with a Billet to get some foreknowledge of his Fate and Chanlieu having taken upon him to dextrously convey one from St. Hubert he had given him these following Verses Love is not such a Tyrant as some say When they think he destroys he does but play By the late good ' has done me I do find He 's rather to be courted than deelin'd If e're from him I receiv'd any Harms 'T was in the absence of Selinda 's Charms After he had with her Picture so fir'd My panting Heart that nothing I desir'd But to behold th' Original In vain Of my fruitless Inquest I did complain Without success I sought her far and near The more I sought the more increas'd my fear Of losing hopes and labour till at last One moment recompens'd my Torments past No sooner did I once again behold That charming Creature but my Hope grew bold I quite forgot all the troubles and smart Her sight and absence had caus'd in my Heart The Pleasures I receiv'd at this review In some few moments did my Life renew If Love alone oppos'd my Heart's Desires And was the only thing did damp my Fires All the Care Pains and Sighs that he could cause I should not value to gain her Applause Our differing in Worship 't is does prove More fatal to my Vows than gentle Love But now Religion to my Love must yield It shall ride Conqueror and win the Field To my Confessors I now bid adieu I 'll constantly adore divine C Madamoiselle of Chanlieu's Name did so justly fall in the end of the last Verse and St. Hubert's Passion was so lively set forth in the whole piece that it had been left thus imperfect for fear of vexing her for it had not been difficult to know her self in it at first sight besides his Eyes and Actions had already been very powerful Interpreters But an odd Accident suspended the reading of them for that time St. Sauveur whom love had conducted thither early that morning and had perceiv'd that when Chanlieu deliver'd them to his Sister he had told her they proceeded from the Pen of one of his most intimate Friends thought that he might improve the opportunity He observ'd where she laid them to peruse them when alone He put in their place a Declaration of Love thus worded BILLET by way of Declaration I Had formerly the honour to be in the number of your Friends Madam and I should always have remain'd in that Calmness I enjoy'd had not Love at last made me know the difference there is betwixt it and Friendship I tremble yet at this Confession and I find my self but too much dispos'd to behold you after a manner which cannot well be express'd Madamoiselle of Chanlieu having had a conveniency while they were taking a turn round the Castle to satisfie her Curiosity she was surpris'd to find that Billet in the place of that which she expected Her mind being piercing and solid She had thought that her Brother's interest had carry'd him to favour the Knight and that without any further examination that which he had given her came from him Having found the contrary at the opening of the Billet she fell into a musing out of which she had much to do to get the hand of him who had writ it was hnown to her and her Heart perhaps not agreeing with the Contents of it she was vex'd with her Brother for having taken upon him a business which extremely displeas'd her and she dispos'd her self to ill treat them both This vexing gave her a secret cause to doubt of the fortitude of her Heart and persuaded her that it was no longer in a state of making choice she presently bent her anger on St. Sauveur and that proceeding which perhaps she had easily forgiven in St. Hubert did vex her mortally neither did she fail of reproaching to her self that distinction which she made and in representing to her self an hiddeous Picture of Love wherewith to fortifie her self against that which insensibly attack'd her she resolv'd to generally hate all that was Man and to incessantly oppose the Indulgency of her own Temper Mean time St. Sauveur desirous to learn originally the effects of his Billet return'd into her Apartment and was going to cast himself at her Feet when a certain look seem'd to pronounce the Sentence of his Condemnation He being naturally of an high Spirit he thought it would too much offend his Honour to descend so low so that turning the business into a meer Gallantry Really Madamoiselle said he I did not think to offend you in taking advantage of those Bounties you have always express'd to me it is but for want of understanding well what it is to love that I have made a theft of which I had not well weigh'd the consequences but Madamoiselle I am ready to expiate my fault in all that you shall please to order me to do And if I have been too foolish it shall make me wiser for the future Here are the Verses which I did ill to take added he presenting them to her and seeing I have had the ill fortune to displease you in robbing you of them I foresee that I do you a singular kindness in restoring them to you again She thought at first that St. Sauveur gave her the change she had heard his Discourse with attention She remain'd a moment startled at it but at last having resolved to remain serious You are very inquisitive and very bold she reply'd to take upon you the knowledge of my Sentiments after having so sensibly offended me in truth I know not after what manner you pretend to justifie your self I know that Friendship has its just bounds and that you have this day appear'd to me very different from your self This Discourse deliver'd with a little Heat caus'd him to blush and grow pale again and his Heart panting with Love and Vexation knew not what party to take when Chanlieu interrupted by his presence a Conversation which began to grow warm he presently observ'd some anger on his Sisters face and guessing the cause to be the reading of the Verses which he had given her he thought he was frown'd upon on that occasion he appear'd vex'd at it and drawing from her coldness an ill Omen for his Friend he let himself go to a Sorrow capable to confirm him in his Error He made a sign to St. Sauveur to follow him out to discourse with him in the cause that could produce so great a Melancholly in so short a time and this last finding himself confounded with all his Questions cunningly feigned a necessity of retiring and took leave of him somewhat hastily He instantly run to his Sister to learn from her self the cause of this mysterious departure finding her more chearful than before she laid all the cause on the unevenness of her temper Yet durst he not enquire concerning her Sentiments on St. Hubert's Gallantry He thought it more proper to send and
dive any further in that Mistery But who knows not that it is the weakness of the Bravest Souls to cleave to all that appears the most difficult to perform and the more trouble there is to overcome the more Glorious seems to them the Atchievement This Person made it a point of Honour to push this Adventure to the end and to give himself up to the government of his good or ill Star he once more read the last Billet which was writ in the following terms BILLET I Had foreseen that you would make me some Reproaches and I might have prepar'd beforehand this Answer for you I know your ways and if I mistake not you pretend to act Souldier-like every where but learn that there is a vast difference betwixt to Love and to Fight and that a Lover can never Triumph but in his Defeat This is a Lesson of which you may profit if it is not your own fault Farewell Ha! most charming unknown Person cry'd he to himself at this conclusion what Dispositions should I find in my self to obey you and with what joy should I become your Scholar But you already love and I cannot complain that love has imprinted such extraordinary charms While he was thus Philosophising on that Constellation his Man quite out of breath came to give him an account at large of his Commission He told him that he knew positively where that Person dwelt whom he had follow'd That it was a Royal Palace abounding in Servants and that he would conduct him to 't when he pleas'd This Relation ended he would not defer going thither his Chair-man follow'd his Servant and great was his surprize to see himself carry'd to the Palace of Mars whose Attendants 't is likely his Man had taken for Livery-men He was ready to correct him for his gross mistake and if the small stay which he had made in Paris having been but one week in that City had not excused him he had at that very moment made tryal of the effect of his ill humour yet he resolved to see there that Person which caus'd him so much trouble Nor had he fail'd so to do if that the same Curiosity which had drawn her to behold that stately Structure had not invited her to go elsewhere to do the like also He was forced to rest satisfy'd as well as he could and Monsieur of Louis being but just alighted there from Meudon to visit according to his custom that House all whose Inhabitants consider him as their Patron he left off his pursuit to mention his business to him and the opportunity being so favourable he receiv'd from him such an answer as he could wish for with Orders to go to Versailles in few days This beginning of Love having thus given place to his Ambition he was punctual to observe his Directions and he receiv'd his brief with such ease as is rare to be found with such Great Ministers of State who to support himself against that envy which is inseparable from his place seeks but after little other protection than that which he finds in his Masters good will and favour He gain'd by so generous a proceeding St. Hubert's whole esteem who had no other regret to see him in so great an elevation but because it left him without the power to express his acknowledgments to him for the same Of truth he is naturally acknowledging and that which frequently causes Men to pass from Love to indifferency does on the contrary more strongly kindle in him the heat of his passion Wherefore he has never given that way any cause of Complaint and it may be said that he perfectly knows the Art of Love without that of seigning That Journey which had acquir'd him a considerable Employ had not however quite settled his mind he had thought himself unhappy to go for Nancy where his Orders required him to be without having spoken to her whose Orders had been yet more precious to him He was returning in his usual dumps and was already crossing the Wood of Beulogne when he found himself stopp'd by two or three confus'd Voices mixt with some breakings forth of Laughter which seem'd to come from the thickest part of that Forrest and by a Picture-Case which he perceiv'd to sparkle in the Mudd he presently alighted and having taken it up with some haste he was extreamly surpriz'd at the opening of it to find the Copy of that Person whose Original he sought after in all places He reckon'd much on that rencounter and believing there would be no hurt in drawing near to that place whence the noise came he commanded his people to wait for him He had not made many steps but he perceiv'd the Viscount St. Hubert his Cousin with some Ladies which for having been overturn'd in the Dirt thought they had a great cause of laughter that their fall had not been accompany'd with any sinister Accident and that they were quit of it for having given as they fell some kisses to the Viscount Mean time their Coach being broke it had been sent back to Paris and they expected another in that part of the Forrest He then did soon judge that the Picture had been lost by that accident and not believing himself oblig'd to mention it so soon he offer'd to that fair Company his Coach to go to Versailles where he also resolv'd to return The Ladies did long refuse his offer and had not the Viscount labour'd to make them accept of it he had been entirely refus'd There were four convenient places in it he convinc'd them that he could dispose of his Kinsman and that it would be ridiculous not to improve his offers whereupon they having seated themselves they continued their way This diversion had been concluded on two days before with those two Ladies who had dexterously ingag'd St. Hubert to accompany them not but that he had very pressing business in Town where a Mistresses nicity did oblige him to observe very exact measures But being naturally very officious and they very intimate with him he had impos'd upon himself to be of that Match They were going to give a Visit to a Marchioness which was to last some days Some days reply'd the Knight to his Kinsman's ear so soon as he heard it some days at Versailles faith Vicount I fancy thou wilt have but an ill time of it and if I am not mistaken Paris would divert thee much better than Versailles The Court has somewhat of bustle in it continu'd he aloud in a foppish tone which frequently makes sollitude to be preferr'd to all its Charms so many Circumstances of cautiousness and exactness are uneasie and for my part I never go but when I think I have some business there Upon this the Ladies discours'd on the pleasures of the Court and of the Country not giving St. Hubert any time to answer who was almost dead with desire to have the Knight clear his Riddle and those Discourses having put him in mind
of the loss of the Billet and express'd a Resentment in which his Conscience was not in the least concern'd She got out of that business with a look that pierc'd him to the very Soul and which gave him to understand more than any thing else that her tenderness had not the least share in that accident That was therefore an absolute Command to be silent nether did the Knight know what to say when she declar'd that the Opera and the Hospital of Mars had no part in her story That of truth she had been at the Tuilleries that Day he mention'd and that as to the other circumstances of having put on her Mask and retir'd in another unfrequented Walk to rest her self all that was new to her That was express'd in such an affirmative accent that he knew not what to imagine He stedfastly beheld her without speaking and the more he look'd on her the more he confirm'd himself in his Error Finally he was quite undeceiv'd by assured Circumstances and what pass'd at first in his Mind as a great truth appear'd to him at last but as a meer illusion He knew not what to conjecture of that Face that was so resembling that of this Marchioness he five or six times felt his own Pulse to know whether he was not in a Feaver or at least whether he was not turn'd Visionarist And for fear of turning Wizard at Paris he resolv'd to go out of it the next Day with his Picture which he began to find a Thousand times more real than the Person which it represented He instantly took his leave of those Two Lovers and having gone towards Night to his Kinsman to bid him farewel he found him in the resolution to accompany him in his Journey The design which had been fram'd on Luxembourg had oblig'd every Officer to repair to his Post against the 15th of September That oblig'd the Viscount to quit his Mistress to join his Regiment that was at Metz he put back their Journey for Three Days to bestow them wholly on his Mistress after which they both took Post in the great Road to Strasburg Every one is sufficiently inform'd of the first Bombarding of that Town Monsieur the Marshal of Crequi having been oblig'd because of the cold Weather to put off that Enterprise till the next Spring mean time possessing all the Posts which cut off all Communications and form'd the Blockado the Troops retir'd into their Winter Quarters and the Viscount finding himself at liberty to return to his Amours or rather to conclude his Marriage with the Marchioness who had frequently writ to him he receiv'd one the Night before his setting forth which overcame him with grief We have already said that she was very nice and that quality which she deriv'd more from a strong Passion than any other Principle had made her to draw consequences which were prejudiciable to her Lover This is what she express'd of them BILLET I Was already convinc'd of the levity of Men in General but I believ'd at least that it was not without exception and that I might trust your fidelity Mean time you have deceiv'd me and the only comfort that I have left is that I never was but half so My weakness did not proceed without Reflections and I no longer doubt after your treachery that distrust is the sole preservation of our Sex Adieu Thrice did he read over the same Words to find out a sense contrary to the true one he as oft examin'd himself without apprehending whence so sudden an effect should proceed and sometimes believing himself guilty then anon again innocent he fell into a dumps out of which he had much ado to retrieve himself All this while his Love reproach'd him nothing he found nothing in his past conduct that Condemn'd him but according to that Maxime that will have the Lover to be always in the wrong he at last concluded that his Mistress had all the right imaginable He was to go justify himself without delay Scarce did he give himself time sufficient to go and embrace his Kinsman and to declare to him the necessity of that precipitation This had wish'd to have return'd along with him and nothing had prevented him had not a Family concern which requir'd his presence call'd him home He instantly went thither and finding himself oblig'd to pass there part of the Winter he no longer thought of Paris but with sighs He had a certain grief at it which discovering it self sufficiently on his face did oblige him to seek after a thousand occasions to dissipate it He frequently went to Hunt to which the moderate Climate of his Province did much contribute he made matches of Divertisements with his whole Neighbourhood and thus endeavour'd to recompence himself in the Countrey of those pleasures which he lost there A Protestant Gentleman named Chanlieu was one of his first acquaintances he was very agreeable and the Charms of a Sister of St. Hubert drawing him frequently thither he found with him wherewith to pass his time It is true that Madmoiselle of St. Hubert taking delight to hear him had consequently the greatest share in his Visits but after all the Knight had some share in them also and having taken some of those visits on his own account he thought himself oblig'd to return them him He therefore went to visit Chanlisu in his Estate and having declar'd that he design'd to remain three days with him the first had no other thoughts but to divert him by all manner of means Chance did furnish him with one which he could not otherwise expect he learnt that St. Hubert did passionately love Musick and that he might be regal'd by the Ears as well as by the Eyes He writ to a friend of his in the next Town to engage a Select number of Choice Persons which delighted in Consorts to come to his House with all those Instruments they usually employ'd with their Voice Chanlieu was a friend tr every body and his friend needed not to use much Entreaties to get their Consent He gave notice of it to Madmoiselle of Chanlieu who had been two days in that Town and having told her that her Brother design'd to give an Opera to Monsieur of St. Hubert she resolv'd to be of the Match and to agreeably surprize them that way Madmoiselle of Chanlieu who took no notice that mention had been made of Monsieur and not of Madmoiselle St. Hubert did really believe that it was she that had come to visit her and on the pressing solicitations of St. Sauveur so was that frien'd nam'd who was a Gentleman of the Protestant Religion she no longer deferr'd to go joyn them Notice was sent to Monsieur Chanlieu that he should have cause to be satisfied and that his Coach would be expected Mean time they employ'd their thoughts about what Persons they should represent and having all met at the Rendezvous they were plac'd at the end of the Hall where the
it where it had been lost had there found a Hair-Bracelet garnish'd with two Lockets on which some Cyphers had been set with small Diamonds He clear'd further that accident also and she insisting to have the Picture return'd to her in restoring the Bracelet he was forc'd to call in Chanlieu to be judge betwixt them who condemn'd his Sister represented to her That she hazarded nothing in leaving in his hands a thing which mear chance had justly bestow'd on him He also advis'd that the Bracelet should be sent to the Viscount that he should have restitution made him of a thing of so great value St. Sauveur came just to be a witness to that business he envy'd the Knight's happiness and did extend himself through the means of the Copy so largely on the Original that she was oblig'd to say She should take it kindly if they would spare her Modesty He was come full of great Designs no less than to declare his Passion to her St. Hubert's assiduousness had of late given him some perplexity his love did advise him to prevent so dangerous a Rival wherefore it was with great regret that he was oblig'd to put off his design to another time Love leads Persons into strange Speculations and frequently discovers to amorous Eyes that which would still remain conceal'd to indifferent ones St. Sauveur had never discover'd the Knight's love if he had not burnt in the same flame and though his good hopes had lull'd him asleep he having studdy'd the Lovers Politicks it of a sudden fill'd him with apprehensions so that he would no longer build on the small hopes of a Catholick Rivals success in such a concern He knew that Love was of all Religions and that that I know not what which is produc'd by a conceal'd Sympathy was not always to be restrain'd by an antipathy of Belief and of Faith The person concern'd had moreover Qualities capable to overcome all sorts of Considerations and he was no less to be fear'd by his intricate and subtle Wit than by his Bravery and by his good Meen There was nothing but his departure for the Army that caus'd him to rejoyce for at that time the Protestant Officers having been disgusted St. Sauveur had quitted his Employ the last Campaign and the Knight was oblig'd to render himself at his within the space of six Weeks Wherefore he fore-knowing that ill fate he manag'd as well as he could all his moments to the best advantage for his Love and lost none of those in which he could in anywise promote his Loves interest He discover'd to Chanlieu all that he felt for his Sister He implor'd his assistance and assur'd him That he would be very sensible of all his good Offices and they both running the same Fortune it was no hard thing for him to make him his They swore to one another an eternal Friendship and being parted the Knight return'd to his Sister and gave her many thanks He conjur'd her to believe that he was sensible of her kindness to the height he ought to be and he would give her some particular marks of it all his life time He gave her to understand That it could be but through her means he should be happy and that Madamoiselle of Chanlieu loving most tenderly her Brother she might easily entertain him in those favourable Dispositions which he had for him This proceeding being no new thing to her he had cause to be contented with the Answer which she made him and to give him some more essential Proofs of it she feign'd a small Indisposition to obtain a Visit from that Lady her dear Friend The Knight advertis'd of this took care to make her a gallant and magnificent Reception and his inclination agreeing wonderfully with his love it may be concluded that nothing was omitted and that he procur'd her all the Divertisements which the season would then afford He appear'd very earnest to express to her his Joys and Madamoiselle of Chanlieu who had already perceiv'd his Designs without her Brother's assistance did not appear more reserv'd than usually She politickly believ'd that that ought not to diminish her usual gaity and that a Lover ought to understand himself in his Conjectures On his part he had much to do to prevent his Passion from breaking forth with too much violence and he felt a redoubling of the Fitt by such new Charms that he had not perceiv'd before St. Sauveur who had subtily introduc'd himself in that Visit was wonderfully griev'd at it he was of late become the Argus and Spye of all their Actions and finding but too much cause to fear and to allarm himself he lost the best part of his gay Humour not but that he had a particular Empire over himself to disguise what pass'd in the bottom of his Heart but let one dissemble never so much it is ever certain that Tenderness will always manifest it self in spight of all our greatest caution and the most subtle Person when once grown jealous cannot long constrain himself He was play'd upon on the account of his ill Humour and St. Hubert mistrusting nothing of the truth did attribute to his Temper that which proceeded from quite another thing Mean time he perform'd his Duties with great earnestness and his Sister acting mutually with him Madamoiselle of Chanlieu did continually meet with some Diversion So many things gave her to apprehend what she ought to think of the Knight's looks she had found a great stock of Virtue and Honesty in his Person she knew his Merit but through all those rare Qualities her budding Love did affright her and caus'd her to distrust her self For tho' amongst Persons of Quality Religion is no obstacle to the strictest Tyes in these latter times she found a great cause of apprehension and though Reason seem'd to advise her to be inflexible in that case she found not strength enough in her self to warrant her love and her weakness mean time she thought that it were prudence in her to avoid the danger She hastned her return one day the sooner and took her leave of her Friend accompany'd with Tears But all those Flights were useless Love follow'd her steps and her Sentiments for the Knight were by half too favourable to her mind There arose a Conflict in her Heart of which the Success was very uncertain and Victory waving a long time nothing was absolutely decided She would willingly have cur'd her self to the hazard of her own Quiet and to that purpose having cast her Eyes on St. Sauveur she an hundred times resolved to receive him kindly and as often the Knight's Idea would appear and interpose in her Designs In the midst of these her Irresolutions she had but little rest and not knowing which party to take she resign'd the care of her Heart to its own destiny St. Sauveur who had no time to lose having been to see her at her own House some days after her return had fitted himself