however his Friends would not assist him here he could want nothing there of Horse or Arms a Cavalier could ask After he had ponder'd a while on this thought he went to a Gentleman of his intimate acquaintance show'd him the Letter and beg'd of him to furnish him with Moneys for that design which he did and Philanâ—hus a short time after went privately over to Savoy Being arrived at Turenne he Enquired at what Nunnery the Countess de Montallo was and what the general opinion were eoncerning her Guilt or Innocence Understanding the Nunnery was Thirty Miles from Turenne and that all Persons spoke well of her did believe her falsely accused he went directly thither Being come within Four Miles of the Nunnery by the side of a great Wood he spyed a Hermits Cell at which alighting he ask'd of the Holy Father what the discourse was about the Countess he told him that in a fair Plain before the Nunnery She was to suffer to Morrow Morning before Eleven of the Clock if there was no Person found so hardy to fight her Accuser nor did he yet hear of any Champion who had appear'd in her behalf Upon which he told him he had a very great desire to see her before she suffer'd but he suppos'd it would be very difficult to obtain that Favour unless he had on a Religious habit and if he would do him that kindness to lend him his Weeds he would walk over that Afternoon and return in the Evening and leave his Horse and Armour there till he came back the Hermit very readily agreed to it then Philanthus who spoke Italian well put on his Weeds and in all Respects appear'd to be a grave Religious Hermit having a long Beard and all things answerable He was now Arriv'd at the Nunnery and out of Respect to his habit for Hermits are there had in great Veneration was immediately conducted into the Countesses Chamber where entring those Nunns who were attending upon her withdrew that she might have the more freedom of discourse with this Religious Father He stayed with her three Hours and was as well satisfi'd of her Innocency and Sabrino's Roguery as his heart could wish Asking her if she had no hopes of any Friend to appear in the Lists to Morrow on her behalf She said No She never sent but to One English Gentleman and his Misfortunes happen'd at the same time to be almost as great as her own When he took his leave of the Countess she pull'd off a Diamond Ring from her Finger and told him Holy Father I am oblig'd to you above what I am able to Express for your Prayers and good Advice I have nothing of Worldly Goods-left Me to dispose of but this Ring which was given Me by my Brother in England a little before I Married into this Country I pray accept it and keep it for my sake The Hermit receiv'd it with all Thankfulness and taking his leave burst out into tears to see so great a Beauty reduc'd to those thin meagre looks and that Vertue of which she had so large a portion should be Triumph'd over by wickedness and Villainy At parting the Countess shook him by the Hand and chearfully bid him not weep this was the last day she could be miserable Philanthus return'd to the Cell where he again put on his own Habit and told the Hermit what he thought of the Innocency of the Countess The next Morning at Nine of the Clock the Countess all in white was brought from the Nunnery into a fair adjacent plain in the middle of which was sixt a Stake with a great deal of dryed Wood and other Combustible Matter On a large Scaffold on one side was a Chair plac'd for the Countess and at the other end a Tribunal Erected for those who were appointed to see the Execution perform'd and if there should happen to be any Combatants to determine any matter of difference that should arise The Judges being Seated on the Tribunal and the Countess in the Chair Proclamation was made that if any Person would Venture to Wage War in defence of the Countess de Montallo's Innocency Seignior Sabrino the Accuser was ready to Answer him at single Combat Before this Proclamation was made all the Drums Trumpets Clarions and Instruments of field Musick first sounded then the principal of the Judges gave order for the first Proclamation and so for the Second when being ready to give the last Summons at a distance appear'd a Champion who by the waving of his Sword gave Notice what he intended he was Mounted on a Milk white Courser in black Mourning Armour his Beaver fast lock't down his Device the Sun Shining gloriously from a Cloud upon distressed Innocence which was a Virgin habited all in white As soon as this strange Champion was Enter'd the Lists a Herald demanded of him who he was that came thus Arm'd he told him he came to loso his Life or Vindicate the Honour of the Countess of Montallo who was unjustly accus'd by a Rogue a Lyar and a Vilain and that he would prove him to be Upon this the Herald demanded of the Countess if she was willing to Venture her Life and Honour upon the Success of her Champion to which she answer'd yes I pray God prosper him Immediately after upon the Sound of the Trumpets the two Warriours set Spurrs to their Horses and in the first Career the Ladies Champion had the worst and lost one of his Stirrups when recovering himself he redoubled that disadvantage upon his Enemy having broke their Spears they fell to their Swords when Philanthus lent him such a blow on the Helmet that ohe half of it fell down upon his Shoulders upon which followed whole streams of Blood At this the whole Cirque which consisted of Thousands of Spectators gave a loud Shout Sabrino being Cut deep into the Scull and having lost a great quantity of Blood in the middle of the next Course fell headlong from his Horse Philanthus lept readily down and putting the point of his Sword to his Throat bid him ask his Life 't is to late sayes Sabrino But I 'le clear my Soul from all filthy Sin before I dye Upon which a Confesor was call'd to whom he publickly Confest his unjust Accusation of the Countese and the reason that put him upon such a Bloody Revenge so long as he had Breath he call'd often upon her to forgive him which was not long for his Wound was past Cure and in less then half an Hour he dyed I shall forbeâ—r to mention the loud shouts and acclâ—mations of the people for the Countesses deliverance and that her Innocency was clear'd in the Face of the whole World In the midst of all this Joy and Triumph Philanthus stole privately away without being known by any Person who he was and came over to England where he never discover'd the least Syllable of what he had done to any of her own Relations The Countess
all happiness into that of Love and Condemned the ignorance of his past Life who had only Studyed Men and Books to know the worst half of Mankind and neglected the fairer Sex the Beauty and Glory of the whole Creation Having thus but dipt his Foot in the water he found it so refreshing he resolv'd to wade farther and plunge himself into that Abyss of pleasures his Thirsty Soul so eagerly Coveted These Ladies brought him into the Acquaintance of others which they inlarg'd to their own Friends till in a short time the day was not long enough for him to pay his Visits which he punctually observ'd to each expecting Mistress About this time his Father dyed and left him a plentifull Estate with a considerable Sum of ready Money which he improv'd to the better Conduct and more easy Management of his Amorous Intrigues Numerous were the Female Clients of this young Lawyer and the rather because he gave but receiv'd no Fees except those in Tail besides the great advantage he had of other Gentlemen in his comely personage and courteous behaviour that he wounded more hearts in a week then he could Cure in a Month with his best performances It Chanced one Evening being at a Rall in Leicester-Feilds he saw the Beauteous Bellinda whose powerful Charms would have Conquer'd a more stubborn heart then Charilus wore which by its frequent wounds was now grown soft and tender and easily received the lightest Impression Bellinda was now the only game Charilus purfu'd which he did so Vigorously that he lost no opportunity he could improve to render himself respected by her He danced with her and afterwards obtain'd the favour to wait upon her home in his own Coach which he look'd upon as a promising earnest of a more ample reward in future But after several Visits made with all passion and diligence as the Devil would have it Bellinda prov'd of a different mould from other Ladies of her Sex and Vertue had been Regent at her Nativity above Beauty or pleasure Charilus who had never met a repulse like this in the whole Career of his hot desires Intreated Treated presented which the Lady still accepted upon honourable terms When hâ— found these Baits would not take he offer'd Marriage as the last and most prevailing â—â—â—ument Bellâ—nda told him She was under no Vow to a single Lise but could dispose of her Person and Fortune as best pleas'd her self Charilus told her that was the only happiness he aim'd at and would compleat immediately but that he was under a Sacred Obligation not to Marry for some time which was now Expired to Six Months that he did believe a contract in the Eye of Heaven was as Obliging as the publick Solemnization of the Wedding which was only requir'd by Law for the more known and certain descent of Estates that if she pleas'd to consent to a Contract now he would most assuredly Consummate the Marriage Six Months after With these and other arguments and the most Solemn protestations his quick Invention could Furnish his Expressions with he won the credulous Bellinda who without any tedious or formal Ceremony of contract took his word Charilus immediatly order'd private Lodgings for himself and Bellinda where they liv'd with the highest content and Satisfaction the six Months being expir'd Bellinda remembred him of his promise which he excused at that time as a thing that might be done any day for that he was engaged in some Affairs of great Importance Thus from time to time he had alwayes some Studied Answer to divert the discourse which at last she found had no place in his intentions and prest no farther However no Persons liv'd more amicably and Friendly together that I much question were there not other more Substantial reasons to be given whether an indissolveable Tye of two Persons does not render their Converse more uneasy and their whole Lives more querulous then if it was only a Knot which each Person might unloose at pleasure Charilas who was alwayes of a Generous and Noble Temper nor was Bellinda parcemonious having one day an Occasion for two hundred pounds began to consider his present Circumstances and inspect his accompts for the last seven years when first his Acquaintance commenc'd with Bellinda He found his Estate much impair'd by the negligence of Tenants his Rents fallen one third and the Body of the Estate sunk under a weighty Mortgage which still prey'd upon the Vitals besides several Debts abroad which would grow Clamorous and disreputable to him and fifteen Hundred pounds which he had receiv'd as Bellinda's Portion was sometime since spent and forgotten the Unwelcome prospect he now had of his Shatter'd Fortunes rais'd different passions in his Labouring Breast which after he had singly examin'd he found himself only to blame who either by his own Inadvertency or too much Confidence in others had suffer'd his Estate to steal from him without that prudent observance which might only preserve it At last he resolv'd to disintangle himself from the trouble of Lands and Mortgages and part with all for a valuable consideration in Mony over which he would keep a strick Eye This he resolv'd and in part perform'd He sold the whole Estate paid all his Debts preserv'd his Reputation with the world and had two Thousand pounds Overplus to lay the foundation of a New fortune which he promil'd himself might be easily done But being naturally averse to business unwilling to descend below his former Grandeur he so long defer'd it that there was not Room left for that consideration and Calling Bellinda one Morning into his Closet he shew'd her a draught of his present Misfortunes and withall told her there was but Three hundred left of the last two Thousand pounds that tho' he never was Ceremoniously Married to her yet he look'd upon himself as oblig'd to provide for her and not for that respect only but as he ever had a most Sincere Love for her and that whatever distresse should befall him her Share should be the least in them She began to Lament her great Unhappiness who must shortly be Expos'd to the Injuryes of the World and theinclemency of Friends when Charilus pray'd her patience to hear him a few words My Dear Bellinda sayes Charilus that my Affections have been hearty and unfeign'd you your self shall Judge and think not that those vigorous Flames which were first inkindled between us shall ever know decay or Period Distress if rightly us'd is but a poignant Sawce to whet our Cloy'd Appetites Loves fire may be as intense in the heat ' tho the Flames are not so active but affliction Rowzes up the Sleeping Embers and seems to give New Life and heat But this I only speak as Consolatory now to the poynt I intend There is but one way to retrieve our drooping fortunes and that with you approbation I am resolv'd to prosecute which is this I have an Aequaintance in the City a Person of
bid you tell me thus I I She her self bid me and said that very suddenly she would make you Gentleman of the Horse The innocent Gentleman discovered not the Snares his Uncle had laid for him but in the Evening accordingly did so after Sabrino had been at his Chamber and found him not there nor about the House he concluded he was then safely Lodg'd under the Bed and a little before the Countess went to her Chamber sent for the Commissioners and told them he was inform'd that the Countess's Gallant was to be with her that Night but who he was that he could not tell Sabrino and the rest concluded to pretend some extraordinary business to be dispatched that Night and to desire to speak with her as soon as her Women had left her and then if there was any Gallant they should certainly discover him if not give the Countess no reason to suspect their design Accordingly they did so and coming softly up stairs knock'd at her Chamber door an old Gentlewoman who had formerly been her Nurse lay in the Chamber with her and was going into Bed when she heard some Body knock at the Chamber door She asked who was there And their business to which one of them answered we are the Commissioners and want to speak one word with her Honour upon Urgent business which was forgot before and must be dispatched this Night She acquainted the Countess with what they said who ordered her to let them in As they were by her Bed-side discoursing with her Sabrino cryes out I here he is here 's the Rogue and pulls his Nephew by the heels from under the Bed and calling him Rogue Villain and Traytor to abuse se good a Lord struck him through the heart with his Sword before he could speak one word to Vindicate himself or his Ladies Honour It was now in vain for the Countess to Endeavour to purge her self from a Crime which appeared against her by so Notorious an Evidence tho' she did in the presence of several Worthy persons take the Sacrament upon it that as she never had been Guilty against her Husbands Bed so she knew nothing of that Persons being there that it was all the malicious Contrivance of Sabrino whose unlawful desires she had refused with Scorn and contempt that had now plotted this Revenge to Rob her of her life and Honour at the same time This some believ'd who thought the Countess to be as uncorrupt as Vertue it self But others said here 's plain demonstration against her and she who dares commit Adultery will not stick to a lye to defend her Guilt The Commissioners writ a Letter to the Count to acquaint him with this unhappy News in which they gave a most particular account and in the Close highly Commended the Fidelity and Justice of Sabrino who seeing his Honour abused would not spare his nearest Relation The Count was astonished at the News above any Misfortune that could have happened and notwithstanding this demonstration as they call'd it in their Letter he put a greater Confidence in the Justice and integrity of the Countess then in all their Solemn protestations And as he sent them word He was extreamly troubled for the Countess that she should lye under so heavy an Aspersion which if he did not believe the World would and therefore with prayers for her deliverance if Innocent did resign her up to the Law so he should have been much better Satisfied in the Guilt of his Wife if Sabrino had Spar'd his Kinsmans Life in that Transport of rage in which he kill'd him Upon the Receipt of this Letter thâ— Commissioners as the Custom is there disposed the Countess into a Nunnery where She is to continue a year and a day and if in that time no Champion appears to justifie her Innocence against her Accuser She is upon the last day brought into the List appointed for the Combatants if there be any and there burnt at a Stake which death she Legally suffers if her Champion has the worst of it The Countess was highly sensible of this as the greatest affliction that ever befell her yet her own Innocence and the Satisfaction that arose from thence made the distress much more easy and supportable The Count was still Engag'd in the Wars and the Countess had now been three quarters of a year a Prisoner in the Nunnery and no Person appear'd in her behalf to Vindicate her Honour and Virtue She now considered that the small remainder of her Life would soon be gone and unless some Centleman would Entertain such Honourable thoughts of her as to believe her Guiltless and Engage his Life to preserve hers she must certainly suffer and as no Person had yet offer'd himself so was she altogether at a loss where to find that Gallant Friend At last amongst other English Gentlemen who had been formerly her Friends and Acquaintance She fixt upon Philanthus but at the same time Corrected her Errour in thinking that he who believed himself the most disobliged of all Mankind should now hazard his Life to Vindicate her Reputation No certainly he would be pleas'd to hear of her Miseries and rejoyce to see her proud heart now humbled under the deepest afflictions but on the other Hand considering him as a Gentleman a Person of unquestionable Courage and Gallantry and one whose former affections were most sincerely devoted to her Service he would rather Court such an opportunity to lay an everlasting obligation on her which all her Treasury of thanks and Gratitude should be too poor to recompence And this took place in her resolution Accordingly She writ a Letter to Philanthus and sent it by a Gentleman who had been formerly her Servant with orders where to find or Enquire for him at London and to deliver him that Letter receive his Answer and return with all speed Philanthus who had still the same respect and love for Orithia as would consist with Honour having read the Letter was extreamly troubled at it but at the same time being Ruin'd himself in his Fortunes his mind sunk under the load of miseries which opprest him writ back a most passionate Letter of excuse with which she was no less affected as well for his as her own sake Orithia Spent her short time which now wanted but a week of the fatal day in recommending her Soul to Heaven wholly despairing of any relief on Earth Philanthus having since seriously considered the present distress of the Countess and that she must for ever suffer in her Memory which to all Noble Spirits is Ten times worse then a Thousand deaths and that though in his excuse to her he had not put his own interest or business into the Scale to ballance against her Life and Honour But that strange and unexpected disasters had reduced him to that mean degree of want that he was not able to Equip himself for the Service Yet this from a Generous Spirit was mean and pitifull that