strugled with the glimm ring Light My Aunt still made a considerable figure in the World and strove to maintain some part of the Grandeur of her Family upon that small Estate Manco had given her and I was by those ignorant of our Circumstances reputed a Woman of no small Fortune This gave me the trouble of some Lovers amongst whom were the Lord Avilon's two Sons men of infinite parts the Eldest was tall of good Shapes had an incomparable Air danc'd well and sung to a wonder but addicted to Anger and Jealousie passions of sufficient force to oppress a large stock of Virtues The Younger was all good Nature of a prompt and piercing Wit Eloquent beyond expression had the softness of a Woman in his Voice and all the Courage of that mighty Ceature Man in his Soul I was equally belov'd by both each strove to gain a Heart insensible of their merits and tho' the youngest had a great share in my esteem yet neither of them possess'd my Love Thus for a while they Courted the present still speaking to the Advanvantage of the absent till Duverr for that was the name of the Eldest o'recome by his â—ealousie quarrel'd with his Brother the Handsome Sevilus by whom after a few thrusts he was kill'd in a field adjoyning to our House The Young unfortunate Conquerour kiss'd the wounded Clay wept over him some Hours and then consulting his own safety fled His Father us'd all his interest at Court to obtain a pardon for his only Son and Canador our present Soveraign all Mercy grants it soon as ask'd But he never returning it was useless and the afflicted old Man now concluding both his Children lost in a few Years dy'd having left his Estate to the next Heir-Male if his absent Son return'd not I cou'd not longer live in the Country where I was look'd upon as the cause of so many mischiefs My Aunt whose fortune now began to ebb was perswaded by necessity and we came to Chira where unknown we have liv'd these five Years without a change of Fortune nor have we yet heard what became of my poor unfortunate Father or the young Sevilus now if alive Lord Avilon The Court and foreign Trade renders the City very populous and private Families reside in it unregarded Thus you see Sir continued the afflicted Fair how misfortunes have pursu'd me from my Infancy and I have now added sensibly to their number by that weakness of which you have found me guilty Here she ended and the story wrought that Impression which the affliction of the fair Sex does on generous Souls I was all pity all tenderness all sorrow and each of these were swallow'd up in Love I wish'd her all the Happiness the loveliest of her Kind e're possess'd swore my constant Love shou'd attone for part of her past ills clasp'd her gently in my Arms laid her all languishing to my Breast and whisper'd comfort to the kind afflicted She whom Love had not robb'd of Modesty reprov'd me mildly for the rudeness and said she fear'd I doubted much her Virtue when I thus presum'd upon her Love I answer'd this with words that sufficiently spoke it the effect of my passion and my grief for a thought that differ'd so much from my real intentions or sentiments Madam cry'd I believe me I love that I think you Virtuous that I lament your past sufferings and shall be ever yours The Aunt jealous of her Niece's Charms made all the dispatch she cou'd of any affairs that kept her from me and enter'd just as I pronounc'd the last words At first she stood amaz'd at what she saw but willing to conceal that concern she had for the discovery turn'd it into Raillery and smiling ask'd her Niece if she stood in need of a Love-Physician to compleat the Cure of her Feaver Olmechine only smil'd and I who was obliged to answer for both the offenders told Attabalippa that I shar'd in her Niece's sickness that my Heart was naturally tender that Women's pains if fair were all my own and that I was glad of her arrival and thereupon show'd a Picture done by the best Master of the World which I vallu'd at a hundred Guineas This Madam said I the fair Olmechine at first view admir'd but when I beg'd she 'd accept the small Complement it was answer'd you better deserv'd it and I swore it shou'd be ever hers At this you appear'd as if kind fortune had sent you to decide the difference The old Gentlewoman was pleas'd to find things no worse and decided in my favours while the Charming Niece had Joys equal to hers in seeing how much I fear'd and what caution I us'd for the concealment of my flame for Cares are always Natural signs of growing love and our endeavours to hide any thing a mark of that value put upon it In a short time the fair one was perfectly recover'd and Attabalippa wou'd often call me an able Physician and attribute the cure to my Conversation But at last growing jealous to a degree of madness she deny'd her that Happiness and watch'd her with as many Eyes as Argus e're had open when he look'd to the Rival Cow at the command of the jealous Goddess While I was absent from this fond tender Beauty my Heart would struggle 'twixt the old and new recall to view my first and latter Vows show Olmechine in all her sweetness and Timandra with her Honour abandon'd for my sake then I wou'd immediately be all yours when with your Rival I lov'd her when absent I forgot her and still as the moving Object fled from my sight the flame she had kindled burnt no longer but serv'd to add to that I had for another The Aunt storm'd and lov'd saw me frequently and had always the marks of Anger Jealousie and Love evident in her Countenance and forgot not to tell me she took notice of that inclination the fond young Girl had for me meaning her Niece and was sorry to see how much I contributed to the encrease of her passion I deny'd all and certainly had left Chira to be rid of so many tortures if the Compassion I had for Olmechine's sufferings had not commanded my stay At Night Curacas told me she had met him upon the Stairs and desir'd to see me next Morning at the Rivers side I fail'd not to be there and had not waited long when she arriv'd We spent the first part of our time upon the Water where we discours'd our Loves anew laugh'd at the old Aunt pity'd her weakness and pleas'd our selves with the hopes of coming Happiness But the day growing hotter we forsook the inconstant Element for one more fix'd and chose to walk beneath some Trees which grew upon the Bank Olmechine on a sudden stop'd and offer'd to retire because the King was upon the place and I who had never yet seen this Prince was now resolv'd to lay hold of the opportunity But as I was about to
if she is now possess'd by another confirm the truth by your answer that I may be certain of my doom I shall no longer complain of Mangroa or Xensa and especially of the first whose aversion to your Family seems justly grounded since Artaxus is become guilty and shares in his Father's Nature Indoretta if you regard the news I know not still remembers you Martius Just as I had Writ it Furinus enter'd I need not tell you my dear Artaxus the esteem I had for this Young Man let it suffice that he possess'd that place in my Friendship which was next to that I always kept for the Brother of Sirena and tho' he was something related to Ericis and high in her favour I had nevertheless all that confidence in him which I then Judg'd his merit claim'd as due He soon perceiv'd that Grief under which I labour'd and offer'd all those Remedies I could expect from the best of Friends 'T is natural to all men opprest with grief and sorrow to communicate their pains to others either because the burden seems divided when another feels a part or else because we are ready like sinking Mariners to hope for some relief and grasp at any thing that first presents it self without examining if it can contribute any thing to our ease or safety Thus I deluded my self and the Young Man when I had told him all with a seeming kindness offer'd to convey my Letter to a trusty Friend of his at Zenitha who would undoubtedly put it into your hands with that secresie and conduct which the affair requir'd I was heartily pleas'd with the opportunity not knowing whom to trust and after I had conjur'd him to remember how much my Happiness depended upon what he had undertaken for me we parted A few hours after the Duke sent his Page to acquaint me that the Young Countess was with my Sister I knew the weight of that Message saw it impossible to shun her Company without a manifest token of disobedience and went into the Room with all those pains which Dedalus e're knew when through the Air he boldly took his way and saw the Object of his hopes behind unwing'd and sinking and all the pleasures of a dear bought Liberty dash'd by the absence of his better part Indoretta who knew how much my Nature was averse to this dissembling Fair strove to give me all that ease which was within her Power and forgot not to entertain my unwelcome Mistress with a thousand little indifferent Stories to divert that necessity which had otherwise fal'n upon me of entertaining her with another Subject to which I had no inclination Ericis fretted much at my Sister 's seeming kindness and could have been satisfied with half that care she show'd to please her She often fix'd her Eyes on mine and wou'd with a smile mixt with Jealousie and Anger frequently tell me I was a constant Lover or a Man altogether insensible of a tender flame and that perhaps I mourn'd a loss which might with ease be repay'd I answer'd coldly to what she said and often let her know by my looks that all she spoke was unwelcome This vex'd her to the Heart she knew her self handsom of a sufficient Fortune and was Distracted when she saw her Charms neglected by a Man for whom she had us'd so many Arts to please and I found by the Duke's frowns next day how far she had resented my indifferency Thus I liv'd for some time felt a present pain and had but a very confus'd prospect of a kinder Fortune When Furinus for whom I oft had wish'd came to see me and gave me that Letter from which I long had hop'd for some relief THat story which has reach'd your Ears at Coloa is a part of that truth which is acting at Xensa and errs in nothing but that Sirena is not yet possess'd by Count Bonzeda As for that aversion which Mangroa entertains for our Family 't is no more than what Artaxus ought to have for yours if he be sensible of his own Merit and your Treachery Artaxus 'T is impossible my Friend to express all those different Passions which possest me when I read this counterfeited Mark of your sudden Change I thankt Furinus who was seemingly sorrowful for me and own'd my self his Debtor for that care he had shown swore Sirena should possess my Heart no more that it had been too long a Slave to that false Fair One who had so soon forgot my Services and whole Years of Love and that Artaxus should bleed and with his Life attone for his fault I acquainted Indoretta with the Misfortune and she bore it with that patience which becomes a Virgin Love However I had not fail'd to acquaint you how sensible I was of the injury you had done me and had at least been satisfied how I became treacherous to a Man I had esteem'd so much if a sudden Feaver had not put a stop to my Resolution and prevented my intended Journey Mangroa tho' fix'd in the pursuit of any thing he had once begun was nevertheless affrighted with my Danger and almost repented the unkindness done me But my distemper at last encreasing he now full of Fears seated himself upon my Bed's side and like a tender Mistress weeping o're her wounded Lover confess'd his Cruelty and begg'd my Pardon with a thousand Assurances that if kind Heav'n restor'd me to my health Sirena shou'd be mine He 'd humble himself even beyond his Nature and beg for Friendship from the Man he hated that former quarrels now shou'd be no more and all his interest shou'd yield to my future happiness than which he knew not a greater The Brother 's unkind Letter had rais'd my Anger and mov'd my sleeping Griefs but had not weakned or destroyed my Love and the fair Sister still possest my heart for when most I strove to raze her from my Soul the all-conquering Maid with double force return'd wonder not then if this restor'd my health for hope from Love can never be divided and Indoretta's Tears kept back my Soul when on the Wing and eager for its Flight When I was recover'd a new Misfortune befel me for Mangroa suddenly lost the best of Wives and I the kindest Mother Nature e're had made my Sister had all that sorrow e're possest a tender loving Daughter who griev'd the death of a kind Parent and the Countess of Sirama was the only Person that rejoyc'd for in her she lost an Enemy and one who had favour'd my Passion for the lovely Daughter of cruel Xensa her Rival in all her Virtues and one who notwithstanding of her absence and seeming Cruelty was dearer to me than health to those who suffer deadly Pains a calm to Seamen wearied with the Winds to Travellers rest or Men condemn'd Reprieves Had Paris lov'd his Helena so well or had she been but half so sweet so good as blest Sirena to my view appear'd a thousand Years of Famine
saw the godlike Entheon At last they betook themselves to Cards where at Pickquet Erinthus won fifty Pieces from the Dutchess she readily paid him and this confirm'd him in what he almost before believ'd that she was of Quality This put him upon his guard inspir'd him with care to please he assum'd a new Air and shew'd so much it seems of Gallantry that the yielding Eriphile was perfectly charm'd The Clock at last having struck twelve sounded a Retreat and they began to think of their respective concerns The Lovers begg'd they 'd allow them the Honour of waiting upon them to their Lodgings 't was readily granted and the Coach being call'd 't was as readily put in Execution The Dutchess had given the Coach-man private Orders to drive to her House and the Duke whose mind was much imploy'd ne're examin'd the place till he found himself in his own Bed chamber As he was about to express his surprise Eriphile and Fidelia unmaskt Erinthus first begg'd Pardon for his rude mistake and Entheon after he had rouz'd his disorder'd Judgment smil'd and askt the Dutchess if what he had done gave her any cause to suspect his Faith and hop'd Fidelia's Wit excus'd him for spending so much time in her Company when he had thought his Wife at home Eriphile smil'd too and faintly answer'd if Fidelia please she can easily Charm for Wit and Beauty joyn'd can ne're assault a generous Heart in vain The Duke was surpris'd with this cold return and 't is certain the lovely Dutchess ne're had us'd him so before she was not now Jealous nor had she any Reason to fear the loss But Erinthus already appear'd too Charming and truth is it seems he had something about him very taking and singularly agreeable for he had before that time atack'd a Lady of the same Rank and had not fail'd of the success desir'd You may wonder perhaps Albisinda why I am not more particular in my Character of this Man but to satisfie some part of your Curiosity know he owes his Birth to Burgoa a Common-Wealth rais'd by Trade their industry and the easiness of their prouder Neighbours to a height unlookt for surmounting in Wealth those very States or Kingdoms from whom some Years ago they kneeling begg'd Protection Love and Gallantry are Strangers to the Nation many of their Souls are as Phlegmatick as their Bodies and most of them look like Machines or rather walking Tuns His Parents were forc'd to pursue a mean imployment to purchase a livelihood and the now fortunate Lover when young left his Country in a Post suitable to his Quality and Education But having learnt in Armenis what was by no means to be found at home something of a better Air and the easie smooth way of speaking peculiar to the Language of that more Polite Nation he quickly found Preferment They are naturally kind enough to Strangers and the advantages of his Person which Nature it seems design'd not for a Burgoan conduc'd not a little to his good Fortune That he was a lucky Gamester may appear from this that in a very short time he purchas'd an Estate and became a Companion to those of the best Quality in Sindalon Entheon us'd gaming as a wise Man ought to do that is for his Pleasure he always play'd without Heat lost Cheerfully and rarely laid down too much to be dispos'd of by Fortune remembring always how much of madness it shew'd to put that to a hazard which before was his own This accidental meeting already mention'd gain'd him the Honour of the Duke's acquaintance you may believe then Albisinda that for the future he was no stranger to his House they spent whole Days together and Night her self could sometimes hardly part them Eriphile was always pleas'd when he was present and languish'd for his absence 'T is true her Virtue was yet strong and she struggl'd with the growing Passion hid her griefs with Art and in her Eyes exprest an easier Soul When she play'd her thoughts even then were hardly fix'd on Game nor could she truely grudge the fortunate Erinthus a double Victory The Youth already observ'd his coming happiness and by his industry to please advanc'd that Heaven he wish'd for 'T is impossible when alone to express her pains she saw how much she lov'd and from her yielding Heart could judge her Honour lost Entheon still was kind she knew his Merit and fain would yet be just but powerful Love with double force assails and scatters virtue's Charms that stop his way Nor can he walk with Judgment who was always Blind Oh Albisinda that this charming Fair at last betray'd her Marriage Vows is not be disputed But to say she fell without a noble Contest were too much No Woman e're knew more or was Mistress of better Inclinations she was sensible of her Errour even when she drew the Guilt upon her and in his Arms although she lov'd could have wish'd her Soul fled to save her sinking Honour The World has more than common Charity for the fair Eriphile and some People scruple not to affirm she yielded e're she knew she had done so The Story Albisinda is in this place known to all and even by those who pretend to an exact knowledge in the state of Affairs relating relating to this amour for a truth believ'd And it runs thus The Duke it seems had long profest a more than common tenderness for the lovely Daria a Maid generously educated and of a noble Spirit to her Mistress just nor to her self unkind No allurements could prevail no present found acceptance and the weakness of her Nature was always supported by the strength of her Virtue But the Duke growing at last importunate and obstinately kind she found it too hard to preserve Honour and his Friendship too In this pressing juncture she resolv'd to abandon the Family and after she had with Tears in her Eyes told the Dutchess that an affair of Consequence required her absence humbly begg'd she 'd make her happy in her Consent Her Mistress was too sensible of her Merit to lose her without Reluctancy and said to her that if she was any way disoblig'd she should have immediate satisfaction nor would she give her Consent unless she were first acquainted with those Reasons that mov'd her departure Daria wept and on her Knees conjur'd her not to urge what if betray'd would give her Pains unknown This instead of satisfying encreas'd the Dutchess Curiosity and she was at last oblig'd to disclose the whole Poor Eriphile was Thunder-struck with the unwelcome Relation Her Heart 't is true already was unfix'd and she had those thoughts for Erinthus which spoke him too much Master of her Soul Yet she lov'd the nobler Entheon or at least esteem'd him so much that she could not even in thought consent to lose him In this afflicting affair her Wit or Invention at last offer'd this relief which she propos'd as the only means to confirm the Duke her
him Winds had for ever been in Chains ty'd up and mutter'd for new vent within their Cells While she above in contemplation wrap'd had seen the Waves plow'd up by Trojan Ships and kept his men from danger for his sake Jove's Bed for ever now had nauseous grown and she 'd have left the joys and sweets of Heav'n for the Embraces of the God-like mortal she 'd envy'd Dido and her place supply'd and had by flames extinguish'd rageing fires Virtue and Marriage Vows had fled before the happy Conquerour and Cynthia her self with all her coldness and indifferency about her had smil'd if this young Man had seen her in the Water naked she 'd stood and gaz'd upon his Eyes and caught by Love forgot to seek Revenge then in the heat of wild desire expos'd to view what happy streams had hid to tempt the Youth into an equal flame Wonder not then Madam if I confess my weakness and tell you that I yelided that he possess'd what was anothers right and weigh'd the Blessing in the Scaâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Love That night he went to the Earl's who yet knew nothing of his being in Capac 't was there he found the Duke and was by both receiv'd with that joy natural to a kind Brother and a constant friend I had complain'd of Minoya's unkindness and he forgot not that Night to observe his behaviour and found the Countess shew'd no compliance to his Passion but what good Manners and his Quality commandâ— from her When he came to see me next morning my Husband fond of his Company wouâ—â— not live without him and he accepted of an Apâ—partment in our House You may condemn me Madam perhaps because I did not oppose this and shun'd 〈◊〉 Man that made me betray my Honour and 〈◊〉 Marriage Vows But I must plead the force 〈◊〉 his Love and my weakness for an excuse 〈◊〉 I hope you are no stranger to the force of tâ—â— Young Deity for had Apollo with all his cuâ—â—â—â— locks that wanton'd in the Wind and all 〈◊〉 Charms his Musick e're had wrought been hâ—â—â— so taking half so gay the lovely Virgin ne're had fled before him the Gods had laugh'd when she for pity cry'd and all the Goddesses had envy'd her Happiness her Heart so long cou'd not have flinty prov'd she 'd turn'd and look'd then lov'd and yielded Adrastus thus happily posted enjoy'd his Mistress and the friendship of her Husband and beneath that shade the Serpent lodg'd that stung his Honour when he seem'd secure in the mean time he goes often to Rucana's and assaults his Wife with all the Arts of Love but she too modest and fortified with a stronger Virtue than I was ever Mistress of withstood this growing Malady and hop'd to cure him e're her Husband took notice on 't In the Evening Adrastus came into my Room and there spent some hours our security made us careless and our repeated Joys had lull'd our wearied Souls almost into a Lethargy I was sitting in a Chair hard by him and my Head rested in his Bosom the young Lover wou'd sigh and eagerly press my hand look languishing upon me and tell how much he lov'd then wonder how the Duke became so blind and aw not Charms of force enough to move a frozen Hermit drag him from his Religious Cell into the World again make him lose what forty Years of cruel pennance gain'd â—â—d pull him back from Heav'n when almost â—â—ter'd As he pronounc'd the last words the Duke came into the Room he look'd furiously upon me his Eyes plainly speaking his thoughts and going to the other end of the Chamber seated himself in a Chair opposite to me Adrastus was confounded at the Accident and only griev'd for me Then rising up he embrac'd his friend ask'd the cause of his sudden melancholy from whence his frowns and swore his Wife was Virtuous even in thought Minoya gave him small encouragement to plead for me or himself and wou'd have forc'd himself from his Arms when Adrastus after he had given me a sign to retire threw himself upon his knees and to save my Reputation or at least my griefs swore by that friendship which he had always profess'd towards him Timandra was innocent that 't was true she had laid open her sufferings to him in hopes he might prevail with her Husband to abandon that passion he had for the Countess of Rucana and that he cou'd do no less than speak passionately and with tenderness to ease her present griefs The Duke whether it was because he saw his Love to his Sister-in-Law taken notice of or if he really believ'd what was said I won't determine but after a short pause he seem'd on a sudden pleas'd and begg'd a thousand pardons for that unjust opinion he had conceiv'd of his Friendship and my Virtue Then taking Adrastus by the hand after they had embrac'd he led him into the Room where I was I had thrown my self upon the Bed all drown'd in Tears in this condition he found me and falling down by me he claspt me in his Arms kiss'd me and smil'd Ah my dear Timandra cry'd he Pardon the first Crime oâ— this Nature I e're committed and accept of an unfeign'd Repentance By all the pow'rs in Heav'n I love thee to distraction and wou'd not again be doubtful of thy Virtue to be Monarch of the Universe curs'd be the thought and may Love and Peace be ever strangers to my House when e're I think the Just Timandra false Adrastus who saw with what tenderness he spoke how good his Nature and how great his Love almost repented what he had done in prejudice to his Honour and abhorr'd his own Treachery But then looking on me these Virtuous qualms forsook him Sorrow mixt with Jealousie took place he saw the Woman whom he first had lov'd now kiss'd and ruffled in anothers Arms and she by Vows to base compliance ty'd This shook his Nature made his Soul unfix'd and almost turn'd his passion into madness So mighty Jove from distant Heaven look'd down and saw Alcmena whom helong had lov'd now prest and folded in a Mortal's Arms a while with Love and Jealousie he burns and to himself he mutters sweet Revenge swears by his God head when Amphitrion's fled he 'l lay his Thunder and his Scepter by descend and in the dull Phlegmatick Husband's place lay both a burning Lover and a God For some days after the Duke forbore his visits to Rucana or rather to his Wife and Adrastus and I cou'd both of us have wish'd him oftner abroad we began to fear that absence might lessen that flame he had for the Countess and that which before the return of my Lover was my greatest torment now became my blessing and nothing possess'd my Mind more than the doubts I had of being eternally deny'd the Happiness of entertaining the fond young Man These fears did not last long but gave the way to new ones built upon better grounds for the Duke
mourning Lover came I receiv'd him with that sorrow which our mutual Misfortunes had taught me and he unable to speak embrac'd my knees wept and look'd upon me Thus for a while we continued dumb and experienc'd the Truth of that Maxim that Wounds are deepest and most dangerous that Bleed inwards But at last this Lethargy which often attends immoderate grief was by degrees weakned and the lovely Youth could faintly pronounce these words Can the merciful Timandra be my Enemy Can she consent to my Banishment from Capac And shall I be blest with her presence but three short days for no more have my Judges allow'd me And must the remainder of my Life be spent in absence a Hell sufficient for the Punishment of Parricide Nay broken Vows or inconstant Love a Crime yet greater and known only amongst Infidels I shar'd all his pains and after I had ask'd him if he had stol'n with privacy enough to my House I caught him in my Arms kiss'd him and spoke all that my tender Heart could dictate to give him ease He still urg'd his Constancy and Love his present misery and prospect of a greater conjur'd me to be yet more kind and since he could not permit me to go along with him into a strange Country beg'd I 'd consent to Marry him and tye my self for ever his Time his innocence and his Friends might have his Sentence repeal'd and he doubted not if I lov'd him now of being more happy in his own Country than ever he had yet been He set before me a full Enjoyment of that Heaven in Love which hitherto we had only tasted that his Innocence was evident to every Man whose opinion was not prejudicated that none wou'd condemn me but those who envy'd my Charms and Happiness that Honour at best was but a Chimera invented to please giddy fools and perswade them into a belief of their own worth merit and judgment e're the pleasures of Love were fully known and preach'd up by Women in Years to keep younger ones from sharing the Blessing That nothing was more Honourable if I worship'd that shadow than a constant passion It spoke us fix'd in our Choice and by consequence of a good Judgment that enabled us at first to make that Choice of which we had never repented That we were born to love that without it we were meer pieces of moving Earth dull Phlegmatick lumps fit only for the Conversation or at least the Company of Brute Beasts that it could ne're be known meaning my Marriage that he knew how to value my Beauty and that even when old Age seiz'd me I would be still the same to him he 'd call my first Embraces back to view remember what I then was and again think me the same for tho' he graspt me cold and wither'd in his Arms he 'd delude himself with the fancy or Idea of my Youth imagination shou'd supply what Years had lost and I shou'd be still the Charming Gay the Young belov'd Timandra In short Madam I was again o'recome by this invincible Lover and tho' Minoya had been buried not above eight weeks I gave my hand and with it my Heart to this Young graceful Man tho' not before we had brib'd a jolly Priest with a handful of Pistols to a silence equal with that of the Grave and I had obtain'd my Husband's promise not to depart the Kingdom but to live privately with me till Fortune shou'd be as much his friend as Love had been We spent the Night with that pleasure known only to happy Lovers some fears and cares we had which serv'd to give it taste but none sufficient to destroy the Blessing In the Morning he waited upon his Friends who all sincerely griev'd his Misfortune and he seemingly prepar'd every thing for his sudden departure Three days thus spent he took a solemn farewel of them all without sorrow because in me he found all that made him happy for the possession of those belov'd is at any time a double recompence for the loss of Liberty It is not Madam the custom of our Country to mourn the loss of a Husband above a week and the gravest Matrons are satisfied with the long penance of Fourteen days in Tears So that I was already Courted by several who had envy'd the Duke's Happiness and that Beauty which prov'd always fatal to my self and others in a short time got me a new crowd of Adorers and tho' I was not look'd upon as a Woman nicely Virtuous yet still my Eyes atton'd for that defect and the more solid part of Mankind judg'd because I was Young that a Grave Husband and good advice might reclaim me and work wonderful changes and effects upon my easie Nature Amongst the first that claim'd my Love Assapan appear'd I have already Madam given you the Character of that Man but shall now add that Love had transform'd him for tho' he was every way a Man truly taking and one that well deserv'd a Lady's good opinion yet this passion to which he had been mostly a stranger wrought great alterations For whereas he was formerly addicted to Hunting Riding and such Manlike Exercises he became now tender in his Nature gentle and Complaisant spoke passionately lov'd dancing Poetry Romances and had all the softness and inclinations of a Lover He griev'd the loss of his Friend Minoya but had too great an esteem of me to believe what some People spoke of my betraying his Honour or my own Adrastus who mov'd no farther from me than into the Garden or another Room knew all that past and was the more happy in his Confinement when he saw others labour to obtain what he unknown and with ease possest For if the Addresses of a Gallant serve often to reclaim the Heart of an indifferent Husband much more must the real passion of another inflame a Man that lov'd so violently But Fortune that was never my Friend at last betray'd the secret Lover For Assapan one day as he came to my House met the happy Man at the Garden Door They were equally surpriz'd and equally griev'd the unluckly encounter Adrastus however embrac'd him and told him he had not yet departed Capac because Love had been his Friend and had till that time protected him That his Life and Honour were now in his hands and he dreamt no danger from a Man of Assapan's merit The Earl answered with that Discretion or Judgment which was natural to him but withal let him know he had been unkind in not trusting to his Friendship before Necessity not Choice had taught him so to do Adrastus alledg'd for an excuse how much I was concern'd in his Concealment and that it was not Honourable to betray a Lady's secrets especially those of love without her positive command for it and hop'd he wou'd Pardon a Crime of which love not want of Friendship was the Author Assapan smil'd and gave him all those assurances of his safety which Oaths or words