to my own inclinations which directed my affection to other persons not inferiour to him either in quality or estate I consented to this Marriage because you seem'd so much to desire it When it was fully concluded there was a person sent to Rome for the Dispensation and even during that time when I expected my Cousin should have express'd most Love to me I have found he hath done quite contrary since he hath given a promise of Marriage to another Lady whom you shall presently see She thereupon call'd for Donna Blanca whom she had left in her own Chamber and who immediately came before the Ambassadour Having dispos'd her into a Chair the Lady Margaret continu'd her discourse This Sir is the Lady I spoke of to whom my Cousin hath given a promise of Marriage under his hand which she now hath about her and you shall see how this perfidious person became thereby master of her Honour Coming hither to speak with you and complain of the affront intended her she met him who giving her fair wo ds lock'd her into Pedro's Chamber under pretence that you were busie and that it would be long ere you would be seen by her Some little curiosity occasion'd my going to that door which is between my Lodgings and his and there I came to the knowledge of this business having over-heard some part of their discourse I thought fit to bring this Lady to my Chamber to give you further satisfaction of so pressing a Truth Her quality is great since she is of the House of Osorio and Toledo two of the most illustrious Families of Spain She is resolv'd to make the case known to her Friends who are very noble and of great credit in this Court that they may oppose my Marriage and prevent our common affront I have hitherto obey'd you as a Father I now appeal to you as my Judge and I be seech you discharge me of so unjust an obedience for the future for I am resolv'd rather to confine my self for the rest of my days in the most austere Monastery about this City than ever be Wife to a Man so insensible of worth and honour The Ambassadour was extreamly astonish'd at both what he saw and what he had heard He examin'd the promise made to Donna Blanca and found that that discovery alone was sufficient to prevent his Daughter's marriage with Leopold He immediately resolv'd to break all to pieces and to dismiss his Nephew that there might be no more talk of the business He caus'd the Ladies to with-draw and sent for his Nephew whom he shew'd the schedule he had made to Donna Blanca asking him whether he knew the hand He not a little troubled and changing colour began to deny it but the Ambassadour told him that as he could not do it sincerely so it would be very unhandsomely proffer'd since the truth would be prov'd by several of his Letters written with the same hand At last Don Leopold not without extream confusion acknowledg'd that blinded by Love he had indeed made that promise but he would lose his Life ere he perform'd it Don Pedro having quitted his Fool 's coat and put on a very Rich suit with the Cross of Alcantara on the Cassock and the Cloak heard this discourse from a corner of the Room where he was dispos'd and not able to endure any longer Signor Leopold said he coming up to him have a better care what you say and consider her quality whom you injure Her birth is at least as noble as yours She is my Sister and as such I am oblig'd to vindicate and protect her if you perform not the promise you have made her I wear a Sword by my side which shall force you to do it if Honour will not I have already consider'd what I am in duty oblig'd to as to that point replies Don Leopold and no Man shall force me by menaces to do any thing against my will This so enrag'd Don Pedro that he gave Don Leopold a challenge The dispute grew higher and higher which oblig'd the Ladies to come in between them and to give order the doors should be shut lest they might get out to fight While these things pass'd the Ambassadour minded not the person of Don Pedro and imagin'd him some other person come thither after his Sister for seeing him so well clad with the Cross of Alcantara and without Spectacles which he constantly wore he knew him not but having consider'd him better he found that he who challeng'd his Nephew was the same person who by his pleasant extravagancies had found him so much sport The Lady Margaret perceiving her Father had his Eyes fasten'd on him with some astonishment imagin'd the cause of it and gave it a check in these words He Sir whom you see in a habit so different from that he was wont to wear and who seem'd so ridiculous to you is Don Pedro d'Osorio and Toledo When this dispute is over you shall know the motives oblig'd him to that disguise The Ambassadour was the more astonish'd at that and would have press'd his Daughter to make a further discovery of that secret had he not seen the two Cavaliers with Swords drawn ready to make that Room the place of their Duel He ran in between them and endeavour'd by mildness to persuade his Nephew not to contest in a business which was not to his advantage that if he satisfy'd not the injur'd Cavalier mischief would follow that he should not rely on any protection he might hope from him inasmuch as seeing the little reason he had of his side and the affront he intended that Lady he should rather be against him by assisting his Adversary than countenance him in so unjust a business That as to his Daughter he might quit all hope of her that he should never be her Husband and that it would discover a great poorness of spirit in her if she had any thoughts of kindness for him after she had been so unworthily treated by him Don Leopold finding himself press'd with reproaches on all sides and withall hearkning to the advice of his Conscience thought it best to follow his Uncle's counsel He thereupon went with open arms to his true Wife to whom he once more gave his hand as a Husband and then embrac'd his Brother-in-law whom he yet knew not The Lady Margaret thought it a good opportunity before the whole Company to give her Father an accompt how Don Pedro had fallen in love with her how he got into his Retinue in the quality of a Jeaster that she conceiv'd her self oblig'd to requite the extraordinary demonstration of his affection to her by an exchange of hers to him if her Father approved thereof The old Gentleman had so much mettal left as to admire the strange conduct of Love in all its operations and particularly how it made the wisest Men mad and the Mad wise making its advantages of extravagance it self to compass its designs
Sentinels at the Water-side to give him notice of such an opportunity As soon as they were got into the Boat Rufina unveil'd and the Gallant whom we will call Felician had no sooner seen but he was surpriz'd with her Beauty He thought her so handsome that he persuaded some of his friends who stood on the River-side to come into the Boat and to effect that greas'd the fist of the Water-man Being all got in Felician took his place next to Rufina into whose favour it was his design to insinuate himself He was Son to a person of Quality who had rais'd himself to a vast fortune in the Indies and had no Children but only this who disposing of his wealth as he pleas'd it was conceiv'd it would not be long ere he scatter'd abroad what his Father had not in so short a time raked together For he was a constant Gamester a perpetual Courter of Ladies and he maintain'd a considerable crew of Hangers-on who did him no other service than accompany and encourage him in his debauches Besides these noble qualities he was extreamly extravagant in point of cloaths a vice not extraordinary in those young men of Sevil who have all things at their own disposal as he we speak of had Having as was said seated himself next to Rufina and his Camerades next to her friends the Boat put off and went very leisurely down the River for which the Water-man was so much the better paid Felician thought this time so precious that he lost very little of it he discover'd his Love to Rufina in such obliging expressions that she gave absolute credit to his words and by her attention satisfy'd him that she was not displeas'd with his company Felician was a very ingenious person and of an excellent good humour upon such occasions as those he deliver'd himself with such a smartness and grace that the Ladies were extreamly well satisfy'd especially Rufina who thought nothing comparable to his conversation She gave him her name told him where she liv'd and what profession her husband was of and in a word made him a kind of Confession of her more secret affairs Felician was as open to her concluding his discourse with a thousand protestations of service and obedience The afternoon was spent in complements and courtship and to the great satisfaction of Rufina who had two designs to carry on at the same time one to be reveng'd of Ruperio by the assistance of Felician the other to cajol the latter out of somewhat towards cloaths and her extravagant expences Nor did the business happen otherwise than she had design'd it From that day Felician began to frequent the street where Rufina liv'd especially when he had intelligence that her husband was abroad about his affairs Rufina on the other side resolv'd not to be over-easily conquer'd for when she remembred how she had been serv'd by Ruperio it rais'd in her a certain fear of receiving the like affront from another Before she admitted his entrance into the House she thought fit to make trial of his liberality Of this she was in a short time pretty well satisfy'd for Felician had been a prodigal all his Life but upon this occasion exceeded all he had done before sending her presents of cloaths jewels and other things besides the expences he was at in treatments and collations So that Rúfina was the most satisfy'd Woman in the world 'T is commonly said that the higher a Man's enjoyments are the sooner he is cloy'd but it happen'd otherwise with Felician for his affection to Rufina encreas'd daily and came up to that height it could not well be greater It happen'd about this time that Ruperio got at one time above six hundred Crowns at play He went always very high in cloaths but this unexpected good fortune made him somewhat exceed his former gawdiness But with that good he had this ill fortune to find out that Felician was seen very often in the street where Rufina liv'd and to infer thence that he made some addresses to her This jealousie awoke the love he had sometimes had for her it troubled him that he should have any Rival and thereupon he resolv'd to retrive himself into her favour and repair the injury he was now sensible that he had done her Upon this account he pass'd several times through her street which caus'd not a little perplexity to Felician Rufina was enrag'd to see that the Impostor had the impudence to make any pretence to her favour after the notorious affront she had receiv'd at his hands She consider'd there was no way to be rid of his importunities but to engage her beloved Gallant Felician in her quarrel by persuading him that Ruperio's design was to displace him out of her affection which if he valued he would find some means to check the insolence of his Rival and deliver her from his odious Courtship See what employments Women do many times put on their Gallants setting them on like Cocks to fight till they have destroy'd one the other Rufina thought it not prudence to acquaint Felician with what had pass'd between her and Ruperio No she took a safer course She told him that Ruperio was continually importuning her with very advantageous proffers which yet for his sake she slighted Felician believ'd her and that the rather in regard he met him every day and many times in the night walking the rounds about his Mistress's house To incense him the more she added that were it not for that troublesome person she would see him oftner than she did There needed no more Felician being thus enflam'd into jealousie met with Ruperio one night in his Mistress's street when he knew Rufina was a-bed and her husband looking over some Accounts which concern'd his Agency As soon as Felician had perceiv'd Ruperio he call'd him by his name and having talk'd a little while together to avoid the discovery of any quarrel in the Streets he conducted to a little by-place which happen'd to be over against the room where Saravia kept all his papers and where he then was very busie looking over them The two Rivals being come to the place Felician address'd himself thus to the other Signor Ruperio I have for some days past observ'd that you have frequented this street more than you should have done and I was somewhat at a loss to know what might occasion your coming hither in regard there are several Ladies of worth which might oblige you thereto But I have at last discover'd that Madam Rufina is the cause of your diurnal and nocturnal haunts hereabouts and this I am assur'd of not only by what I have seen my self but also by the relation of her servants to whom you speak and whom you would corrupt by presents to introduce you into their Mistress's favour I have been her Servant a good while and the services I have done her have gain'd me her affection so far that I have receiv'd the greatest
prostituted her self to two Gallants at the same time whe having quarrel'd for the precedence which either of them pretended to over his adversary the more unfortunate of the two was kill'd by the other before the window of my house Having thus been witness os my own disgrace and heard the whole story of my dishonour it was but just I should revenge my infamy thus Then ended the writing for death surprising him at that word he immediately expir'd Rufina was extremely distracted at both what she saw and what she had read so that for half an hour she knew not in a manner where she was considering with her self that the greatest secrets in the world will be discover'd at last and that it is Heaven's pleasure they should be so either for our reformation or our punishment The death of her husband rais'd in her a certain mixture of fear and affliction a fear to see how sudden it had been occasion'd by the resentment of an injury which she had done him the affliction to see her husband deprived of life and her self ignorant how to disguise so unhappy an accident A little remorse of conscience like a qualm over her stomach troubled her that she had been so perfidious to a man who had lov'd her so well and by marrying her had rais'd her from beggery to plenty The great affection which the Neighbours knew that he had always born her gave her a little confidence and induc'd her to take the advice of one of her Maids which was to carry her husband's body into his bed and to cry out the next morning so loud that the Neighbours might here it whom she might by her excessive lamentations persuade that she had found him dead by her side when she awoke and that her two Maids to carry on the cheat should give out that their Master had taken a surfeit and died suddenly of it Having thus laid their design day came Rufina cried out and lamented with all her might and the next Neighbours came in who found her half-dress'd weeping and tearing her hair through madness that she had lost so good a husband Her two Maids acted their parts very well by relating the cause of their good Master's death and saying that they advis'd him not to eat so much or that otherwise he must expect to repent it All were satisfi'd with these reasons and some of Rufina's friends were busie about her out of a fear she should have swounded so well did she personate the afflicted Lady They did all lay in their power to comfort her who amidst all her grief had not forgotten to burn the paper she had found lest it might have prov'd a testimony of her miscarriages Some Officers from the Magistrate who are never wanting upon such occasions came in soon after and upon the allegations of the Neighbours that the deceas'd had ever liv'd very lovingly with his wife went their ways satisfi'd that she had not any way contributed to his death Saravia was buried and Rufina was so put to it to act the part she was then engag'd in that she thought not of doing what Widows commonly do upon such occasions that is to make the best provision they can for themselves out of what their husbands have left So that one of his Nephews as soon as the Uncle was buried seiz'd on all in the house and Rufina was forc'd to go to Law with him to recover what she might lawfully lay claim to Let us return to see what became of Ruperio's body Being found in the morning by the religious Inhabitants of the Monastery and not known by any of them they were going without sans ceremonie to burie it had they not been prevented by a Citizen who advis'd them to expose it in some publick place that it might be known and that if he were one that had father or mother or friends in the City that they might know the misfortune happen'd to him that by that means they would secure to themselves the charges of his interment as also the fees due for other prayers and devotions in order to the repose of his soul This advice pleas'd the Superiour of the Monastery who immediately sent word to the Magistrate that they had found in the morning a young man dead at their Chutchdoor The body was dispos'd into a little place near the Monastery with two lighted wax-candles by which place there pass'd by not long after a man that knew him He told them who he was and then went and carried that sad news to his Friends who were extremely troubled at his death his Father having often foretold him that he would come to such an end for from the life he led there could not any thing else be inferr'd He was buried in the Monastery and a strict search was made for him who had committed the murther but Sevil being a vast and populous City no discovery could be made of him Onely Rufina knew who it was by the absence of her Gallant Ruperio's death and the paper she found in her husband's closet She was infinitely satisfi'd to see her self reveng'd of a person who had done her such an affront and it was a great happiness to her that no notice had been taken of the bloud which the deceas'd had spilt at the place where he was kill'd Had the Magistrate known of that it would have brought her into some trouble for the Neighbours would have testifi'd that they had often seen those two Rivals in that little street By this means Rufina is become a Widow but withall poor and destitute of all accommodations having onely the stock of her beauty to set her self up again and that together with her honour if it may be said she had any left she resolv'd to prostitute that she might live in some measure sutably to what she had done before Saravia's Nephew who had taken possession of all his estate was sentenc d to pay Rufina somewhat upon the account of dower but it was so inconsiderable in respect of the expence she was wont to be at that she was forc'd to leave the house she was in and take one of a lower rent Nor had this Nephew what he expected by being heir to his Uncle for the estate was extremely perplex'd so that having even'd accounts with the Creditors he had but little left for himself Rufina having remov'd into another Quarter of the City and being young sumptuous in cloaths and perfectly handsome did not as many other Widows are wont to do who as soon as their husbands are march'd off dress themselves as fine as hands can make them and deriving a little advantage from their mourning seek out opportunities to shew themselves to the Gallants purely out of a design to get other husbands But ours though young had had so great experience that she resolv'd to play another game and that no small one There was come in the Fleet from Peru a man born amidst the Mountains of Leon who
's no necessity I should name them are of the most antient and most noble families of any in all the Mountains of old Casteel and the whole issue of their matrimony was onely a Brother of mine and my self My Brother spent the youthful part of his age in courting Ladies and among other young persons like himself he plaid some mad pranks of youth which oblig'd him for fear of falling into the hands of Justice to absent himself from Granada and for my part I made it my onely business to serve and humour those who had brought me into the world I spent the days at my needle not taking example from my companions who onely minded their divertisements nay I was so ignorant what love meant that I laugh'd at whatever related thereto and thought those who spent their time in courtships and entertaining those they call'd their Gallants little better than so many distracted persons But Love it seems would punish this contempt of mine and you shall see how he did it My Father and Mother being one day gone to visit a friend of theirs in the Country who had buried his wife not long before I heard in the street the clashing of swords as if some people had been fighting I look'd out at the window to see what might be the matter I had never been guilty of such a curiosity before and had it been God's pleasure I should have shunn'd it then I should not now be telling you my misfortunes which are such that I shall never think on them without tears I there saw to my sorrow three men with their swords drawn fighting against one who defended himself with so great courage that he not onely made his party good a long time against so many enemies but also hurt two of them in the head he himself having receiv'd onely a slight wound These three Hectors finding themselves so worsted by one person resolv'd to do their utmost to take away his life so that exasperated by their wounds they press'd upon him so much that he was forc'd to retreat within our gate where they gave him two several thrusts into the breast upon which he fell and was left for dead Mov'd with compassion to see so proper a young man so disadvantageously engag'd I came down to the gate calling my Maids about me to see what might be done for him our house being in a lone-street for those who were come upon the noise we made were so few and those unarm'd that they were not able to part them We lock'd the doors and brought him in and a Chirurgeon was immediately sent for His wounds were so great that we thought fit to dispose him into a bed in a ground-room where my Brother was wont to lie The young man thank'd me very civilly for the favour he receiv'd from me but alas that good office began with Compassion but ended in Love The Chirurgeon view'd his wounds but could not presently give any certain judgment of them though he whisper'd me in the ear that he thought they might cost him his life That account of him struck me to the heart for having seen him fight so gallantly I must needs acknowledge that I had even then conceiv'd an inclination for him But his kind expressions afterwards and his thanking me so gentilly for the obligations he said I had put upon him rais'd it into a perfect Love My Father and Mother return'd from their visit and ere they were got to our house were told by one of the Neighbours a person of some quality what had happened in their absence and how that I had put a period to a quarrel by entertaining the wounded party into their house out of compassion and a fear that he might be kill'd whereat they were well satisfi'd and commended the charitable office I had done at such an extremity for they were persons who gladly embrac'd any opportunity to exercise their charity They visited the wounded encourag'd him to take heart assuring him he should want nothing their House could afford and acknowledg'd it well done by me that I had so rescu'd him upon which I took occasion to spend most of my time in waiting on him him I say who is the cause of all the troubles and afflictions which lye so heavy upon me At the second dressing the Chirurgeon assur'd us that his wounds were not mortal which caus'd much joy in our House particularly to me who became every day more and more passionately in love with him As often as I could get out of my Father and Mother's fight I went to pass away the time in his Chamber for which kindness he made me extraordinary acknowledgments This young Cavalier was born at Pampeluna and one of the most eminent in that City His business at Granada was to prosecute a Law-suit against a very powerful person who finding but little justice of his side that the cause was of great importance and that notwithstanding the favour he had in Court the Judges must pass sentence against him would put a period to the Suit by a shorter cut and rid himself of his Adversary by employing three Men to murther him who were his own menial Servants A month slipp'd away ere Leonardo so was the wounded person named got out of his Bed having all that time been attended with as much care as might be The second day after his getting up he had the opportunity to see me for my Mother was gone abroad upon a visit wherein I accompany'd her not because I had a greater mind to be alone with my young Gallant He discover'd himself to me so opportunely and gave me such sensible assurances of his affection that it rais'd a no less in me towards him insomuch that there past mutual promises of fidelity between us I knew nothing all this time that my Father was upon a treaty of Marriage between me and a Gentleman of Granada who was infinitely desirous to enter into our alliance while I was very well satisfy'd with the choice I had made my self Leonardo coming to hear of the others pretensions to me was not a little troubled at it but the onely remedy was patience in regard he would make no discovery of his Estate till his Law-suit were ended which he hoped would be in a short time and I in the mean time kept my Father in play with persuasions that he would not be over-hasty in concluding my Marriage with the Granadine Leonardo being perfectly cur'd and requiting the kindness and noble entertainment he had receiv'd at our House with many considerable presents return'd to his own Quarters to bring his business to a final end For my part my troubles increas'd more and more upon me for my Father never giving me any notice of it as if I had been a person not at all concern'd concluded the contract with the Granadine and pass'd his word he should have me which when I came to understand I was so strucken that I minded not what
all he had so as that she might dispose of him and it as she pleas'd Her beauty had given him a kind of Itch and he was mighty desirous to try whether she would be as willing to cure him of it but he knew not well how to acquaint her with his indisposition he resolv'd at last in case he could do no good upon her by his submissions and presents to use the last remedy which was to Marry her This is a Bait that many times takes the shyest of that subtle Sex but when they are so taken he that does it is commonly snapp'd himself I told you before that Rufina had no other design than to examine the Chests of the greedy Merchant and that she would not be any way engag'd till she were secure of her prize for the rascally trick shewn by Ruperio had made her extreamly distrustful Marquina staid all that day in his Garden and neglected his business in the City but the next morning betimes leaving his Guest asleep he takes his Mule and goes about his ordinary occasions having charg'd the Gardener's Wife to get a good breakfast for the Lady as soon as she were awake and to have a care of the House He lock'd the Chamber-door where his Money was and as he went out charg'd the Gardener not to suffer any to come into his Garden but the Old man who had brought Theodora thither for that was the name the dissembling Rufina had given her self That done he went about his business attended by the little Negro whom he gave Money to buy Provisions for a good Dinner Rufina got up and the Gardener's wife punctually obey'd the orders she had receiv'd from her Master treating her the best she could out of this respect that all the Domesticks made their advantage of those magnificences Rufina comes down into the Garden where she took occasion to commend the walks and contrivances of it for the Gardener kept it in very good order and well supply'd with herbs fruits and flowers Finding the Sun beginning to grow hot she went into the House where casually meeting with a Lute on which Marquina's factor was wont to play she set it in Tune and made that her entertainment till such time as Marquina return'd from the City who hearing her at it was not a little glad to find that perfection in her more than he knew before Perceiving that Marquina hearkened to her Musick she joyn'd her Voice to the Instrument to breed one maggot more in his brain than he had already She sung so excellently that Marquina was ravish'd at the melody and acknowledg'd that it was not the Voice of a mortal Creature but an Angel come down from Heaven He continu'd his attention a while imagining she would have begun another Song but perceiving she laid by the Lute he comes into the Room and transported with joy How hath this poor Habitation been felicify'd said he to her by your retirement into it most adorable Theodora What happiness did the hour of your arrival here bring me who never had known any before What honour have I receiv'd in beholding your transcendent Beauty and to observe in you from time to time a thousand unknown excellencies which are not discover'd at the first sight This house may no doubt enter into competition with Heaven it self since such an Angel honours it with her divine presence What I say Madam is but little in comparison of the passion I have for your worth which were it to be commended proportionably to the apprehension I have of it I think the most eloquent persons that ever were would be at a loss for expressions suitable to so adorable a subject You press too hard upon me Dear Sir replies the counterfeit Theodora seeming to blush at those excessive praises I am not such a stranger to my self but that I know it argues excess in the highest degree to bestow such extraordinary commendations on a person that deserves so little Had I mistrusted your being within hearing I would have put off my diversion to another time since 't is not unlikely my Voice may seem harsh to you compar'd to the excellent ones of this City which you often hear unless it be that generous natures have an inclination to favour persons of mean parts by flattering them by their praises into an imagination that their endowments are greater than indeed they are No more complements I beseech you replies Marquina rais'd up to the highest pitch of besotted Love my words come short of my faith and I am to assure you withall Madam that though I have heard excellent Voices in Sevil for I must confess there are some such yet yours is infinitely beyond any of them Your most humble Servant Sir says Rufina your commendations are infinitely beyond my deserts and the honour you do me can do no less than raise in me a hearty wish that my poor abilities might find you some further diversion with this Instrument since you are pleas'd to acknowledge your self so much satisfy'd therewith But my troubles are so great and pressing that in what I did I minded onely my own I must see them at an end ere you leave this House says Marquina to her and therefore let me intreat you if you cannot conclude an absolute peace with your afflictions at least condescend to a short cessation of arms These reiterations of your favours must needs extreamly oblige me replies Rufina and consequently force me to a greatful compliance with your commands as far as lies in my power but I cannot promise it you so fully as I wish finding the person who brought me hither hath forgotten he did it otherwise he would have found some means to have given me a Visit once in three days Let not that create you any trouble replies the amorous Merchant but rather imagine there may be some just cause of his neglect I have some apprehension said she that he may be return'd to Granada out of a fear that being miss'd there he might be question'd as a Complice of my escape and this would prove the greatest of all my misfortunes for if he be gone he hath carried all I had along with him Never fear it says Marquina for he must have more compassion than to forsake you in so great an extremity but though he and all else fail you assure your self I shall not whereof I cannot give you a greater assurance than you may derive from this sincere protestation of my being so passionately your Servant that I imagine not my self to be the same person I was before I saw you This transformation is wholly to be attributed to your Divinity and thence you may inferr the influence you have over me Having so said Marquina made an absolute discovery of his Love the cunning Gypsie pretending she understood not his meaning return'd civil Answers to the proffers he made her acknowledging her self extreamly oblig'd to him for his kindness and that she doubted not of
that he might the better speak to Rufina She told him how things stood and how they had buried the mony in the garden and that it was all in silver intending to reserve all the gold for her self About mid-night Garay and one of his Camerades went along with Rufina disguiz'd in man's cloaths to the garden They help'd her over first to go and see whether there might be any body in the house but all were vanish'd as if the house had been visited She thereupon call'd Garay and his companion and having taken up the mony they carri'd it away and took up their quarters at one of the farthest Inns of the suburbs Having been merry a while and drunk their own healths and to the good success of their future designs they went all to bed the two men together and Rufina by her self As soon as she found they were asleep she puts on the same habit and returns to the garden She took up the little box of gold and without any disaster got safe to the Inn before her companions awaked The next day having divided the silver whereof she and Garay had the best part and sew'd up the gold in her cloaths she left Sevit taking Garay along with her who finding what advantages he might make of her company resolv'd to run fortunes with her They took their way towards Madrid to which place they will be got by that time we shall see what is become of Marquina whom we left in St. Bernard's Monastery Having continu'd there four days after Rufina's departure from him he knew not what to think of her that she came not again as she had promis'd He address'd himself to one of the Monks who had great acquaintances in the City and intreated him to inquire what proceedings there might be against him upon the murther he had committed The Religious man promis'd him an account of it but having enquir'd at those places where he might most probably hear thereof no body could give him any satisfaction He thereupon told Marquina that he might safely go abroad and needed not to fear any thing He went out one night to a friend 's of his whom he acquainted with all that had past as also the great perplexity he was in desiring him to make a more particular enquiry into the business than he thought the Religious man had done He did so and gave him the same account as the other Yet would not that satisfie him but he must desire his friend to go to his house whereof he gave him the Mistris key He went and found it without any body in it and his Mule dead for want of meat and tendance He went with this news to his friend advising him to come out of the Monastery and go home and thence about the City as he was wont to do The death of his Mule troubled him not much so glad was he to find himself once more at liberty the onely thing gave him any disquiet was that his Theodora under which name Rufina went came not to see him But he imagin'd the cause of it might be that being a young Maid she had shelter'd her self some-where to keep out of the hands of Justice or that haply she might have been met with by her Father who as she had told him sought after her He went to his house whither came soon after the Gardener and his wife and the other servants He goes into the Garden and notwithstanding all the fear and distraction he had been in remembred the place where he had hid his mony and was not a little glad to find the mark where he had set it so that before he went to bed he resolv'd to secure his treasure in its former garrison As soon as it was dark he takes the Gardener with him and a Lanthorn and Candle and goes first to the place where the Silver was and bids him digg He did so but there was nothing to be found whereat Marquina was extremely surpriz'd He went thence to the place where they had laid the gold and there they found as little onely Rufina knew what was become of all He walk'd several turns about the garden with much vexation imagining the marks might be misplac'd but what in looking after the marks and what in digging the night slipp'd away so that at last dispairing to find any thing that night he behav'd himself like a person distracted The Gardener knew not what he look'd for nor for what reason he had brought him thither The poor man resolv'd to have a little patience till the next morning being still in some hope to find what he had hidden He went to bed or rather to spend the night in unsufferable torments but as soon as it began to dawn he got up and having call'd up the Gardener they return'd to the work they had been at the night before Having digg'd again at those places where he was confident he had laid the mony all they could find was that there had been two holes made there before and that mony or something else had been hidden there but all was remov'd This assurance made him run stark mad throwing himself on the ground running his head against the wall and doing such things as rais'd a compassion in his servants who thence concluded that he had lost his mony and suspected the feign'd Theodora to have robb'd him by the orders he gave them to search after her all over the City But she was far enough out of his reach and had so wel secur'd his mony that it was not likely it would come into his chests any more He kept his bed a good while our of a pure madness that he had so soon lost what had cost him many years trouble and pains to get together The robbery was soon divulg'd all over the City some who knew not his humour pitied his misfortune but such as had experience of his insatiable avarice were not a little pleas'd to find him so justly punish'd The end of the first Book LA PICARA OR The Triumphs of Female Subtilty The Second Book AS soon as our subtle Picara had done her work at Marquina's and had made a broken Merchant of one who was accounted the wealthiest about Sevil she thought it not prudence to make any long sâ—â—y for fear of falling into the hands of Justice whose Officers would be abroad upon the sollicitations of the party robb'd She was gotten far enough out of the way ere he was sensible of his loss for the next night after they had taken away the Money she and Garay hired two Mules upon which they came to Carmona which lies about half a days journey from Sevil. They had taken up two places in the Madrid-coach which was to pass through that City and take them up as it went They lighted at Carmona at one of the best Inns where Rufina keeping out of sight was resolv'd to expect the Coach considering with her self what she might come to in time
or his Daughter or any one belonging to them that he might the better compass a design which onely Love could inspire him withall The Kingdom of Galicia is very full of mountains and consequently the way to Saint James's must be troublesome to travel so that the Marquess could make but short Journeys whence Don Pedro inferr'd that he could not be back in less than twenty days presuming he would make some aboad at Compostella to do his devotions and refresh himself ere he set out for his return Accordingly be dispos'd of his affairs in order to the design he had bethought himself of and taking leave of all his acquaintance he went to Pont-ferrada a Town which lay four Leagues further from the Court than Ville-Franche He took up his Quarters at an Inn whence he stirr'd not in the day-time but onely took the air a little in the night yet with such a caution not to be known to any that he discover'd himself to none of the Inhabitants but onely his Land-lord whom he acquainted with his quality and the design had brought him thither He was attended onely by one Servant whose fidelity and courage he had many years experienc'd for he had serv'd him as a Soldier and waited on him from the time of his first departure from Ville-Franche Felician so was this faithful Servant named perceiving his Master more melancholy than he had been wont to be and that somewhat kept him from resting in the night for he heard him disquietly turning in his bed and sighing ever and anon he imagin'd that the cause of his disturbance was not at Pontferrada inasmuch as if it had been he would not have fail'd night or day to discover by his visits what could not be known by his disquiets and sighs Thus this discreet Lover not discovering any thing of his secret passion Felician could not ghess at the occasions which bred such a distraction in his mind nay though he did all lay in his power to pry into it yet could he never meet with any satisfaction One day finding his Master all alone and not able to endure that reserv'dness in him any longer he thus spoke to him I should never have imagin'd Sir that you could be guilty of so great a closeness towards a servant whom you have ever found faithful and to love you even beyond his own life You have heretofore thought me worthy the knowledge of your most important secrets pardon me if I presume to tell you that your silence now gives me just cause to conceive that you have not the same thoughts of me and that I must be guilty of some crime whereof I have not my self the least apprehension Wherein I pray Sir may I have offended you You must needs harbour some ill thoughts of me since you conceal from me the disquiets which deprive you of all appetite to meat or rest Sure they proceed from Love or I am mightily mistaken You close not your eyes all night and spend the day in retirement avoiding all society and giving your self up to perpetual solitude and melancholy which I am extremely troubled to see You have left your Country telling your friends that you were going to Court whereas you continue in an obscure place where you are afraid to be known 'T is impossible for me to forbear grieving at it as long as I am ignorant of the cause thereof Pardon my curiosity Sir which however impertinent is an argument of my faith and readiness to serve you I know it to be the duty of a good and faithful Servant punctually and implicitly to obey the commands of his Master without insinuating himself further into his secrets than he is willing he should be acquainted therewith I have hitherto kept my self within those bounds and have so liv'd with you as that I fear not any reproach you can make me But now at last my ancient fidelity gives me the boldness to ask you what business may have brought you to this place what occasions your disquiet and what you intend to do in this obscure Inn where you admit not of any enjoyments Have you a greater confidence of the happy Master of this House whom you have known but within these four days than of an old Servant of whose zeal and fidelity you have had so many experiences You have heretofore thought my advice worth the asking nay have follow'd it in things for ought I know of as great importance as this is Felician having thus ended his complaint his Master conceiv'd himself oblig'd to make him some Answer which was this Felician I must confess I have look'd on thee and that justly as my friend a title I may well allow one who hath shar'd with me in war the dangers in peace the enjoyments I have been engag'd in It is a very hard thing not to say impossible that any man should in the disposal of himself take a course contrary to that intended him by Heaven though it be said that a wise man shall have dominion over the Stars that is as Astrologers expound it humane Prudence shall elude the decrees of Fate I am born to love a Beauty which surprising my heart hath withall possess'd it self of all the faculties of my Soul I find my self no longer Master of my own liberty that I am not able to make the least disposal of my will and so it were a madness for me to oppose the inclination whereto the sovereign Powers have made me subject I suffer my self to be foolishly carri'd away by my passion though I know well enough that I attempt a thing absolutely impossible and beyond my strength This is the cause of my disquiet musing and melancholy spending the nights without rest and the day in solitude suffering a thousand asflictions which I cannot express and loving where I am not to hope the least return of Love by reason of an invincible obstacle that lies in my way This is that destroys my enjoyments and poisons all my joy I have seen that divine Beauty that mortal Angel that prodigy of miracles who pass'd through our Town with her Father the Marquess Rodolfo the excellent endowments she is Mistris of and which thou maist have admir'd as well as my self are all the excuse I can alledge for the blindness of my passion but they feed it not with any hope There is an obstacle lies between me and the possession of her which I shall find it impossible to remove This transcendent Beauty is already made sure to a Gentleman of great worth who is her Cousin-germane named Leopoldus and me-thinks I see her ready to join hands with him I hear such high commendations of his excellent parts that I find the little hope I had ready to leave me I love her or to say better I adore her and if I may judge by the present agitations of my heart I may say it will never be disengag'd from the passion I have for her I know it is madness in
do with the hazard of my life Tell me infamous woman what hath pass'd between you that I may take some course therein and dissemble not the truth in any thing for it concerns thee no less than honour and life The disconsolate Donna Blanca heard this discourse with her eyes fastned on the ground and flowing with tears without giving him the least interruption but at last to obey her Brother whose indignation she saw justly grounded she told him in few words how Leopold had seen her at a certain publick meeting that he lik'd her and having enquir'd out her lodgings he had sent her several Letters that having continu'd his addresses to her with great demonstrations of affection she had granted him entrance into the house and that upon a promise of marriage under his hand which she had about her she had permitted him to dispose of her as he pleas'd In fine she gave him a particular account of all that had happened between them whereupon he to add no more to her affliction put her in some hope that Leopold should be forc'd to perform the promise he had made her The fair Lady Margaret had heard all this discourse at the door which was between her lodgings and Pedro's chamber extremely astonish'd how a person of quality such as she found Don Pedro to be by his discourse and one of such an excellent wit could put on a Fool 's coat and behave himself as an extravagant in their house and all about the Court She was ignorant of the causes of that strange Metamorphosis and yet she had a certain suspicion that it might be upon her account On the other side she reflected on the double treachery of her Cousin Don Leopold in treating of a marriage with her having given a promise of the same thing to another and that a person so highly qualifi'd as Donna Blanca seem'd to be Being fully satisfi'd as to those two things she would not stand to hear them any longer but rush'd into the room so of a sudden as that she had not the time to put any thing over her face nor he to dissemble his indignation Seeing her coming towards them Ah Madam said he to her what mean these Ambushes What 's your design therein Sovereign Princess of my Soul and absolute Directress of my inclinations Do you use such a treachery against those who could not so much as imagine you guilty of any such thing I wish so great a Beauty would not give me any more such apprehensions for another surprise of this nature would make me die out of pure joy as it hath been the fortune of others to die out of an excess of grief There is no dissembling any longer replies the Lady for I am fully assur'd that you are not the person you seem to us to be and that the affliction you are in requires rather secret and real resentments than personated extravagancies My curiosity heightned by a little jealousie procur'd me the discovery of more than you imagine I have found the perfidiousness of my Cousin Don Leopold greater towards me than I could have expected considering his pretended kindnesses I would fain be deliver'd out of the confusion I am in and I earnestly intreat you to resolve me this riddle for its obscurity perplexes me very much but before you take that trouble upon you give me leave to carry this Lady your Sister to my lodgings and if my Cousin comes in the mean time to enquire after her you may tell him that she went away much displeas'd at his long stay and leave the rest to me Having so said she took Donna Blanca along with her assuring her she would do all lay in her power to serve her which put her in hope of a better success in her affairs than she could have deriv'd from either her Brother's indignation or Leopold's treachery The Lady Margaret left Donna Blanca among her Women and returns to Don Pedro who though at first supriz'd at the sight of her and the thought of her having over-heard the infamy of his Sister yet was he withal glad of it since her jealousie and curiosity had discover'd his transformation and the unhandsome carriage of her Cousin Don Pedro therefore was very glad to see his Mistress return'd as might be seen by the chearfulness of his countenance She desir'd him to take a chair and doing the like her self she open'd her mind to him in these words I have been in an extraordinary confusion for some days past and so incens'd against my Cousin Don Leopold to see the strangeness of his behaviour towards me that I come to receive your advice how far I ought to resent it and withal to be satisfi'd in some things whereof I must yet acknowledge my self ignorant One is and that much raises my wonder to see you counterfeiting the Fool and Extravagant in a Court where you might rather act the part of a person of Honour and Gallantry as having the advantage of being Brother to so fair a Lady as Donna Blanca who besides the recommendation of beauty seems to be Mistress of many other good qualities You may infer from my discourse that being of the quality I suppose you to be you dishonour your self in representing the Natural and ridiculous person as well in regard of the habit you have assum'd as the extravagant actions wherewith you amuse the world Which since I cannot imagine you would do but that there must be some great mystery in it I am the more desirous to know your motives thereto in that I conceive it will be a means to clear my mind of certain doubts which now lie somewhat heavy upon it Having deliver'd this with the best grace in the world the fair Lady was silent and left Don Pedro the liberty to make her this reply If you find me at any loss Madam in satisfying your desires as to this particular I question not but you will have the goodness to attribute it to that distraction poor mortals are subject to when they address themselves to the objects of their vows and adorations You cannot be ignorant though you knew it not by experience that Love is a powerful Divinity to whom men sacrifice all things no impostures but he invents no intrigues but he is author of no difficulties but he overcomes to compass his designes This premis'd I am in the next place freely to acknowledge that the day you pass'd through Ville-Franche which is the place of my birth I found my self wounded by the lightning of your fair eyes I did all lay in my power to oppose that passion but it still prov'd predominant and the engagement I knew there was between you and your Cousin Don Leopold could not abate ought thereof Nay though I knew all the particulars of that engagement wherein you rather compli'd with the commands of a Father then your own inclinations inasmuch as you look'd on that too happy Kinsman as a fickle person unworthy your
my charitable offices onely with flatteries and deceit I was so simple as to be cajoll'd by the caresses he made me during four days that I kept him at my house and he prevail'd so far with me that I was no longer at my own disposal The reiterated oaths and protestations of a person of that worth rais'd me into a persuasion that he really lov'd me and that induc'd me to love him again to be short upon a promise he made me of marriage he got me in an humour to grant him the greatest of favours He made me believe that his going to Court was for the prosecution of some Law-business that concern'd him very highly He desir'd my leave to go to Madrid promising to return again in a short time but with such demonstrations of love as might easily have prevail'd with one who had not fanci'd him so affectionately as I had done I suppli'd him with all things necessary and he left me extremely troubled at his departure Now by a Picture and Letter he left behind him under the bolster I found that the occasion of his coming to this Court was in order to a marriage between him and that miracle of Beauty Donna Brianda your Daughter Now our Honour being the most considerable thing we ought to be tender of I could do no less upon this procedure of Don Pedro than resolve to come to this Court and to apply my self to my friends that by their favour I might cross the marriage he is about and you will find that I may easily do it if you but see what Cards I have to play I conceiv'd my first overture should be to acquaint you with my disgrace the dishonour I have run into by the acquaintance of Don Pedro and his treachery towards me that receiving it from my own mouth you may not bee too forward to conclude what is already resolv'd between you as I have understood With the Paper I have here in my hand I will prosecute him to the utmost it is under his own hand and seal and witnesses to it be pleas'd Sir to peruse it and see whether I have not reason to prosecute this ungrateful and perjur'd man and to force him to a performance of the promise he hath made me Don Juan was astonish'd at this relation of Victoria's and by what was put into his hands found out the disposition of Don Pedro and concluded him a fickle imprudent person who pursu'd his enjoyments without any thought of the consequences thereof and thereupon he resolv'd there should be no further talk of any marriage between him and his Daughter Opening the Paper which Donna Victoria had given him he found in it these words THis present writing written with my own hand and sealed with my Seal witnesseth that I Don Pedro de Ribera an Inhabitant of Sevil acknowledge my self to be the lawful husband of Donna Victoria de Sylva an Inhabitant of Toledo and that I will perform the present promise I make her of marriage whensoever I shall be by her thereto requir'd Signed and Sealed in the presence of Albert and Marcella Servants to the said Donna Victoria Don Pedro de Ribera Having read this promise and knowing the hâ—nd and seal of Don Pedro Don Juan said to her Madam I am very much troubled that Don Pedro a person so well descended as he is should be guilty of so unworthy an action and a demeanour so full of treachery for at the time when he gave you this writing he was coming hither purposely to be married to my Daughter But the account you have given me of him is such that I assure you I wilâ— have no more to do with him since you have so much reason to oppose it Prosecute your own right and leave him not till you have obtain'd your desires and be assar'd I shall assist you to the utmost of my power since I find your honour so highly concern'd in it I have some friends here and those powerful I will engage them all to serve you that you may find I am a person who prefers a just cause before all self-interest Donna Victoria gave him very humble thanks for so great a favour and the tears that fell from her at the close of her discourse heightned his zeal and tenderness towards her Don Juan took along with him the writing which Donna Victoria had shewn him that he might thereby induce Don Pedro to an acknowledgment of his fault With those protestations he took leave of Donna Victoria promising to see her again within a short time and to return the promise of marriage reiterating the desires he had to serve her He thereupon left her giving Don Sancho the liberty to come upon the stage As soon as he had taken a seat You have understood says Donna Victoria to him if so be you have heard the discourse between Don Juan and my self what hath pass'd between me and Don Pedro. Upon which account as you have heard from her Father you find he is never like to be husband to the fair Donna Brianda She sent me hither to acquaint you that what hath been done on her part in order to the marriage between her and Don Pedro was purely out of compliance with the commands of her Father and that she is glad of the occasion she now hath to quit him and re-assume that kindness and affection she ever had for you What I say you will find in writing under her hand when you have perus'd this Letter Don Sancho having read it was the most satisfi'd man in the world to find his blasted hopes now beginning to spring again Donna Victoria perceiving it to consirm his satisfaction continu'd her discourse to him thus I know Seignor Don Sancho you will be astonish'd in your self how this Letter should fall into my hands It is my self onely can unriddle it Being in love as you are you know that that little Divinity is the Author of many disguises and transformations as you are taught by Ovid in his Metamorphosis and consequently you doubt not but that I loving an unconstant person who had had such precious pledges of my affection should leave nothing unattempted to recover my honour and oblige him to the satisfaction of what he owes me I am come to this Court with a design being what I am to get into the service of Donna Brianda and have effected it For though you see me in this house which was taken upon my account I live in hers waiting on her in the quality of a Duenna a part I have assum'd the better to elude Don Pedro and to do all say in my power to put him out of my Mistress's favour and I have also brought that so far about that I am confident there will never be any marriage between them and she is wholly inclin'd to favour you Now consider with your self what you would have me to say to your Mistress for I am just going to put on my