THE SECOND PART OF THE Heroine Musqueteer OR THE FEMALE Warrier A TRUE HISTORY Very delightful and full of Pleasant Adventures in the Campagnes of 1676 1677. Translated out of French LONDON Printed for J. Magnes and R. Bentley in Russel-street in Covent-Garden and J. Tonson at the Judges-head in Chancery-Lane near Fleet-street 1678. Licensed Feb. 1. 1677 8. R. L'Estrange THE Heroin Musqueteer OR The Female Warrier PART II. NEver was Man so astonisht as the Marquess d' Osseyra when he found he had wounded his Mistress the same moment and with the same Weapon he thought he had taken Revenge of his Rival The Count de Benavidez gave him an account of all that had happen'd when he surpriz'd the suppos'd S. Aubin with his Lady and particularly of the discoveries he fancy'd he had made of the Intelligence between them The Relation was so surprizing and the Circumstances so extraordinary the Marquess was confounded and under so strong a Convulsion of different Passions that what with fear what with grief he was Mute for some time and appear'd like a Statue without Sense or Motion But the Passion he had had for Christina prevailing over the rest and reproaching him fecretly with having destroy'd her he pray'd the Count to go instantly learn what news of her wound the disorder he was in being so great he had not the confidence to visit her but he follow'd the Count though he scarce knew what he did At the news of the Rancounter several of his Friends flock'd to the Marquess some of the Commanders were so impertinently officious they would needs stop him from going any further to save him the trouble of seeing his Enemy the second time But the return he made their mistaken Civility was so unexpectedly untoward his best Friends not knowing the motions of his heart were highly offended at it They were all amaz'd to see him so troubled and not one could imagine what reason he should have to go to the Count of Benavidez's where he knew they had carried his Enemy S. Aubin The Marquess was not inclin'd to violent courses yet they apprehended he might use his Authority to ruine the unfortunate Person that so publickly ingag'd him A Colonel his Friend was so officious that to prevent a mischief he dreaded so much he met him by the way and intreated him to go no further assuring him S. Aubin was so desperately ill he could not live an hour longer This was the Critical moment the Marquess really needed the assistance of his Friends and had they not hindred him he had certainly stabb'd himself The Count de Benavidez mindful of the disorder he had left him in return'd as hastily as he could to let him know S. Aubin's wound was not dangerous But the Marquess who began to relapse into the extremity of his first Passion for Christina was so fully prepossest with the discourse of the Colonel that he thought the Count did out of kindness conceal the danger S. Aubin was in and was loth to tell him News he knew would grieve him This made the Marquess resolve personally to visit S. Aubin in his Chamber and he had certainly done it had net the Count diverted him by representing the inconveniences might attend the surprize and discoveries their first Enterview would occasion before so many persons who were of his Retinue and then bore him Company The Marquess yielded to the perswasions of his Friend but not till the Chyrurgion had assur'd him the wound he thought so dangerous would be cur'd in a short time The Marquess could not forbear telling the Chyrurgion his Life should answer for S. Aubin's and swore to him that if he dy'd he should be concern'd to make ready to follow him presently into another World This being past they brought the Marquess home where he was visited by all the Persons of Quality in the Court at Brussels who complemented him for his pretended advantage Some carried on the Complement so far that they blam'd him for the trouble he was in having so great reason to be satisfi'd with the advantage he had gain'd over one of the bravest men of France He was so tir'd with these troublesome Civilities that to be rid of them he was forc'd to give order to his Porter to say he was not to be spoke with The Count de Benavidez loth to leave him under so much vexation staid with him in hopes by his Company to ease him a little of the Tyranny of his Passions As soon as they were alone the Marquess conjur'd him to tell him truly what he thought of Christina's wound The Count assur'd him it was very slight and to pleasure him offer'd to prepare Christina to receive his Visit that night This offer comforted the Marquess and the Count had no sooner made it but he was forc'd to go home to find means to satisfie the impatience of his Friend At his return he found his Wife was gone to Christina's Chamber and he took the advantage of it to give her a Visit When he had exprest the trouble he was under for her misfortune he assur'd her the Marquess was almost distracted at it and begg'd her permission to throw himself at her feet Christina thinking the Marquess still took her for S. Aubin not knowing the Count had told him all was extremely surpriz'd at the news and answering she passionately desir'd to justifie her self and let the Marquess know she was incapable of betraying so generous a Friend who had so highly oblig'd her The Count hasted away to carry his Friend the good News and shortly after both entred the Chamber where Christina lay who taking upon her to be S. Aubin assur'd the Marquess he could never have been satisfi'd with himself for being so unfortunate as to have disoblig'd him had not the Counts Relation and the generous Visit he was pleas'd personally to make him given him reasonable hopes he was satisfi'd of his Innocence The kind Marquess as if he had forgot Christina had ever been S. Aubin answer'd in terms full of transport and tenderness praying her to change her Language and quite rid her self of that unfortunate Name of S. Aubin that had so unhappily occasion'd his mistake and ingag'd him blindly to attack a Life a thousand times dearer to him than his own He continued the discourse with so much Passion and kindness that Christina finding it impossible to keep him longer in Errour gave free vent to her tears perhaps for joy she found him so constant However she pretended her self angry with the Count for having broken his word in discovering her to the Marquess The Marquess then telling her how much he long'd to know what had befallen her since she left Spain the Countess having observ'd how much he was concern'd for Christina sav'd her the trouble of the Relation and gave the Marquess a compleat Relation of all the Adventures Christina had acquainted her with The loving Marquess who thought all along Christina was Marri'd
having aggravated the dangers the Marquess had expos'd himself to for seeing Christina and the ill consequence of his passion it might be excus'd adds she did Christina but love him which she is so far from that she cannot endure him but sacrifices his kindest and most affectionate Letters to Salazar who to my knowledge hath several of them though he hath the discretion not to shew them To this she added many other particulars which convinc'd the Lady and made her believe she could not do the Marquess a better office than to cure him of his passion and disabuse him as to his Opinion of Christina She fell to work on the morrow and made use of all means the Countess had furnish'd her with to perswade the Lover to think no more of so faithless a Mistress The Marquess who could not imagine Christina capable of falshood to him did not easily believe what was said of her and would not for a long time admit the suspitions they endeavour'd to infuse into him of her But this Lady pressing him to it continually he promis'd at length to believe what she said if she would shew him one Letter to convince him of the falshood of Christina The Countess of Benavidez inform'd of this good success sent the Letter to her good Friend who having shew'd it the Marquess extremely disturb'd him He read it over and over and knew it to be the same he had writ to Christina and she had sent him an Answer of He made no longer doubt but she had betray'd him and his heart reproaching him for having been so long fool'd by so ingrateful a Wretch he blindly resolv'd to declare his resentment by writing her a Letter full of Scorn and Contempt and in the most vilifying and bitter terms he could invert which he did to this purpose THe Interest I have in your Concerns ingages me to write to you to furnish you the means to make new Sacrifices to my happy Rival But I advise you to make good use of this Letter as the last you shall receive from me Force your self no further to comply with me yet assure your self I shall not envy the surprize of Salazar for I hope you will revenge me of him and will in a short time make a sacrifice of him also to another who could find in your heart to betray the most sincere and most passionate of Lovers The Marquess d' Osseyra The Marquess had no sooner written this Letter but he gave it him who carried the former charging him to be gone immediately and deliver it Christina Ill news fly apace and the Letter was delivered her within two days after the writing it Christina was so little acquainted with the language of it she could hardly believe what she read We are naturally inclin'd to be ignorant of what we wish should not be and she would fain have been deceiv'd But seeing the Letter unquestionably of the Marquesses hand-writing and knowing the Bearer to be one he confided in it offended her so highly she thought it below her to justifie her self against an Accusation so improbable and unworthy her Noble and Generous Soul And laying aside on the sudden the gentleness and sweetness of her Nature she angrily told the man who waited her Answer she would never take the pains to clear her self to a man who thought her capable of Falshood And tearing the Letter in pieces in the presence of him who deliver'd it she threatned to have him apprehended for a Spy if he went not away immediately or ever saw her face more As haughty and couragious as she appear'd before the Marquesses man it was not in her power to over-rule the infirmity of her Sex but she burst out into tears and was tormented with a thousand different thoughts The despair she was in press'd her to take a course that should remove her for ever far enough from the Marquess yet a secret inclination the cause where of she knew not render'd her resolutions uncertain and ineffectual Sometimes she thought to return home but presently dislik'd it a having lately received a considerable supply of Money and desir'd her Friends Consent to be married to the Marquess which now could be of no other use to her but to procure her the reproaches of 〈◊〉 Province where people naturally love to talk of their Neighbours A Religious Life pleas'd her as little and after a thousand reflections finding none so agreeable to her humour as the Military she took a strong resolution to spend the rest of her days in Arms. While she was taking private order for going to another Town to put her self in fit Equipage for War the Marquess now his passion was over began to repent all he had done And having consider'd former passages and endeavouring to find his Mistress less guilty he bethought himself that the man who had one of his Letters to carry to Christina never came back again but took Arms for the French This made him believe he had sold his Letter to Salazar and deserted the service of his Prince for fear of being punish'd The quick return of him he had sent to Lille two days before who brought him the news of Christina's indignation and the Answer she had made him confirm'd his Opinion of the Innocence of his Mistress He was upon the point of going to cast himself at her feet but desirous to know the manner how this Letter came into the hands of his Rival he pray'd the Duke de Montalto who was both their friend and charged them never to question one another to go to Salazar and intreat him to tell him upon the word of a Gentleman how he came by that Letter assuring the Duke however it had happen'd he would not resent it provided he might know the truth which for other reasons he was concern'd to be inform'd of Salazar being press'd by the Duke to give a positive answer was highly displeas'd to find himself reduc'd to such a strait by the indiscretion of the Countess and after a weak denial was at last oblig'd to confess to his Friend the truth of the business The Marquess having made this discovery by the Duke was ready to die for grief for having upon so light 〈◊〉 suspected the fidelity of his Mistress This was not all his misfortune for while he thought of going to ask her pardon news came to Brussels that the Monarch of France was at the Gates of the strong Tower of Valenciennes which he besieg'd in a season when the Heroes of former Ages would have thought it impossible to have an Army in the Field Wherein he surpass'd the Sun which he hath taken for his Devise since the Frost and the Snow which hinder the appearance of that Luminary could not retard for one day the course of his Conquests The surprize the Spaniards were under at the news was incredible Every man had order to be in readiness and the Marquess d' Osseyra Master of the Artillery had his hands
but hearing no such matter in all the Relation was extremely impatient to know the truth of that particular But the Count having bethought himself that longer discourse might incommode the Sick Party told his Friend of it and prevail'd with him to withdraw The Marquess was so full of the Idea of Christina that he call'd to mind the smallest circumstances of his first passion and not able to comprehend how she had left her Husband his Love made him wish heartily he might find she had not been Married He could not give over musing of his former Amour at length he remembred that the Person he had imploid to carry her his Letter and told him she was Marry'd was a Sergeant in a Spanish Regiment in Garrison at Valenciennes He presently dispatch'd a Messenger to bring him to him in all haste The Sergeant being arriv'd betimes the next morning the Marquess lock'd him up with himself in his Chamber and with horrible threats charged him to declare truly why he had deceiv'd him and what reason he had to tell him his Mistress was Married whereas he was newly inform'd by a French Prisoner she never had been so The Man was so astonisht at the Marquesses Menaces and betraid by his own Conscience that he stood for a while mute as a Fish But being press'd to tell the truth he fell at his feet and confest he had been forced by the Marchioness his Mother to tell him that Lye The Marquess not desiring to know any more sent back the Sergeant and not doubting but Christina had been always faithful to him he resolv'd to love her as long as he liv'd A Servant he had sent to enquire of her health brought him word she was much better With that he went presently to her and entred her Chamber the moment they were going to bloud her But the Chyrurgion remembring how terribly the Marquess had threatned him the day before was so disordered at the sight of him that he miss'd the Vein twice so that they were forc'd to pray the Marquess to withdraw and sent for another Chyrurgion who had a better heart and did the business As great care as was taken to conceal Christina's Sex her Combat with the Marquess was become the discourse of the Town and the noyse of her Adventures had inspir'd into all a curiosity about her Every one spoke of her according to his humour The Publick is never satisfi'd with the bare truth of things and you may believe so many circumstances added to the disadvantage of the Countess in the story of Christina that coming to her Husbands Ear he could not forbear expressing to her his Resentment and in very harsh terms The Countess having already entertain'd a secret jealousie against Christina and perceiving her self the Cully of all this Intrigue was vext at the heart to see her self robb'd of her Gallant and at the same time in disgust with her Husband This made her resolve to endeavour making sure of the Marquess being satisfi'd that Guilty or Innocent she should be equally odious to her Husband having the misfortune to be already suspected by him The design was scarce fram'd into her mind but the Marquess entred her Chamber intreating her that since he could not with decency visit Christina alone any longer she would favour him with her company to Christina's Chamber The Countess receiv'd him with more kindness than ordinary and the Marquess sensible what advantage it might be to him to have her his Friend to do him good Offices with Christina laid hold on the occasion and answer'd her Civility so very obligingly it gave her great satisfaction As soon as Christina began to be somewhat better she was visited by all the Persons of Quality in the Court at Brussels Curiosity moving several to see her who had no other reason to perform that respect Her ilness made her look much thinner than ordinary but her Complexion had mended upon 't her long lying a-bed having recover'd the delicate white and red of her face which the service of War had miserably tann'd She appear'd very charming in very plain habit and the Gentlemen of the Court exprest so much esteem for her that it contributed very much to her cure It may be said to the praise of the Spanish Gentry that they are the greatest Gallants of any in Europe and in menage of Intrigues and carrying on the subtilties of neat and delicate Gallantry exceed the French who value themselves so much upon it They have the Sex in so great Veneration that to praise their Mistresses they seldom scruple to run into profaneness so that it will not appear strange that the miserable condition of a Person beautiful as Christina confin'd to her Bed upon an occasion so unusual with those of her Sex mov'd all those who visited her to pity her extremely But the Count de Salazar Governour of the Cittadel at Antwerp had scarcely seen her but he fell desperately in Love with her This Gentleman was a near Kinsman of the Countess de Benavidez which gave him the advantage of visiting her oftner than others His Love tormented him yet he durst not complain of it either fearing it might be in vain or finding no small reluctancy in himself to act so unfaithful a part against the Marquess d' Osseyra his Friend Love observes no mean when fixt on extraordinary persons and every Visit the Count made Christina he found his Passion increase At last it became so violent he could not Master it He thought it high time to make his Declaration and resolved twenty times to tell her how much he lov'd her and twenty times fail'd of the confidence to do it After all he resolv'd to make his Kinswoman his Confident and having acquainted her with the vehemence of his Passion the Countess pretending her self very much concern'd for him promis'd to serve him though in truth the principal motive that ingag'd her in the affair was her particular interest to rob Christina of the Marquess and at the same time to revenge her self of her Husband for his jealousie Salazar assur'd of the Protection of the Countess visited Christina very frequently who as courteously received him as introduc'd into her Acquaintance by the Marquess Christina's Civility made Salazar believe the Countess had spoken to Christina in his favour Being full of this Opinion he spoke to her with that liberty he durst not otherwise have done Christina perceiving by Salazar's discourse he was more concern'd for her Recovery than might be expected meerly from his friendship for the Marquess made as if she understood not his meaning and to prevent the occasion of a breach with him answer'd in Railery his obliging expressions Salazar applauded himself for the good success of his first attempt this confirm'd his Passion and made him forget the respects he should have retain'd for his Friend The Countess de Benavidez omitted nothing the while to rekindle the Marquesses flame But finding her endeavours vain to
recover for her self the affection of a heart which had newly submitted it self to the violence of its first impressions which are ever the strongest she bethought her self of an expedient which she doubted not would make her Mistress of her design and the better to deceive Christina pretending her self very much her friend she told her by way of confidence she had newly learn'd a secret Christina was very much concern'd to know When she had made all the Preambles usual to smooth the way for a piece of ill news she fell to aggravating the unhappiness of Women that trust the Oaths of men who make Love to them when after her signal fidelity to the Marquess d' Osseyra he was still in doubt of her and set on his Friend Salazar to try her by pretending to love her that the Conduct of the Marquess in this particular appear'd so criminal when he had so great reason to rest assur'd of her fidelity that she thought it her duty to make her acquainted with it as soon as her Kinsman Salazar had told her of it Christina calling to mind Salazar's discourse thought the intelligence the Countess had given her of very great importance and no less sincerity and having exprest no small resentment against the Marquess she thank'd the Countess and assur'd her she would take her advantages of the advice she had given her and would make that fickle-headed Lover know the interest he had in her was not so well-grounded but a proceeding so unhandsom and disobliging as this might utterly destroy it The Countess joyful to see her Intrigue take so well and making no doubt but Christina to be reveng'd of the Marquess would use Salazar well made him sensible what good service she had done him and told him he might declare himself freely and never fear the success This made him wait on Christina the oftner and take his opportunity to make a formal Declaration of his Passion Christina received his Complement so gently and quietly that Salazar flatter'd himself she was in Love with him The Marquess observing how constant and diligent his Friend Salazar was in visiting his Mistress began to apprehend he might be his Rival And she us'd him with that kindness in the Marquesses presence it almost distracted him He made his complaints of it to Christina but she made so light of all he said it vext him at the heart The Countess watching all opportunities took her advantage of these favourable circumstances to invite the Marquess more than ever But all to no purpose this threw her into absolute despair and made her resolve to satisfie her Revenge if she could not her Love A Woman in that condition will sacrifice any thing to her resentment and the Countess had recourse to new Artifices to provoke Christina against the Marquess and him against Salazar They were all so dispos'd for her purpose she easily accomplisht her design The Marquess and Salazar were at very high words and the Governour of the Spanish Netherlands being inform'd of it ordered them both to be secur'd Christina having newly recover'd her health was so troubled she had been the cause of so much noyse she resolv'd to return into France and spend her life in a Covent and be no longer the May-game of Love and of Fortune She imparted her resolution to the Countess who seeming to disapprove it offer'd some weak reasons to divert her from the design though in truth she was glad at heart she had taken that resolution in hopes to see so dangerous a Rival at further distance which Christina might have easily perceived had she not been prepossest to Blindness with the Opinion of sincere kindness she thought the Countess had for her The Dutchess of Arschott having about that time obtain'd a Pass-port from his Majesty of France to go from Mons to Lille to settle some private affairs pass'd through Brussels Christina being in search of means to execute her design and looking upon this as a favourable occasion for her return into France under the Pass-port of the Dutchess communicated her thoughts to the Countess who seeing her resolved facilitated all things for her private retirement that the Marquess might know nothing of it She presented her to the Dutchess and said in her favour whatever she thought necessary to perswade the Dutchess to take her along The Dutchess received her very obligingly and declar'd her self very glad of the company of so lovely a Person Christina left Brussels abundantly satisfi'd at least in appearance to have the opportunity of returning to her Country yet not without a secret reluctance to be at so great a distance from the Marquess for whom she had more kindness than she was aware of The Amorous Marquess fail'd not a day to send to the Countess to inquire of his Mistress The Countess fearing he might have news of her departure timely enough to stay her took care to tell those who were going from the Marquess to her Lodging that she went to Bed very late the Night before and desired not to be awaked The second day the Countess laid her self in the Bed Christina usually lay in and counterfeiting her voice answer'd the Person the Marquess had sent to inquire of her health that she was much obliged to his Master for his care of her The Countess had longer continued the Cheat had not one of her Maids who knew by experience the Marquess never fail'd to reward very liberally the smallest services done him given him intelligence of passages those who have been in Love can easily imagine the effect this News had upon the Marquess He would presently have followed her but that he continued under Confinement the thoughts of the ill condition he was in inspir'd into him a thousand extravagant resolutions when he called to mind how he had lost a person he had so dearly lov'd in the Flower of his Youth and had luckily met with after so long separation by extraordinary Adventures and had no sooner discover'd her but he yielded himself absolutely at her dispose He strictly examin'd his Conduct in the affair to the very smallest circumstances but could not find any cause to charge himself with having occasion'd so sudden a departure it was not in his power to guess the reason of it though sufficiently assur'd he was not the cause of it but he look'd upon her remove as fatal to him who could not live separated from her Having tir'd himself with reflections he thought he should but labour in vain to retrieve her who in all appearance was got already to Lille Yet unwilling his passion should justly reproach him to have omitted any thing in his power for recovering Christina he resolv'd at all adventures to pray the Duke de Montalto General of the Horse and his very good Friend to send out a strong Party toward the way of Lille with strict Order to stay all they met with whether with Pass-port or without The Orders were punctually executed
with so cold an answer However she thought it necessary to appear content for the present and to prevent the loss of all she imbrac'd her tenderly and gave her many thanks The Dutchess coming in and finding them in that posture ask'd the reason The Baroness who thought her imbraces as criminal as Christina believ'd them innocent answer'd with some trouble for a pretence to deceive the Dutchess that she was upon going and could not take leave without imbracing her dear friend What she said was believ'd not one having perceived how heartily she was vext to leave a House where she so much lov'd to be Every time the Marchioness saw the Baroness de S. Sauveur she ask'd if she had not found out the reasons why S. Aubin had disguiz'd himself But having no account to satisfie her Curiosity she became more impatient and resolv'd to know it one way or other Having mus'd a while she resolv'd to tell her whom she thought S. Aubin of the business and to oblige him to impart to her the secret of his Love and in case of refusal to threaten him she would publish the secret of his Sex Christina extremely surpriz'd with the Proposal would have undeceiv'd her by making her a saithful Relation of her Adventures But the Marchioness prepossest with an Opinion she spoke to S. Aubin gave no credit to the discourse telling him she would allow him till that time to morrow to think on 't assuring him he might relye on her discretion but if he delay'd any longer to acquaint her with the secret she would certainly spoil all Christina who conceal'd nothing from the Dutchess gave her an account of the perplexity she was in by the earnest solicitations of the Marchioness This was good sport for them and made them laugh heartily and resolve together since the Marchioness was so absolutely bent to be deceiv'd and not be disabus'd they would for their divertisement afford their help to deceive her the sole question remain'd was what Lady should be the Object of the pretended passion Several were in nomination but none so likely to take as the Baroness de S. Sauveur being a handsom and jovial young Lady and Christina's intimate friend The Marchioness being told of it was surpriz'd at the news but promis'd to keep his counsel and exprest great satisfaction at the confidence he repos'd in her Christina by agreement with the Dutchess affected thenceforward so much kindness and care for the Baroness de S. Sauveur and to appear so much concern'd for her and still long for her company which the Baroness answer'd on her part with a great deal of pleasure that the Marchioness having often observ'd them was confirm'd in her Errour and inwardly applauding her self for having so luckily discover'd the Intrigue would needs make the Baroness sensible of it that she might know her self at her mercy for the discovery And not longer able to keep a secret which was already a burden to her she gave her a visit and having reproach'd her for not dealing clearly by her in concealing her knowledge of S. Aubin's passion In earnest says she by way of Railery 〈◊〉 was not ill prepar'd to penetrate S. Aubin's concerns and you have acted your part very well only 't is pity you had not to do with a Fool. All things seem'd to conspire to deceive the Marchioness for the Baroness blushing made her think that change of her countenance an effect of her confusion at the discovery she had made You do not deserve adds the Marchioness I should use so much discretion in your concern who were so unwilling to make me of your counel But fear me not had I not promis'd S. Aubin secresie at his confession the respect I have for you would oblige me to silence The Baroness surpriz'd at the discourse stood mute for some time not knowing what 〈◊〉 think on 't but as we easily believe what we passionately desire the Baroness no â—nger doubting but S. Aubin lov'd â—er and that the Marchioness â—oke in good earnest quickly past â—ut of a great astonishment into a â—â—r greater joy If a man will love one says she how can we help it Would you not think it hard to throw a Gentleman into despair who does things so extraordinary for his Mistress and demonstrates by his actions the violence of his passion I will pardon you replies the Marchioness your want of confidence in me hitherto upon condition you will hide nothing from me for the future It was agreed and they parted both very well-pleas'd with their mistakes the Marchioness to see her self the Confident in an Intrigue she had so great a desire to penetrate the Baroness to be assured by so good a hand thing that did so much flatter her passion She was so fully perswaded S. Aâ—bin was in love with her she begaâ— to repent she had been so forward to let him know the kindness shâ—â— had for him fearing it might have lessen'd the esteem she could will he should have for her This made her resolve to force her self into more reservedness and be more shy for a while to set an edge oâ— his passion It fell out as she wished for Christina to maintaâ—â— throughout the part she was to aâ—â— for the Dutchesses divertisement and her own was every day kinde than other to the Baroness whâ— through dissimulation usual with Women receiving Christina's Courtship very coldly hop'd by that means to heighten the passion of her supposed Lover Christina not knowing the intention of the Baroness nor the reasons she us'd her so took so ill the slight return she made of her Civilities that she forbore the continuance of them and shunn'd her company to prevent occasions of discourse with her The Baroness perceiving it could not brook this indifference above a day the morrow she goes to Christina and in some heat ask'd her what she had done to be slighted so by her and make her affect avoiding her company as she observ'd she did She let fall some other hasty words which surpriz'd Christina extremely who answer'd she had never been wanting to the friendship she had promis'd her but that the Baroness had appear'd so cold the day before towards her she had no reason to wonder it had made her more shy The Baroness was so impatient she would not allow he time to finish but imbrac'd her instantly and was upon the point of telling her 't was in vain to endeavour concealing his Sex from her who knew it already by very good information But she forbore foreseeing she could not with decency take some little libertie with S. Aubin discover'd she us'd with Christina disguiz'd Never did Woman love more to deceive her self and never was there love of so singular a Character Press'd by her passion she gave S. Aubin thousand occasions to declare him self to be what she took him for but finding all would not do and attributing it to his fear she studieâ— a thousand expedients to
accomplish an Adventure she could not endure should hang in suspence Time furnish'd her with an unexpected occasion Her Husband being gone one Evening for the Country she sat up very late at the Dutchesses and having cunningly let fall aâ—word she would willingly lye there that night She ask'd one of the Dutchesses Women if she would admit her her Bedfellow Christina offer'd her a part of her Bed the Baroness at first seem'd loth to accept of it for fear of incommoding her but at last she was perswaded the Maid she had first spoken to having a Bedfellow already which the Baroness knew though she pretended the contrary When they were just ready to go to bed the Baroness retaining some remains of modesty was so troubled and out of countenance she knew not what she did But to give her dying Vertue some small satisfaction for the disorder her passion had brought her in she told Christina she would have only one corner of the bed where she pray'd her to let her sleep quietly without touching her all night Christin very readily promis'd what she desir'd and as readily perform'd iâ— When the Lights were taken a way the Baroness who expected with impatience the darkness sâ—â—… long'd for was astonisht to finâ— Christina fast asleep At first sâ—â—… thought it her own fault and thâ— her Gallant feign'd himself asleâ— to express his obedience to heâ— yet she knew not what to thiâ—â— on 't But having long expected vain to find him more confider she ask'd him if he were asleeâ— but receiving no answer it almâ— put her beside her self She fellâ— sighing but her sighs as little 〈◊〉 fected Christina who was in a deâ— sleep The Baroness thought twâ—ty times to awake her but shaâ— and vexation made her forbeâ— Never had Woman so bad a night though never Woman expected a better At length it was day and seeing her insensible Lover lye still as a Stock she dress'd her self hastily and the despair she was in not permitting her to quit the Room without leaving behind her some mark of her resentment she found Pen Ink and Paper ready on the Table and writ immediately this Billet I Have receiv'd from you the most sensible outrage a Lady can suffer but 't is what I deserv'd having so blindly abandon'd my self to a passion for a man who knew no better to answer it I must now endeavour to cover my shame As for you I advise you to continue the disguize that becomes you so well You have already the modesty of the Sex whose habit you carry and you are not to despair but Heaven sensible of its Errour in making you a Man me take from you that little you have râ—… maining of that Sex The Baroness having written the Letter laid it on Christina's Toâ— lette and withdrew As soon a she got home she feign'd she haâ— been all night up at Play and hâ— ving had her self undrest went presently to bed which you may believe was not very easie to her Christina at getting up having found the Billet drest her self in a haste to carry it to the Dutchess 〈◊〉 made them good sport and when they reflected on the course the Baâ— roness had taken to get an interest in Christina they concluded the Marchioness had imparted her secret to her and so involv'd her in the same Errour with her self The Dutchess was concern'd at it and had the goodness to go to the Baroness to undeceive her and having fully told her what she knew of the business at last though with difficulty disabus'd her She would have gone thence to the Marchioness of Belabre to do her the like good office but the Baroness sufficiently confounded already and fearing further explication might reflect more on her Credit intreated the Dutchess to say no more of it but to leave the Marchioness to her mistakes as not daring to trust her discretion in so tender a point where the matter appear'd so fit for mirth and her Reputation was so deeply concern'd The Dutchess had now almost finish'd her business at Lille and had written to Brussels she would return thither speedily and hop'd to bring Christina back again with her The Countess de Benavidez who was pretty well recover'd and had not lost by her sickness any part of her passion for the Marque d' Osseyra hearing talk of Chrâ—stina's return was so frighted 〈◊〉 the News she made it her busineâ— by all means to prevent it and length found an occasion to have Letter writ to the Dutchess of Aâ—schott by a Lady and of her beâ— Friends to inform her she was wiâ—â— impatience expected at Brusselâ— that her concerns being very deâ— to her she thought fit to acquaiâ—â— her there was great murmuring Court that she had thoughts bringing back Christina who wouâ—â— not fail to give intelligence to tâ—â— French of all she could learnâ—â— Brussels at least it would be bâ—… liev'd so Christina being alreaâ—â— under suspition of Guilt in that paâ—ticular The Dutchess being higâ—ly concern'd to hold fair with thâ— Spaniards and fearing their jâ—â—lousie of her long stay at Lille 〈◊〉 specially since the News spread 〈◊〉 Flanders of her having had a hand in the Marriage of the Prince of Izinguien with the Daughter of the Marshal d' Humiers look'd upon the advice as not to be slighted And whatever kindness she had for Christina she could not find in her heart to expose her self to ruine for her sake in praying her to bear her company to Brussels As they were alone one day the Dutchess took her opportunity to make a long discourse of the state of her affairs and the necessity she was under to avoid any thing that might give a jealousie of her to the Spaniards adding that this oblig'd her to be very cautious in her Conduct and to deny her self many things in themselves very agreeable to her Christina had too much Wit not to apprehend the meaning of this discourse and answer'd she had for the same reasons resolv'd to return into France as soon as she should receive Answer to a Letter she had writ into her Country and in the mean time to put her self into a Covent They concluded their discourse with mutual assurances of Eternal Friendship and two days before the Dutchess left Lille Christina entred the Covent of the Nuns of S. Thomas The Marquess d' Osseyra seeing the Dutchess arriv'd at Brussels without Christina was very much alarm'd at it and went in great haste to inquire the news of her When he heard she was gone into a Nunnery it extremely disturb'd him not knowing what reason she had for it But the Countess de Benavidez watching all occasions to vex him dextrously gave out that Christina had long since privately communicated to her the disgust she had for the World and the design she had espous'd to spend her days in a Religious House This coming to the Marquesses ear the violence of his affection allow'd him so little time of consideration that
Marquesses quarters and shew'd the Bill to one of his principal Servants who confirm'd it was of his Masters hand-writing which made them believe he was in the Robbers hands They apply'd themselves to the Duke de Montalto whom they knew to be his very good friend and having shew'd him the Bill the Duke caused the two men who demanded payment of it to be presently arrested and having severely threatned them they confest all The Duke was in fear for the danger of his Friend and went out in Person in the Head of a Party of three hundred Horse and some Dragoons When he came to the Wood where the two Robbers had left their Comrades he plac'd Guards at all the Avenues and went in himself at the Head of his Dragoons and so cross'd all the Woods but found not one person This heighten'd his fear and made him detach three several Parties sending them away into several quarters to endeavour a discovery where these Rogues had their refuge but all to no purpose so that he was forc'd to return without having any account of his Friend The morrow a servant of the Marquesses impatient for news of him and thinking he might find him at Lille put himself into Boors habit and went in search of him As soon as he was arriv'd at Lille he pretended he had a Letter for Christina and having got her call'd to the grate of the Covent she was in he ask'd her privately what news of the Marquess Christina not able to give him any account of him the Servant acquainted her with the departure of the Marquess from Brussels the adventure of the Bill of Exchange and all other circumstances of his absence Christina who found in her heart a stronger inclination for the Marquess than she thought she had was so concern'd for his misfortune that the trouble she was in at the news convinc'd her of the height of the passion she had for him She earnestly pray'd the Man to return instantly for Brussels not to omit any thing to learn some news of his Master and to let her know without delay the success of his care Before she could make an end of these few words her tears betray'd the affection of her heart When the Servant was gone she past some hours in those inquietudes none can comprehend but those only who have been in Love The mean time the Marquesses Servant being an honest Fleming and very devout despairing to find his Master goes into a Church and having heartily pray'd God to inspire him where to meet with the Marquess he no sooner turn'd himself about toward the Church-door to go out but he spy'd the Marquess standing before him and not able to contain himself cry'd out at the Miracle The Marquess also astonisht at so unexpected an accident had much ado to make his Man hold his peace and giving out he was his Comrade he told those who came running in at the report of the Miracle that the Man was a little crack'd and had often such Fits They got off by this Artifice and went into a house where the Marquess had lain His Man gave him an account of what had past at Brussels and of the disorder Christina was in at the news the tears she shed and the lamentable condition he left her in The Marquess who after the last days work durst not appear at the Covent-gate was ravish'd with joy at the news of her being so concern'd for his misfortunes and having got her call'd for by his Man he slipt into the Speaking room and quickly reviv'd her by his presence Never was Conversation more tender than theirs 't was not in Christina's power to reproach her Lover with any thing the violence of his passion for her could not presently justifie She promis'd him once for all never to be any mans but his and pray'd him not to expose himself again to so many accidents assuring him she had already written into her Country to desire the Abbot Dizeste who had the management of her Affairs to take a journey into Flanders to agree with him about her Marriage The Marquess well satisfied with these fair hopes that she might be at ease withdrew sooner than he would have done and return'd to Brussels where his Friends by their joy to see him again convinc'd him of the trouble they were in by the fears they had been under of having lost him To keep them in ignorance lest they should discover the mystery of his absence he gave out he had lost himself a Hunting a Sport he was known to use and was taken by Robbers who having detain'd him three days set him aâ— liberty This past for current being so very probable only the Countess of Benavidez would not believe it her Jealousie having given her a true guess at the cause of his absence it vex'd her to that height she presently resolv'd to leave no stone unturn'd to break the Correspondence between the Marquess and Christina About this time news came to Brussels the French Troops were on their march it was very early in the year and the Spanish Generals were extremely alarm'd to hear of an Army in the Field in January in a very cold season All the considerable Officers came to Brussels to assist the Governour of the Spanish Netherlands with their counsel in a conjuncture of this importance Count Salazar being arâ—iv'd there one of the first and having given the Countess of Benavidez a Visit she endeavour'd to revive his passion for Christina reproaching him with his indifference and acquainting him the same time with the dangers his Rival had expos'd himself to for a sight of her Salazar who had been discourag'd from seeing Christina by the difficulties appear'd in the attempt was somewhat asham'd and to cover his coolness with a plausible pretence and let her see he had not been wanting to his Duty he bethought himself of putting a Trick on his Kinswoman and perswading her he was more in Christina's Books than she made account The Countess answer'd She could hardly believe it He offer'd to make it out and desir'd only time to step to his Quarters to do it 'T was not long e're he return'd and brought her a very passionate Letter of the Marquesses to Christina being the same formerly spoken of which Salazars men cunningly got from the Marquesses Salazar having in his hand a Letter which so clearly prov'd what he had said shewed it his Kinswoman and told her she might judge by the Sacrifice Christina had made him how much he was in her favour The Countess having read the Letter was very well pleas'd and thought it very proper and effectual for setting the Marquess and his Mistress at variance She spoke Salazar so fair that she prevail'd with him to leave it in her custody upon her promise to make no ill use of it which she kept so ill that the very next moment she went to one of her friends a Lady of the Marquesses familiar acquaintance and
he was for having found her again in so extraordinary a manner when he call'd to mind he had given her cause of offence it almost distracted him and not able to indure the misery of that condition he beg'd her pardon in terms so submissively passionate that it was readily granted him before explication made of the mystery of the Letter which had caus'd that disorder They had scarce understood one another but they found themselves hemm'd in by a Body of Spanish Horse which the Duke of Montalto had sent to rescue his Friend out of the hands of the French The Marquess was so full of Idea's of Love and appear'd so little concern'd for a liberty he was no longer Master of that he was not yet sensible of his good fortune when the Duke of Montalto who had given him up for dead or a Prisoner imbrac'd him with all the marks of joy a true Friend could express on such an occasion The Duke seeing him out of humour and musing imputed it to the ill success of their Enterprize and thinking to comfort him said their loss was not so great perhaps as they fear'd it on the sudden and assur'd him they had taken a considerable number of Prisoners He observ'd in the mean time the Marquess had his eye fixt on S. Aubin which obliged the Duke to advise him to send away that Prisoner with the rest and not trouble himself with taking charge of him I owe my life and my liberty says the Marquess to his Generosity but these are the least of my Obligations to him and the weakest reasons I have to share fortunes with him and then judge you what reason I have to see him well us'd This discourse awaken'd the curiosity of the Duke and made him look more earnestly than before on S. Aubin whom after a short view he knew to be the fair Christina he had seen at Brussels and was no stranger to her extraordinary Adventures He gave his Friend joy of his good fortune and being well acquainted with the passion he had for her he easily imagin'd they had many things to say to one another and discreetly retreated on pretence of fetching up the Straglers of his Troops Though the day of the loss of a Battel may be thought a time very improper for a General Officer to busie himself with matters of Love the Marquess could not forbear entring into a large discourse to clear all misunderstandings between him and his Mistress After a thousand reciprocal assurances of loving one another for ever Christina represented to him the inconveniences she expos'd her self to by being discover'd by several Officers as she had been by the Duke de Montalto and made him so sensible of the injury it would do them both and what a trouble it would be to her to be the subject of discourse for a whole Army that the Marquess perswaded by so convincing reasons consented at last she should return to the French Camp having faithfully promis'd him she would presently retire to Paris quit an imployment so unsuitable to her Sex and put her self into a Covent till the end of the Campagne and that she would then marry him it being her desire to delay it so long that she might do it with more decency The Marquess in Person guarded her as far as he could and then ordered a Trumpet to bring her safe into the Camp The General was in pain for S. Aubin when he arriv'd and had sent into several Quarters to inquire what was become of him He told him he had had the misfortune to be taken Prisoner and that he was let go upon his Parol Mounsieur de Luxembourg believ'd him and promis'd to send the Spaniards a Prisoner in Exchange The morrow after the Battel Mounsieur to make his Victory compleat by taking S. Omer return'd to his Camp before the place and press'd it so vigorously that they were glad to Capitulate before he was Master of the Counterscarp And S. Aubin had the pleasure to be in imployment about his General the day the place was surrendred as he had been at the taking of Valenciennes and Cambray Mounsieur de Luxembourg having had the good Fortune to Command the service of the day when every of those places was surrendred Three of the most considerable places of the Low-Countries reduc'd under the Kings Obedience a great Battel won wherein the Forces of two great Potentates were defeated and all this in the height of Winter and in less than six Weeks time are Prodigies Posterity will have scarce Faith to believe Yet hardly any were surpriz'd at the News though very surprizing all who had heard of the Kings Marching in February having expected Actions altogether extraordinary And we may truly say of him he hath taught the World not to be amaz'd at his extraordinary performances His Enemies do him right in that particular The Court of Spain was in some Consternation at the News the wise Prince who is Prime Minister there having heard some Grandees speak of it with surprize and attributing the success of the Kings Arms to his good Fortune interrupted their discourse to tell them his success depended more on his Conduct and Merit than on his good Fortune When S. Omer's was taken the King put his Troops into Quarters of Refreshment until the ordinary season for drawing them into the Field And most of the General Officers went to taste the Pleasures of Paris The Marshal of Luxembourg being of the number S. Aubin to perform the Promise made to the Marquess would not lose so favourable an occasion of accompanying the Marshal to Paris He found himself by the way ingag'd in an Adventure extraordinary as those he had formerly met with The Duke of Luxembourg and Count Louvigny going together for Paris the Baron d' Angosse who has a dependance upon the Count having in their March taken notice of S. Aubin's Countenance thought he had seen him but could not remember the time or the place He took occasion one day to tell him hâ— had seen him before S. Aubin 〈◊〉 at it made d' Angosse 〈◊〉 inquisitive Having rack'd his memory a good while he be thought himself at last this Ayd d' Camp had the Ayr of a Man he had seen at Mounsieur Strasburg's at a Ball the year before whom he had taken for Madamoiselle de Meyrac the only thing that puzl'd him was that Man was a Fleming and the Duke of Luxembourg's People assur'd him this was a Frenchman and had served among the Musqueteers This put him upon a second address to S. Aubin to pray him to tell him seriously if he was not the same Person who was in Maids habit when he mistook him for a Gentlewoman of Bearn S. Aubin perplex'd to find him so closely and busily curious thought it better confess he had been disguiz'd in Maids Cloaths than give him occasion to discover he had been disguiz'd in Mans Apparel D' Angosse having learnt what he so much long'd to know told him they might have very good sport when they came to Paris and that if he would but put on Womans Cloaths he should easily pass for Madamoiselle de Meyrac by the help he would give him to put a Trick on his Countrymen which would be excellent divertisement S. Aubin promis'd him all he desir'd both arriv'd at Paris extremely well satisfied D' Angosse tickled with the Conceit of his Projects and S. Aubin glad at heart to get rid of his Importunities FINIS New Books Printed and sold by J. Magnes and R. Bentley French Books L' Heureux Esclave in 3 Tomes 3 s. Galand Escrock 12 d. Le Princess de Monferat 2 s. 6 d. Le Grand Visiers 2 s. Duble Cocu 12 d. Civilities of France 1 s. 6 d. Le Mercury Galand 7 Tomes 7 s. 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