the night under Peppa's Window and in the day never fail'd to be at all the Churches that she usually went to but Peppa who still flatter'd her self with the thoughts of seeing quickly again the Chevalier had the malice never to regard this diligence of the Spaniard who nevertheless did not dispair but hop'd that in the end his Constancy would prevail In all his Serenades Songs were not wanting that declar'd the strength of a Passion like this that follows LOvely Coelia let your Ear listen to my humble Pray'r let it hear your dying Lover let it hear and then discover how innocent and free I am from flattery How little all How little all the World I prize to one kind glance from Coelia's Eyes To one kind glance from Coelia's Eyes 2. Welcome Shores to those that are Shipwrack'd and of Life despair Or t'Offenders Pardon given Or to th' Holy Man his Heaven Not greater Pleasures be Than Coelia kind to me So little all the World I prize To one kind glance from Coelia's Eyes In the mean while that he forgot nothing that would produce success the Marchioness Durazzo took her Daughter home for to put her afterwards into the Nunnery whereto she was design'd Peppa who had never hid any thing from her Cousin and who found a great deal of Comfort in disclosing her Thoughts to her without any constraint was so afflicted at this parting that she begg'd her Parents to let her be enter'd some time into the Nunnery where Julia went to take the Veil but her Father would never consent to it which oblig'd her to lead a life very retir'd scarce going out of her Chamber and without any other Pleasure but what the hopes gave her of the return of her Lover The Count Centurione had not fail'd to write to France and to inform him of the Destiny of his Letter and of all that had pass'd at Genoa since he was gone and even gave him hopes that if he would send another Letter he would leave nothing untry'd that might procure him an Answer The Chevalier sent him a second Letter full of passionate expressions which set his Thoughts on work how to deliver it The Zeal that he had â—or the Service of his Friend ingag'd â—im to write with the most certain promises that he would procure him greater success in the delivery of this second Letter than there was in that of the first However as he knew no body that had access near Peppa and she leading a life very retir'd since her Cousin was not with her it was impossible for Centurione to convey his Friend's Letter to her He inform'd himself of all those who had acquaintance in the Palace Doria if Peppa had not some particular Friends whom she lov'd to converse with he understood that she lov'd Julia very well and that she would admit of no Comfort for her Absence The Count despairing of doing any thing for his Friend reproach'd himself every moment with his want of Industry was afraid that the Chevalier who had trusted him with an Affair so delicate might either have some belief that he kept Intelligence with his Rival or that he acted but weakly for his Interest since that he acquitted himself no better in the charge he had undertaken after he having engag'd himself in the attempt and promis'd even a fortunate success The remembrance of the great Obligationâ— that he hath receiv'd from the Chevalier and the generous means that he us'd in his Affair this put him quite into despair But when that he consider'd that the Chevalier might with the soonest opportunity arrive at Genoa and come secretly to his House in hopes to hear some good news and yet he had nothing to tell him Thiâ— last thought put him into so great aâ— confusion that he could with Pleasure have quitted the best part of his Estate to find an occasion of being serviceable to his Friend and to give him a testimony of his Acknowledgment In this extremity he took so extraordinary a Resolution that no example of Friendship can parallel He had a particular acquaintance with the Marquess Durazzo who was one of the chief Senators of Genoa He one day made him a Visit and after having declar'd to him in obliging expressions the esteem that he had for his person he told him That he should be very glad to enter into the Alliance of a Man of his worth and to become his Son-in-law The Marquess who knew very well the great Estate of Centurione answer'd him smiling That his Daughters were not Fortunes for him nor had that vanity to think of such a Person as he was who could make Pretensions to any of the richest Fortunes of the City Centurione reply'd That he was not of the humour of the other Genoeses who in setling themselves minded less the satisfaction of their Minds than procuring vast Estates but that for him he should think himself extreamly happy in marrying one his Daughters assuring him that no manner of Articles between them should break off the Match The Marquess charm'd with this noble Action of Centurione told him That two of his Daughter were already Nuns that he had two others remaining at home one whereof was brought up with the Daughter of the Prince Doria and just upon taking the Veil That if he persisted in the same Sentiments he already had declar'd he might consult with his Friends about it and returning to him again should then be able to give him 〈…〉 positive Answer The Count retir'd very well satisfy'd and as he was long before capable of governing himself and his Estate it was not difficult for him to obtain the consent of his Relations The Marquess on his side consulted his Friends His Wife who perceiv'd that Julia had no great Inclination for the Cloister was overjoy'd at the Proposition of Count Centurione She was very scrupulous of putting her Daughter into a Nunnery against her Will which made her perswade her Husband to let her want no advantage rather than lose a Match so important The Count Centurione who in marrying Julia was sure of easily seeing Peppa and of advancing towards this fair person the Pretensions of his Friend return'd to the House of the Marquess Durazzo and was receiv'd very favourably both by the Husband and Wife The Affair being concluded the same day the Marquess presented Centurione to his Daughter and exhorted her in his presence to acknowledge all her life time how much she was oblig'd to the Count who preferr'd her with a small Fortune before divers Matches that would have been to him very advantageous Julia to whom such a happiness came unexpected especially in a Country where the Estate regulates the Marriages receiv'd the Count with all the Marks of Esteem and acknowledgement that he could wish and they were married a little while after with an equal satisfaction on both sides Peppa was at all the Ceremonies and was so joyful for her Cousin's good Fortune that she gave
to dance Peppa who was in discourse with the Chevalier and not a little pleas'd with it was so troubled at the Marquess's Compliment that tho she rose to give him her Hand she scarce knew what she did and she had not danc'd long before she was seiz'd with such a Faintness that forc'd her to quit the Ball before it was ended The Chevalier of went out presently after and the next morning went aboard his own Vessel to return to France where he discours'd to all his Friends of the charming Creature that he had seen at Genoa he himself wondring at the same time how he could command himself so far as to leave her and take a Resolution of departing Notwithstanding as he was no less skilful in Musick and Poetry than in the Dance he had not the power to withstand some soft moments wherein he compos'd several Sonnets in praise of the fair Peppa among which here is one WHen Phillis first I saw that lovely Maid how great was my surprise She in a moment did my Heart invade wi'th ' Magick of her Eyes She in a moment did my Heart invade wi'th ' Magick of her Eyes wi'th ' Magick of her Eyes 2. Approach I did but with so great an Awe I trembling speechless stood Vnusual heat did all my Veins o'reflow Then chill'd was all my Blood. Unusual c. 3. Confusion did my Resolution bind Scarce could I speak or move Despair had took possession of my Mind And check'd my hopes of Love. Despair c. As soon as Peppa was alone with her Cousin she unbosom'd her thoughts to her and declar'd That she would never pardon the Marquess Spinola the sensible displeasure he had done her by his interrupting the Conversation which they had with the Stranger whom they found so obliging Have you ever seen continu'd Peppa a Man so handsome that had so fine a Wit and so agreeable and that danc'd with such a Majestick Air If we had discours'd longer with him interrupted Julia we might perhaps have discover'd who he was I must needs own cry'd Peppa blushing the sight of him has made no small impression in my Thoughts and not to make any further secret of it between us I cann't but acknowledge that ever since that time I have felt such emotions whereof till then I was wholly ignorant In the mean time I don't know him neither can I tell the Countrey he is of and perhaps we shall never see him more These last words were ended with a sigh which discover'd that this Stranger was not indifferent to her and altho her Cousin gave her some hopes that she might meet him at another Ball yet this hope was too weak to bring her much Comfort These two Ladies met at almost all the diverting Pastimes that were perform'd at Genoa during the time of the Carnaval Peppa who found not what she look'd for was always in a Melancholy Humour and complain'd still to her Cousin of her bad Fortune She sometimes oblig'd her to keep her company the greatest part of the day at the Window where they could see all that past by without being seen by any flattering her self that she might at last see him who was now become the sole object of her Thoughts But notwithstanding all this trouble for a whole month it was to very little purpose since that the Chevalier of was now in France where all his Estate and Fortune lay The Count Centurione of Genoa who had been acquainted with him in Italy happening to be at Paris after his return from a Voyage in Germany was overjoy'd to find the Chevalier there He went to see him and was receiv'd with a great deal of kindness It was not above two days after that the Count was in a troublesome Affair with an English Gentleman They fought and the English Gentleman was much wounded but the greatest danger was that they were both seiz'd and as none doubted but that it was a Duel which Crime in France finds no Favour their Trial came on The Chevalier who was advertis'd of it by a Note from Centurione took this Affair in hand but foreseeing that they could not escape being convicted and that his Friend thereby would run the hazard of losing his Head he thought it not convenient to endeavour any thing from the Judges who he knew lay under indispensable obligations of proceeding to give Sentence according to Evidence but having understood that they who saw the Action were People of a mean Quality he privately search'd them out and by great Rewards oblig'd them to steal out of Paris so that there might be none to witness against his Friend This took the desir'd effect for the Judges finding no proof against him that was valid were forc'd to acquit him Centurione out of acknowledgment for this generous proceeding of his Friend would have made him a considerable Present but the Chevalier refus'd it assuring him that he was fully recompens'd for that care he took to bring his Affair to a happy end by the Pleasure he receiv'd in being serviceable to a person of his worth The Count Centurione return'd back into his own Country full of grateful Acknowledgments for the generous Action of his Deliverer having always before his Eyes the obligations that lay on him for so signal a piece of Service In the mean while the great Discourse at Genoa was of the Marriage of the Marquess Spinola with Peppa it being look'd upon as a thing agreed on between the two Families The Princess Doria who most passionately desir'd it press'd several times her Brother and her Husband to procure a meeting of their Relations to make an end of regulating all matters But Peppa who was always full of the Idea of her Stranger and who not seeing which way to evade this Marriage which she now was afraid would be too certain fell into a languishing illness which equally put a stop to the Design of both Houses so that they deferr'd their meeting to seal the Articles to a longer time The Physicians tho they were ignorant of Peppa's Distemper prescrib'd her several things and through their Advice she was carried to a Countrey-House which the Prince Doria had at Sancto P. di Arena for a change of Air. Julia who alone could administer any Comfort to her because she knew her Secrets did in vain represent that she fill'd her Thoughts with the Idea of a Man whom probably she should never see again and blam'd her infinitely for resisting her Father's Will who would make sure to her his whole Estate upon her Marriage with the Marquess Spinola Peppa rested satisfy'd with the Reasons alledg'd by her Cousin but at the same time affirm'd That 't was impossible to alter her Mind and to drive from her Thoughts the Image of her dear Stranger The illness of Peppa caus'd so much trouble in the Mind of the Marquess Spinola who now really lov'd her that his Relations thought it sit to dissipate his too great care
all the night with much impatience She therefore retir'd betimes to her Chamber and went to bed sooner than her usual hour as if that would hasten forward the night and occasion a quicker return of the morning Nevertheless she found the time very long and was not a little uneasie in her thoughts One while she pleas'd her self to think that she should contemplate at leisure that dear Object which before she had seen but a moment and which had made so great an impression in her Mind Then again she was afraid to see him and represented to her self a train of inevitable Misfortunes that would be the Consequence of her resisting the Will of her Parents In spight of all these Reflections the fear of being deceiv'd in her hopes caus'd her greatest trouble for when she began to think that the Chevalier of might not be the Stranger that she look'd for and that all her assurance for it was but the Report that she had receiv'd of the Adventure of the Chevalier which seem'd to be like that of her Stranger she therefore would willingly see him without running any hazard In this incertitude she took a great deal of care the next day to dress her self with all the advantage she could and she did not fail in her design for the Princess Doria and Julia agreed that they never saw her in a Dress so magnificent as she was then The Princess being perswaded that she did it to please the Marquess appear'd extreamly satisfy'd It is certain that the richness of her Dress gave so much Lustre to her natural Beauty that all those who saw her could not forbear crying out That they had never seen so fair a Creature The Marquess and the Chevalier accompanied with several of their Friends came to the Consort As soon as they were enter'd into the Ladies Apartments Peppa who easily singl'd out the Chevalier from the rest was in a great Confusion She found however such infinite satisfaction in seeing him again that she forgot those Reflections which she lately made The Marquess presented his Friend to the Princess Doria who receiv'd him with much Civility They then offer'd their Respects to Peppa who had scarce the Courage to look up The Marquess transported with Joy seeing the great splendour of her Beauty could not hold from saying to the Chevalier That now he might judge whether she did not merit the Honour he did her when he drank her Health at the report of all the Guns of his Ship. The Chevalier who immediately knew her to be the same person that appear'd so beautiful at the Ball two years before was in so great a surprise and beheld her so attentively that he gave no Answer to what the Marquess said to him This Affection which cost him a great deal of trouble to overcome the first time that he had seen Peppa was now renew'd and he found by some private motions of his Heart that it would be impossible for him to resist Peppa who sat next to Julia had always her Eyes fix'd on the Chevalier She found him so much to her liking that far from repenting of those amorous Sentiments she had for him whilst he was yet unknown to her she reproach'd her Cousin for her having so often blam'd this Amour and she endeavour'd to make her observe in his person the new Agreement that she each moment discover'd The Marquess who was wholly taken up with the Musick listen'd to it with so much attention that he did not perceive the Confusion the Chevalier was in and he flatter'd himself with the imagination that his own presence might in some measure be the cause of the Joy which added so great a Lustre to Peppa's Beauty As the Chevalier spoke nothing to him in praise of the Musick he ask'd him if he did not like it The Chevalier answer'd him freely That altho he was always a great admirer of Musick yet he had not any relish for it now when he had before his Eyes the most beautiful person of the World. The Marquess perceiving well that Peppa had the greatest share in his Answer assur'd his Friend That the Custom of Italy could permit of a familiar Conversation he would also be satisfy'd that her Wit was no ways inferiour to her Beauty The Collation being serv'd up the Marquess pray'd the Princess Doria to place the Chevalier next to Peppa to which the Princess easily condescended to please her Nephew Altho Peppa and the Chevalier had a sensible delight to see themselves so near together yet they were uneasie in being depriv'd of the pleasure of beholding one another but the Chevalier not being willing to lose so happy an opportunity found means to speak to Peppa without being overheard by any of the Company That he saw it was impossible for a person to withstand his Destiny and as for him he never would complain of his for he was sensible that he was born to adore her all his life The Modesty of Peppa would not allow her to give him an Answer to these Expressions nevertheless something in her Actions let him know that she was not displeas'd with what he had said The Chevalier satisfy'd with the progress he had made in his Amour enter'd into Conversation with the other Ladies and took care to say nothing afterwards but what every one might hear The Banquet was concluded with much Magnificence alâ—ho the Chevalier did not believe it had lasted long enough yet before he retir'd he had the pleasure to meet the kind looks of his Mistress and by this mute Language of their Eyes they fully discover'd the Sentiments they had for each other The Chevalier spent the night without sleeping the lovely Peppa appearing always in his Thoughts and he thought himself the most happy Man in the World when that he repass'd over in his Mind that she had heard him without being displeas'd at it that even her Eyes had let him understand that she had not an indifferent Affection for him but presently making Reflections upon the state of his own Preferment foresaw that being advanc'd in the Service of his King he could not receive into his Breast so great a Passion and particularly at Genoa without great hazard of ruining his Fortune In spight of all these Reflections his Amour got the Victory of all these Commotions and he could not tell which way to take a Resolution of parting from his Mistress An Order that he receiv'd upon his Arrival at Genoa to depart immediately for France put him into the greatest disorder imaginable but knowing how nice the King was in all that related to his Service he resolv'd not to admit of the thoughts of deferring his Voyage one moment altho he probably believ'd that he should never get such another occasion or to agree with her what Methods and Measures to observe for the time to come In this extremity he resolv'd to write to her for to let her understand the real motions of his Heart He
deferr'd it not till it was day for having call'd his Servants he ask'd for a light and writ this following Letter I Once had the thoughts that I should never be in Love since I had the power to resist its force when I saw you two years ago I was confirm'd in this Opinion by infinite Arguments but I had no sooner seen you a second time when that all these Arguments which before had appear'd to me invincible became weak and now far from endeavouring to preserve my Liberty I repent of my former Resistance and I esteem the time past as lost not being able to comprehend that there can be a Felicity in this World equal to that of loving you A Duty most cruel but yet not to be dispens'd with obliges me to return suddenly into France I should have met with a far greater resistance in resolving this absence had I not believ'd that that Man must be unworthy of you who can fail in his Duty to his King. This reason alone makes me go without hesitating but with a resolution to make a speedy return to find you out in what place soever you are to adore you continually and to sacrifice my Life to a Love that is perfect and constant He found this Letter exactly conformable to his Mind but he was in a great perplexity how to give it to the charming Peppa for he very well knew that the greatest part of the Nobility of Genoa live extreamly retir'd and that it would be very difficult to have access into their Houses and particularly near their Wives or Daughters He fear'd that if he should commit this Secret to Mercinary Persons they would act but faintly in his Affair and especially in his absence He was thus disquieting himself when that the Count Centurione enter'd his Chamber he began to chide him for his unkindness that he came not to lodge in his Palace The Chevalier excus'd himself upon his short stay having an Order to make Sail from Genoa with all expedition The Count perceiving him to be very uneasie conjur'd him to let him know whether he could contribute any thing to his satisfaction assuring him that he would expose both his Life and Fortune in his Service The Chevalier sighing confess'd That he had plung'd himself in the most cruel Affair that he ever met with in all his Life This oblig'd the Count to renew the offer which he had made him before adding all that he could think of to perswade him that he should esteem himself the most happy man in the World if he could find an occasion to testify to him his Acknowledgment The Chevalier without any further difficulty made him a Confident in his Secret. Having in short acquainted him with the beginning of his Adventure he confess'd that he was in Love and that notwithstanding he could not prevent his departing and absenting himself from the only person he could love The Count represented to him the almost invincible difficulties that he would meet with in his Enterprise but however he offer'd him all the Assistance in the World and assur'd him that he would stick at nothing where his Service was in Question The Chevalier shew'd him then the Letter which he had writ and told him That he should depart with less trouble if he would take the charge upon him to convey it to Peppa The Count ingag'd himself with a great deal of Joy and promis'd to take such exact Measures that he might rely upon the safe conveyance of his Letter to his Mistress They had some other Conversation together before the Chevalier embark'd to whom it was a matter of great Consolation to find a Friend so truly grateful Peppa past the night with as little rest as the Chevalier She would sometimes start as she began to close her Eyes and then would imagin that all which had pass'd the day before was but a Dream but when she recollected her self how that she had seen distinctly the Chevalier and that he had also spoke to her in such tender Expressions she found no little delight in repassing in her Mind those very words he had us'd and banish'd all Reflections that might diminish her Joy. As soon as it was day she went into Julia's Chamber whom she awak'd to talk of her Lover She made her take notice how much Wit was in all his Discourse and even applauded his Discretion for his having spoke so little to her in private Julia either to do Justice to the Chevalier or out of Complaisance for her Cousin own'd that if a weakness of this nature might be pardonable in a young Maid she was far less criminal than another since the Chevalier in all his Actions appear'd so graceful After a long Discourse Peppa who flatter'd her self that Love might still procure some new means for her to see him again took no little care in adorning her self She was all the day long mightily discompos'd and under some pretext or other visited the Balconies and all the Windows of the Palace Doria. She was in this diligent search when she heard the sound of several great Guns which mov'd her Curiosity to enquire into the Reasons And being told that the Gallies of the Republick saluted the French Ships which were under Sail. This news much surpris'd her because she could not have imagin'd that the Chevalier after the declaring himself to her as he had done was capable of departing without letting her hear from him She was sensibly touch'd with this appearance of Contempt and call'd to her Remembrance all that she had heard reported to the disadvantage of the French Nation who had this general Character in their Neighbouring Countries that they could easily ingage themselves in any Amour and as easily quit it again without the least concern in the World. She bemoan'd her misfortune to Julia and in the angry humour she was in endeavouring to lessen all that was charming in the Chevalier she promis'd her never to think more of this Ingrate We must now leave the Chevalier pursuing his Voyage to France in a stormy season of the year and upon an unruly Sea but whether that or his Passion was his greatest care this Song the product of his solitary Thoughts will best testifie He sent it with the first Ship for his Friend Centurione at Genoa who till a long time after could not meet with an opportunity of putting it into the Hands of the fair Peppa OH my Zelinda could you see the fury of each foaming Wave you 'd think that the tempestuous Sea would e'ry moment be our Grave But oh Zelinda could you view the greater Tempest in my Heart you 'd know that it was rais'd for you So sad so sad 't is to depart so sad so sad 't is to depart 2. Come to my aid some gentle Wind And thus my Am'rous Message bear Tell all the troubles of my Mind And whisper how I love my Fair Tell her my Fancy all the day Doth still enjoy her
infinite Praises to the Count for the Generosity that he shew'd The Princess Doria who then thought she saw further into this Business than the others rested satisfied that the Count had been of a long time in Love with Julia and that the Letter which had caus'd so much Trouble to her Nephew was the hand of this Kinswoman who writ much like Peppa because they had learnt of the same Master The Count who saw Peppa every day finding himself capable of serving his Friend prepar'd a great Feast in his Palace and did resolve to take hold of this Opportunity for to speak to this lovely Person in behalf of the Chevalier delivering into her hands the Letter whereof he had took Charge And as he was infinitely contented with his Wife and not enduring to hide any thing from her he confess'd to her one day after having assur'd her of his constant Love that he esteem'd himself the happiest Man alive in having married her but that nevertheless he was beholden to one of his Friends for this great happiness who had rendred him the highest Obligation that ever Man receiv'd He then told her that this Friend was in Love with Peppa and that he had ingag'd himself to speak to her in his behalf but that he resolv'd not to attempt it without asking her Advice Julia surpris'd at her Husband's Discourse counsel'd him forthwith to â—ndeceive his Friend and told as a secret that her Cousin was already so taken with a stranger that tho' she had made use of all her Interest to exclude his Memory from her Thoughts she found it was but to little purpose and that her Cousin was resolv'd never to forget him You did then oppose the Interest of my Friend interrupted the Count I doubt very much replyed Julia whether you know him that I mean. The Count was going to give her an Answer when he was inform'd that two strangers very earnestly inquir'd for him He went out to know what they desir'd of him and was sometime without knowing who they were He perceiv'd at last that he whom he spoke to was the Chevalier who was come to Genoa privately in a Disguise and accompanied only with one Servant The Count was overjoy'd to see him and carried him into a stately Appartment that he had already prepar'd for him and where the Chevalier chang'd his Habit for that which was more suitable to his Quality They had together a long Dîscourse Centurione gave him an Account of all that had past at Genoa since his Absence and particularly of the Motifs of his Marriage The Chevalier confounded with these extraordinary Obligations which he had receiv'd from his Friend could not find words capable of expressing how sensible he was of so true a Friendship The Count told him that this very day there was to be in his Palace a great Feast the Order whereof the Princess Doria had taken upon her self to regulate and gave him also to understand that perhaps he might procure him the Conversation of his Mistress but because he had need of his Wifes help to succeed he resolv'd to introduce the Chevalier into her Presence first and thereupon he enter'd his Wifes Chamber to prepare her for this Visit He inform'd her of the Arrival of his Friend and after having exaggerated to her the important service that this Friend had render'd him he prayed her to receive him with all imaginable kindness for his sake Julia who desir'd nothing so much as to please her Husband promis'd him to follow his Orders but â—he assur'd him again that the greatest piece of Service and of most Advantage for his Friend would be to counsel him to think no more of her Cousin Let not that trouble you answered the Count may be that Peppa is not of your Mind He went out without staying for her Answer return'd a moment after accompanied with the Chevalier Julia who knew him at first sight to be her Cousin's Lover was in so great a surprize that she could scarce return the Civilities of the Chevalier and complaining to her Husband that he did not reveal to her his Friend's Name Judge you answered the Count whether I had best counsel him to think no more of your Cousin A Colour that overspread Julia's Face hinder'd her from replying The rest of their Discourse was of the Feast They found it necessary that the Chevalier should not appear but that he should remain hid in the Count's Appartment The Princess Doria and Peppa arriv'd some time after at the Count Centurione's Palace The Feast was carried on with a great deal of Magnificence and the Marquess of Villa Mediana who would not lose any Opportunity to be at all the Places where he might see Peppa appear'd in a Mask followed by several Slaves wearing about their Necks Collars with a Motto in Spanish which signifies in our Lauguage Our Master has no more Liberty than we but he was so little disguis'd that every one knew who he was Peppa who could no longer suffer the tiresome Gallantries of this Marquess drew near to her Cousin and told her that she had resolv'd to come no more to these kind of Feasts that she might be deliver'd from the Importunities of this Spaniard who indeavour'd to infuse Love into her Breast at a Time when she had so much Reason to be afflicted being separated from her Lover and still in an uncertainty of seeing him again Julia promis'd her with an Accent which shew'd the Astonishment she was in at a Passion so constant that if the Picture of the Chevalier could give her any Consolation she would shew her one in her Husband's Closet which represented him so lively that she would be surpris'd at it Peppa whose Curiosity was very great in any Thing that related to her Amour conjur'd her Cousin not to defer the giving her this Satisfaction and of conducting her to this Closet They wanted not a pretence to get out from the Company and went directly to the Count's Closet where he was alone with the Chevalier Never was any Surprize more pleasing than Peppa's when she beheld her Lover The Chevalier cast himself at her Feet and assur'd her that he would now forget his past Misfortune since he enjoy'd the pleasure of seeing the Person that in the World was most dear to him Peppa who was unprepar'd for a happiness so extraordinary was at first in some Confusion that her Lover should express himself so passionately in the Presence of Centurione and seeking to save her Honour which she imagin'd this Interview might blemish she complain'd to her Cousin of the Cheat she had impos'd on her Julia presently guessing the Cause of her Confusion told her that her Husband was infinitely oblig'd to the Chevalier that they hid nothing from one another and that she might declare her privatest Thoughts before him without any Reserve Peppa taking Courage at this Discourse of her Cousin did no longer dissemble the Joy that she had of seeing
the recovery of her Husband and declar'd that she would go for to acquit her self of it Peppa who was very glad of this Occasion to shew that she was no less forward than the Princess in the care of her Father's Health declar'd that it would be a great satisfaction to her to accompany her in this Journey and they set out so secretly that only the Countess Centurione was advertis'd of their departure The Princess Doria assur'd of her Husband's consent and prepossess'd that Peppa had not any natural Aversion against the Marquess Spinola altho she had still observ'd some trouble in her Carriage resolv'd to finish cunningly the work that she had begun so many years ago and having sent a Man in whom she could confide to her Nephew who was then at Venice she sent him word that it was time to conclude an Affair that the two Families equally desir'd that therefore as Peppa was one of the richest Heiresses of Italy and that new obstacles might probably â—rise to prevent his Marriage she had determin'd thereby to avoid all Inconveniencies to bring Peppa with her to Loretto to the end that he might seize upon her at their return along the Adriatick-shore where they must of necessity pass She added that it being usual to see Pirate-ships send their Pinnaces ashore and take away by force whatsoever they meet with she judg'd it fit that he should arm a little Frigat and that he might not render himself odious to his Mistress by this Violence if he appear'd in it he should send a Pinnace a-shore with eight or ten of his Men cloath'd like Turks who might â—eset a little before day a lone House where she would lodge purposely and â—hat these Men after having carried â—hem away and led them into their Pinâ—ace should take care to terrify them by all the appearances of a cruel Slavery and that the next morning betimes the Marquess should pursue the Pinnace with his little Frigat and after a short engagement should take it and deliver them That if he executed all this with Judgment Peppa that was of the Humour of the greatest part of young Ladies who are always overjoy'd to have those that court them do something for them that is extraordinary would be sensible of the Bravery that he might shew in relieving her and would think her self very happy to fall into his Hands after having escap'd from those of the Turks that thereupon he should conduct her to Venice where she would take care to have a Priest ready to marry them whilst the Impression of the great Service he had done in delivering her remain'd yet strong in her Fancy The Marquess receiv'd this Project with all the Joy imaginable and as Time and the Advices which the Princess had frequently given him serv'd but to make him the more amorous he prepar'd all things on his side to put in execution The Princess always lodg'd at her return in small stragling Inns to bring her Project about 'T was in one of these Houses between Rimini and Ancona that the counterfeit Turks sent by the Marquess Spinola put themselves in a posture to seize upon the Princess and Peppa and to carry them off They soon render'd themselves Masters of the great Gate of the Inn and having terrify'd the Servants by some violent Actions at their first entrance they run up into the Princesses Chamber who had her Daughter in the same Room with her and rudely forc'd them to dress themselves with speed The Princess who saw Peppa very much alarm'd began to counterfeit a Greatness of Mind and exhorted her to submit to her Destiny without murmuring assuring her by a kind of a Prophetick Spirit that Heaven would not abandon her The Chevalier of who was just upon going to take a great Voyage at Sea was desirous to take leave of his Mistress before he imbark'd He went Post to Genoa accompany'd with one of his Friends having understood when they arriv'd that Peppa was gone to Loretto he continu'd on his Journey with design to meet his Mistress since his time would not permit him to stay for her at Genoa He happen'd to arrive very late at the Inn where Peppa lodg'd that same night that the Counterfeit Turks were executing the design of carrying her away As this Project could not be put in execution without some noise the Chevalier and he that accompanied him being awak'd out of their Sleep started up and quickly dressing themselves follow'd them so close that they came up with the Men just as they were preparing to carry off the Ladies on board of their Pinnace They charg'd them with that Courage that these suppos'd Pirates who did not expect to find so fierce a Prevention left the Princess and her Women and retir'd in disorder However notwithstanding the Confusion they were in three of the strongest who probably knew their Masters Secret seiz'd Peppa and fled in all haste towards their Pinnace The Chevalier having overheard her Voice pursu'd them so hard and with so much Courage that he presently disabled two of them and went to run his Sword through the other when that this wretch fell down and begg'd him to spare his Life assuring him that he was no Turk but that he and his Companions were employ'd by the Marquess Spinola who had agreed with the Princess Doria to steal away this fair person that he had now deliver'd Peppa was so troubled both with her Adventure and with what she heard this fellow relate that she scarce yet knew to whom she was oblig'd for her Liberty She just began to thank her Deliverer in terms full of Esteem and Acknowledgment when she discerned by the dawning of the â—ay that she spoke to the Chevalier of Never in so small a time was any one remov'd from a great Terrour into a perfect Joy. A moment before she thought her self a Slave and whilst her Mind was still possess'd with frightful Ideas she found her self in the Arms of a Lover belov'd So agreeable a change is far more easie to imagin than to express The Chevalier related to Peppa that he came to Genoa with a design to see her and that not having time to expect her return from Loretto he had determin'd to meet her on the Road that he arriv'd last night late in this Inn where his good Fortune had conducted him so opportunely thereupon he offer'd to carry her into France to secure her from the Violence of her Relations Peppa imagining at first that the Chevalier spoke this only to prepare heâ— for a design of forcing her out of the Hands of her Father and Mother let him understand that her Father had some knowledge of his Passion and told him that she did not despair of gaining at last his Consent for their mutual happiness therefore she conjur'd him not to destroy the Merit of the Service that he had now done her The Chevalier who of all Lovers was the most respectful threw himself at