her Reason she reply'd not without some confusion O Heavens How weak do I find my self at this Instant What crime am I going to commit against my Duty Sir Sir pray have pitty upon me The Marshal was vext to the very Soul that he cou'd not make use of so Favourable an Opportunity as presented it self he cou'd have wish'd that the Wall which parted his Beloved and him had been of Paper or Cloth that he might have made his way thro' it He struck with his Sword several times against the Window the Enemy of his happiness but alass in vain for he found her so barricado'd up with Iron Grates that he cou'd scarce put a Finger thro' it His belov'd Angel who was not insensible of his disquiet and wou'd very willingly have had a more secret interview with him cry'd out to him take Courage Sir Fortune has always a kind chance for Lovers The Marshal was so Transported with this charming Expression that he cou'd not forebear telling her Divine Creature I dye a thousand times a day by a most violent Death being uncertain of my destiny if you be so Inhumane and Cruel as to deny me your pity and prohibit me to enjoy the Pleasure of seeing you in Private Rather suffer that after having declar'd my Passion and what Pains you have made me undergo I may dye for grief at your Feet But continu'd he I am resolv'd to do it without delay and drawing his Sword and putting the Point towards his Breast I will sayd he dye in your Sight He swore these Words in so Melancholy a Tone that Donna Olympia fearing he was in earnest cry'd out all in Tears hold hold for Heaven's sake don't let your Passion drive you into despair don't make your self the most Criminal of all Mankind why will you make an attempt against your own self for want of a little Patience Preserve your self for my sake and I promise that I will find out a more favourable Opportunity The Marshal seem'd extremely pleas'd with the assurances he had receiv'd from his Mistress and glad that his feign'd attempt had made her believe that his intent of killing himself in her presence was real tho' God knows it was the least of his Thoughts being not so much a Fool as to dye for her sake Nevertheless looking upon her with a very Passionate Eye Madam said he I am infinitely oblig'd to your Goodness for saving my Life which was ready to be Sacrific'd before you if you had not stopt my Hand and thereby prevented the fatal Stroak I shou'd have certainly executed it without delay but now since you flatter me with hopes of seeing you again in private I will leave my most adorable Olympia to convince you of the greatness of that Passion which I have for you and to shew you that an Age will not be long enough to satisfy my Desires The fair Spaniard perceiving some of her Women to come that way retir'd into another Chamber and the Mar. who surmis'd that some body had surpris'd her whilst she was talking with him retir'd somewhat backward from the Window with a resolution nevertheless to stay all Night to watch an opportunity of entertaining his Mistress a second time Having thus walk'd up and down near the Ditch of an adjacent Castle he saw at the very break of day a Black-Moor coming from under the Ground out of a Vault and making up towards him who presented to him the following Letter SIR I shou'd think my self over happy if I cou'd find Words suitable to that Passion which I have for you But alass I find my self quite at a loss in this point of extremity and if I may judge of your Love by my own both are beyond Expression If Absence were able to cure it I wou'd make use of that Remedy but I am too well convinc'd to the contrary Wherefore let nothing disturb your quiet but rest satisfy'd that you shall see me very shortly that is to say to Morrow at the same Hour The same Page who has deliver'd this Letter to you is to conduct you into my Chamber by the same way that he came out to you In the mean time be not Impatient and remember that you are answerable to me for a Heart which you have Robb'd me of in spite of all my resistance This shall be the reward of your Sufferings if you continue to Love me The Marshal who had not without some fear taken the Letter from the Black-moor did imagine that perhaps it might be the Devil who was come from the infernal Regions on purpose do him some mischief and being at some uncertainty what to resolve upon he went back to his Lodgings and enquir'd of his Land-Lady as well as he cou'd in the Spanish Tongue which she understood very well whether she knew that Lady who liv'd at the Foot of that Rocky Castle which he nam'd to her Yes very well said she she is the Relict of a certain honest Gentleman who is lately dead his Name was that of the Marquess of Toledo but good God! continu'd she how unhappy is that pretty Creature since the Death of her Husband who lov'd her even to a degree of Folly She is at present under the Government of a Brother who Tyrannises over her like his Slave not allowing her the Liberty of speaking one word to any Man His name is Don Bilboano he is Jealous even to a degree of Madness and 't is the common discourse of the Town that he is in Love with his Sister At that rate reply'd the Marshal carelesly as if he had not known her a Man must expose himself to no small danger if he shou'd go about to Court her for a Wife O Lord cry'd the good Woman being much surpris'd this cruel Man threatens to Sheath his Sword in the Breast of any Gentleman that shall have the boldness so much as to think of his Sister he intending to be her only absolute Master Here the Marshal interrupting her said but for God's sake do you believe that Donna Olympia entertains her Brother's Passion I don't believe she does reply'd the Woman for how can so charming a Creature as she Love the most ill shap'd of all Men for besides that he is as ugly as the Devil he has a hunch Back enough to frighten Children withal and his Legs are as crooked as a Hoop tho' as to his internal Qualities he is not inferiour to any Man having accomplish'd himself in all manner of Arts and Sciences Monsieur Boufflers being extremely well pleas'd with the Womans Answer which he found very agreeable and pursuing the former Discourse ask'd her what was the reason that this Marchioness had chang'd her Name from Donna Toleda to Donna Olympia Oh! reply'd she that is the contrivance of that ill favour'd piece her Brother who will have it so This evil Spirit cannot endure the name of his Brother in Law his Head being fill'd with a fancy that his Sister is a
it by my own Mouth You your self shall judge whether I don't lead the most disconsolate Life in the World being depriv'd of your Presence The Scarff which you have bestow'd upon me is of so great value to me that I cannot be a Moment without looking upon it This precious Pledge of your Love replenishes my Heart with joy as the fore-runner of those Pleasures which I am to taste at that time when you shall vouchsafe to grant me that Favour which I desire so earnestly But alass I dare not reflect too much upon 'em for fear of a Relapse into that Swooning Distemper which I have been Subject to ever since I first saw you If this shou'd happen to befal me in your Absence I shou'd be in great danger of Death for want of your presence you being the only Person in the World that is able to recover my fainting Spirits Adieu my incomparable Creature let me beg of you not to be foregetful of him who is the most Passionate Lover in the World I have sent you by one of my Dragoons some Jewels the best I cou'd meet with Expecting in the mean time your Commands Let not that Demi-Devel who haunts you at home put you out of Order If the violence of my Passion will let me Live till ten a Clock at Night I will not fail to run to your Embraces and to renew my former Protestations that I am without reserve Madam Entirely Yours c. The Lady was at first resolv'd to have sent an Answer to the Marshal's Letter but considering with her self that Secrets of this nature ought not to be committed to the discretion of a private Centinel she forbore for that time Not long after Night beginning to approach the Marshal did not fail to meet his Beloved at the appointed Hour He had dress'd himself that Day as fine as cou'd be and the better to please his Spanish Mistress he wore that same Scarff which he had receiv'd as a present from her The Lady on the other Hand had strove to out do him in the Richness of her Apparel Her Suit was all made of Cloath of Silver trimm'd with a vast quantity of Green Ribands and a very rich Gold-Galloon all after the French Mode Upon her Head she wore green Feathers which made a great Addition to her Face which was extremely Beautiful The Tresses of her fair Hair which hung down to her bare Neck whiter than Snow appear'd the most charming in the World The Marshal at the sight of her was so overcome by his Passion that he was not able to utter one Word and she seeing him so silent at a time when she least expected it cou'd not forbear asking him the Reason of it Monsieur Boufflers answer'd with a heavy Sigh Madam Your Charms are the cause of my silence they having taken from me the use both of my Tongue and my Reason I am not the same Man I was when I first saw you Here the Marchioness interrupting and embracing him For God's sake said she My Lord awake out of this slumber I love you more than my own Life and if you don't answer my Passion I assure you that I shall not live any longer than your self so that if your Words be true we shall be the Occasion of one anothers Death Oh! my most adorable Deity reply'd the Marshal fixing his lips upon her's let us dye for one Moment both together For God's sake Sir answer'd she very charmingly don't put things so far I am but too much afraid of that Death you speak of which often proves the spring of whole Rivulets of Tears What fear is it replyed the Marshal all upon a sudden that has seis'd you don't you look upon me as a Man of Honour I assure you that I wou'd rather dye a thousand times if it were possible than be in the least guilty of any Crime towards my ador'd Mistress Oh Heavens cry'd she can you ask Sir What I fear I fear your fickle Humour your inconstancy which I believe to be an Hereditary Evil incident to Gentlemen of your Nation who think it a Crime to love any Woman long Unfaithfulness and Inconstancy being their chief Delight And Madam reply'd the Marshal briskly certainly you speak by your own experience that you can talk with so much assurance concerning their Inconstancy No Sir answer'd Donna Olympia as briskly as he I never was so unfortunate as to fall under their clutches till now you being the first who has made me sensible of Love The Marshal perceiving with what Resolution this Lady held out against all his Attacks and being resolv'd to bring the matter to a conclusion told her with a great deal of seeming indifferency Madam I wou'd advise you to break off with me whilst occasion serves to tell the Truth the French are great Dessemblers and especially the Officers who seldom make a farther account than for one Day leaving all the rest to Chance and Fortune Nevertheless I hope you 'll not deny but that the Spaniards are not behind hand with the French as to the Point of Inconstancy in Love And to speak sincerely that Variety which is so delightful in Love is agreeable to all Men without exception As to my part I will not be so Presumptuous as to be answerable for my own Heart 't is your part to preserve it by the Force of your Charms If by Chance Time which unties the hardest Knots and breaks the strongest Chains shou'd make me shake off your Fetters impute it to your own want of Strength and Deserts which were not sufficient to keep me long under your Obedience This indeed is a Supposition which perhaps will never come to pass and you may well tell me that I am not very Complaisant at this time but to confess the Truth I will rather chuse to shewless Complaisance and more Sincerity than to be accounted a Dissembler and a Perfidious Wretch These being the Titles which your Sex usually bestow upon us when for want of their own merit they are no longer able to keep their Lovers under Subjection 'T is impossible to find words suitable to the Surprise which this Harangue of the Marshal caus'd in Donna Olympia she took it so hainously that immediately without speaking one Word she flew out of the Chamber into another The Marshal seeing himself thus left alone was just ready to leave the Chamber when espying the Picture of his lovely Spaniard lying upon the Table he cou'd not forbear to take it up and to put it in his Pocket He was no sooner return'd to his own Lodgings and having order'd Candles to be brought up but he began to look very earnestly upon the Picture which was the finest drawn that ever was seen the Marchioness being painted in the Habit and Posture of Diana with a Quiver hanging over her Shoulders and a Bow in her Hand The Marshal finding this Picture so lovely What new Charm do I discover said he to himself now I
of my Liberty And who for God's sake reply'd the Duke of Luxemburg is this fair Lady smiling It is It is It is said Monsieur de Boufflers jesting it is one Mistress Pretty Mount some Spies coming into the Tent at the same time broke off their further discourse The next day the Marshal de Luxemburg and some other Officers came to give him a Visit in his Tent where they began to jeer him about his new Mistress whose true Name he was unwilling to declare to ' em But Monsieur de Luxemburg told 'em Let me alone Gentlemen I 'll engage that to Morrow you shall see that Beauty whose Name you are so desirous to know And he was as good as his word for I know not by what sort of Magick Mrs. Montberg appear'd there asking for the Marshal de Boufflers The dress she was in that day made no small addition to the lustre of her Beauty so that all the Generals were as much dazzl'd at the sight of her as if she had been an Angel This poor young Lady being incited by something she knew not what to go and seek after her Gallant at the sight of the Company blush'd for shame which having rais'd her Colour to its utmost perfection it was so great an addition to her natural Complexion that they were all strangely surpris'd at it The Marshal de Boufflers being not insensible of the Confusion she was in and much vex'd that she shou'd have committed such a fault told her as he was Conducting her home VVhat was it my Dearest that cou'd induce you to come and enquire for me in this crow'd They are a Company of unlucky Birds that always make it their business to banter me about those little Favours you are pleas'd to bestow upon me For GOD'S sake Sir reply'd Mrs. Montberg being vex'd to the very Soul talk no more of this fatal moment Some unknown evil Spirit did hurrye me on I fansy'd that some Ghost or another did drive me to the place where you were and I cannot devise what shou'd be the Original cause of this Inchantment I may very well call it so for I am sure I was forc'd to act contrary to my own Inclination Good God! said she shedding some Tears that I shou'd go after a Man and especially in that place where you were Certainly I cou'd never be guilty of such indiscretion if I might gain the VVorld by the Bargain and tho' I love you very affectionately yet my Passion cou'd never have made me commit so irreparable a fault Now I think on 't there was the Duke of Luxemburg in your Company who has the name of being the greatest Sorcerer in the VVorld shou'd it not perhaps be that old Necromancer who has play'd you this Game on purpose to divert his Friends Boufflers having ruminated for some time upon what his Mistress had said and being convinc'd that she had hit the Nail upon the Head the Duke being taken for such a one throughout the whole Army did not think it convenient to put her any further into a fright on the contrary he endeavour'd to resettle her Mind which was quite discompos'd by this unlucky Accident I am apt to believe my Child continu'd the Marshal Caressing her what you did was only out of an ardent desire to see me No indeed my Dear reply'd she smiling I told you before that my Passion shou'd never be capable of carrying me so much out of the way of my Duty If you are an Admirer of Secrecy in Love-concerns so am I in no less a degree What in the name of God will these Gentlemen be apt to say about my enquiring after you with so much earnestness Let 'em say what they please reply'd Boufflers much vex'd one thing is they don't know you But for that reason I wou'd not have you do so again another time Oh! great God! cry'd the young Lady much disturb'd I wish rather that I may dye the most cruel Death that can be invented than to commit a second time such an horrible Fault for God's sake don't tell me any more of this fatal Accident or I must leave you The Marshal perceiving the great disturbance his Mistress was in chang'd his discourse into a Thousand amourous Protestations and having again assur'd her of the Vehemency of his Passion he left her and return'd to his Company O brave Boufflers said they laughing thou art the happiest Man living to enjoy so charming an object as this I never saw added Luxemburg so Beautiful and engaging a Creature in my Life-time and who deserves better to be ador'd by Men. The Marshal de Boufflers made no answer to what they said on the contrary he appear'd very Pensive and Melancholy his Thoughts being wholly taken up with this spiteful trick of that old Devil the Duke of Luxemburg unto whom he had hitherto bid defiance with all his Works This General was so overjoy'd at the Victory obtain'd in the Plains of Fleurus against the Prince of Waldeck General of the Consederate Army who had been forc'd to quit the Field of Battel that he play'd a great many of these tricks which were surprising to all that saw 'em but they not having any relation to our present Subject I will pass 'em by in silence I shall only mention this by the by that he was so confident of his ARt that he attempted to restore to Life some of the chief Officers who were Slain in the Battel and among the rest the Marquess de Verderonne whom he lov'd as dearly as his own Soul but all his Magick was not powerful enough to reach so far Almighty God having reserv'd to himself that power of raising the Dead But it is time to return to our Marshal who being extremely afraid lest the old Duke shou'd play him some other Game about his Mistress was fain to carry matters very swimmingly with him which the Duke having taken notice of told him one Day That he was sensible that he stood in awe of him but that he needed fear nothing farther for he was ready to give him his parole of Honour that he wou'd never be an Obstacle to his Amours or engage in any thing else which he thought might be troublesome to him The Marshal de Boufflers being very well satisfy'd with these assurances receiv'd from the Duke afterward pay'd his Visits to his Mistress without any disturbance in the same manner as he had done before But as all Human Affairs are Subject to perpetual change so things did not remain between these two Lovers long in the same Station Winter began to approach and Bou. cou'd no more than the rest of the Generals avoid going to Paris being therefore oblig'd to part from his dearly Beloved Mrs. Montberg he took his leave of her with the greatest marks of grief imagnable he wou'd fain have perswaded her to have pass'd five or six months away in Paris but she wou'd by no means consent to it pretending that she
surprising than the former and which seems to contain somewhat supernatural in its kind It is a Venice Looking-glass which represents People that look into it stark naked If I were Monsieur de Boufflers I wou'd go thither with Mademoiselle de Grammont This Looking-glass will give him a faithful representation of those Beauties which young Ladys take so much pains to hide from their Lovers And at once looking only in the Glass with his Mistress he may learn more in one Moment than two Months Courtship and serious Conversation are able to teach him Away away with these Triffles answer'd Mademoiselle de Grammont with a charming and pleasant Air the Marshal has no occasion either for a Confident or for a Looking-Glass to discover my Defects He is wise enough of himself not to be surpris'd or to be impos'd upon Ladys reply'd the Duke du Maine since these pieces of Gallantry do put you out of Humour come let us have a touch at Morality The Abbot said he shew'd me among the rest another Piece which was no less surprising than the former and as far as I remember I never saw any thing finer and more curious in my Life time Well let us hear what it is said Monsieur de Boufflers but let me desire you Sir not to offer any thing to affront the fair Sex I must needs tell you that I am so very nice in that point that I declare to you I shall be ready to revenge their Quarrel and even not to grudge to employ my Sword in their just Defence if there shou'd be occasion for it Wherefore Sir added he smiling and you had best have a care what you do No no reply'd the Duke du Maine this has no relation more to one Sex than the other but all People are concern'd in it The Abbot Tallement shew'd me a large Painting divided into three Columns In the middle Column on the right hand was represented first of all our Holy Father the Pope as being the Chief of the Church after him follow all the Cardinals Arch-bishops Bishops Prelates Abbots Curates and in general all the rest of the Members of the Clergy In the Column on the right side you might see a great many Portraitures representing Temporal Princes as Emperors Monarchs Kings and other Princes follow'd by the Nobility and a multitude of Courtiers The Column which was on the left side was fill'd up with the third Estate representing the Courts of Justice where you might see the Pictures of Lords Chief Justices and Judges Masters of the Rolls Counsellors Attorneys Sollicitors Notaries Tipstaffs Serjeants and such like So that this whole Piece was fill'd up with an infinite number of all sorts of Persons belonging to the three Estates every one in his Habit according to the rank he bore in the Church in the State or in the Courts of Judicature The Abbot after I had taken notice of the Medley desir'd me to put one Eye to a Hole at one end of the Picture and from thence to look upon the Cylinder which he had plac'd opposite to it at the other end of it All these different Objects having made a reflection upon the Cylinder of polish'd Steel this Instrument did represent no otherwise than in a Looking-glass a Death's Head extremely well done to put us in mind of the end of all Mortal Men who in what station soever must all pay this last Tribute to Nature I assure you said Monsieur Boufflers this seems to me to be one of the most curious Pieces that ever was made in the World and I will give you my Word that Mademoiselle de Grammont and I will to Morrow do our selves the Honour to go and wait upon the Abbot and take a view of all his Curiosities But that which is most admirable in this Piece is added the Duke du Maine that if you cover any part of these Pictures contain'd in the three Columns with your Hand the Death's Head which is reflected in the Cylinder appears defective and there is some part or another of it wanting to convince us that none can be exempted from the unavoidable necessity of Dying We entreat you said the Ladies directing their Discourse to the Duke du Maine let us not talk any more of this doleful and frightful Subject Death Let us rather return to our Jollities and divert our selves with some Pleasant Story or another they are most seasonable at this time when we are met together on purpose to be merry and pleasant Mademoiselle de Grammont is most concern'd in the matter and it is chiefly upon her account that the Ladys desire it Because you will have it so said the Duke du Maine I will relate to you another very extraordinary Story which perhaps you will look upon as one of the most refin'd pieces of Necromancy the whole being altogether full of Gallantry The Abbot continu'd he having given us a view of all the Rarities in his Closet took me on one side whispering me in the Ear. Pray my Lord bring the Ladys who came along with you into this Spacious Appartment I have a mind to shew you the Master-piece of all my Rarities but don't you speak one word to 'em you will divert your self extremely provided you let 'em know nothing of the matter because they will perhaps be unwilling to see this Curiosity which indeed will be very well worth your trrouble and will undoubtedly give you more satisfaction than any thing that you saw before I went therefore to fetch in the Ladys and having taken the Dutchess de Chevreuse by the Hand to lead her into a very fair and spacious Room which was just by the rest of the Ladys follow'd us thither No sooner were we all enter'd the Room but the Abbor having drawn a Curtain and open'd certain Windows we look'd into a great Plain which extended it self beyond our Sight and which appear'd to us to be one of the best and fairest Landskips in the World Sir said the Abbot to me do you see that Country-man and young Country-damsel there in the Meadows I will make 'em come hither in an instant in the same moment that I give the Word of Command they shall come and present themselves in this Looking-glass This was an extraordinary fine Venice-glass of about six Foot high cover'd with a green Curtain the Ladys who suspected some trick or another began to laugh but at the same time gave the Abbot to understand that they were very impatient to see the issue of it because the Peasant and the Damsel were at above a Mile's distance from us The Abbot to satisfie the curiosity of the Ladys who were very eager took a Speaking Trumpet the Invention of Sir Samuel Moreland an English Knight and pronounc'd these Words You young Damsel pull off your shoes and come hither The Damsel obey'd immediately and at that very instant appear'd in the Looking-glass For the Abbot having drawn away the Curtain which cover'd the
Favour which you seek for with so much Heat is the Grave of Love How many gallant Heroes have we known who have been Bury'd under its ruins and who have been lost when they thought themselves at the very Port of Felicity The expectation of the Pleasure will far exceed the enjoyment it self These Obstacles made by Olympia against the Marshal's Passion did only serve to inflame it and to quicken his desire of making himself Master of that piece of Ground which she so Valiantly defended and his Passion growing more violent every moment he cou'd not forbear telling her that if she let him languish thus any longer he shou'd dye instantly at her Feet Donna Olympia then finding her strength to fail her and fearing that she shou'd not be able to hold out much longer against her charming Conqueror as she was wont to call him very courteously desir'd him to withdraw for that time because the day began to appear and that her Brother was accustom'd to walk the Rounds in the House every Morning early who if he shou'd find a Man in her Chamber they both wou'd be in great danger of their Lives The Marshal having understood her meaning with a profound reverence quitted the Room promising to renew his Visit in a short time Yes Sir said she giving him her Hand which he kiss'd very Passionately I promise it shall be so my Heart is only too forward to give its consent to so agreeable an Entertainment don't fail to see me to morrow at the same Hour in my Chamber You may believe Madam reply'd the Marshal that I shall be overjoy'd to Execute your Commands in which my Love is so nearly concern'd and that every Hour nay every Moment will seem an Age to me till such time that Medina a Relation of this Lady coming towards her Chamber and having made some noise in opening a door she oblig'd our General to Decamp with his whole Army of Sighs and Languishing Expressions He return'd to his ordinary Post I mean to his own Lodgings where instead of Sleep he was overwhelm'd with a Thousand amourous Fancies Donna Olympia flatter'd her self with having gain'd a great Point since by breaking off the Conference she had preserv'd that which indeed she was ready to part with Her Heart was torn in pieces by two different Passions for if her Vertue induc'd her strongly to its preservation on the other hand she was apt to reproach her self for not having been more favourable to her Lover Medina having perceiv'd the Confusion she was in and drawing nearer to her ask'd her in very affectionate terms the cause of her disquiet Alass cry'd she my Dearest I am the most unfortunate of all living Creatures Nothing but Death can expiate a crime which I have committed against my own self Vertue strongly opposes my Inclinations but Alass I am in Love to my eternal Confusion with the most dangerous of all Men who from the first Moment I saw him has over-rul'd my Reason I have resisted this Passion with all my Strength endeavouring to stifle it in its Birth but this too tender too Passionate Heart has at last been forc'd to yield to its Conquerour I am now no longer Mistress of it he triumphs over it in spite of all my resistance Madam reply'd Medina she being a Lady of a very subtil Wit Who is that happy Mortal that has such powerful Charms What is become of that graceful haughtiness which never left you till this time Oh! reply'd the Marchioness Sighing I do not know my self my Dearest there is something fatal in the matter I am constrain'd to submit to the present influences of my Stars Madam reply'd the young Lady take courage I don't believe that Love is so dangerous and terrible as you describe it If Love be a crime it is one of the most Innocent and very few Mortals are exempted from it Who can without injustice condemn a Passion taught us by Nature it self Especially since we our selves are not the cause of those Effects which she produces it is she her self who is the Cause of that Sin which appears so hanious in your Sight He whom I love reply'd Donna Olympiae briskly is rather the cause of it My Passion has quite overcome my Reason Oh! Madam reply'd Medina with a Smile this is the way to spoil all the pleasures of Love but pray tell me who is this happy Man He is a Frenchman my Dearest answerd the fair Spaniard with a blush he is a French Gentleman the most charming of all Men who has robb'd me of my Heart without the least hopes of recovering it this only way being left me to revenge my self upon him to robb him of his again 'T is very odd reply'd the young Lady and pray Madam what is his Name it may be I may know him Well my dear Medina answer'd Donna Olympia covering her Face with a veil since you are resolv'd to make me confess the truth to my own Confusion know that it is the Marquess de Boufflers Colonel of a Regiment of Dragoons which are quarter'd hereabouts and have lately serv'd in the Siege of Puicerda his Courage and Bravery is very well known in these Parts The Marquess de Boufflers Madam reply'd Medina as being surpris'd Oh! I know him very well I have seen him often at Paris when I belonged to the Queen's Retinue And what Queen do you mean say'd Donna Olympia her Head running upon other matters How Madam reply'd Medina who cou'd not forbear laughing sure you have not forgot that the French King has Marry'd the Sister of the King of Spain our Monarch the Infanta Maria Theresia Oh! you are in the right reply'd the Marchioness embracing her at the same time I had quite forgot it then you know that fair Thyrsis who has charm'd me and what do you think of him I Madam answer'd the young Lady very modestly I think him to be a very accomplish'd Gentleman but otherwise I take him to be as fickle in his Amours as the rest of the French are who make it their business to Court one Beauty after another to tell 'em of their Sufferings of their Sighs and Pains which seldom are any where to be found but in their Compliments and Bilets Douces which they are continually sending to their Mistresses and those are foolish enough to believe that they are in Love with ' em I had not long ago a Letter by me the most passionate in the World which this General wrote to the Marchioness de Segnelay Lady to one of the Secretaries of State in which he had so lively painted the excess of his Passion that one wou'd have believ'd a Man cou'd not live long under such an Agony He told her that her Eyes did every day commit a great many Murders for which she must be accountable to God and that it was Inhuman in her to dispeople in such a manner the whole Kingdom of France Cou'd any thing be more Hyperbolical cou'd any thing
begin to repent of those Words which the refusal of her last Favour made me utter He reproach'd himself thus for a long time and so tormented himself both that Night and the next Day that his grief seem'd to be pas'st Remedy At last after a Thousand Reflections which distracted his Mind he resolv'd to go and renew his Visits to the Marchioness at the accustom'd time Donna Olympia in the the mean while who had not left the Marshal without a great constraint was altogether overwhelm'd with Grief and Tears Medina her dear Confident found her in this Posture and she happen'd to come in very Opportunely for Donna Olympia was just ready to Kill her self with the Marshal's Sword which he had left with the Moor who had given it to his Lady as somewhat very precious belonging to the Marshal de Boufflers whereas it wou'd have prov'd fatal to this Poor Lady if her Kinswoman had not stopt her Hands crying out to her For God's sake what are you going about to do Consider that you are a Christian and that you must be answerable for a Soul which you have receiv'd from Almighty God What is it that cou'd put you upon such a desperate Resolution Can the ill usage of a Lover be a Motive strong enough to incite you to Murder your self Oh! consider and dread God's Justice which never lets Crimes of this nature go unpunish'd Donna Olympia was not able to speak one Word in answer to Medina but all her strength sailing her she fell into a Swoon at the Feet of her Kinswoman This young Lady having lifted her up and lay'd her upon a Couch by the help of some strong Waters which she held to her Nose brought her to her self again My Dearest Cosin said she tenderly embracing her what was it that cou'd induce you to take this rash Resolution of Destroying your self Alass my Dearest reply'd the Marchioness in a languishing Tone What wou'd you have me tell you That ungrateful Man of whom I have spoke to you has already made me feel the effects of his Inconstancy This Perfidious Creature has abandon'd me before he has enjoy'd the sweet Fruits of our Love Oh! you only spoke too true Medina when you told me that the French were Fickle and Capricious in Love I am only too sensible that I ought to fly from him but I cannot my Passion forces me to set aside all other considerations which wou'd banish me from his Sight Medina was about to make Answer when Don Bilboano the Marchioness's Brother having heard the out-cryes of the Women in her Chamber when she Swoon'd away entr'd the Room with his Sword ready drawn Donna Olympia having a quick Wit immediately hid the Marshal's Sword under her Bed to take away all manner of Suspicion from her Brother whom she knew to be almost mad with Jealousie She gave him to understand how all upon a sudden she felt her self so ill that she Swoon'd away but that thanks to Heaven she was now very well recover'd Don Bilboano told his Sister that he was overjoy'd to see her so well and having Caress'd her in a more Passionate manner than became a Brother he left the Room Night now began to approach and our Lady who was very impatient to see her Lover again made her Black-Moor stand Centry at the same door thro' which the Marshal was wont to be conducted into her Appartment having desir'd Medina to stay with her till such time that he shou'd come in whom she expected with so much Impatience Our General did not fail to be there at the accustom'd Hour but under the disguise of a Dragoon for fear of being taken too much notice of if he always appear'd as an Officer He presented his Sword to the Moor who refus'd to take it not knowing him in this Disguise The Marshal having convinc'd the Moor by putting some Lovis's d'or into his Hand that it was himself he by that means sav'd his Life which he had else put in jeopardy for his Mistress's sake Having enter'd his Mistress's Chamber he threw himself immediately at her Feet begging of her to pardon all what he had told her protesting that he was very sensible of his Fault and that if she thought fit he wou'd expiate it by making himself a Sacrifice at her Feet He express'd these words to naturally and with an Air so engaging that the Marchioness's anger was wholly appeas'd she reproachi'd him with his Inconstancy and want of Love She call'd him Capricious fickle and Inconstant Frenchman and added many other Taunts which she imagin'd might affect him most sensibly The Marshal bore every thing not with the patience of a Dragoon for this is a quality not peculiar to 'em but like Job for he did not so much as utter one word in answer to her Reproaches On the contrary to make some amends for his Fault he did nothing but kiss sometimes her Hand and sometimes the Hemm of her Garment she being that day Dress'd all in Black it being the Custom in Spain if a Lady looses her Gallant or believes she has lost him to dress herself in Mourning Cloaths 'T was for this same reason that Donna Olympia had put her self in Mourning imagining that she shou'd never see the Marshal again who was as yet resolv'd not to quit her so before he was come a little nearer to the Point Conformably to this Resolution he press'd her very hard not to let him suffer any longer adding that the Pains which she made him endure were beyond Expression nay that they cou'd not be imagin'd by any Person but one who lov'd so Passionately as himself Donna Olympia seeing what pains the Marshal took to represent to her his Love cou'd not forbear laughing at it when the Marshal with a Smile told her Madam indeed you are very Cruel thus to divert your self at the expence of your unfortunate Lovers whom you make to languish at your Feet without shewing the least Compassion to 'em when you go to Confession I hope you 'll not forget to tell your Father Confessor among other Sins how you make it your diversion to cause Mankind to dye a languishing Death and how many Murders have been committed by those fair Eyes I don't know Sir reply'd the Marchioness laughing outright I never took any account of their number But continu'd she looking upon the Marshal who feign'd himself Ill Pray tell me whether you are Sick in good earnest Pray let me feel your Pulse truly it beats very quick Alass my dearest Creature reply'd the Marshal de Boufflers embracing her how shou'd it be possible to be so near so lovely and charming an Object as you are without the greatest emotion of all my Vital Spirits certainly if you don 't soon take pity of me I cannot live much longer Oh Heavens reply'd the Lady keeping him at a little distance how you put me into a fright in this habit of a Dragoon How cou'd it enter your Thoughts thus to
what it is that will content me I don't know reply'd Mrs. Montberg with a blush all over her Cheeks you Cavaliers have a very nice taste and here she stopt which made her Lover press her very earnestly to proceed in her Discourse and to let him know his doom how long he was to live in this languishing Condition before she wou'd let him enjoy those transcendent Delights which he so earnestly long'd for The Lady having for a considerable time in most obliging Terms opposs'd his amourous insinuations was at last constrained to tell him in a languishing tone that as soon as that piece of Work which she shew'd him was compleated she wou'd do what she cou'd do to make him less unfortunate Then make haste my Dearest cry'd the Marshal squeezing her closely between his Arms give me one half of it to finish The young Lady taking him at his word gave him the hinder part of a Cornet of Point la Reine which she had begun to work upon No No answer'd the General smiling and feigning as if he were about to throw it away I must have the fore part there I can work to some purpose Well well Sir reply'd she as pleasantly you shall have it when I have gone on a little further with it then you shall have it to finish Madam reply'd Boufflers I believe I shall do more work there with my Needle in one moment than all your Work-women can in a very considerable space of time I am very expeditions in all my business but especially in the service of the fair Sex Well well Sir since you are such a nimble Work man reply'd the young Lady giving him a Needle and Thread and all the other Implements belonging to the Work take notice that you are to have nothing for your pains before it be quite finish'd and likewise that you are to have no pay till mine be brought to perfection as well as yours Thus having kept the hinder part of the Cornet to work upon herself she gave the fore part to the General according to his desire which he got finish'd in eight days But the Lady who was resolv'd to let him languish for some time longer was so malicious as to unrip at night as formerly Penelope did what she had done by Day so that when our Marshal thought himself almost sure of his pay according to her promise he was as far off as ever O Cruel Destiny O unaccountable Fatality cry'd he one day prostrating himself at her Feet Alass when I think that I am arriv'd at the very Goal of Felicity I find my self at the greatest distance from it He had scarce utter'd these words but a paleness overspreading his Face he fell into a Swoon Mrs. Montberg being startl'd at the suddenness of the thing threw cold Water in his Face which proving frutless she rub'd his Hands and Temples with the Queen of Sweden's Balsam which is accounted most powerful against such Love-Fits But neither was all this efficacious enough to cure him of his Distemper he wanted another sort of Remedy to be apply'd to him which Lovers term in their Language the extreme Unction of Love or the charming Viaticum which makes 'em dye the most pleasant Death that can be Our fair Lady who did not know which way to turn her self having no body to assist her at last resolv'd to unbutton his Coat and Waste-coat and to lay her Hand upon his Stomach which felt somewhat cold and having back'd her tender Caresses with a douzen or more hearty and sweet Kisses these had the wish'd for effect having soon awaken'd our General out of his Love-trance so that now he began to open his Eyes which were half shut before Then you are return'd from the other World cry'd his Mistress looking in his Face if you were sensible how you have frighted me you wou'd have prevented your Swooning thus I did verily believe that you were gone to the Elysian Fields but I now perceive your Hour was not yet come Alass my fair Angel reply'd the Marshal with a very deep sigh I am just ready to expire at your Feet except you take pity of me While he was speaking these last Words he drew out a Knife all Bloody which he had put in his Pocket on purpose feigning that he was about to thrust it into his Heart The Lady having snatch'd the Knife out of his Hands and perceiving it all Bloody was so extremely terrify'd at the sight of it that she actually fell into a Swoon out of which she did not recover till some considerable time after she turn'd as pale as Death not having the least sense left her so that the Marshal who was only in jest had now made work enough for himself in good earnest Having first try'd all possible means to recover her which prov'd ineffectual he was forc'd to call for assistance and while they were coming he did not let slip the opportunity of taking more freedome than her haughty temper wou'd have let him so much as sue for at another time The Lady having been oblig'd to keep her Bed for some time by reason of the weakness it caus'd in her enquir'd after her Gallant who being come she entertain'd him with the most tender Expressions in the World He who had now the Opportunity to rove about his Mistresses Bosom to play with her two lovely plump Bubbies and whiter than the very Snow and to advance even as far as to the little Mount of Venus where Love keeps its Throne did answer to her obliging Expressions in so Passionate a manner that shou'd any one have been an Eye-witness to 'em they wou'd have believ'd him bewitch'd or turn'd Fool and this was as I take it the occasion of a rumour then spread all about Paris that the Marshal de Boufflers after the Battel of Fleurus was so desperately fall'n in Love with a certain young Lady in Brabant that he was quite Distracted 'T is probable that the General in one of his amourous Transports had been the Occasion of having this jest put upon him it being then the common discourse of the Town But to return to our charming young Lady who being now recover'd pretty well from her ilness did receive every day more evident Proofs of the Marshal's Love One Afternoon having been oblig'd to leave her sooner than ordinary because he was to assist at a Council of War he was so distracted in his Mind that when the Duke of Luxemburg ask'd his Advice concerning the business in hand he answer'd him as if he had not been in his right Wits at which the Duke having laugh'd heartily Sir said he sure your Thoughts are so taken up with some Amourous Intreague that it disturbs your Brains By my Faith Sir reply'd the Marshal de Boufflers being much asham'd that they had discover'd his Distraction and taking the Duke by the Hand you speak truth I am in Love with the most amiable Person in the VVorld who has robb'd me
was oblig'd to visit that Winter an Aunt of hers at Brussels who was very desirous to see her Our Lover was so sensibly afflicted at his approaching Separation from a Person whom he lov'd with so much Passion that he fell Sick but being by the care and assiudous Visits of his belov'd Mistress soon restor'd to Health he cou'd not think of parting so soon it being a common Principle among Lovers who Passionately Love one another not to be able to endure a long Separation But alass within a few Weeks after this young Lady who had given such extraordinary Proofs of her Love to our General fell Sick of a violent Feaver of which she dy'd not long after Never did any Man shew so much concern for a Mistress as the Marshal de Boufflers He did not stir from her one moment and tho' her Distemper was not without some infection nevertheless as if he had been chain'd to her Bed-side he was continually giving her what Comfort he cou'd and taking care that she took every thing exactly according to the prescription of two or three Physicians who came to Visit her every day Finding her at last pass'd all hopes of recovery he had so much influence over her that he prevail'd with her so far as to renounce the Protestant Religion and to embrace the Roman Catholick when she was just ready to expire in his Arms recommending her Body to his disposal after Death But the Marshal who was unwilling to take upon himself a charge of that Nature gave orders to the Ghostly Fathers who attended upon her to take care that her Funeral Rites shou'd be decently Solemnis'd as soon as her Friends cou'd be present In the meanwhile not being able to see the Interrment of a Person whom he had so dearly lov'd He set forward on his Journey the very next Morning early The only thing he ask'd for before his departure from a Jacobine Father whom he had entrusted with all her Moveables was a little Picture of her's enamell'd very finely which he did not part with for a long time after Upon his arrival at Paris every one was for putting hard upon the Marshal with respect to his late Gallant Adventures but he not being of a humour to be much disturb'd at a Jest was forc'd to join issue with 'em in their Raillery so that finding him insensible as to that point they quickly grew weary of the Sport He wore for some time a second Mourning Suit very neatly trimm'd in remembrance of his Mistress which purchas'd him the Favour of all the fine Lady 's at Court who were extreme'y well satisfy'd to see him shew so much esteem to the Memory of one of their Sex For a considerable time after if Madam de Maintenon and Madam de Guise did but mention her he wou'd sigh and burst out into Tears like a Child so that 't was not without great perswasions that at last they made him stop the Current of his Tears The Winter pass'd thus without any further disturbance on the Marshal's side his Heart still keeping the impression of his late belov'd Mistress as something precious and not to be rac'd out in so small a space of time For tho' there were several Lady's of Quality in Paris who endeavour'd to make him wear their Chains yet he so vigourously oppos'd their Designs that he gain'd the Victory over those who wou'd willingly have conquer'd him to make him their humble Adorer At the beginning of the next Spring his most Christian Majesty having given Orders to his Generals for the besieging of Mons the Capital City of the Province of Hainault And being to go thither in Person most of the Nobility at Court were to follow him The Marshals and Dukes de Duras de la Feuillade de Luxemburg the Princes de Soubise and de Conti the Dukes de Vendome and de Bourbon the Marquesses de Joyeeuse de Villars and de Boufflers open'd the Campaign before the season the Year was scarce fit for Travelling the most Lady's of note wou'd not stay behind but follow'd the Court. Then it was that the Marshal de Boufflers was enamour'd with the Countess de I hope the Reader will excuse me for not mentioning her name for very weighty Reasons This Lady having shew'd so much assiduity in her Love engagements with the Marshal that sometimes they scarce gave themselves leasure to eat or to drink In the mean time Monsieur de Buofflers whom nothing ever was able to withdraw from his Prince's service was oblig'd to go where Honour call'd him he shunned neither Dangers nor Fatigues to signalise himself upon all occasions where Glory was to be purchas'd at the expence of his Blood It was in one of those Engagements which was fought with a great deal of obstinacy on both sides that he was Wounded with a Musquet-Ball in his Thigh as well as the Duke de Montfort who having secretly given notice of it to the Countess his Cousin she took it so to Heart that it seem'd as if she wou'd not have liv'd one Moment longer But being a little recover'd from her first surprise she was for revenging with Sword in Hand her Gallant 's Quarrel and as she was as dextrous at handling a Pistol and Sword as one of the best Officers she disguis'd her self in the Habit of an Officer to come and visit the Marshal in his Tent She was there three or four Days before he had the least Suspicion of it imagining that it was some young Officer who upon this Occasion was willing to purchase his Favour by his Services One Day our General 's Wound being in pretty good Condition he took a resolution to write two or three Lines to his new Mistress whom he suppos'd to be at her own Lodgings near Mons with the rest of the Lady 's of her Acquaintance When he had writ the Billet doux he cast his Eyes upon that young Officer who had been so ready about him to carry it to this fair Lady While he was writing he cou'd not forbear to look upon him from time to time speaking with himself Can any thing be more like my Countess than this young Gentleman He has the same charming Eyes the same Features and the very same Beautiful Complexion Having made these Reflections to himself he ask'd him whether he knew Madam de Yes reply'd the Countess who was so well disguis'd as not to be known by any one I know her as well as my self and I can assure you in her behalf that she Loves you as well as her own Life This Answer savouring of so much Familiarity somewhat startl'd our General who told him whom he took to be a Man and pray Sir who cou'd tell you this has she made you her Confident She has not told me in so plain Terms as I speak Sir reply'd the Countess but I might easily perceive by the trouble which your wound occasion'd in her Mind that she was as deeply Wounded as
Enemies But no sooner was I laid down but I found my self alone and thinking to take my Spouse in my Arms I found nothing but the Sheets I might call as long as I pleas'd My Dearest where art thou No body would answer me so much as one word Now you must know that my Spouse had a certain Chamber-maid who was her Confident unto whom she had represented the aversion she had to Men adding withal That if she did not find out some way or another to prevent her being overcome by her Husband that night she would take a Resolution against her own Life This Chambermaid was at last mov'd with Compassion by the Tears of her Mistress whom like a young Chicken she saw in the Claws of a Bird of Prey in danger of loosing her most precious Jewel which was her Virginity her Name was Pasquette and being very ingenious at such like Inventions and willing to favour her Mistresses frailties or rather fantastick humour because she lov'd her very tenderly even from her Cradle at last discover'd a private door which she found means to open at pleasure and thro which our new marry'd Lady under favour of the darkness was convey'd out of the Chamber and hid her self in a Hay-loft with a resolution rather to dye than to suffer a Man to touch her Ladies continued the Count I leave it to your own consideration to judge in what a condition I found my self at that time No Enchantment that ever I heard of seem'd to me so surprising as this not knowing in the least that there was a Sally-port behind my Bed because the Chamber was all hung with Tapestry and having taken all the precaution imaginable to look before hand with a Candle in all the corners of the Room I was stark raving mad my Reason having quite left me It can never be so said I except the Devil plays his Pranks here I cry'd out and made a hideous noise like one in Bedlam I call'd her a thousand times by her Name but I might call long enough there was no body that answer'd me After I had made a sufficient Outcry I rose at last out of my Bed imagining that she might perhaps have hid her self underneath it as the Cavalier had done before whom I had hunted from thence The Love and tender Affection which I had for her were motives sufficiently strong to hinder me from taking up my Sword to fetch her out from thence as I had done before to the Cavalier besides I was sensible that I ought to make use of more gentle Arms against a young Virgin Wherefore after a great many vain Reflections which almost distracted my Brains I got under the Bed my self where I crawl'd up and down for a considerable time without being able to find any thing so that now I began tobelieve in good earnest that there must needs be Witchcraft in the case No sooner had the Count spoke these last words but his Spouse and all the rest of the Ladies laugh'd very heartily The Count perceiving how overjoyed they were at the recital of this Adventure which had cost him so much vexation and had almost put him quite besides himself if he had not had courage enough to bear up against that Daemon the Enemy of his Repose could not forbear to give 'em this Lesson Ladies said he you are those familiar Spirits which are sent from the other world on purpose to damn and torment Mankind and to make them dye a lingering Death Whereupon the Ladies laugh'd as if they had been out of their Wits and desired him to proceed in his Story Ladies reply'd Monsieur de Surlaube we are far yet from the end of our Adventures My unhappy Destiny which persecuted me or rather that detestable Daemon that would make me dye the most cruel and violent Death that can be imagined did not stop here He had prepared for me these sufferings which were sufficient to send the most constant and bravest Lover that ever was heard of in any amorous History to his Grave The Marchioness de Brese the Mother of my new married Spouse being at last awaken'd with the noise I made came running all undrest into my Chamber asking me Where her Daughter was I answer'd her all overwhelm'd with Grief That I did not know what was become of her that she had disappear'd like a familiar Spirit without knowing which way she went except she were gone out thro the Chimney because the Windows were very closely shut up This good Lady having understood what I told her was in an incredible Agony about her Daughter verily believing that the same Chavalier who had hid himself under the Bed had stolen her away She was so much troubled at it that she would certainly have run distracted if Pasquette the Chamber-maid had not whisper'd her in the Ear that she knew where she was And where is she then said the Marchioness taking the Candle up her self Let us look in all corners Pasquette having told her Mother that she believed she had hid herself in the Hay-loft we all went thither in Procession where we found her lying amidst the Hay without any Cloaths but her Wedding Shift I leave it to your selves Ladies said the Count to guess how much surpriz'd I was to see her peepout of the Hay like a Mouse out of a Nest of her own making where she intended to have spent that whole night The Marchioness her Mother taking her by the hand drew her away by force she being very unwilling to to stir from thence and having first given her a good Reprimand she re-conducted her into my Chamber Being once more gone to bed I spent great part of the night in endeavouring to perswade her out of this savage and barbarous Humour but after I had endur'd the utmost fatigues I found my self where I was before Her Innocence and Youth which were the cause of her crime were all my Comfort in hopes that time would work out that which was impossible for my Love and Passion to effect I might represent to her what I thought fit concerning the sacred Tye of Matrimony which had join'd us together and that for the future we were to be but one Flesh according to the true Principles of Christianity That this was the most sacred and inviolable Knot of matrimonial and civil Society and the only one in which consisted all the Pleasure and Tranquillity that we Mortals are capable of enjoying upon Earth I did not forget to produce a thousand Examples of young Virgins who having been married at the same age had before the years end brought forth the fruits of their tender Love in having honour'd their Husbands with Children which were look'd upon as the Pledges of Conjugal Love and as certain Blessings from Heaven All these Reflections were in vain and made no more impression upon her Mind than if she had heard a Fanatick or Mountebank making an Harangue Come come Count said Monsieur de
black and as soon as Father la Chaise was entered all the Candles were put out at once so that all upon a sudden he was left quite in the dark and conducted up to the other end of the Room where a Chair was set for him under a Canopy upon a piece of Tapestry spread upon the floor When he was set down he could hear the voice of a Lady bewailing her self and imploring the mercy of a Person who as he understood was about to put her to death for her unfaithfulness Come come Madam said the Nobleman your Father Confessor is ready you have but a few moments to live which you may bestow in settling your Conscience The time draws near for me to revenge my self in puting an end to your Life I pray God to forgive you your sin Immediately after the Lady was conducted out of an Appartment hard by under favour of the darkness directly to the place where our Father expected her coming Father la Chaise by her Confession was inform'd of the crime which was the occasion of her death but she did not say one word either concerning her own Name or his who intended to put her to death and whatever pains he took he could not bring out one word from her as to that matter till at last the Lady perceiving the curiosity of her Confessor told him that she was afraid lest his Curiosity might prove fatal to him and that therefore she advis'd him not to dive any farther into the matter or to oblige her to commit an indiscreet Act because if her Lover should get the least notice of it he would certainly be the death of him and would perhaps provide for him the same entertainment which she was about to receive There needed nothing else to silence our Father for in an instant he lost the use of his Tongue not speaking so much as one word more but employ'd the rest of his time in hearkening to this disconsolate Lady whilst she made a particular confession of all her sins which having ask'd pardon of Almighty God she received Absolution from the Mouth of her Confessor It is to be observed that during the whole time as well as before that the Lady was with him they were without light so that he had not the least opportunity to know her But to come to an end of this Tragical History no sooner had the Father Confessor pronounc'd these words Absolvo te or I absolve you but a certain Gentleman-Usher came to re-conduct this unknown Lady into a Room next by where a Bath was prepar'd for her After she had been undress'd by her waiting Gentlewomen she enter'd the Bath and being set upon a Chair the Veins in her Arms and Feet were open'd till all-her Vital Spirits having left her with the Blood she dy'd in the same manner as Seneca did heretofore this being look'd upon as one of the most gentle kinds of death Father la Chaise was re-conducted to the same Coach which had brought him thither attended by the same Coach-man and Foot-men who carry'd him back to the Convent but by a quite different way than what they had pass'd thro before having made so many turnings and windings that 't was impossible for the good Father to remember them who besides this was very glad to see himself return safe and sound and to have paid no dearer for his Journey As soon as they were come again to the Gate of the Monastery one of the Foot-men open'd the Coach-door and rung the Bell to awaken the Porter Father la Chaise coming out of the Coach had no sooner set his Feet to the ground but away drove the Coach-man whip and slash immediately out of sight not staying to see whether the Gate were open'd or not As soon as the Porter had let Father la Chaise in he went up directly to the Chamber of the Rector and the Praefect O my good Fathers said he I never heard of any description of Hell more terrible than what I have seen since I left you Every thing about me was black and frightful the most dismal Funeral pomp that ever was beheld Then Father la Chaise gave 'em an exact account of all that had pass'd without being able to tell 'em one word which might contribute any thing towards the discovery of the Noble Man's Name or of that of the Lady who had received Absolution from him The good Fathers were extremely surpriz'd at the strangeness of the Matter of Fact which appear'd to 'em so terrible and so Tragical that the like had not been known in Paris in the Memory of Man And what I have told you added Madam de Maintenon is true even beyond contradiction Father la Chaise being the Man who was concern'd in that Affair no longer than some few weeks ago from whose own Mouth I have received it with all these circumstances which I have related to you Madam answered Monsieur de Surlaube Love is a strange capricious Passion it is the cause of great Evils in this World the fewest of which come to our Knowledge the rest being bury'd in Eternal Oblivion If Men are once possess'd with jealousie it makes 'em furious and incapable of Compassion towards their Mistresses the least slip they make is sufficient to raise in 'em a suspicion of Unfaithfulness which is enough for 'em to render their Mistresses Criminal in their sight I cannot deny it Sir reply'd Madam de Maintenon but Methinks this Crime ought not to be look'd upon as so enormous as not to be expiated without death A Gentleman of Honour ought to take Compassion of the frailty of the Fair Sex And if they will needs make it a rule to be inexorable upon that account towards their Mistresses why should not they with justice pretend to the same right to inflict such rigorous Punishments upon their Lovers when they prove treacherous We are pretty well acquairted with the Qualities of your Sex added the Marchioness if Women are sometimes unfaithful you I am sure a thousand times more the least thing in the world makes you changeable How many do you think there are of your Men of Fortune in the World whom Baron has so lively represented in his Comedys I believe there are very few among you all but what may find their true Character there and turn it which side you will you do us the greatest Injustice in the World thus to exercise your Tyranny in exacting a blind Obedience from our Sex and to deprive us of that small share of Liberty which is allowed us If you Gentlemen were all to be put to death as this poor Lady was of whom you have heard this Tragical Relation as often as you prove perjur'd and unfaithful to those several Ladies unto whom you have sworn one after another an inviolable Love confirm'd by most sacred Oaths the common Language of Lovers I believe verily there would scarce be any one living but that deserv'd to undergo the like