represented to me how unworthy I was of your Love However that would have serv'd only to exasperate my Disease with unprofitable Remedies and after having strugled a while I must at last have yielded to the irresistible Necessity of loving you which you impose on all that see you Well I love you my charming Leonora but with so much Respect that you ought not to hate me for it although I have the Boldness to discover it to you But how is it possible to die for you without boasting of it And how can you refuse to pardon a Crime with which you cannot reproach me long I own your being the Cause of a Man's Death is a Recompence not to be merited but by a great Number of Services and you will perhaps cnvy me an Happiness which you procure me without Design But do not grudge it me lovely Leonora since 't is no more in your Power to make me lose it and that 't is the only Favour I ever receiv'd from Fortune who will never sufficiently reward your Merit but by procuring you Adorers as much above me as all other Beauties in the World are below yours Therefore I am not so vain as to think that you will bestow the least Sentiment of Pity on I was not able to make an end of my Letter my Strength fail'd me on the sudden the Pen fell from my Hand for my Mind went so fast that my Body could not keep pace with it else that long beginning you have heard had been but a small part of my Letter so much was my Imagination warm'd by my Fever and by my Love I was a long time in a fainting Fit without giving the least Sign of Life which Signior Stephano perceiving he open'd the Chamber Door to send for a Priest In that very Moment Leonora and her Mother came to visit me having been inform'd of my being wounded Now as they thought this Accident besel me upon their Account and therefore that they were the innocent Cause of my Death they did not scruple to come to see me in the Condition I was in My Trance lasted so long that they went away before I was come to my self again very much afflicted as one may imagine and fully persuaded that I would never recover They read what I had been writing and the Mother more curious than the Daughter perus'd also the Papers I left on the Bed amongst which there was a Letter from my Father Garignes I was a long time struggling betwixt Life and Death but at last Youth got the better on 't in a Fortnight's time I was out of Danger and in five Weeks I began to walk about the Room My Landlord entertain'd me often about Leonora He acquainted me with the charitable Visit which she and her Mother had given me at which I was over-joy'd And if I was a little troubled at their reading my Father's Letter I was highly pleas'd that my own had been read also As often as I happen'd to be alone with Stephano I could talk of nothing but Leonora One Day calling to mind what her Mother told me that he could inform me who she was and what Reasons oblig'd her to stay in Rome I desir'd him to acquaint me with what he knew about it He told me that she was come to Rome with the French Ambassador's Lady that a Man of Quality a near Relation of the Ambassador was fallen in Love with her that in time she lov'd him too and that being married clandestinely she had the beautiful Leonora by him He inform'd me likewise that that Nobleman was fallen out with all the Family of the Ambassador upon this Account which oblig'd him to leave Rome and go to Venice with Madam la Boissiere for this was her Name till the time of the Embassy was expir'd that having brought her back to Rome he furnish'd her a House and gave her all Necessaries to live like a Person of Quality whilst he staid in France whither his Father call'd him back and whither he durst not carry his Mistress or if you please his Wife well knowing that none of his Relations would approve his Match I must confess I could not sometimes forbear wishing that Leonora were not the Legitimate Daughter of a Person of Quality that the Blemish of her Birth might excuse the Meanness of mine but soon repented so Criminal a Thought and wish'd her Fortune were answerable to her Merit Tho' this last Thought cast me into Despair for as I lov'd her more than Life it self I plainly foresaw that I could never be happy without enjoying her nor enjoy her without making her unhappy When I began to recover and that there was no other Remains of my Distemper but a great Paleness in my Face occasion'd by the vast quantity of Blood I lost my young Masters return'd from the Venetian Army the Plague which infected all the Levant not suffering them to signalize their Courage there any longer Verville had still the same Affection he ever had for me and Saint Far did not yet shew he hated me as he has done since I recounted to them all my Adventures except my falling in Love with Leonora Both express'd a great desire of being acquainted with her which my exaggerating the Merit both of the Mother and the Daughter encreas'd A Man ought never to commend the Person he loves before those who may love her also since Love enters at the Ears as well as at the Eyes This Folly has often been pernicious to those who were guilty of it which my own Experience will justifie as you shall see anon Saint Far ask'd me every Day when I design'd to carry him to Madam la Boissiere One Day when he was more pressing than ordinary I answer'd I could not tell whether she would admit of his Visit because she liv'd very retir'd Nay reply'd he I now plainly see you are in love with her Daughter and adding he knew how to go to see her without me in a very blunt manner I was so daunted◠that he firmly believ'd what he did scarce suspect before Afterwards he pass'd an Hundred silly Jests upon me and dash'd me so out of Countenance that Verville pity'd me He took me away from his unmannerly Brother and carried me to the * Place to take the 〈…〉 Coach as Hide-Park Course where I was extremely Melancholy though Verville out of a Kindness extraordinary in a Person of his Age and so much above me by his Quality us'd all possible Means to divert me In the mean time the ill-natur'd Saint Far endeavour'd to satisfie himself or rather to ruin me He went strait to Madam la Boissiere where they took him at first for me because he had my Landlord's Servant with him who had often accompanied me thither but had it not been for that I believe he had never been admitted Madam la Boissiere was very much surpriz'd to see a Man she did not know She told Saint Far she could not
in a dangerous rencounter the night before with at least half a dozen Bullies at once The sage Montafar often told Helen that he was not pleas'd to see such a visitant in his house from whom they cou'd expect nothing but for all he cou'd say to her she was not in the mind to part with her Gallant Montafar was angry with her and to make himself some amends out of her Carcass treated her with the same chastisement which Mendez of happy memory and she had formerly suffer'd in the Mountains of Burgos Helen pretended to be easily reconcil'd to him but meditated revenge in her heart The better to accomplish her design she caress'd him so lovingly for eight days together that Montafar perswaded himself she was one of those tractable women that adore their Tyrants and use their humble Servants scurvily One day that our Granada Gallant had promis'd to sup with them but by reason of some unexpected business could not come to the noble entertainment he had provided for them Montafar and Helen drank hand to fist several Bumpers to their Benefactor to whom they were oblig'd for all this good chear Montafar got fuddled according to his laudable custom and towards the end of the repast must needs taste a Bottle of perfum'd Hipocrass which the Gentleman had sent them as an extraordinary present It is not certainly known whether Helen who opened the Bottle before Supper put any poisonous Drugs into it but this is agreed on all hands that soon after Montafar had empty'd it he felt a strange heat in his Bowels and intolerable pains after that He suspected that he was poison'd and ran towards his Sword at the same time that Helen ran towards the door to avoid his fury Montafar went in to his Chamber thinking she had hid herself there and lifting up the Tapestry he discover'd Helen's young Gallant who without any more ceremony whipt him through the Guts Montafar tho hâ— had receiv'd his death's wound held him fast by the throat The Servants made such a hellish noise with crying out Murder that the Justice coming that way ran into the house just as the young Bravo who had done Montafar's business for him was making his escape In the mean time Helen who had got into the Street and knew not which way to take ran into the first house she found open She saw a light in a lower room and a Cavalier walking up and down in it Without asking him any questions she threw herself at his Feet to implore his assistance and protection and was strangely surpriz'd to find it was Don Sancho de Villefagnan who on his part was no less astonish'd to see the Idol of his heart this being the fourth time of his meeting with her by accident Don Sancho had lately fallen out with his Wife who had procur'd herself to be divorc'd from him upon the score of his ill usage of her and his disorderly life He had obtain'd a Commission at Court to go and settle a new Colony in the Indies and was to embark at Sevil in a short time While Helen told him a thousand lies and he was ravish'd to find she was ready to follow him into America the Justice apprehended the Assassin of Montafar and made a strict search after Helen in Madrid and seiz'd all that he could find in her house Don Sancho and Helen arriv'd happily in the Indies where several Adventures befel them that cannot be contain'd in so short a volume and which I promise to oblige the public with under the name of the Perfect Courtezan or the Modern Lais if I find the world inclin'd to receive it NOVEL IV. The Innocent Adultery THe Spanish Court was very much be-daggled and be-mir'd at Valladolid where they are as much be-daggled as they are at Paris according to the observation of a famous Spanish Poet when in one of the coldest nights of a very cold Winter and about the time when most of ouâ— Convents ring to Mattins a young Gentleman Don Garciâ— by name came out of a house where he had spent the evening in conversation or else in play He was now got into the Street where he lodg'd and although the night was exceeding dark because the Sky was overcast yet he had no light with him whether it was because his Footman had lost his Link or because he was a Gentleman that did not stand upon these Punctilio's when a door open'd all 〈◊〉 the sudden and he saw some body thrown out of it with so much violence as to fall on the other side of the way where he was If he was surpriz'd at so odd an Adventure he was much more so when going to lend his hand to thâ—â— person that was so rudely treated he perceiv'd that sâ—â— was in her Smock and heard her sigh and lament herself without making the least effort to rise He concluded she was hurt with the fall and with the help of his Footmâ—â— having set her on her Legs again he desir'd to know whereâ— he might serve her 'T is in your power to save both 〈◊〉 Life and Honour answer'd this unknown person in a 〈◊〉 interrupted with frequent sobbs and which discover'd 〈◊〉 him that she was a woman I conjure you added she 〈◊〉 the same generosity that inclin'd you to pity my misfortunâ— to carry me to some place of security provided that not but yourself or such whose fidelity you can trust 〈◊〉 know where I am Don Garcias cover'd her with his 〈◊〉 and commanding his Footman to hold her upon one side as he did on the other he soon arriv'd at his lodging where every one was gone to bed but the Maid who open'd the door and very heartily curs'd them for making her sit up so late All the answer the Footman made her was to blow out the Candle and while she went to light it and call'd him a hundred Rogues for his pains Don Garcias conducted or rather carry'd the afflicted Lady who could scarce make a shift to stand to his room which was up one pair of Stairs His man soon brought a light and then Don Garcas beheld one of the most beautiful women in Spain who at the same time inspir'd him with love and compassion Her hair was as bright and as black as Jet her complexion a mixture of Lillies and Roses her eyes two Suns at least her â—reast above all comparisons her arms admirable her hands much more than her arms and her shape like that of a Queen of one 's own creating but this black hair was in disâ—â—der this charming complexion was eclipsed these piercing yes were full of tears these incomparable breasts were â—oody these arms and hands were in no better a pickle in â—ort this fine body so delicately shap'd was cover'd all over â—ith black and blue marks as if it had undergone the disciâ—ine of a Dog-whip or a Cat-of-nine-tails or something as 〈◊〉 as that If Don Garcias was ravish'd to behold so beauâ—â—â—ul a
the ears in love with Isidora but much more with her Money protested to Gamara who accompanied him to his Lodgings that the charming Widow had intirely gain'd his affections and that he wou'd give one of his Fingers with all his Soul that he were already marry'd to her because he never saw a woman more made to his mind than she altho in sober truth he confessed that after Marriage he wou'd retrench somewhat of that endless ostentation and luxury She lives more like a Princess than the Wife of a private man cries the prudent Don Marcos to the dislembling Gamara and she does not consider continued he that the moveables she has being tâ—rned into money and this money being joyned to mine we may be able to purchase a pretty handsome Estate which by Gods blessing and my own industry may make a considerable Fortune for the Children Providence shall give us And if our Marriage is without issue since Isidora has a Nephew we will leave him all we have provided I like his behaviour and find him no way addicted to ill Husbandry Don Marcos entertained Gamara with these Discourses or something of the like nature when he found himself before his own door Gamara took leave of him after he had given him his word that next morning he should conclude his Marriage with Isidora because says he affairs of this nature are as soon broke off by delays as by the death of either of the parties Don Marcos embraced his worthy Marriage-jobber who went to give Isidora an account in what disposition of mind he left her Lover In the mean time our Amorous Coxcomb takes an end of a Candle out of his Pocket fixes it to the point of his Sword and having lighted it at a lamp which burnt before the publick Crucifix hard by not without dropping a few hearty Ejaculations for good success in his affair he opened the door of the House where he lodged and repaired to his wretched bed rather to think of his Amour than to sleep Gamara came to visit him the next morning and brought him the agreeable news that his business was done with Isidora who wholly left it to his discretion to appoint the day of Marriage Our besotted Lover told Gamara that he was upon thorns till it was over and that if he were to be marry'd that very day it would not be so soon as he wished Gamara reply'd that it lay solely in his own power to conclude it when he pleas'd and Don Marcos embracing him conjur'd him to use all his diligence to get the contract dispatch'd that very day He appointed Gamara to give him the meeting after Dinner while he went to his Master 's Levee and waited on him at Table Both of 'em met exactly at the time of assignation and then immediately went to Isidora's house who received them much better than the day before Marcella sung Inez danced Augustinet play'd upon the Guittar and Isidora the principal Actress of this Farce gave her Spouse that was to be a noble repast for which she knew well enough how to make herself full amends afterwards Gamara brought a Notary who perhaps was a counterfeit one The Articles of Marriage were sign'd and seal'd It was proposed to Don Marcos to play a Game at Primera to pass away the time Heavens bless me cry'd the astonish'd Don Marcos I serve a Master who wou'd not let me live a quarter of an hour with him if he knew I was a Gamester but God be praised I don't so much as know the Cards How much does it delight me replies Isidora to hear Signior Don Marcos talk after this manner I daily preach the same Doctrine to my Nephew Augustinet but your young Fellows are not a farthing the better for all the good advice that is given them Go foolish obstinate Boy says she to Augustinet go and bid Marcella and Inez make an end of their Dinner and come and divert us with their Castanietta's While Augustinet went to call up the Maids Don Marcos stroking his whiskers with admirable gravity thus carry'd on the Discourse If Augustinet says he has a mind to keep in my favour he must renounce gaming and staying out late a nights If he 'll keep good hours I am content with all my heart that he should lie in my house but I 'll have my windows baâ—red and my doors locked and bolted before I go to bed not that I am in the least jealous in my temper for I think nothing can be more impertinent equally when a man has a virtuous wife as I am going to have but houses where there is any thing to lose cannot be too well secured against Thieves and for my part I should run distracted if a Villain of a Thief without any other trouble than that of carrying off what he found should rob me in an instant of what my great industry had been scraping together so many years and therefore continues Don Marcos I forbid him gaming and rambling a nights or the Devil shall roast me alive and I will renounce the name of Don Marcos The Choleric Gentleman utter'd these last words with so much vehemence and passion that it cost Isidora abundance of fair Speeches to put him in a good humour again She conjured Don Marcos not to trouble himself about the matter assuring him that Augustinet would not fail to answer his expectation in all points because he was the most tractable and the best-conditioned Boy that ever was known The coming in of Augustinet and the Dancers put a stop to this discourse so they spent the greatest part of the night in Dancing and Singing Don Marcos being loath to give himself the trouble to walk to his Lodgings so late would by all means have perswaded Isidora to give her consent that they might live from that time forward like Man and Wife together at least that she wou'd suffer him to lye at her House that night But our Widow putting on a severe countenance protested aloud that ever since the unhappy day on which her Widdowhood commenced no man living had set his Leg within her chaste Bed which she reserved for her Lord and Master nor should do so till the rites of the Church were performed adding that in her present circumstances her reputation wou'd not suffer her to let any man but only her Nephew Augustinet lye in her house Don Marcos return'd her his humble thanks notwithstanding his amorous impatience He wish'd her a good repose return'd to his own lodging accompany'd by Gamara took his end of a candle out of his pocket fixed it to the point of his Sword lighted it at the Lamp of the Crucifix in short he did every thing as he had done the night before so punctual was he in every respect unless iâ— were that he omitted to say his Prayers because he thoughâ— his affair as good as concluded and so did not want the assistance of Heaven to further it The bans
give me leave what a sad accident had befallen me at which I don 't at all question but he was pleas'd in his heart Don Lewis said I to him I don't implore thy generosity now to prolong my Life a few days my misfortunes have made it so odious to me that I wou'd take it away myself were I not afraid that my despair cou'd not effect it but at the expence of my honour from which that of Don Sancho and even his life are perhaps inseparable Thou may'st believe that the disdain I have all along shown thee was rather the effect of my aversion than of my virtue thou may'st rejoyce at my disgrace nay and glut thy revenge with it but darest thou reproach me with a crime which thou hast so often tempted me to commit and canst thou want indulgence for her who has so often shown it to thee Don Lewis wou'd not let me go on But Madam says he to me you see that Heaven has justly punish'd you for bestowing your affections upon one whom you ought to have hated but I have no time to lose that I may convince you by drawing you out of this premunire that you have not a better friend in the world than Don Lewis Having said this he left me and return'd a moment after with two Porters whom he had order'd to be sent for Marina and I in the mean time had put Andrada's Body again into the great Coffer Don Lewis lent a helping hand to put it on the fellow's Shoulders and bid them carry it to a certain friend's house to whom he had discoverâ—d this Adventure as he had before trusted him with the secret of his amour Here after he had before taken Andrada's Body out of the Coffer he ordere'd it to be laid at full length upon a Table and while they were taking off his Cloaths he felt his Pulse and put his hand on that part of his breast where the palpitation of the Heart is best to be discover'd and found there were still some sparks of life left in him He sent for a Chyrurgeon in all haste while in the mean time they put him to Bed and employ'd all the remedies that were proper to bring him to himself again 〈◊〉 â—ort he came to himself and was blooded A Servant was left to attend him and the company quitted the room to afford time to nature and rest to compleat that cure which their remedies had so successfully begun You may imagine how great Andrada's surprize was when after so long a deliquium he found himself in Bed and cou'd only remember what a fright he was in when they put him into the Coffer he knew not where he was nor what he had to hope or fear He was taken up with these mortifying thoughts when he heard the Chamber door open and when the Curtains were drawn he saw by the light of some tapâ—â— that were brought into the room Don Lewis whom he very well knew to be my Brother-in-law and who having taken a chair spoke to him as follows Am I a stranger to you Signior Andrada and don 't you know that I am Brother to Don Sancho Yes replied Andrada I know you well enough And do you remember cries Don Lewis what happen'd to you to day at his House Take my word for t continues he that if you pretend any more to carry on your intreagues with my Sister-in-law or if I ever see you more in our Street you shall sorely repent it and know that thou hadst been a dead man if I had not taken compassion on a foolish and unfortunate woman who has been pleas'd to put her life and honour in my hand and if I were not fully assur'd that thy criminal designs against my Brother's honour have not been put in execution Change your habitation continues he and think not to escape my resentments if you break the promise I expect you should make me Andrada promised him more than he ask'd he made him the meanest and most abject submissions he cou'd think of and protested to him that he ow'd him a life for saving his now He was weak enough in all conscience to keep his bed but his excessive fear gave him strength enough to get up From that very moment he conceiv'd as great an aversion for me as his affection before had been violent nay he had my very name in horrour In the mean time I was uneasy to know what was become of him but I had not assurance enough to ask Don Lewis nay not to look him in the face I sent Marina to Andrada's Lodging where she arrived just at the same time as he came in himself and had ordered his trunks to be got ready in order to remove to another quarter of the Town As soon as he saw her he forbad her to come to him any more from me and recounting to her in a few words all that had pass'd between Don Lewis and himself he added that I was the most ungrateful and most perfidious woman in the world that he wou'd only consider me for the future as one that design'd to ruine him and desired that I wou'd no more think of him than if I had never seen him Having said this he turned Marina out of his Chamber who was extremely surprized at his treatment However her astonishment was not so great but that she had presence of mind enough to dog him him at a distance and observing the house where his Trunks were carried by that means came to know his new lodging The vexation I felt to be accus'd of a crime whereof I was innocent and to be hated by the man whom I loved so tenderly and for whom I had hazarded my life and reputation hindred me from taking so much satisfaction in his safety as otherwise I should have done I fell into a fit of melancholy which threw me into a sickness and my distemper which the Physicians cou'd not tell what to make of was no little affliction to my Husband To compleat my misfortune Don Lewis began to value himself upon the important service he had done me he incessantly importun'd me to grant him that happiness which I had intended for Andrada reproaching me that I was in love with the latter all the time I preach'd to him what I ow'd to my Husband and what he ow'd to a Brother Thus being hated by the man I lov'd lov'd by the man I hated seeing Andrada no more seeing Don Lewis too often and perpetually accusing my self for having been so ungrateful to the best husband in the World who left nothing undone to please me and who was distracted at my illness when he had the justest provocations to take away my life being thus troubled with remorse of conscience of love and hatred two passions so contrary I kept my Bed for two Months expecting every moment my death with joy but Heaven it seems reserv'd me for greater misfortunes My youth in spite of my self assisted me