindebted,notonlyformyLife,butamuchgreaterFavour, thatofconveying toyou theAssurance,howmuchmyLife,mySoul,andalltheFacultiesofitareeternallyYours.Thankhim,myCamilla,foryourFrankville, forWords like thine are only fit to Praise, as it deserves, such anexaltedGenerosity;’tiswithaninfinitedealofSatisfactionIreflecthowmuchthy Charms will justify my Conduct when he sees thee, all that excess ofPassion,whichmyfondSoul’s toofullof toconceal, thatheightofAdoration,which offer’d to any otherWoman wou’d be Sacriledge, the wonders of thyBeauty and thyWit, claim as their due, and proveCamilla, likeHeaven, canneverbe toomuchReverenc’d!BetoomuchLov’d!—But,Oh!Howpoor isLanguage to expresswhat ’tis I think, thusRaptur’dwith thy Idea, thou beft,thouBrightest— thoumost Perfect— thou somethingmore than Excellenceitself––thoufarsurpassingallthatWordscanspeak,orHeart,unknowingthee,conceive: yet I cou’d dwell for ever on theTheme, and swellwholeVolumeswithenervate,tho’well-meaningPraises,ifmyImpatience,tohavewhatIhavealreadywrit,bewithyou,didnotpreventmysayinganymorethan,thatbutinyouIlive,norcou’dsupportthisDeath-likeabsence,butforsomelittleintervalsof Hope, which sometimes flatter me, that Fortune will grow weary ofpersecuting me, and one Day re-unite my Body to my Soul and make bothinseparablyYours,

Frankville,

THESEnewmadeFriendshavingafellow-feelingofeachothersSufferings,asproceeding from one Source, pass’d the time in little else but amorousDiscourses,tillitwasaproperHourfortheCounttoperformhisPromise,andtakingafullDirectionfromFrankvillehowtofindtheHouse,helefthimathisLodgings to wait his return fromCiamara’s, forming, all the way hewent, athousand Projects to communicate to Camilla for her Escape, he was stillextreamlyuneasyinhisMindconcerningMelliora,andlong’dtobeinParistoknow the Truth of that Affair, but thought he cou’d not in Honour leave herBrother in this Embarassment, and resolv’d to make use of all his Wit andAddresstoperswadeCamillatohazardeverythingforLove,andwasnotalittlepleas’dwiththeImagination,thatheshouldlaysoconsiderableanobligationonMelliora,as thisService toherBrotherwou’dbe.Fullof theseReflectionshefound himself in thePortico of that magnificent House he was to enter, andseeingaCrowdofServantsabouttheDoor,desir’dtobebroughttothepresenceofDonna Camilla Fialaso, one of them, immediately conducted him into astately Room, and leaving him there, told him, the Lady shou’d be madeacquaintedwithhisRequest;presentlyaftercame inaWoman,who, tho’veryYoung,seem’dtobeinthenatureofaDuenna,theCountstoodwithhisBacktowardherassheenter’d,buthearingsomebodybehindhim,andturninghaftilyabout,heobserv’dshestartledatsightofhim,andappearedsoconfus’dthatheknewnotwhattomakeofherBehaviour,andwhenheask’difhemightspeakwithCamilla,andsaidhehadaMessagetodeliverfromCittolini,shemadenootherAnswerthanseveraltimes,withanamaz’dAccent,EcchoingthenamesofCamillaandCittolini,asifnotabletocomprehendhisMeaning;hewasoblig’dtorepeathisWordsoverandoverbeforeshecou’drecollectherselfenoughtotellhim,thatshewou’dlethimknowherLady’spleasureinstantly.ShelefthiminagooddealolConsternation,attheSurprizeheperceiv’dtheSightofhimhadputherinto,heform’dathousanduncertainGuesseswhattheoccasionshou’dbe,buttheMisterywastoodeepforallhisPenetrationtofathom,andhewaitedwith abundance of Impatience for her return, or the appearance of her Lady,either,ofwhich,hehop’d,mightgiveaSolutiontothisseemingRiddle.

HE attended a confiderable time, and was beginning to grow excessiveuneasy, at thisDelay,when amagnificentAnti-porta being drawn up, he sawthro’aGlassDoor,whichopen’d intoaGallery, theDuennaapproaching:Shehadnowentirelycomposedher’Countenance,andwithanobligingSmile toldhim,shewou’dconducthimtoherLady.Sheledhimthro’severalRooms,allrichly furnish’d and adorn’d, but far inferior to the last: he came into, and inwhichhewasagainleftalone,afterbeingassur’dthatheshouldnotlongbeso.

Count D’elmont cou’d not forbear giving Truce to his more seriousReflections,toadmiretheBeautiesofthePlacehewasin;wheree’erheturn’dhisEyes,hesawnothingbutwassplendidlyLuxurious,andall theOrnamentscontriv’dinsuchamanner,asmightfitlybeaPattern,toPaintthePalaceoftheQueenofLoveby:TheCeilingwasvastlyhighandbeautify’dwithmostcuriousPaintings,theWallswerecover’dwithTapestry,inwhich,mostartificiallywerewoven,invariouscolour’dSilk,intermix’dwithGoldandSilver,agreatnumberofAmorousStories;inonePlacehebeheldaNakedVenussportingwithAdonis,inanother,theLovetransform’dJupiter,justreturninghisShape,andrushingtothe Arms of Leda; there, the seeming ChastDiana Embracing her entranc’dEndimion,here,theGodofsoftDesireshimself,woundedwithanArrowofhisown,andsnatchingKissesfromthenolessenamour’dPsiche:betwixteveryoneof these Pieces hung a large Looking-Glass, which reach’d to the top of theRoom,andoutofeachsprungseveralcrystalBranches,containinggreatWax-Tapers,sothatthenumberofLightsvy’dwiththeSun,andmadeanother,andmoregloriousDay,thanthatwhichlatelywaswithdrawn.AttheupperEndofthis magnificent Chamber, there was a Canopy of Crimson Velvet, richlyemboss’d,andtrim’dwithSilver, theCornersofwhichweresupportedbytwogoldenCupids,withstretch’doutWings,asifprepar’dtofly;twooftheirHandsgrasp’d the extremity of theValen, and the other, those nearest to each other,joyn’d to hold a wreath of Flowers, over a Couch, which stood under theCanopy.Buttho’theCountwasverymuchtakenatfirstwithwhathesaw,yethewastoosincereaLovertobelongdelightedwithanythingintheabsenceofhisMistress:HowHeavenly(saidhetohimselfSighing)wou’dbethisPlace,ifIexpectedMelliorahere!ButOh!howpreferablewereaCottageblestwithher,toallthisPompandGrandeurwithanyother;thisConsiderationthrewhimintoa deepMusing,whichmade him forget eitherwhere hewas, or the Businesswhich brought him there, till rous’d from it by the dazling Owner of thissumptuous Apartment. Nothing could be more glorious than her Appearance;shewasbyNature,aWomanofamostexcellentShape,towhich,herdesireofPleasing,hadmadeheraddallbytheaidsofArt;shewasdrest inaGoldandSilver stuffPetticoat, and aWastcoat of plainblewSattin, set round theNeckand Sleeves, and down the SeamswithDiamonds, and fastned on theBreast,with Jewels of a prodigeous largeness and lustre; a Girdle of the sameencompass’dherWaste;herHair,ofwhichshehadgreatquantity,wasblackasJet, and with a studied Negligence, fell part of it on her Neck in carelessRinglets,andtheotherwasturn’dup,andfasten’dhereandtherewithBodkins,whichhadpendantDiamondshangingto’em,andasshemov’d,glitteredwithaquiveringBlaze,likeStarsdartingtheirfiresfromoutafableSky;shehadaVail

on,butsothin,thatitdidnot,intheleast,obscuretheshineofherGarments,orherJewels,onlyshehadcontriv’dtodoublethatpartofitwhichhungoverherFace,insomanyfolds,thatitserv’dtoconcealheraswellasaVizardMask.

THECountmadeno doubt but thiswas theLady forwhomhewaited, andthrowingoffthatmelanchollyAirhehadbeenin,assum’done,allgayandeasy,and bowing low, as he advanc’d tomeet her;Madam, said he, if you are thatincomparableCamilla whose Goodness nothing but her Beauty can equalize,youwillforgivetheintrusionofaStranger,whoconfesseshimselfnootherwayworthyoftheHonourofyourConversation,butbyhisDesirestoservehimwhois much more so: A Friend of Cittolini’s, answer’d she, can never wantadmittance here, and if you had no other Plea, the Name you come in, is asufficientWarrantforyourkindReception:Ihope,resum’dheina lowVoice,andlookingroundtoseeiftherewerenoAttendantsinhearing.IbringaBetter,fromFrankville,Madam, the adorningFrankville, I have theseCredientials toJustify my Visit; in speaking this, he deliver’d the Letter to her, which sheretiringafewPacesfromhimtoread,gavehimanopportunityofadmiringtheMajestyofherWalk,andtheagreeableloftinessofherMein,muchmorsthanhehadtimetodobefore.

SHE dwelt not long on theContents of the Letter, but throwing it careleslydownonaTablewhichstoodnearher,turn’dtotheCount,andwithanAccentwhich express’d notmuchSatisfaction; andwas it to you,myLord! said she,thatMonsieurFrankvilleow’dhisPreservation?Iwassohappy,reply’dhe, tohavesomelittlehandinit,butsinceIhaveknownhowdearheistoyou,thinkmyselfdoublyblestbyFortuneforthemeansofactinganythingconducivetoyourPeace:Ifyouimaginethatthisisso,resum’dshehastily,youareextreamlymistaken, as you will always be, when you believe, where Count D’elmontappears, anyotherMan feemsworthy the regardof a discerningWoman; but,continu’d she, perceivinghe look’d surpriz’d, to spare your suspence, andmyselfthetroubleofrepeatingwhatyouknowalready,beholdwhosheis,youhavebeen talking to, and tell me now, ifFrankville has any Interest in a Heart towhichthisFacebelongs?WiththeseWordsshethrewoffherVail,andinsteadoflesseninghisAmazement,verymuchencreas’dit,indiscoveringtheFeaturesoftheLady,withwhomhehaddiscoursedtheNightbeforeintheGarden,Heknewnotwhat to think, or how to reconcile toReason, thatCamilla,who so latelylov’d,andhadgrantedthehighestFavourstoFrankville,shou’donasuddenbewilling, uncourted, tobestow themon another, nor cou’dhe comprehendhowthesamePersonshou’datonceliveintwoseveralPlaces,forheconceiv’dthe

House he was in, was far distant from the Garden which he had been in theNightbefore.

THEY both remained for some Moments in a profound Silence, the Ladyexpecting when the Count shou’d speak, and he endeavouring to recollecthimself enough to do so, ’till she, at last, possibly guessing at his Thoughts,resum’d her Discourse in this manner;My Lord, said she, wonder not at thePower ofLove; a Form like yoursmight soften themost ruggedHeart,muchmoreone,byNaturesotenderasismine.—Thinkbutwhatyouare,continu’dshesighing,andmakinghimsitdownbyherontheCouch,andyouwilleasilyexcusewhatevermyPassionmayenforcemetocommit.ImustconfessMadam,answer’dheverygravely,IneverinmyLifewantedpresenceofmindsomuchas at this jucture, to see beforemehere, thePerson,who, I believ’d, liv’d farfrom hence, who, byAppointment, I was to wait on this Night at a differentPlace. — To find in the Mistress of my Friend, the very Lady, who seemsunworthlytohavebestow’dherHeartonme,areCircumstancessoIncoherent,asIcanneitheraccountfor,ormakeevidenttoReason,tho’theyaretootrulysoto Sense: It will be easy, reply’d she, to reconcile both these seemingContradictions,whenyoushallknow that theGardensblonging to thisHouse,areofaVerylargeExtent,andnotonlythat,buttheturningoftheStreetsaresoorder’d, asmake theDistance between the fore, and backDoor appearmuchgreaterthanreallyitis:Andfortheother,asIhavealreadytoldyou,yououghtto be better acquainted with your self, than to be surpriz’d at ConsequenceswhichmustinfalliblyattendsuchCharms:Insayingthis,sheturn’dherHeadalittleononeside,andputherHandkerchiefbeforeherFace,affecting toseemconfuse’datwhatshespoke;buttheCountrednedingoodEarnest,andwithaCountenance which express’d Sentiments, far different from those sheendeavour’dtoInspire;Madam,saidhe,tho’thegoodOpinionyouhaveofmeisowingentirelytotheErrorofyourFancy,whichtoooften,especiallyinyourSex,blindstheJudgement,yet,’tiscertain,thattherearenotmanyMen,whomsuchPraises,comingfromaMouthlikeyours,wou’dnotmakeHappyandVain;butifIwaseverofaHumourtobeso,itisnowwhollymortify’dinme,and’tisbutwiththeutmostregret,thatImustreceivetheFavoursyouconferonmetotheprejudiceofmyFriend:Andis that, interruptedshehastily, is that theonlyCause? Does nothing but your Friendship to Frankville prevent my Wishes?That, of itself, answer’d he, were a sufficient Bar to sunder us for ever, butthere’sanother,ifnotagreater,amoretenderone,which,torestoreyoutothePath,whichHonour,Gratitude, andReasoncall you to, Imust informyouof,yes,Imusttellyou,Madam,alllovelyasyouare,thatweretherenosuchMan

asFrankville,intheWorld,—wereyouasfreeasAir,Ihaveadefencewithin,which all your Charms can never pierce, nor softness melt — I am alreadybound,notwiththeweakTiesofVowsorformalObligations,whichconfinenofarther than the Body, but Inclination! — the fondest Inclination! That everswell’d aHeart with Rapturous Hopes: The Lady had much ado to containherselftillhehaddonespeaking;shewasbyNatureextreamlyHaughty,InsolentofherBeauty,andimpatientofanythingshethoughtlook’dlikeaslightofit,and this open Defyance of her Power, and acknowledging anothers, had shebeen less in Love wou’d have been insupportable to her: Ungrateful anduncourtlyMan, said she, lookingonhimwithEyes that sparkledatoncewithIndignationandDesire,youmighthavespar’dyourselfthetroubleofRepeating,andmetheConfusionofhearing,inwhatmanneryoustandEngag’d,ithadbeenenoughtohavetoldmeyounevercou’dbemine,withoutappearingtransportedattheRuinwhichyoumake;ifmytoohappyRivalpossessesCharms,Icannotboast, methinks your goodManners might have taught you, not to insult myWants,andyourgoodNature,tohavemingledPitywithyourJustice;withtheseWordsshefellaWeeping,butwhethertheywereTearsofLoveorAnger,ishardtodetermine,’tiscertaanthatboththosePassionsrag’dthisMomentinherSoulwithequalViolence,and ifshehadhad it inherPower,wou’ddoubtlesshavebeen glad to have hated him, but he was, at all times, too lovely to suffer apossibility of that, and much more so at this, for in spite of the Shock, thatInfidelityhebeliev’dherguiltyoftoFrankville,gavehim;hewasbyNaturesoCompassionate,he felt theWoeshesaw,orheard of, evenof thosewhoweremost indifferent to him, and cou’d not now behold a Face, in which all theHorrors of Despair were in the most lively manner represented, withoutdisplayingaTendernessinhis,whichinanyotherMan,mighthavebeentakenfor Love; the dazling Radience of his Eyes, gave place to amore dangerous,more bewitching softness andwhen he sigh’d, in Pity of herAnguish, a SoulInchanting Languishment diffus’d itself thro’ all his Air, and added to hisGraces;shepresentlyperceiv’dit,andformingnewHopes,aswellfromthat,asfromhisSilence, tookholdofhisHand,andpressingiteagerly toherBosom,OhmyLord!resum’dshe,youcannotbeungratefulifyouwou’d.—Iseeyoucannot––Madam,interruptedhe,shakingoffasmuchaspossiblethatshowofTenderness, which he found had given her Incouragement; I wish not toconvince you how nearly I am touch’d, with what you suffer, least it shou’dencreaseanEsteem,which,sinceprejudicialtoyourRepose,andtheInterestofmy Friend; I rather ought to endeavour to lessen. — But, as this is not theEntertainment I expected from Camilla, I beg to know an Answer of theBusinessIcameupon,andwhatyoudecreefortheunfortunateFrankville:Ifthe

LadywasagitatedwithanextremityofVexationat theCount’sDeclarationofhisPassionforanother,whatwasshenow,atthisDisappoinmentoftheHopesshewasso lately flatter’dwith! insteadofmakinganydirect reply towhathesaid, she rag’d, stamp’d, tore her Hair, curs’d Frankville, all Mankind, theWorld,andinthatheightofFury,feardespar’dHeavenitself,buttheviolenceofher Pride andResentment being a little vented, Love took his turn, again shewept,againshepresthisHand,nowsheevenkneltandhunguponhisFeet,ashewou’dhavebroke fromher, andbeg’dhimwithWords as eloquent asWitcou’dForm,anddesperatedyingLoveSuggest, topityandrelieveherMilery:Buthehadnowlearn’d todissemblehisConcern, lest itshou’dasecondtimebeguileher,andafterraisingher,withascarelessandunmov’danAir,ashewascapable of putting on; My Presence, Madam, said he, but augments yourDisorder,and’tisonlybyseeingyounomore,thatIamqualify’dtoconducetothe recovery of yourPeace;With theseWords he turn’d hastily fromher, andwasgoingoutoftheRoom,whenshe,quickasThought,sprungfromthePlacewhereshehadstood,andbeinggotbetweenhimandtheDoor,andthrowingherselfintohisArms,beforehehadtimetopreventher;youmustlnot,shallnotgo,shecry’d,tillyouhaveleftmedead:Pardonme.Madam,answer’dhefretfully,and struggling toget loose fromherEmbrace, to stay after theDiscoveryyouhavemadeofyourSentiments,weretobeguiltyofanInjusticealmostequaltoyour’s, therefore I beg you’d giveme liberty to pass.—Hearme but speak,resum’d she, graspiug him yet harder; return but for a Moment, —lovelyBarbarian,—HellhasnotormentslikeyourCruelty.Here,thedifferentPassionsworking in her Soul, with such uncommon Vehemence, hurry’d her Spiritsbeyond what Nature cou’d Support; her Voice faulter’d in the Accent, hertremblingHands by slow degrees relinquish’dwhat so eagerly they had held,everySenseforgotitsUse,andshesunk,inallappearance,lifelessontheFloor:The Count was, if possible, more glad to be releas’d, than griev’d at theoccasion, and contented himself with calling her Women to her Assistance,withoutstayingtoseewhenshewou’drecover.

HEwentoutofthatHousewithThoughtsmuchmorediscompos’dthanthosewith which he had enter’d it, and when he came Home, where FrankvilleimpatientlywaitedhisReturn,hewasat thegreatest loss in theWorld,howtodiscover his Misfortune to him; the other observing the trouble of his Mind,whichwasveryvisibleinhisCountenance;myLord,saidhe,inamelanchollyTone,IneednotaskyouwhatSuccess,thegloomwhichappearsonyourBrow,tells me, my ill Fortune has deny’d you the means of speaking to Camilla?Accuse not Fortune, answer’dD’elmont, but the influence of malicious Stars

whichseldom,ifever,suitsourDispositionstoourCircumstances;IhaveseenCamilla, have talk’d to her, and ’tis from thatDiscourse that I cannot forbearreflectionontheMiseriesofHumanity,which,whileitmocksuswithashowofReason, givesusnoPower tocurbourWill, andguide theerringAppetites toPeace.MonsieurFrankvilleat theseWordsfirst felta jealousPang,andas ’tisnaturaltobelieveeveryBodyadmireswhatwedo,hepresentlyimagin’dCountD’elmonthadforgotMelliora in thepresenceofCamilla,and that itwasfromthe Consciousuess of his own Weakness and Inconstancy, that he spoke sofeelingly: Iwonder notmyLord, said he coldly, that theBeauties ofCamillashou’d inspire you with Sentiments, which, perhaps, for many Reasons, youwou’ddesiretobefreefrom,andIought,inPrudence,tohaveconsider’d,thattho’youarethemostexcellentofyourKind,youarestillaMan,andnothavethe Passions incident toMan, and not have expos’d you to thoseDangers thesightofCamillamustnecessarilyinvolveyouin:IwishtoHeavenanswer’dtheCount, easily guessingwhat hisThoughtswere, no greater threatned you, andthatyoucou’dthinkonCamillawiththesameindiferenceasIcan,orsheofmewithmore;then,inasbriefamannerashecou’d,hegavehimtheSubdtanceofwhat had happen’d. Frankville, whose only Fault was rashness, grew almostwildattheRecitalofsounexpectedaMisfortune,heknewnotforagoodwhilewhat to believe, loath he was to suspect the Count, but loather to suspectCamilla, yet flew into extremities of Rage against both, by turns: The Countpitied,andforgaveallthattheviolenceofhisPassionmadehimutter,butoffer’dnottoarguewithhim,’tillhefoundhimcapableofadmittinghisReasons,andthen, that open Sincerity, that honest noble Assurance which alwaysaccompany’dhisSweetness,andmadeitdifficulttodoubttheTruthofanythinghesaid,wonthedisorder’dLovertoanentireConviction;henowconcludeshisMistressfalserepentsthetendernesshehashadforher,andtho’shestillappearsaslovelytohisFancyasever,shegrowsodioustohisJudgment,andresolvestousehisutmostEffortstobanishherIdeafromhisHeart.

INthisHumourhetookleaveoftheCount,itgrowinglate,andhislastNightsAdventuretaughthimthedangerofNocturnalWalks,buthowhespenthistimetillMorning,thosecanonlyguess,whohavelovedlikehim,andlikehim,metsocruelaDisappointment.

THECountpass’dnot theNight inmuchlessInquietudethanFrankville,hegriev’dthepowerfulInfluenceofhisownAttractions,andhadtherenotbeenaMelliora in theWorld, he svou’d have wish’d himself Deform’d, rather thanhavebeentheCauseofsomuchMisery,ashisLovelinessproduc’d.

T

THEnextMorningtheCountdesign’dtovisitFrankville,tostrengthenhiminhisResolutionofabandoningallThoughtsoftheunconstantCamilla,butbeforehecou’dgetdrest,theothercameintohisChamber:MyLord,saidhe,assoonastheywerealone,myperfidiousMistress,failingtomakeaConquestofyourHeart, is still willing to preserve that she had attain’d over mine, but all herCharmsandherDelusionsarebutvain,andtoprovetoyourLordshipthattheyareso,IhavebroughttheLetterIreceiv’dfromher,scarceanHourpast,andthetrueCopyofmyAnswertoit.

ToMonsieurFRANKVILLE

HO’ nothingproves the valueofourPresence, somuchas thePangsourabsenceoccasions,andinmylastIrashlywish’dyoumightbesensibleof

mine, yet on examining my Heart, I presently recall’d the hasty Prayer, andfound I lov’d with that extravagance of Tenderness, that I had rather youreturnedittoolittlethantoomuch,andmethinkscou’dbetterbeartorepresentyou tomyFancy, careless and calmas commonLovers are, than think, I sawyou, Burning, —Bleeding, — Dying, like me, with hopeless Wishes, andunavailing Expectations; but Ah! I fear such Apprehensions are but toounnecessary—Youthinknotofme,and,ifinthosehappydays,whennocrossAccidentinterven’dtopartmefromyourSight,myFondnesspleas’d,younowfindnothinginCamillaworthatroubledThought,norbreathonetendersighinmemoryofoutTransportspast.—IfIwrongyourLove,imputeittoDistraction,forOh!’tissure,IamnotinmySenses,norknowtoformoneregularDesire:Iact, and speak, and think, a thousand Incoherent things, and tho’ I cannotforbearWritingtoyou,Iwriteinsuchamanner,sowild,sodiiferentfromwhatIwou’d,thatIrepentmeofthe’FollyIamguiltyofevenwhileIamcommittingit;but tomakeasgoodaDefenceasIamable for these,perhaps,unwelcomeLines, I must inform you that they come not so much to let you know mySentiments,as toengageaDiscoveryofyours:Ciamarahasdischarg’doneofher Servants from her Attendance, who no longer courting her favour orregardingherFrowns,Ihaveprevail’dupon,notonlytobringthistoyou,buttoconveyanAnswerbacktome,bythehelpofaStringwhichIamtoletdowntohimfrommyWindow,therefore,ifyouarebutasKind,ashehaspromis’dtobeFaithful,wemayoftenenjoytheBlessingof thisdistantConversation;Heavenonly knows when we shall be permitted to enjoy a nearer. Cittolini is this

I

Eveningreturn’dfromhisVilla,andnothingbutaMiraclecansavemefromthenecessityofmakingmyChoiceofhim,oraMonastery,eitherofwhichisworsethanDeath,sinceitmustleavemethePowertowish,buttakeawaythemeans,ofbeingwhatIsoofthavesworetobe

EternallyYours,and,

Yoursalone,

Camilla.

THE Count could not forbear lifting up his Eyes and Hands in token ofAmazement, at the unexampled Falshood thisWoman appeared guilty of, butperceivingMonsieurFrankvillewasabouttoreadshefollowingAnswer,wou’dnotInterrupthim,byaskinganyQuestions’tillhehaddone.

ToDonnaCAMILLA.FVowsareanyconstrainttoanInclinationsoaddictedtoLibertyasYours,Ishall make no difficulty to release you of all you ever made to me! Yes

Madam,youarefreetodisposebothofyourHeartandPersonwheresoeveryouthink fit, nor do I desire you shou’d give your self the pains of fartherDissimulation. I pay too entire an Obedience to your Will, to continue in aPassionwhichisnolongerpleasing:Norwill,byanill tim’dandunmannerlyConstancy,disturbtheserenityofyourfutureEnjoymentswithanyhappierManthan

Frankville.

YOUsee,myLord,saidhewithasigh,thatIhaveputitoutofherPowertoTriumphovermyWeakness,forIconfessmyHeartstillwearsherChains,bute’ermyEyesorTonguebetraytohertheshamefulBondage,theseHandsshou’dtearthemout;thereforeImadenomentionofherBehaviourtoyou,norofmysendinganyLetterbyyou,notonlybecauseIknewnotifyourLordshipwou’dthink it proper, but lest she shou’d imagine my Resentment proceeded fromJealousy,andthatIlov’dherstill.—No,sheshallne’erhaveCausetoguessthe

truth of what I suffer. –– Her real perfidy shall be repaid with seemingInconstancyandScorn—Oh!How’twillstingherPride—ByHeaven,IfeelagloomykindofPleasureintheThought,andwillindulgeit,eventothehighestinsultsofRevenge.

Iratherwish,reply’dtheCount,youcou’dinearnestbeindifferent,thanonlyfeigntobeso,herunexampledLevityDeceit,rendersherasunworthyofyourAngerasyourLove,andthereistoomuchDangerwhileyoupreservetheone,thatyouwillnotbeabletothrowofftheother.—Oh!Ipretendnottoit,cry’dFrankville,interruptinghim,shehastoodeeparootwithinmySoulevertoberemov’d—IboastnomorethanaconcealmentotmyPassion,andwhenIdressthe horrors of a bleeding, breakingHeart, in all the calm of cold Tranquility;methinks,youshou’dapplaudtheNobleConquest:Time,saidtheCount,afteralittle Pause, and a just Reflection how little she deserves your Thoughts, willteachyou toobtainaNobler; thatofnumberingyourLove, among things thatwere,butarenomore,andmakeyou,withme,acknowledgethat’tisasgreatanargumentofFollyandmeanessofSpirittocontinuethesameEsteemwhentheObject ceases to deserve, which we profess’d before the discovery ot thatunworthiness, as it wou’d be Villany and Inconstancy of Mind, to change,withoutanEfficientCause:AgreatdealofDiscoursepass’dbetweenthemtothesame Effect, and it was but in vain that Count D’elmont endeavoured toperswadehimtoarealforgetfulnessoftheCharmer,tho’heresolv’dtoseemasifhedidso.

WHILE theywere disputing, one ofD’elmont’s Servants gave him a Letter,which, he told him, the Person who brought it, desir’d he wou’d answerimmediately;henosoonerbrokeitopen,andcasthisEyeoverit,thanhecry’dout inakindofTransport,Oh,Frankville,whathasFatebeendoing!YouareHappy.—Camilla is Innocent, and perhaps themost deserving of her Sex; IonlyamGuilty,who,byafatalMistakehavewrong’dherVirtue,andTormentedyou;butRead,continu’dhe,givinghimtheLetter,Read,andSatisfyyourself.

MONSIEURFrankvillewas toomuchastonish’dat theseWords tobeable tomakeanyreply,butimmediatelyfoundtheInterpretationofthemintheseLines.

To the dear cruel Destroyer ofmyQuiet, thenevertoomuchAdmir’dCountD’ELMONT.

TISnolongertheMistressofyourFriend,aperjur’dandunjustCamilla,wholanguishesanddiesbyyourContempt,butone,whomalltheDartsofLovehadstroveinvaintoreach,’tillfromyourCharmstheygainedaGod-likeInfluence,andun-erringForce!One,whotho’aWidow,bringsyoutheOfferingofaVirginHeart.

AsIwassittinginmyCloset,watchingtheprogressofthelazyHours,whichflewnothalfsoswiftasmyDesirestobringontheappointedtimeinwhichyoupromis’dtobewithmeintheGarden;myWomancamerunningin,toacquaintme,thatyouwereintheHouse,andwaitedtospeakwithCamilla:Surprize,andJealousyatonceAssaultedme, and I sunkbeneath theApprehension thatyoumight,bysomeAccident,haveseenherandalso lovedher, toeasemyselfofthosetormentingDoubtsIresolv’dtoappearbeforeyou,inherstead,andkeptmyVailovermyFace,’tillIfoundthatherswasunknowntoyou:YouarenotIgnorant what follow’d, the Deceit pass’d upon you for Truth, but I wassufficiently punish’d for it, by the severity of yourUsage: Iwas just going todiscoverwhoIwas,whentheviolenceofmyLove,myGrief,andmyDespairthrew me into that Swoon, in which, to compleat your Cruelty, you left me;’twou’dbe endless to endeavour to represent theAgoniesofmySoul,when Irecovered,andheardyouweregone,butallwhotrulyLove,astheyfearmuch,sotheyhopemuch,myTorturesatlengthabated,atleast,permittedmetotakesome intervalsofComfort, and Ibegan to flattermy self that thePassionyouseem’d transportedwith, for a namelessMistress,was but a feint to bringmebacktohimyouthoughtIwasoblig’dtoLove,andthattherewasapossibility,that my Person and Fortune might not appear despicable to you, when youshou’dknow,IhavenoTiesbut thoseofInclination,whichcanbeonlyyourswhileIam

Ciamara.

P.S.IFyoufindnothinginmeworthyofyourLove,mySufferingsaresuch,as justlymaydeserveyourPity;either relieveorputanend to themIconjureyou––Freemefromtheling’ringDeathofDoubt,atoncedecreemyFate,for,likeaGod,yourulemyveryWill,nordareI,withoutyourLeave,throwoffthiswretchedBeing:Ohthen,permitmeoncemoretobeholdyou,totryatleast,towarmyouintoKindnesswithmySighs,tomeltyouwithmyTears,—tosoothyouintosoftnessbyathousandyetundiscover’dFondnesses—and,ifallfailtodiebeforeyourEyes.

THOSEwhohaveexperienc’dtheforceofLove,neednottobeinformedwhatJoy,whatTransportswell’dtheHeartofMonsieurFrankville,atthisunexpectedEclaircissment of his dearCamilla’s Innocence; when every thing concurs tomakeourWoesseemreal,whenHopesaredead,andevenDesireishush’dbytheloudClamoursofDespairandRage,then,—then,toberecall’dtoLife,toLight,toHeavenandLoveagain,issuchatorrentofo’repoweringHappiness,—suchasurchargeofExtacy,asSensecanhardlybear.

WHATnowwou’dFrankvillenothavegiventhatithadbeeninhisPowertohaverecall’dthelastLetterhesenttoCamilla?hisSoulseverelyreproach’dhimforsoeasilybelievingshecou’dbeFalse;tho’hisExperienceofthesweetnessofherDispofition,madehimnotdoubtofaPardonfromher,whensheshou’dcometoknowwhathadbeentheReasonofhisJealousy;hisimpatiencetoseeher,immediatelyputitintohisHead,thatasCiamarahadbeentheoccasionofthe mis-understanding between them, Ciamara might likewise be made thepropertytosetallrightagain;tothisend,heentreatedtheCounttowriteherananswer of Compliance, and a promise to come to her the nextDay, inwhichVisit,hewou’d,inaDisguiseattendhim,andbeingoncegotintotheHouse,hethoughtitwou’dbenodifficultytostealtoCamilla’sApartment.

BUT he found it not so easy a Task as he imagin’d, to persuade CountD’elmont to come into this Design, his generous Heart, averse to all Deceit,thoughtitbaseandunmanlytoabusewithDissimulationtherealtendernessthisLadyhadforhim,andtho’press’dbytheBrotherofMelliora,andconjur’dtoit,evenbytheLoveheprofess’dforher,itwaswithallthereluctanceintheWorld,thathe,atlast,consented,andhisServantcameseveraltimesintotheRoomtoremind him that the Personwho brought theLetter,waited impatiently for anAnswer, before he cou’d bring himself into aHumour towrite in themannerMonsieurFrankvilledesir’d;andtho’,scarceany.ManeverhadsosparklingaFancy,suchareadinessofThought,oraptiudeofExpression,whenthedictatesof his Soul, were the Employment of his Tongue or Pen, yet he now foundhimselfatalossforWords,andhewastedmoretimeinthesefewLines,thanaThousandtimesasmanyonanyotherSubjectwou’dhavecosthim.

TotheBeautifulandObligingCIAMARA.

IMadam,

F I did not Sin against Truthwhen I assur’d you that I had aMistress towhomIwasengag’dbyInclination,Icertainlydid,whenIappearedguiltyof

aharshnesswhichwasneverinmyNature;theJusticeyoudomeinbelievingtheInterestofmyFriendwasthegreatestMotiveformyseemingUnkindnessIhave not the Power sufficiently to acknowledge, but, cou’d you look intomySoul,youwou’dtherefindtheEffectsofyourInspiration,somethingsotender,andsograteful,asonlyfavours,suchasyouconfer,cou’dmeritorcreate.

I design tomakemy self happy inwaiting on you toMorrowNight aboutEleven,ifyouwillordermeadmittanceatthatBack-gate,whichwasthePlaceofourfirstAppointment,’tillthen,IamthelovelyCiamara’s

MostDevotedServant

D’elmont.

P.S.TherearesomeReasonswhyIthinkitnotsafetocomealonethereforebegyou’llpermitmetobringaServantwithme,onwhosesecrecyIdarerely.

WHEN theCount had sent away this littleBillet,MonsieurFrankville grewverygayenthehopesofhisDesignsucceeding;andlaughing,myLordsaidhe,IquestionwhetherMelliorawou’dforgiveme,forengagingyouinthisAffair;Ciamaraisextreamlyhandsome,hasWit,andwheresheattemptstoCharm,hasdoubtless, athouland Artifices to obtain her wifh 5 the Count <was not in atempertorelifhhisRaillery,heiiadagreatdealofCompanionforCiamara,andthoughthimlelfinexculablefordeceivingher,andallthatFrankvUlecou’ddotodifiipatetheGloomthatreflectionsprcadabouthim,wasbutvain.

THEYspentthegreatestpartofthisDaytogether,astheyhaddonethefocmerjandwhenthetim.ecamethatFrankvillethoughtitpropertotakeLeave,itwaswith a much more chearful Heart, than he had the Night before; but hisHappiness was not yet secure, and in a few Hours he found a considerablealterationinhisCondition.

AS soon as it was dark enough forCamilla to let down her String to theFellowwhomshehadorder’dtowaitforit,hereceiv’danotherLetterfasten’dto it, and finding it was Directed as the other, for Monsieur Frankville, heimmediatelybroughtittohim.

I

ITwaswithamixtureofFearandJoy,thattheimpatientLoverbrokeitopen,but both these Passions gave Place to an adequate Despair, when having un-seal’dit,hereadtheseLines.

ToMonsieurFRANKVILLE.

HAVEbeenalreadysomuchdeceiv’d,thatIoughtnottoboastofanyskillintheArtofDivination,yet, I fancy, ’tis inmyPower toforma justerGuess

thanIhavedone,whattheSentimentsofyourHeartwillbewhenyoufirstopenthis –– Methinks, I see you put on a scornful Smile, resolving to be stillunmov’d, either at Upbraidings or Complaints, for to do one of these, I amsatisfied,youimagineisthereasonofmytroublingyouwithaLetter:ButSir,Iam not altogether silly enough to believe the tendered Supplications themosthumble ofmy Sex cou’dmake, has efficacy to restoreDesire, onceDead, toLife;orifitcou’d,IamnotsomeanSpiritedastoacceptareturnthuscaus’d;norwou’ditbelessimpertinenttoReproach;totellyouthatyouarePerjur’d—Base — Ungrateful, is what you know already, unless your Memory is soComplaisantasnottoremindyouofeitherVowsorObligations:But,toassureyou, that I reflect on this suddenChangeof yourHumourwithout being sir’dwithRage, or stupify’dwithGrief, is perhaps,what you least expect.—Yet,strangeas itmay seem, it ismost certain, that she,whomyouhave found theSoftest, Fondeet, Tenderest of her Kind, is in a moment grown the mostIndifferent, for in spight of your Inconstancy, I never shall deny that I haveLov’dyou,—Lov’dyou,eventoDotage,myPassiontookbirthlongbeforeIknew you had a thought of feigning one for me, which frees me from thatImputationWomen too frequently deserve, of loving fornootherReason thanbecause they are beloved, for if you ne’er had seem’d to love, I shou’d havecontinu’d to do so inReality. I found a thousandCharms in your Person andConversation,andbeliev’dyourSoulnolesstranscendingallothersinexcellentQualities,thanIstillconfessyourFormtobeinBeauty;IdrestyouupinvainImagination, adorn’d with all the Ornaments of Truth, Honour, good Nature,Generosity,andeveryGracethatraisemortalPerfectiontothehighestpitch,andalmostreachDivinity,—butyouhavetakencaretoproveyourself,meerMan,tolike,dislike,andwishyouknownotwhat,norwhy!IfIneverhadanyMerits,

howcameyoutothinkmeworthythepainsyouhavetakentoengageme?AndifIhad,howamIsosuddenlydepriv’dofthem?—No,Iamstillthesame,andtheonlyreasonIappearnotsotoyou,is,thatyoubeholdmenow,nomore,withLover’sEyes;thefewCharms,IamMistressof,look’dlovelyatadistance,butlose their Lustre, when approach’d too near; your Fancy threw a glitteringBurnisho’reme,whichfreePossessionhaswornoff,andnow,theWomanonlystands expos’d to View, and I confess I justly suffer for the guilty Folly ofbelievingthatinyourSexArdorscou’dsurviveEnjoyment,oriftheycou’d,thatsuchaMiraclewasreserv’dforme;but thankHeavenmyPunishment ispast,the Pangs, the Tortures of my bleeding Heart, in tearing your Idea thence,alreadyarenomore!ThefieryTryalisover,andIamnowarriv’dattheEliziumof perfect Peace, entirely unmolested by any warring Passion; the Fears, theHopes, the Jealousies, and all the endlessTrain ofCareswhichwaitedonmyhoursofLoveandfondDelusion,servebuttoendearre-gain’dTranquility;andIcancoolyScorn;nothateyourFalsehood;andtho’itisaMaximverymuchinuseamongtheWomenofmyCountry,that,nottoRevenge,weretodeserveIll-usage,yetIamsofarfromhavingawishthatway, thatIshallalwaysesteemyourVirtues,andwhileIpardon,pityyourInfirmities;shallpraiseyourflowingWit,without an Indignant remembrance howoft it has been emp’oy’d formyundoing;shallacknowledgethebrightnessofyourEyes,andnotinsecretCursetheborrow’dsoftnessoftheirGlances,shallthinkonallyourpastEndearments,yourSighs,yourVows,yourmeltingKisses,andthewarmFuryofyourfierceEmbraces,butasapleasingDream,whileReasonslept,andwishnottorenewatsuchaPrice.

I desire no Answer to this, nor to be thought of more, go on in the sameCourseyouhavebegun,Change’tillyouaretir’dwithroving,stillletyourEyesInchant,yourTongueDelude,andOathsBetray,andallwho look,who listen,andbelieve,beruin’dandforsakenlike

Camilla

THEcalmandresoluteResentmentwhichappear’dintheStileofthisLetter,gaveFrankville very just Grounds to fear, it would be no small Difficulty toobtainaPardonforwhathehadsorashlyWritten;butwhenhereflectedontheseeming Reasons, which mov’d him to it, and that he should have anOpportunitytoletherknowthem,hewasnotaltogetherInconsolable,hepass’dtheNighthoweverinaWorldofAnxiety,andassoonasMorningcame,hurried

away,tocommunicatetotheCountthisfreshOccasionofhisTrouble.

ITwasnowD’elmont’sturntoRally,andhelaugh’dasmuchatthoseFears,whichheimagin’dCauseless,as theotherhaddone,at theAssignationhehadperswadedhimtomakewithCiamara,but tho’asmostofhisSexare,hewasprettymuchof theCount’sOpinion,yet, theRe-instatinghimself inCamilla’sEsteem,wasaMatteroftoogreatImportancetohim,tosufferhimtotakeoneMoment’sease’tillhewasperfectlyAssur’dofit.

ATlast,thewish’dforHourarrived,andhe,disguis’dso,asitwasimpossibleforhimtobeknown,attendedtheCounttothatdearWicket,whichhadsooftengivenhimEntrancetoCamilla;theywaitednotlongforAdmittance,Brionewasreadythere toReceivethem; theSightofher, inflam’dtheHeartofMonsieurFrankville with all the Indignation imaginable, for he knew her to be theWoman, who, by her Treachery to Camilla, had gain’d the Confidence ofCiamara,andinvolv’dhiminalltheMiserieshehadendur’dbuthecontainedhimself,’tillshetakingtheCountbytheHand,inordertoleadhimtoherLady,badhimwaitherReturn,whichshetoldhimshouldbeimmediately,inanouterRoomwhichshepointedhimto.

IN themeanTimesheconducted theCount to theDoorof thatmagnificentChamber,where he had been receiv’d by the suppos’dCamilla, andwhere henowbeheld the realCiamara, drest, if possible, richer than shewas theNightbefore, but loose aswanton Fancy cou’d invent; shewas lying on the Couchwhenheenter’d,andaffectingtofeemasifshewasnotpresentlySensibleofhisbeing there, rose not to receive him ’till hewasverynear her; theyboth keptsilence for someMoments, she,waiting till he should speak, andhe,possibly,preventedbytheuncertaintyafterwhatmannerheshouldFormhisAddress,soastokeepanequalMediumbetweeenthetwoExtreams,ofbeingCruel,ortooKind, till at last the Violence of her impatient Expectation burst out in theseWords, ––– Oh that this Silence were the Effect of Love! ––– and thenperceivinghemadenoAnswer; tellme, continu’d she, am I forgiven for thusintrudingonyourPityforaGrant,whichInclinationwouldnothaveallow’dme?CeaseMadam, reply’d he, to encrease theConfusionwhich a just Sense ofyourFavours,andmyownIngratitudehascastmein:HowcanyoulookwithEyesso tenderandsokind,onhimwhobringsyounothing inReturn?Ratherdespiseme,hateme,drivemefromyourSight,believemeasIam,unworthyofyourLove,norsquanderonaBankruptWretchthenobleTreasure:OhInhuman!interruptedshe,hasthenthatMistressofwhoseCharmsyouboasted,engross’dallyourstockofTenderness?andhaveyounothing,nothingtorepaymeforall

thiswasteofFondness,— this lavishProdigalityofPassion,which forcesmebeyondmySexesPride,ormyownnaturalModesty,tosue,toCourt,tokneelandweep forPity:Pity, resum’d theCountwou’dbeapoorReward forLovelike yours, and yet alas! continued he Sighing, ’tis all I have to give; I havealreadytoldyou,Iamty’dbyVows,byHonour,Inclination,toanother,whotho’farabsenthence,IstlillpreservethedearRemembranceof!MyFatewillsoonrecallme back to her, andParis, yours fixes you atRome; and since we aredoom’d to be for ever separated, it wou’d be base to Cheat you with a vainPretence, and lull you with Hopes pleasing Dreams a while, when you mustquicklywaketoaddedTortures,andredoubledWoe:Heavens,cry’dshe,withanAir full ofResentment, are thenmyCharms somean,myDarts soweak, thatnear,theycannotinterceptthose,shotatsuchaDistance?Andareyouthatdull,coldPlatonist,whichcanpreferthevisionaryPleasuresofanabsentMistress,tothe warm Transports of the Substantial present: TheCount was pretty muchsurpriz’dat theseWords,comingfromtheMouthofaWomanofHonour,andbegan now to perceivewhat herAimwas, butwilling to bemore confirm’d,Madam,saidhe,IdarenothopeyourVirtuewou’dpermit.–––Is thisaTime(Interrupted she, lookingonhimwithEyeswhich sparkledwithwildDesires,andleftnowantoffurtherExplanationofhermeaning)IsthisanHourtopreachofVirtue?—Married,—betrothed,engag’dbyLoveorLaw,whathindersbutthisMomentyoumaybemine,thisMoment,wellimprov’d,mightgiveusJoystobaffleawholeAgeofWoe;makeus,atonce,forgetourTroublespast,andbyitssweetremembrance,scornthosetocome;inspeakingtheseWords,shesunksupinely on D’elmont’s Breast; but tho’ he was not so ill-natur’d, andunmannerlyastorepelher,thissortofTreatmentmadehimlosealltheEsteem,andgreatpartofthePityhehadcon-conceiv’dforher.

THEWoesofLovtareonlyworthyCommiseration,accordingtotheirCauses;and tho’all thosekindsofDesire,which thedifferenceofSexcreates,bear ingeneral,thenameofLove,yettheyareasvastlywide,asHeavenandHell;thatPassion which aims chiefly at Enjoyment, in Enjoyment ends, the fleetingPleasuse isnomore remembred,butall thestingsofGuiltandShameremain;but that,where the interiourBeautiesareconsulted,andSoulsareDevotees, istruly Noble, Love, there is a Divinity indeed, because he is immortal andunchangeable,andifourearthypartpartaketheBliss,andcravingNatureisinall obey’d; Possession thus desired, and thus obtain’d, is far from satiating,Reason is not here debas’d to Sense, but Sense elevates itself toReason, thedifferentPowersunite,andbecomepurealike.

ITwasplainthatthePassionwithwhichCiamarawasanimated,sprungnotfrom this last Source; she had seen the Charming Count, was taken with hisBeauty,andwish’dnofarther than topossesshis lovelyPerson,hisMindwasthe least of her Thoughts, for had she the least Ambition to reign there, shewou’dnothavesomeanlyfoughttoobtaintheone,afterhehadassuredher,theother,farmorenoblepartofhimwasdispos’dof.TheGriefhehadbeenin,thatitwasnot inhisPower to returnherPassion,whilehebeliev’d itmeritorious,was now chang’d to the utmostContempt, and herQuality, and the State sheliv’din,didnothinderhimfromregardingofher,inasindifferentamanner,ashewou’dhavedoneacommonCourtezan,

LOSTtoallSenseofHonour,PrideorShame,andwildtogratifyherfuriousWishes, shespoke,without reserve;all theysuggested toher,and lyingonhisBreast,beheld,withoutconcern,herRobesflyopen,andalltheBeautiesofherownexposed,andnaked tohisView;Madathis Insensiblity, at last shegrewmorebold,shekiss’dhisEyes,—hisLips,athousandtimes,thenpress’dhiminherArmswithstrenuousEmbraces,—andsnatchinghisHandandputtingitto herHeart, which fiercely bounded at his Touch, bid him bewitness of hismightyInfluencethere.

THO’ it was impossible for any Soul to be capable of a greater, or moreconstantPassionthanhisfeltforMelliora,tho’noManthateverliv’d,waslessaddicted to looseDesires,—infine, tho’hereallywas,asFrankvillehadtoldhim,themostexcellentofhisKind,yet,hewasstillaMan!And,’tisnottobethoughtstrange,iftotheforceofsuchunitedTemptations,NatureandModestya littleyielded;warm’dwithher fires, andperhaps,moremov’dbyCuriosity,herBehaviourhavingextinguish’dallhisrespect,hegavehisHandsandEyesafullEnjoymentofall thoseCharms,whichhad theybeenanswer’dbyaMindworthy of them, might justly have inspir’d the highest Raptures, while she,unshock’d,andunresisting,suffer’dallhedid,andurg’dhimwithall theArtsshewasMistressof,tomore,anditisnotaltogetherimprobable,thathemightnot entirely have forgot himself, if a sudden Interruption had not restor’d hisReasontotheconsiderationoftheBusinesswhichhadbroughthimhere.

MONSIEUR Frankville had all this time been employed in a far differentmannerofEntertainment;Brionecametohim,accordingtoherpromise,assoonas shehad introduc’d theCount toCiamara, and having been commandedbythatLadytoDiscoursewiththesupposedServant,andgetwhatshecou’doutofhim,oftheCount’sAffairs,shesatdownandbegantotalktohimwithagreatdealofFreedom;buthewhowas too impatient to losemuchtime, toldherhe

hadaSecrettodiscover,iftheplacetheywereinwasprivateenoughtopreventhis being over-heard, and she assuring him that it was, he immediatelydiscover’dwhohewas,andclap’daPistoltoherBreast,swearingthatMomentshou’d be the last of her Life, if she made the least Noise, or attempted tointercept his passage toCamilla: The terror she was in,made her fall on herKnees, and conjuringhim to spareherLife, beg’d a thousandPardons for herInfidelity,which she told him was not occasion’d by any particularMalice tohim;butnotbeingwillingtoleaveRomeherself,thefearofbeingexpos’dtotherevengeofCiamaraandCittolini,whentheyshou’dfindoutthatshehadbeenthe Instrument ofCamilla’s Escape, prevail’d upon her timerous Soul to thatDiscovery, which was the only means to prevent what she so much dreaded:FrankvillecontentedhimselfwithventinghisResentmentintwoorthreeheartyCurses, and taking her roughly by theArm, bid her gowith him to CamillasApartment, and discover before herwhat she knewofCiamara’s EntertainingCountD’elmont inherName,whichshe tremblingpromis’d toobey,and theyboth went up a pair ot back Stairs which led a private way to Camilla’sChamber;whentheyenter’d,shewassittinginhernightDressontheBed-side,andtheunexpedtedsightofBrione,who,tillnow,hadneverventuredtoappearbeforeher,sinceherInfidelity,andaManwithherwhomshethoughtaStranger,fill’d her with such a surprize, that it deprived her of her Speech, and gaveFrankvilletimetothrowoffhisDisguise,andcatchherinhisArms,withalltheTransportsofunfeignedAffection,beforeshecou’denoughrecoverherself tomakeanyresistance,butwhenshedid,itwaswithalltheViolenceimaginable,and indeavouring to tear herself away;Villain, said she, comest thou again totriumpho’remyWeakness,—againtoCheatmeintofondBelief?ThereneedednomoretomakethisobsecquiousLoverrelinquishhisHold,andfallingatherFeet,wasbeginningtospeaksomethinginhisVindication,whenshe,quitelostinRage,preventedhim,byrenewingherReproachesin thismanner;haveyounotgivenmeupmyVows?Resum’dshe,haveyounotabandon’dmetoruin,–to Death –– to Infamy, — to all the stings of self-accusing Conscience andRemorse? And come you now, by your detested Presence, to alarmRemembrance, and new point my Tortures? –– That Woman’s Treachery,continu’dshe,lookingonBrione,IfreelyPardon,sincebythatlittleAbsenceitoccasion’d,IhavediscoveredthewaveringdispositionofyourSoul,andlearn’dtoscornwhatisbelowmyAnger.Heremebutspeak,cry’dFrankville,orifyoudoubtmyTruth,asIconfessyouhavealmightyCause,letherinformyou,whatseemingReasons,whatProvocationsurg’dmyhastyRagetowritethatfatal,—that acursedLetter. Iwill hear nothing, reply’dCamilla, neither fromyounorher,— I see the baseDesign and scorn to joyn in theDeceit, – You had no

Cause! — not even the least Pretence for your Inconstancy but one, which,tho’youallareguiltyof,youallDisown,andthatis,beinglov’dtoowell.—ILavish’dallthefondnessofmySoul,andyou,unabletoreward,despiz’dit:–Butthinknotthattherage,younowbeholdmein,proceedsfrommyDespair–No,yourInsonstancyistheFaultofNature,aVicewhichallyourSexareproneto.and’tiswe,thefondBelieversonly,aretoblame,thatIforgave,myLettertoldyouthatIdid—butthustocome—thusInolentinImagination,todaretohopeIwerethatmeanSoul’dWretch,whoseeasyTameness,andwhosedoatingLove, with Joy would welcome your return, clasp you again in my deludedArms, and swear you were as dear as ever, is such an affront to myUnderstanding,asmeritsthewholeFuryofRevenge!asshespoketheseWords,sheturn’ddisdainfullyfromhimwithaResolutionto leavetheRoom,butshecouldnotmakesuchhast:togoaway,asthedespairing,thedistractedFrankvilledid to prevent her, and catching hold of her Garments, stayMadam, said he,wildly,eitherpermitmetoclearmyselfofthisbarbarousAccusation,or,ifyouareresolv’d,Unhearing, toCondemnme,beholdme,satiateallyourRagecanwish, forbyHeaven,continuedhe,holding thePistol tohisownBreast,ashehaddonealittlebeforetoBrione’s,byallthejoys1havePossest,byalltheHellInowendure, thisMoment I’llbe receiv’dyourLover, or expireyourMartyr.These Words pronounc’d so passionately, and the Action that accompany’dthem,madeavisiblealterationinCamilla’sCountenance,butitlastednotlong,andResuming her fierceness; yourDeath, cry’d she, thiswaywould givemelittleSatisfaction, theWorldwouldjudgemoreNobleofmyResentment, ifbymy Hand you fell –– Yet, continu’d she, snatching the Pistol from him, andthrowingitoutoftheWindow,whichhappenedtobeopen,Iwillnot—cannotbe the Executioner. — No, Live! And let thy Punishment be, in Reality, toendurewhat thouwellDissemblest, thePangs, the rackingPangs,ofhopeless,endlessLove!–May’st thou indeed,LoveMe, as thou a thousandTimeshastfalselysworn,—foreverLove, and I, foreverHate! In this lastSentence, sheflewlikeLightningtoherCloset,andshutherselfin,leavingtheamaz’dLoverstill on hisKnees, stupify’dwithGrief andWonder, all thiswhileBrione hadbeencallingaboutinherMind,howtomakethebestuseofthisAdventurewithCiamara, and encouraged by Camilla’s Behaviour and taking advantage ofFrankville’sConfusion,madebut oneStep to theChamberDoor, and runningoutintotheGallery,anddownStairs,cry’dMurder,—Help,aRape—Help,orDonnaCamillawillbecarry’daway.––Shehadnooccasiontocalloften,forthePistolwhichCamillathrewoutoftheWindowchanc’dtogooff’inthefall,andthereportitmade,hadalarm’dsomeoftheServantswhowereinanout-Houseadjoyning to theGarden,and imagining therewereThieves,weregathering to

search:somearm’dwithStaves, somewith IronBars,orany thing theycouldgetintheHurrytheywerein,astheywererunningcoufusedlyabout,theymetMonsieurFrankvillepursuingBrione,withadesigntostopherMouth,eitherbyThreatningsorBribes,butshewastoonimbleforhim,andknowingthewaysoftheHousemuchbetter thanhedid,wentdirectly to theRoomwhereCiamarawasCarressing theCount in the manner alreadymention’d. OhMadam, saidshe,youareimpos’don,theCounthasdeceiv’dyourExpectations,andbroughtMonsieurFrankvilleinDisguisetorobyouofCamilla.TheseWordsmadethemboth,tho’withverydifferentSentiments,startfromtheposturetheywerein,andCiamarachangingherAirofTendernessforoneallFury,Monster!Cry’dshetoD’elmont, have you then betray’dme? This is no time, reply’d he, hearing agreatBustle,andFrankville’sVoiceprettyloudwithout,formetoansweryou,myHonourcallsmetomyFriend’sassistanceanddrawinghisSword,runastheNoisedirectedhimtothePlacewhereFrankvillewasdefendinghimselfagainstalittleArmyofCiamara’sServants,shewasnotmuchbehindhim,andenrag’dtothehighestdegree,cry’dout,kill,killthemboth!ButthatwasnotaTaskforamuchgreaterNumberofsuchas themtoAccomplishi,andtho’ theirWeaponsmight easily have beat down, or broke theGentlemensSword; yet their Fearskept them from coming too near, andCiamara, had theVexation to see thembothRetreatwithSafety,andherselfdisappointed,aswellinherRevenge,asinherLove.

NOTHING cou’d bemore surpriz’d, than CountD’elmont was,when he gotHome,andheardfromFrankvilleallthathadpass’dbetweenhimandCamilla,norwashisTroubleless,thathehaditnotinhisPowertogivehimanyAdvicein anyExigence so uncommon:He did all he cou’d to comfort and divert hisSorrows,butinvain,theWoundsofbleedingLoveadmitnoEase,butfromtheHandwhichgavethemiandhe,whowasnaturallyrashandfiery,nowgrewtothatheightofDesparationandviolenceofTemper, that theCount fear’dsomefatalCatafbrophe,andwou’dnotsufferhimtostirfromhimthatNight,northenext Day, till he had oblig’d him to make a Vow, and bind it with the mostsolemnImprecations,nottoofferanythingagainsthisLife.

BUT, tho’ plung’d into the lowest depth ofMisery, and lost, to allHumaneprobability,inaninextricableLabyrinthofWoe,Fortunewillfind,atlastsomeway,toraise,anddisentanglethose,whomsheispleas’dtomakeherFavourites,and that Monsieur Frankville was one, an unexpe6ied Adventure made himknow.

THE thirdDayfromthat, inwhichhehadseenCamilla,ashewassittingin

I

hisChamber,inamelanchollyConversationwiththeCount,whowasthencometoVisithim,hisServantbroughthimaLetter,whichhesaidhadbeenjustleft,by aWoman of an extraordinary Appearance, and who theMoment she hadgivenitintohisHand,gotfromtheDoorwithsomuchspeed,thatsheseem’drathertovanishthantowalk.

WHILEtheServantwasspeaking,Frankvillelook’dontheCountwithakindofapleas’dExpectationinhisEye’,butthencastinegthemontheDirectionoftheLetter,Alas!Saidhe,howvainwasmyImagination,thisisnotCamila’s,butaHand, towhich IamutterlyaStranger; theseWordswereclos’dwithn figh,andheopen’ditwithNegligencewhichwou’dhavebeenunpardonable,cou’dhehaveguess’dattheContents,butassoonashesawtheNameofVioletta,atthe bottom, a flash of Hope re-kindled in his Soul, and trembling withImpatienceheRead.

ToMonsieurFRANKVILLE,

Think it cannot be call’dTreachery, ifwebetray theSecrets of aFriend,only when Concealment were an Injury, but however I may be able toanswer this breach of Trust, I am about to make to my self, ’tis your

Behaviour alone, which can absolveme toCamilla, and by your Fidelity shemustjudgeofmine.

THO’Daughter to theManshehates, she findsnothing inmeUnworthyofher Love and Confidence, and as I have been privy, ever since your mutualMisfortunes,tothewholeHistoryofyourAmour,soIamnownoStrangertotheSentiments,yourlastConversationhasinspir’dherwith—Shelovesyoustill,Monsieur—withanextremityofPassion lovesyou,—But, tho’sheceases tobelieveyouunworthyofit,herIndignationforyourunjustSuspicionofherwillnotbeeasilyremoved—Sheisresolv’dtoacttheHeroine,tho’topurchasethatCharacter it shou’d cost her Life: She is determind for a Cloyster, and hasdeclared her Intention, and a fewDays will take away all Possibility of everbeingyours;butI,whoknowtheconflictssheendures,wishitmaybeinyourPowertopreventtheExecutionofaDesign,whichcannot,butbefataltoher:MyFather andCiamara, I wish I cou’d not call her Aunt, were last Night inprivateConference,but Ioverheardenoughof theirDiscourse, to knew there

has been some ungenerousContrivance carry’d on tomake you, andCamillaappearguiltytoeachother,and’tisfromthatKnowledgeIderivemyHopes,thatyou have Honour enough to make a right Use of this Discovery, if you haveanything to say, to further the Intercessions I am imploy’d in, to serve you;PrepareaLetter,whichIwilleitherprevailonhertoread,orobligeher,inspiteoftheResolutionshehasmade,toHear:Buttakecare,thatintheleast,youhintnot that you have receiv’d one from me, for 1 shall perswade her that theIndustry of your Love has found means of conveying it to me, without myKnowledge:BringitwithyouthisEveningtoSt.Peter’s,andassoonasDivineServiceisover, followherwhoshalldropherHandkerchiefasshepassesyou,forbythatMarkyoushalldistingguishherwhomyouyetknow,butbytheNameof

Violetta.

P.S.One thing,and indeednot the leasty,which indue’dme towrite, I hadalmost forgot,which is, thatyourFriend theAccomplish’dCountD’elmont, isasmuchendangeredby theResentmentofCiamara,asyourselfby thatofmyFather, bid him beware how he receives any Letter, or Present from a Handunknown,lestheshouldExperience,whathehasdoubtlessheardof,ourItalianArtofPoysoningbythesmell.

WHENMonsieurFrankvillehadgiventhisLettertotheCounttoread,whichheimmediatelydid,theybothofthembrokeintothehighestEncomiumsonthisyoungLady’sGenerosity,whocontrarytothecustomofherSex,whichseldomforgives an affront of that kind,made it her study to serve theManwho hadrefus’dher,andmakeherRivalblest.

THESETestimoniesofagratefulAcknowlegementbeingover,Frankvilletoldthe Count, he believ’d the most, and indeed the only effectual Means toextinguisgCamilla’sResentmentwou’dbeentirelytoremovetheCause,whichcou’d be done no otherway, than by giving her a fullAccount ofCiamara’sbehaviour,whileshepass’dforher:D’elmontreadilyconsented,andthoughtitnot at all inconsistent with his Honour to Expose that of aWoman who hadshewnsolittleValueforitherself:AndwhenhesawthatFrankvillehadfinish’dhisLetter,whichwasverylong,forLoverscannoteasilycometoaConclusion,heoffer’dtowriteaNotetoher,enclos’dintheother,whichshou’dserveasanEvidence of the Truth of what he had alledged in his Vindication:Frankvillegladlyembrac’d thekindProposal,and theother immediatelymade itgood intheseWords.

I

ToDonnaCAMILLA.Madam,

FtheSeverityofyourJusticerequiresaVictimIonlyamGuilty,whobeingImpos’duponmyself,endeavour’d,forIcannotsayIcou’dAccomplishit,to involve theUnfortunateFrankville in the same fatalError,andat last,

prevail’donhimtoWrite,whathecou’dnotbebrought,byallmyArgumentstoThink.

LETtheCausewhichledmetotakethisFreedom,excusethePresumptionofit,which,fromonesomuchaStranger,wou’dbeelseunpardonable:ButwhenweareconsciousofaCrime,thefirstreparationwecanmaketoInnocence,is,to acknowledge we have offended; and, if the Confession of my Faults, maypurchase an Absolution formy Friend, I shall account it the noblestWork ofSupererogation.

BEassur’d,thatasinexorableasyouare,yourutmostRigourwou’dfinditsSatisfaction,ifyoucou’dbesensibleofwhatIsufferinasadRepentanceformySinofinjuringsoHeavenlyaVirtue,andperhaps,intimebemov’dbyit,toPityandForgive

TheUnhappilydeceiv’d

D’elmont.

THE time inwhich they had doneWriting, immediately brought on that ofVioletta’s Appointment, and the Count wou’d needs accompany MonsieurFrankvilleinthisAssignation,saying,hehadanacknowledgmenttopaytothatLady,whichhethoughthimselfoblig’d,ingoodMannersandGratitude,totakethis Opportunity to do; and the other being of the same Opinion, they wenttogethertoSt.Peter’s.

WHEN Prayerswere done,which, ’tis probable,One of theseGentlemen, ifnotBoth,mightthinktootedious,theystoodup,andlookinground,impatientlyexpected when the promis’d Signal shou’d be given; but among the greatNumberofLadies,whichpass’dbythem,therewereveryFew,whodidnotstopa little to gaze on these twoAccomplish’d Chevaliers, and theywere several

timesTantaliz’dwithan imaginaryVioletta, before the real one appear’d.Butwhen theCrowdwerealmostdispers’d,and theybegan to fearsomeAccidenthadpreventedher coming, the long expectedTokenwas let fall, and shewhothrewit,trip’dhastilyawaytothefartherendoftheCollonade,whichhapnedtobe entirely void of Company: The Count and his Companion, were not longbehind her, and Monsieur Frankville being the Person chiefly concern’d,address’dhimselftoherinthismanner:WithwhatWords,Madam,saidhe,cana Man so infinitely Oblig’d, and so desirous to be Grateful, as Frankvillesufficiently make known his admiration of a Generosity like yours? Such anunboundeu Goodness, shames all Discription! Makes Language vile, since itaffordsnoPhrasetosuityourWorth,orspeakthemightySensemySoulhasofit. IhavenootherAim,reply’dshe, inwhat Ihavedone, thanJusticeand’tisonlyintheproofofyoursinceritytoCamilla,thatIamtobethank’d.FrankvillewasabouttoanswerwithsomeassurancesofhisFaith,whentheCountsteppingforward,preventedhim:MyFriend,Madam,saidhebowing, ismosthappyinhavingitinhisPowertoobeyaCommand,whichistheutmostofhisWishes;buthowmustIacquitmyselfofanypartofthatReturnwhichisduetoyou,forthatgenerousCareyouhavebeenpleas’dtoexpressforthepreservationofmyLife?Thereneedsnomore,interruptedshe,withaperceivablealterationinherVoice,thantohaveseenCountD’elmont,tobeinterestedinhisConcerns—shepaus’d a little after speaking theseWords, and then, as if she thought shehadsaidtoomuch,turn’dhastilytoFrankville,theLetter,Monsieur,continue’dshe,theLetter,—’tisnotimpossiblebutwemaybeobserv’d,—ItremblewiththeapprehensionofaDiscovery:Frankvilleimmediatelydeliver’dittoher,butsawsomuchDisorderinherGesture,thatitverymuchsurpriz’dhim:Shetrembledindeed, but whether occasioned by any danger she perceiv’d of being takennoticeof,orsomeothersecretAgitationshe feltwithin,was thenunknown toanybutherself,butwhateveritwas,ittransportedhersofar,astomakeherquitthePlace,withoutbeingabletotakeanyotherLeavethanahastyCurtise,andbiddingFrankvillemeetherthenextMorningatMattins,

HEREwasanewCauseofDisquiettoD’elmont;theExperiencehehadofthetoo fatal influenceofhisdangerousAttractions,gavehimsufficientReason tofearthisyoungLadywasnotinsensibleofthem,andthathisPresencewasthesoleCauseofherDisorder;however,hesaidnothingofittoFrankvilletilltheothermentioning it to him, and repeating herWords, they both joyn’d in theOpinion,thatLovehadbeentoobusyinherHeart,andthatitwasthefeelingtheEffectsofitinherself,hadinclinedhertosomuchCompassionfortheMiseriesshesawitinflicteduponothers.TheCountverywellknewthatwhenDesiresof

F

thisKindarespringingintheSoul,everySightofthebelovedObject,encreasestheirgrowth,andtherefore,tho’hergenerousmannerofProceedinghadcreatedin him a very great Esteem, and he wou’d have been pleas’d with herConversation, yet he ceas’d to wish a farther Acquaintance with her, lest itshouldrenderhermoreUnhappy,andforboregoingthenextDaytoChurchwithFrankville,aselsehewou’dhavedone.

VIOLETTAfail’dnottocomeasshhadpromis’d,butinsteadofdroppingherHandkerchief,asshehaddonetheEveningbefore,shekneltasclosetohimasshecou’d,andpullinghimgentlybytheSleeve,obligedhimtoregardher,whoelse,notknowingher,wou’dnothavesuspectedshewassonear,and flip’daNote into hisHand, biddinghim softly, not take any farther notice of her:Heobeyed, but ’tis reasonable to believe, was too impatient to know what theContentswere,tolistenwithmuchAttentionandDevotiontotheremainderoftheCeremony;assoonhewasreleased,hegotintoaCorneroftheCathedral,where, unobserv’d he might satisfy a Curiosity, which none who Love, willcondemnhimfor,anymore than theywill for the thrillingExtacywhichfill’dhisSoulattheReadingtheseLines.

ToMonsieurFRANKVILLEORfearIshouldnothaveanOpportunityofspeakingtoyou,insafety,Itake thisMethod to inform you, that I have been so Successful in myNegotiation,astomakeCamillarepenttheSeverityofherSentence,and

wish for nothing more than to recall it: you are now entirely justified in herOpinion, by theArtificewhichwasmade use of toDeceive you, and she is, Ibelieve,nolessenrag’datCiamara,fordeprivingherofthatLetteryousentbytheCount, thanshewasatyouforthatunkindone,whichcametoherHands.Sheisnowunderlessrestraint,sinceBrione’sReportofherBehaviourtoyou,and the everlasting Resentment she vow’d, and I have prevail’d on her toaccompanymeinaVisitIamtomake,tomorrowintheEvening,toDonnaClaraMetteline, a Nun, in theMonastery of St.Augustine. and if you will meet usthere,IbelieveitnotimpossiblebutshemaybebroughttoaConfessionofallIhavediscover’dtoyouofherThoughts.

THE Count’s Letter was of no small Service to you, for tho’ without thatEvidence she wou’d have been convinced of your Constancy, yet she wou’dhardly haveacknowledged shewas so ! and if hewill take thePains to come

T

with you tomo row I believe his Companywill be aceeptable, if you think itproper;youmaylethimknowasmuchfrom

VIOLETTA.

P.S.IbegathousandPardonsbothofyouandtheCount,fortheabruptnessofmyDeparture lastNight; somethinghappen’d togivemeaConfusion fromwhich I cou’d not at that time recover, but hope for the future to be moreMistressofmyself,

MONSIEURFrankville hasted to theCount’s. Lodgings, to communicate hisgood Fortune, but found him in aHumour very unfit forCongratulations; thePosthadjustbroughthimaLetterfromhisBrother,theChevalierBrillian,theContentswhereofwerethese.

ToCountD’LMONT.MyLord,

ISwithaninexpressableGriefthatIobeytheCommandyouleftme,forgiving you from Time to time an exact Account ofMelliora’s Affairs,sincewhatIhavenowtoacquaintyouwith,willmakeyoustandinNeed

ofall yourModeration to support it.But,not tokeepyourExpectationon theRack, loth as I am, I must inform you, thatMelliora is, by some unknownRavisherstolenfromtheMonastery—Themannerofit,(asIhavesincelearn’dfrom those who were with her) was thus: As she was walking in the Fields,behind theCloyslerGardens,accompaniedbysomeyoungLady’s,,Pensionersthereaswellasherself,fourMenwellmounted,butDisguis’dandMuffed,rodeuptothem,threeofthemjump’dofftheirHorses,andwhileoneseiz-’donthedefencelessPrey;andborehertohisArms,whowasnotalighted,theothertwocaught hold of herCompanions, andprevented theOut-cries theywould havemade, ’till she was carry’d out of sight, then Mounting again their Horses,immediatelylosttheamaz’dVirginsallHopesofrecoveringher.

IConjuremydearestBrothertobelievetherehasbeennothingomittedfortheDiscoveryofthisVillany,butinspiteofallthePainsandCarewehavetakeninthesearch;NoneofushaveyetbeenhappyenoughtoheartheleastAccountofher:ThatmynextmaybringyoumorewelcomeNews,isthefirstwishof

MyLord,YourLordship’smostZealouslyAffectionateBrother,andHumbleServant

Brillian.

P.S. THERE are some People here, Malicious enough to Report, that theDesignofcarryingawayMelliora,wascontriv’dbyyou,andthatitisinRomesheonlycanbefound.Itwou’dbeofgreatAdvantagetomyPeace,ifIcou’dbeof theNumberof thosewhobelieve it,but Iam toowellacquaintedwithyourPrinciplestoharboursuchaThought.Oncemore,mydearLord,forthisTime,Adieu.

AFTERtheCounthadgiven thisLetter toFrankville toread,he toldhim,hewasresolv’dtoleaveRomethenextDay,thatnobodyhadsogreatanInterestinherRecoveryashimself,thathewouldTrusttheSearchofhertonoother,andswore with the most dreadful Imprecations he could make, never to rest, butwander,Knight-Errandlike,overthewholeWorld’tillhehadfoundher.

THO’MonsieurFrankvillewasextreamlyconcern’datwhathadhappen’dtohisSister,yetheendeavour’dtodisswadetheCountfromleavingRome,tillheknewtheresultofhisownAffairwithCamilla;butallhisArgumentswereforalongtimeineffectual,’till,atlast,showinghimVioletta’sLetter,heprevail’donhimtodeferhisJourneytilltheyhadfirstseenCamilla,onCondition,thatifshepersisted inherRigour, he shou’dgiveover any further fruitlessSolicitations,and accompany him toParis: ThisFrankville promis’d to perform, and theypass’dthetimeinveryuneafyandimpatientCogitations,’tillthenextDayaboutFiveintheEveningtheyprepar’dfortheAppointment.

Count D’elmont and his longing Companion, were the first at theRendezvous, but in a very little while they perceiv’d two Women comingtowards them: The Idea of Camilla was always too much in Frankville’sThoughts,nottomakehimknowher,bythatcharmingAir(whichhesomuchador’dherfor)tho’shewasVeil’dneversoclofely,andtheMomenthehadsightofthem,OhHeaven(cry’dhetoD’élmont))ondershecomes,that,—thatmyLord,isthedivineCamilla,astheycameprettynear,shethatindeedprov’dtobeCamilla, was turning on one Side, in order to go to the Grate where sheexpelledtheNun.Hold!HoldDonaCamilla,cry’dVioletta,Icannotsufferyoushou’dpassbyyourFriendswithanAirsounconcern’difMonsieurFrankvillehas done any thing to merit your Displeasure, my Lord the Count certainly

deservesyourNotice,inthePainshehastakentoundeceiveyou.OnesomuchaStrangerasCountD’émontis,answer’dshe,mayverywellexcusemyThanksfor an explanation, which had he been acquainted with me, he would havespar’d.CruelCamilla!SaidFrankville,isthentheknowledgeofmyInnocenceunwelcome?—AmIbecomesohateful,orareyousochang’d,thatyouwithmeguilty,forajustificationofyourRigour?Ifitbeso,IhavenoRemedybutDeath,whichtho’youdepriv’dmeof,thelasttimeIsawyou,InowcanfindaThousandmeans to compass; he pronounc’d theseWords in soTender, yet soresolv’danAccent, thatCamillacou’dnotconcealpartof theImpressiontheymadeonher,andputtingherHandkerchieftoherEyes,whichinspiteofallshehaddonetopreventit,overflow’dwithTears;talknotofDeath,saidshe,IamnotCruel to that degree,LiveFrankville, Live!—but LivewithoutCamilla!Oh, ’tis impossible! Resum’d he, the latter part of your Command entirelydestroysthefirst.—LifewithoutyourLove,wouldbeaHell,whichIconfessmySoul’saCoward,buttothinkof.

THECountandViolettawereSilentallthisTime,andperceivingtheywereinafairwayofReconciliation,thoughtthebedtheycou’ddotoforwardit,wastoleave ’em to themselves, andwalking a fewPaces from them;You suffermyLord, said she, for your Generosity in accompanying your Friend, since itcondemnsyoutotheConversationofaPerson,whohasneitherWit,norGaietysufficient tomake her selfDiverting.Those, reply’d he,whowou’dmake theExcellent Violletta a Subject of Diversion, ought never to be blest with theCompany of any, but suchWomen whomerit not a serious Regard: But youindeed,wereyourSoulcapableofdescendingtotheFolliesofyourSex,wou’dbeextreamlyataLossinConversationsolittleQualify’dasmine,topleasetheVanitiesoftheFair;andyoustandinneedofallthosemorethanManlyVirtuesyoupossess,topardonaChagreen,whichevenyourPresencecannotDissipate:Ifitcou’d,interruptedshe,IassureyourLordship,Ishou’dmuchmorerejoicein thehappyEffectsof it onyou, thanPridemy self in thePowerof suchanInfluence—Andyetcontinu’dshewithaSigh,IamaveryWoman,andiffreefrom the usualAffectations andVanities ofmySex, I amnot so fromFaults,perhaps,lessworthyofforgiveness:TheCountcou’dnotpresentlyresolvewhatreply tomake to theseWords;hewasunwilling she shouldbelievehewantedComplaisance, and afraid of saying any thing that might give room for aDeclaration ofwhat he had no Power of answering to herwish; but after theconsideration of aMoment or two,Madam, said he, tho’ I dare notQuestionyourSincerityinanyotherPoint,yetyoumustgivemeleavetodisbelieveyouin this, not only, because, in my Opinion, there is nothing so contemptibly

ridiculousasthatselfsufficiency,andvaindesireofpleasing,commonlyknownbytheNameofCoquetry,butalso,becauseshewhoescapes theContagionofthisError,willnotwithoutmuchdifficultybeledintoanyother:AlasmyLord,cry’d Violetta, how vastly wide of Truth is this Assertion? That very foible,whichismostpernicioustoourSex,ischieflybyCoquetryprevented;Ineednottellyouthat’tisLoveImean,andasblamableasyouthinktheone,Ibelievetheotherwou’dfindlessfavourfromaPersonofyourLordship’sJudgment:HowMadam,interruptedtheCount,prettywarmly,haveItheCharacterofaStolick?—Ordoyou, imagine thatmySoul, is compos’d that courseStuff, not to becapableofreceiving,orapprovingaPassion,which,alltheBrave,andgenerousthinkittheirglorytoProsess,andwhichcanonlygiverefin’ddelight,toMindsenobled.—But I perceive, continu’d he growingmore cool, I am not happyenoughinyourEsteem,tobethoughtworthytheInfluenceofthatGod.StillyoumistakemyMeaning,saidVioletta,IdoubtnotofyourSensibility,werethereapossibilityoffindingaWomanworthyofInspiringyouwithsoftDesiresandifthat shou’deverhappen,Lovewou’dbe so far frombeingaweakness, that itwou’dserveratherasanEmbelish-menttoyourotherGraces;it’sonlywhenwestoop toObjects belowourConsideration, or vainlywing ourwishes to thoseaboveourHopes,thatmakesusappearridiculcusorcontemptible;buteitherofthese is a Folly which, — which the incomparable Violetta, interruptedD’elmont, never can be guilty of: You have a very good Opinion of myWitresum’dshe,inamelanchollyTone,butIshou’dbemuchhappierthanIam,ifIwere sure I cou’d securemy self fromdoing any thing to forfeit it: I believe,reply’dtheCounttherearenotmanythingsyouhavelessReasontoapprehendthansuchaChange;andIamconfidentwereItostayinRomeasmanyAgesasIamdetermin’dtodobutHours,Ishou’d,atlast,leaveit,withthesameEsteemandAdmirationofyoursingularVertues,as Inowshalldo.Violettacou’dnotprevent theDisorder theseWords put her into, from discovering it self in theAccentofherVoice,when,How!MyLord,saidshe,arewethentoloseyou?—LoseyouinsoshortaTime?AstheCountwasabouttoanswer,FrankvillleandCamillajoyn’dthem,andlookingonFrankville,ifanyCredit,saidhe,maybegiventotheLanguageoftheEyes,IamcertainyoursspeakSuccess,andImaycongratulate a Happiness you lately cou’d not be persuaded to hope; had I athousandEyes,cry’dthetransporredLover,athousandTongues,theyallwou’dbebutinsignificanttoexpresstheJoy!—heunboundedExtacy,mySoulisfullof,—buttakethemightyMeaninginoneWord,—Camilla’smine—forevermine!—theStormispast,andallthefunnyHeavenofLovereturnstoblessmyfutureDayswithceaselessRaptures;Now,myLord,Iamreadytoattendyouinyour Journey, this Bright! This beauteous Guardian Angel, will partake our

Flight!Andwehavenothingnowtodo,buttopreparewithsecrecyandspeedfitmeans for our Escape. As soon as Frankville had left off speaking, CountD’elmont addressinghimself toCamilla,made her abundance ofRetributions,for the happiness she gave his Friend, which she receiving with a becomingChearfulness, and unaffectedGaiety, I am afraid said she, your LordshipwillthinkaWoman’sResolutionis,henceforth,littleworthregarding;but,continu’dshe, takingVioletta by the Hand, I see well that this unfaithful Creature, hasbetray’dme,andtopunishherInfidelity,will,by leavingher,put itoutofherPowertodeceivemyConfidenceagain:Violletaeitherdidnothear,orwasnotin a condition to return her Raillery, nor the Praises which the Count andMonsieurFrankville concurr’d in of herGenerosity, but stoodmotionless andlostinThought,tillCamillaseeingitgrowtowardsNight, toldtheGentlemen,she thought it best to part, not only to avoid any Suspicion at Home of theirbeing out so long, but also that the othersmight order every thing proper fortheirDeparture,whichitwasagreedonbetweenFrankvilleandher,shouldbethenextNight, toprevent theSuccessof thosemischievousDesignssheknewCiamara and Cittolini were forming, against both the Count and MonsieurFrankville.

MattersbeingthusadjustedtotheentireSatisfactionoftheLovers,andnotinamuchlessproportiontotheCount,theyallthoughtitbesttoavoidmakinganymoreAppointmentstilltheymettopartnomore;whichwastobeattheWicketatdeadofNight.WhentheCounttookleaveofViolletta,thisbeingthelasttimehecou’dexpecttoseeher;shewashardlyabletoreturnhisCivilities,andmuchlesstoanswerthosewhichFrankvillemadeher,aftertheCounthadturn’dfromher to give him way; both of them guess’d the Cause of her Confusion, andD’elmont felt a concern in observing it, which nothing but that forMellioracou’dsurpass.

THEnextDayfoundfullEmploymentforthemall;buttheCount,aswellasFrankville,wastooimpatienttobegone,toneglectanythingrequisitefortheirDeparture,therewasnottheleastparticularwanting,longbeforethetimetheywere towait at theWicket forCamilla’s coming forth: The Count’s Lodgingbeingthenearest,theystay’dthere,watchingforthelong’dforHour;butalittlebeforeitarriv’d,aYouth,whoseem’dtobeabout13or14YearsofAge,desir’dtobeadmittedtotheCount’spresence,whichbeinggranted,pullingaLetteroutofhisPocket,andblushingasheapproach’dhim:IcomemyLord,saidhe,fromDonnaVioletta,theContentsofthiswillinformyouonwhatBusiness;butlesttheTreacheryofothers,shou’drendermesuspected,permitmetobreakitopen,

I

andprove it carriesno Infection:TheCount look’dearnestlyonhimwhilehespoke,andwasstrangelytakenwiththeuncommonBeautyandModestywhichheobserv’dinhim:YouneednotgiveyourselfthetroubleofthatExperiment,answer’d he, Donna Violetta’s Name, and your own engaging Aspect, aresufficientCredentials,ifIwereliabletodoubt;insayingthis,hetooktheLetter,and full of Fears that some Accident had happen’d toCamilla, which mightretardtheirJourney,hastilyreadovertheseLines.

TotheWorthyCountD’ELMONT.

MYLORD,

FanyPartofthatEsteemyouProfess’dtohaveforme,bereal,youwillnotdeny theRequest Imakeyou toaccept thisYouth,who ismyRelation, inQualityofaPage:Heisinclin’dtoTravel,andofallplaces,Franceisthat

whichheismostdesirousofgoingto:IfadiligentCare,afaithfulSecrecy,andan Unceasing whatchfulness to please, can render him acceptable to yourService, I doubt not but hewill, by those, Recomend himself hereafter: In themean Time beg you will receive him on my Word: And if that will be anyInducement to prejudice you in his Favour, I assure you, that tho’ he is onedegreenearerinBloodtomyFather,heisbymanyinHumourandPrinciplesto

Violetta.

P.S.MayHealthSafetyandProsperityattendyouinyourJourney,andalltheHappinessyouwishfor,crowntheEnd.

THEYOUNGFidelio,forsohewascall’d,cou’dnotwishtobereceiv’dwithgreater Demonstrations of Kindness than those the Count gave him: Andperceiving thatVioletta had trustedhimwith thewholeAffair of their leavingRomeinprivate,doubtednotofhisConduct,andconsultedwithhim,whotheyfoundknewthePlaceperfectlywell,afterwhatmannertheyshouldWatch,withthe least danger of being discover’d, for Camilla’s opening the Wicket:Frankvillewasforgoingalone,lestifanyoftheServantsshou’dhappentobeabout, one Personwould be less liable to suspicion, than if a Companywereseen;theCountthoughtitmostpropertogoalltogether,remembringFrankville

ofthedangerhehadlatelyscap’d,andmightagainbebroughtinto;butFideliotoldthem,hewou’dadvisethattheytwoshouldremainconceal’dinthePortico,oftheConventofSt.Francis,whilehimselfwou’dwatchaloneattheWicketforCamilla,andleadhertothem,andthenafterwardstheymightgoaltogethertothat Place where the Horses and Servants shou’d attend them; the Page’sCounselwas approv’dbyboth of them, and the timebeing arriv’d,what theyhadcontriv’dwasimmediatelyputinExecution.

EVERY thing happen’d according to their Desire,Camilla got safely to theArmsofherimpatientLover,andtheyalltakingHorse,rodewithsuchSpeed,assomeofthemwou’dhavebeenlittleabletobear,ifanythinglessthanLifeandLovehadbeenatStake.

THEIR eagerwishes, and thegoodnessof theirHorsesbrought them,beforeDay-breakmanyMiles fromRome; but tho’ they avoided all high Roads,andtravell’dcrosstheCountrytopreventbeingmet,orovertookbyanythatmightknowthem,yet theirdesireofseeingthemselvesinaPlaceofSecuritywassogreat that they refus’d to stop to take anyRefreshment ’till the nextDaywasalmostspent;butwhentheywerecomeintotheHousewheretheyweretolyethatNight,notallthefatiguetheyhadendur’d,kepttheLoversfromgivingandreceivingalltheTestimoniesimaginableofmutualAffection.

THEfightoftheirFelicityaddednewWingstoCountD’elmont’simpatiencetorecoverMelliora,butwhenheconsider’dthelittleprobabilityofthathope,hegrew inconsolable,andhisnewPageFidelio,who layonaPallet in the sameRoom with him, put all his Wit, of which he had no small Stock, upon thestretch,todiverthisSorrows,hetalk’dtohim,sungtohim,toldhimahundredprettyStories,and,infine,madegoodtheCharacterViollettahadgivenhimsowell,thattheCountlook’donhimasaBlessingsentfromHeaventolessenhisMisfortunes,andmakehisWoesfiteasy.

THEY continu’d Travellingwith the sameExpedition aswhen they first setout, for three or four Days, but then, believing themselves secure from anyPursuit, began to slacken their Pace, andmake the Journeymore delightful toCamillaandFidelio,whonotbeingaccustomed to ride in thatmanner,wou’dneverhavebeenabletosupportit,ifthestrengthoftheirMinds,hadnotbyfar,exceededthatoftheirBodies.

THEY had gone somuch about, in seeking the By-roads, that theymade itthreetimesaslongbeforetheyarriv’datAvigno,asmallVillageontheBordersofItaly,asany,thathadcomethedirectwaywou’dhavedone;buttheCaution

theyhadobserv’d,wasnotaltogetherneedless,astheypresentlyfound.

A Gentleman who had been a particular Acquaintance of MonsieurFrankville’s,overtookthematthisPlace,andafterexpressingsomeAmazementtofind’emnofartherontheirJourney,toldMonsieurFrankvillehebeliev’dhecou’d informhimof somethingswhichhadhappen’d sincehisDeparture, andcou’dnotyethavereach’dhisKnowledge,whichtheotherdesiringhimtodo,theGentlemanbeganinthisman.

ITwasnosoonerDay,saidhe,thanitwasnois’doveralltheCity,thatDonnaCamilla, CountD’elmont and your self, had privately leftRome; every Bodyspokeofit,accordingtotheirHumour,buttheFriendsofCiamaraandCittoliniwereoutragious,aComplaintwas immediatelymade to theConsistoryandallimaginableDeligenceus’d,toovertake,orstopyou,butyouweresohappyastoEscape, and the Pursuers return’dwithout doing any thing ofwhat theywentabout: Tho’Cittolini’s disappointment to all appearance, was the greatest, yetCiamaraboreitwiththeleastPatience,andhavingvainlyrag’d,ofter’dalltheTreasure shewasMistress of, and perhaps spent the best part ot it in fruitlessmeanstobringyouback,atlastsheswallow’dPoison,andintheravingagoniesof Death, confess’d, that it was not the loss ofCamilla, but CountD’elmontwhichwastheCauseofherDespair:HerDeathgaveafreshoccasionofGrieftoCittolini,buttheDayinwhichshewasinterr’d,broughthimyetanearer;hehadsent to his Villa for his Daughter Violetta to assist at the Funeral, and theMessengerreturn’dwiththesurprizingAccountofhernothavingbeenthereasshepretendedshewas,nothingwaseverequal to theRage, theGrief,and theAmazementofthisdistractedFather,whenafterthestrictestEnquiry,andSearchthatcou’dbemade,shewasnowheretobefoundorheardof,itthrewhimintoaFever,ofwhichhelingeredbutasmallTime,anddy’dthesameDayonwhichIleftRome.

THEGentlemanwhomade this recital,wasentirelyaStranger toanyof theCompanybutMonsieurFrankville, and theywere retired into a privateRoomduring the time of their Conversation, which lasted not long;Frankville, wasimpatient tocommunicate toCamillaandD’elmontwhathehadheard,andassoonasCivilitywou’dpermit,tookleaveoftheGentleman.

The Count had too much Compassion in his Nature not to be extreamlytroubledwhenhewastoldthismellanchollyCatastrophe;butCamillasaidlittle;the ill usage of Ciamara, and the impudent, and interested Pretensions ofCittolinitoher,keptherfrombeingsomuchconcern’dattheirMisfortunes,as

shewou’dhavebeenatanyotherPersons,andthegenerosityofherTemper,orsome otherReasonwhich theReaderwill not be ignorant of, here after, fromexpressing any Satisfaction in the Punishment they had met: But when theCount, who most of all lamented Violetta, express’d his Astonishment andAffliction, at herElopement, she joyn’dwithhim in thePraisesof thatyoungLady,withaneagernesswhichtestify’d,shehadnopartintheHatredsheboreherFather.

WHILEtheywerediscoursing,Camillaobserv’d,thatFideliowhowasallthiswhile in theRoom, grew very pale, and at last saw him drop on theGround,quiteSenseless,sherun tohim,asdidhisLord,andMonsieurFrankville,andafter, by throwing Water in his Face, they brought him to himself again, heappear’dinsuchanAgonythattheyfear’dhisFitwou’dreturn,andorder’dhimtobelaidonaBed,andcarefullyattended.

AFTER theyhadtakenashortRepast, theybeganto thinkofsettingforwardon their Journey, designing to reach Piedmont that Night: The Count wenthimself to theChamberwherehisPagewas laid, and findinghewasvery ill,toldhimhethoughtitbestforhimtoremaininthatPlace,thathewou’dorderPhysicianstoattendhim,andthatwhenhewasfullyrecover’d,hemightfollowthemtoPariswithSafety.FideliowasreadytofaintasecondtimeatthehearingtheseWords,andwiththemostearnestConjurations,accompany’dwithTears,begg’dthathemightnotbeleftbehind:Icanbutdie,saidhe,itIgowithyou,but I am sure, that nothing if I slay can save me: The Count seeing him sopressing, sent for a Litter, but there was none to te got, and inspite of whatCamilla orFrankville cou’d say to diswade him, having his Lord’s Leave, heventuredtoattendhimashehaddonetheformerpartoftheJourney.

THEYTravell’dataneasyrate,becauseofFidelio’sIndisposition,anditbeinglater than they imagin’d,Night came upon ’em before theywere aware of it,Usher’din,byoneofthemostdreadfulStormsthateverwas;theRain,theHail;theThunder,andtheLightning,wassoViolentthatitoblig’d’emtomendtheirFacetogetintosomePlaceofshelter,fortherewasnoHousenear:ButtomaketheirMisfortunethegreater,theymiss’dtheRoad,androdeconsiderablyoutoftheirway,beforetheyperceiv’dthattheywerewrong;thedarknessoftheNight,whichhadnoIlluminationthan,nowandthen,ahorridflashofLightning, thewildnessoftheDesart,whichthey,hadstray’dinto,andthelittleHopestheyhadof being able to get out of it, at least till Day, were sufficient to have struckTerrorintheboldestHeart:CamillastoodinneedofallherLove,toProtectherfrom the Fearswhichwere beginning toAssault her; but poorFidelio felt an

inward Horror, which, by this dreadful Scene encreas’d, made him appearwholly desparate:Wretch that I am, cry’d he, ’tis forme theTempest rises! Ijustlyhaveincurr’dthewrathofHeaven,—andyouwhoareInnocent,bymyaccurs’d Presence are drawn to share a Punishment only due to Crimes likeMine! In thismanner he exclaim’dwringinghisHands in bitterAnguish, andrather Exposing his lovely Face to all the Fury of the Storm, than any wayendeavouringtoDefendit:HisLord,andthetwogenerousLovers,tho’Harass’dalmost toDeaththemselves,saidall theycou’dtocomforthim; theCountandMonsieur Frankville consider’d his Words, rather as the Effects of hisIndisposition,andthefatigueheendur’d,thanremorseforanyCrimehecou’dhavebeenguiltyof,andthepitytheyhadforonesoyoungandinnocent,madethecrueltyoftheWeathermoreinsupportabletothem.

AT last, after long wandring, and the Tempest still encreasing, one of theServants,whowasbefore,washappyenoughtoexploreaPath,andcry’douttohisLordwithagreatdealofjoy,oftheDiscoveryhehadmade;theywereallofOpinionthatitmustleadtosomeHouse,becausetheGroundwasbeatdown,asifwiththeFeetofPassengers,andentirelyfreefromStubble,StonesandstumpsofTrees,astheotherpartoftheDesarttheycomethro’wasEncumber’dwith.

THEY had not rode very far before they discern’d Lights, the Reader mayimaginetheJoythisSightproduc’d,andthattheywerenotslowinmakingtheirapproach,Encourag’dbysuchawish’dforSignalofSuceess:Whentheycameprettynear,theysawbytheNumberofLights,whichweredispers’dinseveralRoomsdistantfromeachother,thatitwasaverylargeandmagnificentHouse,andmade no doubt, but that itwas theCountry-Seat of somePerson of greatQuality: The wet Condition they werein, made them almost asham’d ofappearing, and theyagreednot toDiscoverwho theywere, if they found theywereunknown.

THEY had no sooner knock’d, than the Gate was immediately open’d by aPorter,whoaskingtheirBusiness,theCounttoldhimtheywereGentlemen,whohad been so Unfortunate to mislake the Road to Piedmont, and desir’d theOwnersleaveforRefugeinhisHouse,forthatNight;thatisaCurtesy,saidthePorter, whichmy Lord never refuses and in Confidence of hisAssent, Imayventure to desire you to alight, and bid you welcome; They all accepted theInvitation, andwereconducted intoa statelyHall,where theywaitednot longbefore the Marquess De Saguillier having been inform’d they appear’d likePeople of Condition, came himself to confirm the Character his Servant hadgivenofhisHospitality.HewasaManperfectlywellBred,andinspiteofthe

Disadvantages their Fatigue had subjected them to, he saw something in theCountenance of these Travellers,which commanded hisRespect, and engag’dhimtoreceivethemwithamorethanordinaryCivility.

ALMOST the first thing theCount desir’d,was that hisPagemight be takencareof;hewaspresentlycarry’d toBed,andCamilla (towhom theMarquessmadeathousandApologies,thatbeingaBatchellor,hecou’dnotAccommodateher,ashecou’dtheGentlemen)wasshow’dtoaChamber,wheresomeof theMaidServantsattendedtoputherondryCloaths.

THEYwere splendidlyEntertain’d thatNight, andwhenMorningcame, andtheywerepreparing to takeLeave, theMarquess,whowas strangelyCharm’dwiththeirConversation,EntreatedthemtostaytwoorthreeDayswithhim,torecoverthemselvesoftheFatiguetheyhadsuffer’d:TheCount’simpatiencetobeatParis,toenquireafterhisDearMelliora,wou’dneverhavepermittedhimtoconsent,ifhehadnotbeenoblig’dtoit,bybeingtold,thatFideliowasgrownmuchworse,andnotinaConditiontoTravel;FrankvilleandCamillahadsaidnothing, because they wou’d not Oppose the Count’s Inclination, but wereextreamly glad of an Opportunity to rest a little longer, tho sorry for theOccasion.

THEMarquessomittednothingthatmightmaketheirStayagreeable;buttho’hehadalongingInclinationtoknowtheNames,andQualityofhisGuests,heforbore to ask, since he found theywere not free to discover themselves;TheConversationbetween theseaccomplish’dPersonswasextreamlyEntertaining,and Camilla, tho’ an Italian, spoke French well enough to make noinconsiderablepartofit;theThemesoftheirDiscoursewerevarious,butatlasthappningtomentionLove,theMarquessspokeofthatPassionsofeelingly,andexpress’d himself so vigorously when he attempted to excuse any of thoseErrors,itleadsitsVotariesinto,thatitwaseasytoDiscover,hefelttheInfluenceheendeavouredtorepresent.

NIGHTcameonagain,Fidelio’sDistemperencreas’dtothatdegree,thattheyallbegan todespairofhisRecovery,at least theycou’dnothope it fora longTime,ifatall,andCountD’elmontfrettedbeyondmeasureatthisunavoidabledelayof theprogressofhis Journey to thatPlace,wherehe thought therewasonlyapossibilityofhearingofMelliora:AshewasinBed,formingathousandvarious Idea’s, tho’ all tending to one Object, he heard the Chamber Doorunlock, and opening hisCurtains perceiv’d somebody come in; aCandlewasburning in thenextRoom,andgaveLight enoughat theopening theDoor, to

show itwas aWoman,butwhatSortofonehe cou’dnotDiscern,nordidhegivehimself the troubleofaskingwhowas there,believing itmightbeoneoftheServantscomeintofetchsomethingshewanted,’tillcomingprettyneartheBed, shecry’d twice ina lowVoice,areyouaSleep,no,answer’dhe,a littlesurpriz’datthisDisturbance,whatwou’dyouhave?Icomesaidshe,totalktoyou, and Ihopeyouaremore aChevalier, than to prefer a littleSleep, to theConversation of a Lady, tho’ she Visits you at Midnight: These words madeD’elmontbelievehehadmetwithasecondCiamara,andlestheshou’dfindthesameTroublewiththisashehaddonewiththeformer,heresolv’dtoputastopto itatonce,andwithanAccentaspeevishashecou’d turnhisVoice to, theConversationofLadiesreply’dhe, isaHappinessIneitherDeserve,normuchDesireatanyTime,especiallyatthis;thereforewhoeveryouare,toobligeme,youmustleavemetothefreedomofmyThoughts,whichatpresentaffordmematterofEntertainmentmoresuitabletomyHumourthananythingIcanfindhere!OhHeavens!Said theLady, is this theCourtly, theAccomplish’dCountD’elmont?Sofam’d forComplaisanceandSweetness?Can itbehe,who thusrudelyRepelsaLady,whenshecomestomakehimaPresentofherHeart?TheCountwasverymuchamaz’dtofindhewasknowninaPlacewherehethoughthimself wholly a Stranger, I perceive, answer’d, he, with more Ill-humour ifpossible,thanbefore,youareverywellacquaintedwithmyName,whichIshallnever deny (tho’ for some Reasons I conceal’d it) but not at all with myCharacter,oryouwou’dknow,IcanesteemtheLoveofaWoman,onlywhen’tisGranted,andthinkitlittleworthacceptance,Proffer’d.Ohunkind!Saidshe,butperhaps the lightofme,may inspireyouwithSentiments lessCruel:WiththeseWordsshewenthastilyoutof theRoomtofetch theCandleshehad leftwithin;and theCountwassomuchsurpriz’dandvex’dat the ImmodestyandImprudencehebeliev’dherGuiltyof,thathethoughthecou’dnotputagreateraffrontuponher,thanherBehaviourdeserv’d,andturn’dhimselfwithhisFacetheotherway,designingtodenyherthesatisfaftionevenofalook;shereturn’dimmediately,andhavingletdowntheCandleprettyneartheBed,cameclosetoitherself,andseeinghowhewaslaid; this isunkindindeed,saidshe,’tisbutone look I ask, and if you thinkmeunworthyof another, Iwill for ever shunyourEyes:TheVoiceinwhichtheseWordsweredeliver’d,forthoseshespokebeforewere inafeign’dAccent,madetheHeart-ravish’dD’elmont turn toherindeed,withmuchmorehast,thanhehaddonetoavoidher;thoseDear,thosewell-remember’d founds infus’d an Extacy, which none butMelliora’s cou’dcreate;hehear’d—hesaw,—’twasshe,thatveryshe,whoseLosshehadsomuch deplor’d, and began almost to despair of ever being able to Retrieve!Forgetting allDecorum, he flewout of theBed, catch’d her in hisArms, and

almost stifl’d her with Kisses; which she returning with pretty near an equaleagerness, youwill not chideme from you now she cry’d ? Thosewho haveExperienc’danypartofthatTransport,D’elmontnowwasin,willknowitwasimpossible forhim togiveher anyotherAnswer, than repeatinghisCaresses;WordsweretoopoortoExpresswhat’twashefelt,norhadhetimetospareforSpeech,employ’dinafardearer,softerOratory,thanalltheforceotLanguagecou’dcomeupto!

BUT,whenatlast,togazeuponherwithmorefreedom,hereleas’dherfromthatstrictEmbracehehadheldher in,andsheblushing,withdowncastEyes,begantoreflectontheEffectsofherunboundedpassion,asuddenpangseiz’don his Soul, and trembling, and convuls’d between extremity of Joy, andextremityofAnguish,IfindtheeMelliora,cry’dhe,butOh,myAngel!Whereisit thou art found?— in the House of the young Amorous MarquessD’Sanguillier!Cease,cease,interruptedshe,yourcauselessFears,—whereeverIamfound,Iam,—Icanbeonlyyours.—AndifyouwillreturntoBed,IwillInformyou,notonlywhatAccidentbroughtmehither,butalsoeveryparticularofmyBehavioursinceIcame.

THESEWordsfirstputtheCountinmindoftheIndecencyhisTransporthadmadehimGuiltyof,inbeingseeninthatmanner,andwasgoinghastilytothrowonhisNightGown,whenMellioraperceivinghisIntent,andfearinghewou’dtakecold,toldhimshewou’dnotstayaMoment,unlesshegrantedherRequestofreturningtohisBed,whichhe,afterhavingmadehersitdownontheSideofit,atlastconsentedto;AndcontentinghimselfwithtakingoneofherHands,andpressingitbetweenhis,closePrisonerinhisBosom,gaveherLibertytobegininthisManner,theDiscoveryshehadPromis’d.

AFTER the sad Accident of Alouisa’s Death, said she, at my return to theMonastry I found a new Pensioner there; it was the young MadamoselleCharlottaD’Mezray,whobeinglatelyleftanOrphan,wasentrustedtotheCareofourAbbess,beinghernearRelation,’tillhertimeofMourningwasexpir’d,andsheshou’dbemarriedtothisMarquessD’Sanguillier,atwhoseHouseweare;theywereContractedbytheirParentsintheirInfancy,andnothingbutthesuddenDeathof herMother, hadput a stop to to theConsummationofwhat,then, theybothwish’dwithequalArdour:Butalas!HeavenwhichdecreedthelittleBeautyIamMistressof,shou’dbepernicioustomyownrepose,ordain’ditso,thatthisunfaithfulLover,seeingmeoneDayattheGratewithCharlotta,shou’dfancyhefoundsomethinginMemoreworthyofcreatingaPassion,thanhehadinher,andbegantowishhimselfreleas’dfromhisEngagementwithher,

thathemighthaveLiberty toenter intoanother,whichhe imaginedwou’dbemorepleasing;Neithershe,norIhadtheleastsuspicionofhisSentiments,andwe having commenc’d a very great Friendship, she wou’d for the most part,desireme topartake in theVisits hemadeher:He still continu’d tomake thesameprotestationsofAffection toher asever;but ifonanyoccasion, shebutturn’dherHead,orcastherEyesanotherway,hewou’dgivemesuchlooks,as,tho’ I thenbut little regarded, Ihavesinceunderstood themeaningof,but toowell;inthismannerheproceededforsomeWeeks,’tillatlasthecameoneDayextreamlyoutofHumour,andtoldCharlottatheoccasionofitwas,thathehadheard shegaveEncouragement to someotherLover; she, amaz’d, aswell shemight,Avow’dherInnocence,andendeavour’dtoUndeceivehim,buthe,whoresolv’dnot tobeconvinc’d,at leastnot toseemasifhewas,pretendedtobemore enrag’d atwhat he call’dweakExcuses; said, hewas satisfy’d shewasmoreGuilty,eventhanhewou’dspeak,—thatheknewnotifitwereconsistentwithhisHonour,ever toseehermore.—And inshort,behav’dhimself insounaccountableamanner,thattherewasnoroomtoDoubtthathewaseitherthemostImpos’don,ormostBaseofMen:Itwou’dbeendlessformetoendeavourtorepresentpoorCharlotta’saffliction.SoIshallonlysay,itwasanswerabletotheTenderness shehad forhim,which, cou’dbynothingbe exceeded,butbythat,continu’dsheSighing,andlookingLanguishinglyonhim,whichcontrarytoalltheResolutionsIhadmade,bringsmetoseektheArmsofmyEnchantingD’elmont,torouzeRemembranceofhisformerPassion!TostrengthenmyIdeain his Heart! And Influence him a new with Love and Softness! This kindDigressionmadetheCountgiveTrucetohisCuriosity,thathemightIndulgetheRapturesofhisLove,andraisinghimself inBed,andpressingherslenderfineproportioned Body close to his, wou’d permit her no otherwise, than in thisPosturetocontinueherDiscourse.

SEVERAL Days resum’dMelliora, were past, and we heard nothing of theMarquess,allwhich,ashehassincetoldme,werespentinfruitlessProjectionstostealmefromtheMonastry;butatlast,bythemeansofaLaySister,hefoundmeanstoconveyaLettertome;theContentsofit,asnearasIcanremember,werethese.

Tothe’DevineMELLIORA.

TisnotthefalshoodofCharlotta,buttheCharmsofMelliorahaveproduc’dthisChangeinmy’Behaviour,donottherefore,atthereadingthis,affectasurprize at Effects, which I am sure cannot be uncommon to suchExcellence!NoraccuseanInconstancy,whichIratheresteemaVirtue

thenaVice:ToChange fromyou indeedwou’dbe the highest Sin, aswell asStupidity:buttoChangeforyou,iswhatallmust,andoughttodo,whoboastaCapacityofdistinguishing.Iloveyou,OhDivinestMelliora,Iburn,Ilanguishfor you in unceasing Torments, and you wou’d find it impossible for you tocondemntheboldnessofthisDeclaration,ifyoucou’dbesensibleoftheRackswhichforcemetoit,andwhichmustshortlyEndme,ifnothappyenoughtobereceived

YourLover,

D’SANGULLIER.

’TISimpossibleformetoexpresstheGrief,andVexationthisLettergaveme,butIforboreshowingittoCharlotta,knowinghowmuchitwouldencreaseherAnguish, and resolv’dwhennext I sawhim, as Imadenodoubt but I shouldquicklydo,tousehiminsuchafashion,asinspiteofhisVanity,shou’dmakehim know I was not to be won in such a manner; for I confess, my dearD’elmont,thathisTime-ritygavenolessashocktomyPride,thanhisInfidelitytoherIreallylov’d,didtomyFrienship.ThenextDayIwastold,aGentlemanenquir’d forme, Ipresently imagin’d itwashe, andwent to theGrate,withaHeartfullofIndignation;Iwasnotdeceiv’dinmyConjecture,itwasindeedtheMarquess,who appeared on the other side, butwith somuchHumility in hisEyes,andawfulfear, forwhathesawinMine,ashalfdisarm’dmyAngerforwhat concern’d my self, and had his Passion not proceeded from hisInconstancy, I might have been drawn to pity what was not in my Power toReward; but his baseUsageof aWoman sodeserving asCharlotta,mademeExpressmyselfinTermsfullofDisdainandDetestation,andwithoutallowinghimtoReply,ormakeanyExcuses,pluck’dtheLetterhehadsentmeoutofmyPocket,with a design to return it him, just at thatMomentwhen aNun camehastily to callme from theGrate: Somebodyhad overheard the beginning ofwhatIsaid,andhadtold theAbbess,who, tho’shewasnotdispleas’datwhatsheheardofmyBehaviour tohim,yet she thought it improper forme toholdanyDiscoursewithaMan,whodeclar’dhimselfmyLover:Ididnot,however,letherknowwhothePersonwas,fearingitmightcometoCharlotta’sEars,and

encrease anAffliction,whichwas already too violent: Iwas vext tomiss theOpportunityofgivingbackhisLetter,butkeptitstillaboutme,notintheleastQuestioning,butthatboldnesswhichhadencourag’dhimtomakeadiscovcryofhis Desires, wou’d again lead him to the Prosecution of them in the samemanner, but I was deceiv’d, his Passion prompted him to take other, as hebeliev’d,moreeffectualMeasures;OneDay,atleastaFortnightafterIhadseentheMarquess,asIwaswalkingintheGardenwithCharlotta,andanotheryoungPensioner, a Fellowwhowas imploy’d in taking awayRubbish; told us therewere some Statues carry’d by the Gate, which open’d into the Fields, whichwerethegreatestMaster-piecesofArtthathadeverbeenseen;Theyaregoing,saidhe,tobeplacc’dintheSeiurValiersGarden,ifyoustepbutout,youmayget a Sight of them: We, who little suspected any Deceit, run withoutConsideration,tosatisfieourCuriosity,butinsteadoftheStatuesweexpectedtosee,fourLivingMendisguis’d,muffl’d,andwellMounted,cameGallopinguptous,and,asitweresurroundedus,beforewehadTimetogetbacktotheGatewecameoutat:Threeofthemalighting,seiz’dmeandmyCompanions,andI,whowasthedestin’dPrey,wasinaMomentthrownintotheArmsofhimwhowas on Horseback, and who no sooner receiv’d me, than as if we had beenmountedonaPegasus,we seem’d rather to fly thanRide; in vain I struggl’d,shriek’dandcry’d toHeavenforhelp,myPrayerswere lost inAir,asquicklywasmySpeech,surprize,andrage,anddread,o’rewhelm’dmysinkingSpirits,andUnabletosustaintheRapidityofsuchviolentEmotions,IfellintoaSwoon,fromwhichIrecover’dnot,tillIwasattheDoorofsomeHouse,butwhereIyetamignorant;thefirstthingIsaw,whenIopen’dmyEyes,wasoneofthoseMenwhohadbeenAssistantinmycarryingaway,andwasnowabouttoliftmefromtheHorse: I had not yet the power toSpeak, butwhen I had, I vented all thePassionsofmySoulintermsfullofDistractionandDespair;BywhatmeansthePeopleoftheHouseweregain’dtomyRavishersInterest,Iknownot,buttheytooklittleNoticeof theComplaintsImade,ormyImplorationsforSuccour: Ihadnow,nottheleastshadowofaHope,thatanythingbutDeathcou’dsavemefromDishonour,andhavingvainlyRag’d,IatlastsatedownmeditatingbywhatmeansIshou’dCompassthatonlyRelieffromtheworseRuinwhichseem’dtothreatenme:WhilemyThoughtswerethusemploy’d,hewhoappear’dthechiefof that insolentCompany,makingaSignthat therestshou’dwithdraw,fellonhisKneesbeforeme,andpluckingoffhisVizard,discover’dtometheFaceoftheMarquessSaguillier.Heavens!HowdidthisSightinflameme?MildasIam,by Nature, I that Moment was all Fury! — Till now I had not the leastApprehension who he was, and believ’d ’twas rather my Fortune than myPerson,whichhadpromptedsomedaringWretchtotakethisMethodtoobtain

it;butnow,myWoesappeared,ifpossible,withgreaterHorror,andhisQualityandEngagementwithCharlottamadetheActseemyetmoreBase.Iblameyounot,saidhe,OhDevinestMelliora!ThePresumptionIamguiltyof,isofsohighaNature,asjustlymaydeserveyourutmostRigour!——Iknow,andconfessmy Crime; Nay, hate my self for thus offending you. —But Oh!’ ‘Tisunavoidable.—bethen,likeHeaven,whowhenInjuredmost,takesmostdelighttopardon:Crimesunrepented,answer’d I,canhavenoplea forMercy,still topersist,andstilltoaskforgiveness,isMockingofthePowerweseemtoImplore,and but encreafes Sin.— Release me from this Captivity, which you havebetray’dme into,Restoreme to theMonastry—And for the future, cease toshockmyEarswithTalesofviolatedFaith,detestedPassion!Then, Iperhaps,maypardonwhatispast.HisreplytoallthiswasverylittletothePurpose,onlyIperceiv’dhewassofarfromcomplyingwithmyRcquest,orrepenting^vhathehaddone, thatherefolv’d toproceedyet further,andoneofhisAfTociatescoming in, to tellhim thathisChariot,wiiich it feemshehadorder’d tomeethimthere,wasready,heoffer’dtotakemebytheHandtoleadmetoit,whichIrefuling,withanAirwhichteftify’dtheIndignationofmySoul,Madam,faidhe,youarenothere\t£^inmyPower,thanyouwillbeinaPlace,whereIcanAccommodateyouinamannermorefuitabletoyourQuality,andtheAdorationIhaveforyou:IfIwerecapableofabaleDeiignonyou,whathindersbutInowmightperpetrate it ?Butbe affur’d,yourBeauties arenotof thatkind,whichinspireSentimentsdifhonourable,-nor fliallyouever findanyotherTreatmentfrommc,thanwhatmightbecomethehumbleftofyourSlavesimyLove,fierceasitis,fliallknowit’sLimits,andneverdareioBreathanAccentleisChaftthanyourownVirginDreams,andInnocentasyourDesires.

THO’theboldnesshehadbeenguiltyof,andstillpersistedin,mademegivebut littleCredit to the latterpartofhisSpeech,yet theBeginningof itawak’dmy Consideration to a reflection, that I cou’d not indeed be anywhere in agreaterdangeroftheViolenceIfear’d,thanwhereIwas;butonthecontrary,itmightsohappen,thatinleavingthatPlace,ImightpossiblymeetsomePersonswhomight knowme, or at least be carry’d somewhere,whence Imightwithmorelikelihood,makemyEscape:InthislastHope,IwentintotheChariot,andindeed,todohimjustice,neitherinourJourney,norsinceIcameintohisHouse,has he ever violated the Promise he made me; nothing can be with moreHumility than his Addresses to me, never Visiting me without first havingobtainedmyleave!But toreturntotheparticularsofmyStory,IhadnotbeenheremanyDays, before a Servant-Maid of the House, being inmy Chamberdoingsomethingaboutme,ask’dmeif itwerepossibleIcou’dforgether; the

Questionsurpriz’dme,butIwasmuchmoreso,whenlookingearnestlyinherFace,which I had never done before, I perfectly distinguish’d theFeatures ofCharlotta:OhHeavens!cry’dI,Charlotte!Theverysame,saidshe,butIdarenotstaynowtounfoldtheMistery,lestanyoftheFamilytakeNotice;atNightwhenIundressyou,youshallknowtheHistoryofmyTransformation.

NEVER any Day seem’d so long to me as that, and I feign’d my selfindispos’d,andrungmyBellforsomebodytocomeupseveralHoursbeforethetimeIus’dtogotoBed,Charlottaguessingmyimpatience, tookcaretobeintheway,andassoonasshewaswithme,notstayingformyRequestingitofher,beguntheInformationshehadpromis’d,inthismanner.

YOUsee,saidshe,forcingherselftoputonahalfsmile,yourunhappyRivalfollowstointerrupttheTriumphofyourConquest;butIprotesttoyou,thatifIthought you esteem’d my perjur’d Lover’s Heart an offering worthy yourAcceptance,Ineverwou’dhavedisturb’dyourHappiness,and’tisasmuchtheHopesofbeingabletobeInstrumentalinservingyouinyourReleasment,asthepreventionofthatBlessingtheinjuriousD’Sagullieraimsat,whichhasbroughtmehere:OfallthePersonsthatbewail’dyourbeingcarry’daway,IwastheonlyonewhohadanyGuessattheRavisher,norhadIbeensowise,butthattheveryDayonwhichithappen’d,youdrop’daLetter,whichItookup,andknowingittheMarquess’sHand,made no scruple ofReading it. I had no opportunity toupbraidyoufortheconcealmentofhisfalshood,but themannerofyourbeingseiz’d,convinc’dmeyouwereInnocentoffavouringhisPassion,andhisVizardflippingalittleononeSide,ashetookyouinhisArms,discover’denoughofthatFace,Ihavesomuchador’d,formetoknowwhoitwas,thathadtookthisMethod to gain you: I will not continu’d she, weeping, trouble youwith anyRecitalofwhatIendur’dfromtheKnowledgeofmyMisfortune,butyoumayjudge it bymy Love, however, I bore up against the Oppressive weight, andresolv’dtostrugglewithmyFate,eventothelast:ImadeanExcuseforleavingtheMonastrythenextDay,withoutgivinganysuspicionoftheCause,orlettinganybodyintotheSecretoftheMarquess,andDisguis’dasyousee,foundmeanstobereceiv’dbytheHouse-keeper,asaServant,IcamehereinthreeDaysafteryou, and have had the opportunity of being confirmed by your Behaviour, ofwhatIbeforebeliev’d,thatyouwerefarfrombeinganAssistantinhisDesign.

HERE the sorrowfulCharlotta finish’dher littleAccount, and I testify’d theJoy I felt in seeing her, by a thousand Embraces, and all the Protestations ofEternal Friendship to her, that I could make; All the times we had anyopportunity of Talking to each other, were spent in forming Schemes for my

Escape,butnoneofthemappear’dfeasible;howevertheveryContrivancewasakindofPleasuretome,fortho’IbegantobanishallmyFearsoftheMarquess’sofferinganyviolencetomyVirtue,yetIfoundhisPassionwou’dnotpermithimto suffermyDeparture, and Iwas almostDistractedwhen I had noHopes ofbeinginaCapacityofhearingfromyou,orwritingtoyou:Inthisfashion,mydearestD’elmonthave I liv’d, sometimes flatteringmyselfwithvainProjects,sometimesdespondingofbeingeverfree:ButlastNight,Charlottacoming;up,accordingtoherCustom,toldmeinakindofRapture,thatyou,andmyBrotherwere in theHouse, she, it seemsknewyouatPariswhileherMotherwasyetLiving,andtomakeherentirelyeasyas to theMarquess, IhadnowmadehertheConfidantofmySentimentsconcerningyou:IneednottellyoutheExtacythisNewsgaveme,youaretoowellacquaintedwithmyHeart;nottobeabletoconceive it more justly than Language can Express; but I cannot forbearInformingyouofone thing,ofwhichyouare ignorant, tho’hadPrudenceanyshare in thisLove-directedSoul, I shou’dconceal it;My impatience tobeholdyou,wasalmostequaltomyJoytothinkyouweresonear,andtransportedwithmyeagerwishes,byCharlotta’sAssistance,IlastNightfoundthewayintoyourChamber: I saw you.OhD’elmont!My longing Eyes enjoy’d the satisfactiontheysomuchdesir’d,butyourswerecloss’d, theFatigueofyourJourneyhadsaidyoufastaSleep,sofast,thatevenFancywasunactive,andnokindDream,alarm’dyouwithoneThoughtofMelliora!

SHEcou’dnotpronouncetheselastWordsveryIntelligibly,thegreedyCountdevoured’emasshespoke,andtho’KisseshadmademanyaParenthesisinherDiscourse, yet he restrain’d himself as much as possible, for the Pleasure ofhearingher;butperceivingshewascometoaPeriod,hegavealoosetoallthefurious Transports of his ungovern’d Passion: A while their Lips wereCemented! Rivetted together with Kisses, such Kisses! As Collecting everySence in one, exhale the very Soul, andmingle Spirits! Breathlesswith bliss,thenwou’dtheypauseandgaze, thenjoynagain,withArdourstillencreasing,andLooks, and Sighs, and drainingGraspswere all theEloquence that eithercou’dmakeuseof:Fainwou’dhenowhaveobtain’dtheaimofallhisWishes,stronglyhepress’d,andfaintlysherepuls’d:Dissolv’dinLove,andmeltinginhis Arms, at last: she found no Words to form Denials, while he, all fire,improv’d the luckyMoment,a thoulandLibertieshe took.—AthousandJoyshe reap’d, and had infallibly been possest of all, ifCharlotta, who seeing itbroadDay,hadnotwonder’datMelliora’s stay, and comeandknock’d at theChamber Door, which not being fasten’d, gave way to her Entrance, but shemadenotsuchhast,butthattheyhadtimeenoughtoDisengagethemselvesfrom

that cloeeEmbrace they had held each other in:Heavens!Melliora, cry’d thecarefulInterrupter,whatmeanyoubythisslay,whichmaybesoprejudicialtoourDesigns; theMarquess is already stirring, and if he shou’d come into thisRoom,orsendtoyours,whatmightbetheConsequence;Icome,Icome,saidMelliora,alarm’datwhatsheheard,andrisingfromtheBed-side:Oh,youwillnot,saidtheCountinaWhisper,andtenderlypressingherHand,youmustnotleavemethus!AfewHourshence,answer’dshealoud,IhopetohavethePowertoownmyselfallyours,norcantheSchemewehavesaidfailoftheEffectswewish,ifnoDiscoveryhappenstoPostponeit:ShewasgoingwithCharlottaoutof theChamber,with theseWords,but remembringher self, she turn’dhastilyback,letnotmyBrother,Resum’dshe,knowmyWeakness,andwhenyouseemenext,feignasurprizeequaltohisown.

ITisnottobesuppos’dthataftershewasgone,D’elmont,tho’keptawakeallNight,cou’dsufferanySleeptoenterhisEyes;excessofJoy,ofallthePassions,hurries the Spirits most, and keeps ’em longest busied: Anger orGrief, rageviolentlyatfirst,butquicklyslag,andsinkatlastintoaLethargy,butPleasurewarms,exhilleratestheSoul,andeveryrapturousThoughtinfusesnewDesires,newLife,andaddedVigour,

THEMarquessD’SaguillierwasnolesshappyinimaginationthantheCount,anditwastheforceofthatPassionwhichhadrouz’dhimsoearlythatMorning,andmadehimwaitimpatientlyforhisGuestscomingoutoftheirChambers,forhewou’d not disturb them:As soon as theywere all come into theDrawing-Room, I knownotMessiures, said he,with aVoice andEyeswholly chang’dfromthoseheworetheDaybefore,whetheryouhaveeverExperienc’dtheforceof Love to that Degree that I have, but I dare believe you have GenerosityenoughtorejoyceinthegoodFortuneIamgoingtobepossess’dof;andwhenIshall inform you how I have long languifh’d in a Passion, perhaps, the mostextravagantthateverwas,youwillconfesstheJusticeofthatGod,whosoonorlate,seldomsuffershisfaithfulVotariestomisstheirReward:TheCountcou’dnot forcehimself to aReply to theseWords, butFrankvilleandCamilla,whowere entirely Ignorantof theCauseof them,heartilyCongratulatedhim. I amConfident,resum’dtheMarquess,thatDespairhasnoExistancebutinweakandtimerousMinds,allWomenmaybewonbyForceorStratagem,andtho’Ihad,almost,invincibleDifficultiestostrugglewith,Patience,Constancy,andaboldand artfulManagement has at length surmounted them : Hopeless by DistantCourtshiptoobtaintheHeartofmyAdorable,IfoundmeanstomakemyselfMasterofherPerson,andbymakingnootheruseofthePowerIhadoverher,

thanhumblySighingatherFeet,convincedhermyDesignswerefarfrombeingDishonourable;andlastNight,lookingonme,withmorekindnessthanshehadeverdonebefore:MyLord,saidshe,yourUsageofmehasbeentooNoble,notto vanquish what ever Sentiments I may have been possest with to yourPrejudice,thereforesinceyouhaveCompanyintheHouse,whomaybeWitnessofwhat Ido, I think Icannotchosea fitter time, than this, tobestowmyself,beforethem,onhimwhomostDeservesme:Iwillnotnow,continu’dhe,delaytheConfirmationofmyHappinesssolong,astogoacouttodescribetheExtacyIfelt,forthissowish’d,andsounhop’daCondescension,butwhen,hereafter,you shall be told thewholeHistory ofmyPassion, youwill be better able toconceive it; theMarquess had scarce done speaking,when hisChaplain cameintotheRoom,laying,hebeliev’ditwastheHourhisLordshiporder’dhimtoattend;itis!itis,cry’dthetransportedMarquess.NowmyworthyGuesstsyoushallbehold the lovelyAuthorofmyJoys;with theseWordshe left them,butimmediatelyreturned, leadingthe intendedBride:MonsieurFrankville,tho’hehad not seen his Sister in someYears, knew her at the firstGlimpse, and theSurprizeofmeetingher—Meetingherinsounexpectedamannerwassogreat,that his Thoughts were quite confounded with it, and he cou’d no otherwiseExpress it, thanby throwinghisEyeswildly, sometimesonher, sometimesontheCount,andsometimesontheMarquess;theCountthoappris’dofthis,feltaConsternation for the Consequence little inferior to his, and both being keptsilent by their different Agitations, and theMarquess, by the sudden Change,which he perceiv’d in theirCountenances,Melliora had liberty to explain herself in thismanner. IhavekeptmyWord,myLord, said she to theMarquess,thisDayshallgivemetohimwhobestdeservesme;butwhothatis,myBrotherandCountD’elmontmustdetermine,sinceHeavenhasrestor’dthemtome,allPowerof disposingofmy selfmust cease; ’tis theymust, henceforth, rule thewill ofMelliora, and only their consent can make me yours; all Endeavourswou’dbevaintorepresenttheMarquess’sconfusionatthissuddenTurn,and’tishardtosaywhetherhisAstonishment,orVexationwasgreatest;herBrotherhewou’dlittlehaveregarded,notdoubtingbuthisQuality,andtheRicheshewaspossestof,wou’deasilyhavegain’dhisCompliance;butCountD’emont, tho’he knew him not (having, for some disgust he receiv’d at Court, been manyYearsabsentfromParis,)yethehadheardmuchtalkofhimandthePassionhehad forMelliora, by theAdventure ofAlouisa’sDeath, hadmade too great aNoiseintheWorldnot tohavereach’dhisEars;hestoodSpeechlessforsometime, butwhen he had a little recover’d himself, have you thenDeceiv’dme,Madam, Said he?No, answer’d she, I am still ready to performmy promise,whenevertheseGentlemenshallcommandme.—TheonemyBrother,theother

my Guardian, obtain but their Consent, and — Mine, he can never have,InterruptedFrankville hastily, and laying his Hand on his Sword. Nor mine,cry’d theCount,while I haveBreath to formDenials, ormyArm strength toGuardmyBeauteousCharge; holdBrother,—Hold,myLord, saidMelliora,fearingtheirFurywou’dproducesomefatalEffects,theMarquesshasbeensotrulyNoble,thatyouratheroughttoThank,thanresenthisTreatmentofme,andtho’IseeRageinyourEyes,andalltheStingsofdisappointmentglowingfiercein his, yet I haveHopes, a general Contentmay Crown the End.—Appear!Continu’dshe,raisingherVoice,appear!ThoulovelyfaithfulMaid!ComeforthandCharmthyrovingLoversHeartagaintoConstancy,toPeace,andthee!Shehadnosoonerspoke,thenCharlottaentred,drestlikeaBrideindeed,inaSuitofCloaths,whichshehadbroughtwithher,incaseanyhappyOpportunityshou’darise forher todiscoverherself: If theMarquesswasbefore confounded, howmuchmoresowashenow?That injur’dLadiesPresence, juftat this juncture,and the Surprize by what means she came there, made him utterly unable toresolve on anything, which she observing, and taking advantage of hisConfusion,runtohim,andcatchingholdofhisHand;wondernotmyLord,saidshe,toseeCharlottahere,nothingisimpossibletoLovelikemine,tho’flightedandabandon’dbyyou,stillpursueyourStepswithTruth,withTenderness,andConstancy untir’d! — Then, perceiving he still was silent, come, my Lord,continu’dshe,youmustatlasttakePityonmySufferings,myRival,Charmingassheis,wantsajustsensibilityofyourDeserts,andisbythat,lessworthyeventhanI;Oh,thenremember,ifnottome,what’tisyouoweyourselfyourownexhaltedMerits,andyouwillsoondetermineinmyFavour,andconfessthatshe,who knows you best, ought most to have you; she spoke theseWords in somoving anAccent, and theywere accompany’dwith somany Tears, that themost rocky Heart must have relented, and that the Marquess was sensiblytouch’d with ’em, his Countenance Testify’d, when sighing, and turning hisHeadalittleaway,notwithdisdain,butRemorse,fortheInfidelityhehadbeenguiltyof:Oh,cease,saidhe,thisFloodofSoftness,itgivesmePainsIneverfeltbefore,for’tisimpossibleyoucanforgive—OhHeaven!cry’dthetransportedCharlotta, all you have done, or ever can do ofUnkindness, is by one tenderWord made full amends for; see at your Feet, (continued she, falling on herKnees)thusinthishumblePosture,whichbestbecomesmyprostrateSoul,IbegyoutoacceptthePardonwhichIbring,tobanishfromyourMindallThoughtsthat you have injured me, and leave it free from all the generous Joys, themaking others happy, must create : This Action ofCharlotta’s, join’d to theReflection,howstrangelyeveryThinghappen’d topreventhisDesignson theother,wonhimentirely,andraisingherwithatenderEmbrace,putitoutofher

PowertoregrethiseverbeingFalse,sincehisReturngaveheraTasteofJoys,whicharenot,butinReconciliationtobefound.

THECount,MonsieurFrankville,andthetwoLadieswhohadwaitedallthiswhile in an impatient Expectation for the end of this Affair, now paid theirseveralCongratulations,allhighlyapplaudingtheConsttancyofCharlotta,andthe timely Repentance of the Marquess: These Ceremonies being over, theMarquess desir’d Charlotta to acquaint him by what means she had gain’dAdmittance to his House unknown to him; which Curiosity she immediatelysatisfying,engag’danew,thePraisesofthewholeCompany,andmoreendearedherselftoherbelov’dMarquess’sAffections.

TRANQUILITY now reign’d in thoseHearts,which latelyheav’dwithvariousanddisturb’dEmotions,andJoysatesmilinguponeveryCheek,entirelyhappyin their severalWishes:They couldnow talkof pastWoeswithPleasure, andbegantoenterintoaverydelightfulConversation,whenFrankvilleonasuddenmissingCamilla,andaskingforher,oneoftheServantstoldhimshewasgoneto the Sick Page’s Chamber, this News gave him some little alarm, and therather,becausehehadobserv’dsheexpressedamorethanordinaryTendernessandCareforthisPage,alltheTimeoftheirJourney;heranimmediatelytotheRoomwhereheheardshewas,andfoundherlyingontheBed,withherArmsroundFidelio’sNeck,andherFaceclosetohis;thisshockingSighthadcertainlydriven the Rashness of his Temper to commit some Deed of Horror, if theAmazementhewasinhadnotpreventedit;hedrewhisSwordhalfout,butthen,as if some Spell had charm’d his Arm, remain’d in that Posture, fix’d andmotionlessasMarble:Camillahalfblindedwith theTearswhich fell fromherEyes,sawnot theConfusionhewasin,norconsideredtheseemingReasonhehad tobeso,but raisingherHeada little toseewhoitwas thatcameinto theChamber, Oh Frankville! said she, see here the Ruins of Love, behold theTyranny of that fatal Passion in this expiring Fair! But haste, continu’d she,finding him ready to faint, let Count D’elmont know, the faithful, generousVioletta!Dies—shedies forhim,andasksnootherRecompence, thana lastFarewell—Violetta! interruptedFrankville,whatmeansCamilla?This, this isVioletta, resum’d she, who like a Page disguis’d, has followed the too lovelyCount, and lost herself: The Ragewhich at his first Entrance had possest theHeartofFrankville,nowgaveWaytoGrief,andcomingneartheBed,hebeganto testify it,byall theMarkswhichanunfeign’dConcerncou’dgive,but thisunfortunateLanguisher,findingherStrengthdecay,preventedhimfrommakinganylongSpeeches,byrenewingthatRequestwhichCamillahadalreadymade

known,ofseeingherdearLordbeforeshedy’d,whichFrankvillemakinghastetofulfil,shecall’dtohimasloudasherWeaknesswouldpermittocomeback,andassoonashewas,Camilla, saidshe,has inform’dmeofmyLord’sgoodFortuneinmeetingwiththeCharmerofhisSoul,IwouldnotdeprivehimofaMomentsHappiness.Ithereforebegshe’dgiveadyingRival,leavetowishherJoy,andasneithermyDeath,northeCauseofitcanbeaSecrettoanyoftheCompany here, I desire they all’ may be Witnesses, with what Pleasure Iwelcomeit;Frankville,Fieryashewas,hadavastdealofCompassion inhisNature, andcouldnotice sobeautiful ayoungLady, andonewhomhehad somany Obligations to, on the Account of his Aftair with Camilla, in thisdespairing and dying Condition, without being seiz,’d with an Anguishinexpressible;butallthePangshefeltwerenothingwhencompar’dtothosehegaveD’elmontintheDeliveryofherMessage;heranintotheRoomlikeaMandistracted,andintheHurryofhisGriefforgoteventheComplaisanceheow’dtoMelliora,but shewas toogenorous todisapprovehisConcern, immediatelyfollowedwithherBrorher, theMarquess andCharlotta:What is it that I hearMadam,cry’dtheCount,throwinghimselfontheBedbyher?Canitbepossiblethat theadmir’dVioletta cou’d forsakeherFather,–0–Country,—Friends,—forego her Sexes Pride,— the Pomp of Beauty,— gay Dresses, and all theEquipageofStateandGrandeur;tofollowinameanDisguise,aManunworthyher Thoughts? Oh! no more, said she, weeping, you are but too, too worthyAdoration;nordoIyetbelievemyLoveaCrime,tho’theConsequenceisso:Imight in Rome, with Honour and Innocence have died, but by my shamefulFlight,IwastheMurdererofmyFather—that—that’saGuilt,whichalltheseFloodsofPenitencecanneverwashaway---Yet,bearmeWitnessHeaven,howlittle I suspected the sadEvent,when first, unable to support yourAbsence, Icontrived thisWay,unknown, tokeep forever inyourSight; I lov’d, ’tis true,butifoneunchasteWish,oranimpureDesiree’erstain’dmySoul,thenmaythepurgingFiretowhichIamgoing,missitsEffect,mySpotsremain,andnotoneSaintvouchsafetoownme:HeretheForceofherPassion,agitatingherSpiritswithtoomuchViolencefortheWeaknessofherBody,shesunkfaintingintheBed:And tho’ theCount andCamilla felt themostdeeplyherAfflictions, theonebecausetheyproceededfromherLovetohim,andtheotherashavinglongbeenherFriend,andPartnerofherSecrets,yetthoseintheCompanywhoweremostStrangerstoher,participatedinherSufferings,andcommiseratedtheWoestheycouldnotheal;andassoonassherecoveredfromherSwoon,thegenerousMelliora (not in the least possest with any of those little Jealousies, whichWomen of narrowSouls harbour on suchOccasions) came nearer to theBed,andtakingherkindlybytheHand,Liveandbecomforted,saidshe,aLoveso

innocentshallnevergivemeanyDisquiet.—LiveandEnjoytheFriendlhipofmy Lord, and if you please to favour me with yours, I shall esteem it as itdeserves, aBlessing.NoMadam, answered the now almost ExpiringVioletta,Life, after this shamefulDeclaration,wou’dbe theworstofPunishments, but,nottobeUngratefultosogenerousanOffer,forafewMomentsIacceptit,andlike Children, placing their darling Play things on their Pillow, and thencontentedtogotoSleep,soIwouldkeepyourLord,wouldviewhimstillwhileI awake to Life, then drop insensibly into a Slumber of eternal Peace. ThismournfulTenderness peirc’dD’elmont, to the very Soul, and putting hisArmgentlyunderherHead,which,heperceiv’dshewastooweaktoraisewhensheendeavoured it, and laying his Face on one of her Hands, cou’d not forbearwashing it inTears, she felt the cordialDrops, and, as if theygaveher anewVigour, exertingherVoice to theutmostofherStrength; this is tookind, saidshe, I now can feel none of those Agonies which render Death the King ofTerrors,andthus,thushappyinyourSight,––yourTouch––yourtenderPity,IcanbutbeTranslatedfromoneHeaventoanother,andyet,forgivemeHeaven,ifitbeaSin,Icou’dwish,methinks,toknownootherParadisethanyou,tobepermitted tohover roundyou, toFormyourDreams, to situponyourLipsallDay,tominglewithyourBreath,andglideinunfeltAirintoyourBosom:Shewou’dhaveproceeded,butherVoicefaulteredintheAccent,andallshespokedistinguishablewas,OhD’elmont!receiveinthisoneSigh,mylatestBreath––itwasindeedherlast,shediedthatMoment,diedinhisArms,whommorethanLifeshepriz’d,andsuretherearenonewhohaveliv’dintheAnxietiesofLove,whowou’dnotenvysuchaDeath!

THEREwasnotinthisnobleCompany,onewhoseEyesweredry,butCountD’elmont was for some Time inconsolable, even byMelliora; he forbore thecelebratingofhissoeagerlydesiredNuptials,asdidtheMarquessandMonsieurFrankvilletheirs,inComplaisancetohim,’tillafterViolettawsisinterr’d,whichtheCounttookCareshouldbeinaMannerbecomingherQuality,herMerit,andtheEsteemheprofess’dtohavebornher:ButwhenthismelanchollyScenewaspast,aDayofJoysucceeded,andonehappyHourconfirm’dtheWishesofthethreelongingBridegrooms;theWeddingswereallkeptinasplendidMannerattheMarquess’s,and itwas notwithout a great deal ofReluctance, that he andCharlotta suffered the Count, Monsieur Frankville, and their Ladies to takeleave of them.When they came toParis, they were joyfully received by theChevalierBrillian andAnsellina, and those, who in the Count’s Absence hadtakenaLibertyofcensuringandcondemninghisActions,aw’dbyhisPresence,and in Time, won by his Virtues, now swell his Praises with an equal

Vehemence:BothheandFrankville are still living,blestwithanumerousandhopefulIssue,andcontinuewiththeirfairWives,greatandlovelyExamplesofconjugalAffection.

FINIS.