to respect both In a Word she would have made a fine Character in a Novel My Brother who had a great Affection for me kept nothing of all this from my Knowledge and I was informed by him how he had disobliged her My Head being full of Romances I admired his Mistress's Humor and blam'd my Brother for having marry'd against her Will nay I found my self inclin'd to affect so Romantick a Person and would gladly have been in her Favour But the Count my Brother had prevented me having already engaged her I do not know whether she lov'd him or whether it was to spite my eldest Brother that she seemed to admit of his Addresses but I perceiv'd they were pretty familiar when I design'd to make my Applications to her My Brother being a Brute who kept no Measures with any one I thought fit to put off my Courtship to another Time All I did was to tell my eldest Brother of it who foreseeing what might follow and having yet some Respect for the Lady seriously advised my Brother to desist He presently acquainted his Mistress with it who thinking my eldest Brother had done it out of Jealousie and resolving to provoke him as far as she could propos'd his running away with her Which suiting with his Temper he readily embrac'd for he was vain and rash enough to have attempted the stealing of a Princess They put all things in readiness to effect their Purpose but a Person whom the Lady entrusted with it and who dreaded the Event acquainted her Father with it who sent her immediately into a Nunnery forbiding my Brother ever to come near her The Fool sent him a Challenge which the other slighting obtain'd an express Order for his Imprisonment and he remain'd Two Years in the Bastile wherein the Lady's Father caused him to be confin'd We were not sorry for our being rid of him seeing he was always full of Incumbrances which occasioned no small Trouble to us besides I had still a Secret Inclination for the Young Lady and all she had done on that Score did but inhance my Desires I was heartily vexed that she should not have pitch'd upon me sooner than on that giddy Cockscomb My Vanity was offended at it and I wished for an Opportunity of gaining her heart so unaccountable are the means wherby the several Passions creep into our Breast for to speak the Truth the Motive of my Love should rather have been a Reason for my Contempt My Thoughts ran wholly upon that beautiful Person and I long'd to see her in the Convent where she was For which end I represented to my Brother That what she had done being but through a fit of Anger he ought not to desert her this I did so effectually that he resolved to make her a Visit and carry'd me with him He would not appear in it at first but sent me to her in a Footman's Disguise as tho' I had come from her Father She came to me and having known me expressed no little Joy and I forgetting that my Errand was but to give her Notice of my Brother's coming I mention'd not a Word of him but spoke only of my self I upbraided her with her Intriegue with my Brother the Count as an Injustice she had done me who was her most passionate Adorer This Declaration was answered in a very obliging manner for she desir'd me to write to her daily and see her often and assured me she would be wholly at my Devotion Our Conversation lasted so long that my Brother growing impatient came in to see what staid me there all that while and desired me to withdraw I was not over-well satisfied at it but fearing to disoblige him I went out and stood close to the Door list'ning to their Discourse I heard that after the shedding of several Tears she said She was unhappy in having settled her Love on that Brother of the three who had the least Affection for her and thereupon she gave him an account of all I had said to her I could scarce forbear interrupting her in her Treachery however I did not but heard my Brother admonish her not to hearken to young Men who only sought her Ruine but by a sober and modest behaviour to regain her Father's Good Will and then to think of a Husband that might deserve her as for him he would remain her sure and constant Friend She answer'd these wholesome Admonitions by a fresh Shower of Tears and new Reproaches swearing his Inconstancy should not be unpunish'd but that her self would revenge it by his Blood My Brother having endeavour'd in vain to appease her left her and we came back He told me by the way That he was happy not to have marry'd her and that she was of a dangerous violent Temper and one who would not stick at any thing to compass her Ends an Instance of which was That she had pretended to him that I had courted her I cry'd out Oh the Iilt I had not Power to say any more but the Tears came in my Eyes My Brother fell a laughing and by the Exhortations he made me To be very wary in my Addresses and take Care what Women I had to deal withal made me suspect he did believe her I was vexed to the Heart at what had happen'd and charm'd at the same Time with my Brother's Goodness and Moderation who did not express any Dissatisfaction with me but only advised me for my own sake not to concern my self with her I follow'd his Counsel tho' something unwillingly and I think I should have went on my own way had not two things happen'd one that she marry'd a Person of Quality in the Country and the other that my Brother being order'd away to the Army I was oblig'd to accompany him thither We went into Champaigne which was that Year become the Seat of the War and my Brother's Regiment with some other Troops of Reserves were order'd to stay under the Walls of Charleville My Brother who had been made a Brigadier General follow'd the Duke d'Anguin leaving me to look after his Regiment during the Battle at Rocroy I was not a little troubled that I could not be there and tho' I had that Year obtain'd a Company in my Brother's Regiment and that all the Officers paid me a great Respect yet I should have been inconsolable had I not met with a handsom Maid who employ'd my Thoughts another way She was Daughter to a Citizen of that Town but besides her Beauty her Carriage raised her above her Birth and both together kindled a Passion in me which she answer'd with an equal Flame She was going to marry a young Man of that Town when I first grew acquainted with her but her Aversion to a Citizen's Life was so great that she owned She had rather be my Mistress all her Life than to be marry'd to that Man For said she I cannot pretend that you should marry me I weigh too well the Difference
Surprize to me to see this Fit on her for she had hitherto seem'd very well contented on that account so I ask'd her What new Accident had happened she told me She had no fresh Reason to hate her but that upon several Considerations she had concluded it was a Shame to her to have but a Share in the King's Favor Tho this Scruple came me thoughts a little too late I would not let slip so fair an Opportunity of persuading her not to settle her Affection on a Prince who was so general a Lover since she was rich enough not to need his Assistance She did not relish this Doctrin but told me That on the contrary she would use her utmost Endeavours to drive her from a Post she could suffer no Body in but her self and to grow the sole Possessor of his Heart upon which I represented to her that it was impossible seeing he was of so fickle a Temper that he each Day added a new Mistress to the many old ones he had already But was answer'd That she would not desist and that I must help her in it too I was willing to know how I could assist her in her Design She told me I must court her Rival that she would make the King take notice of it who would doubtless grow jealous and that her Plot was so contriv'd that her Antagonist must bear alone the Weight of the King's Anger and I should receive no Damage I did not like her Proposal and answer'd I durst not venture upon it to which she reply'd angrily That if I did not she would acquaint the King with my Love to her self and undo me that way I was extreamly perplexed not knowing which to do but at last I chose to comply with her thinking that would be the safest because it required more Time during which her Mind might alter whereas by denyal I expos'd my self to suddain Ruin So I told her I was ready to obey if she would but put me in the Way She answered That was not Difficult and she would bring me acquainted with her Enemy who often visited her She was as good as her Word and the Project was executed as she had laid it only I did not pretend Courtship to her Rival but fell in Love with her in good earnest Here the Reader will give me leave to call Eleonor who was a young Maid between Eighteen and Twenty she could not boast of her Quality having been brought to Court during the Rebellion in Catalonia by a Lady whose Husband being Governour of that Province had been murther'd by the Rebels But what she wanted that way was recompens'd by an incomparable Beauty the best Nature in the World and the strictest Vertue which had won the King's Esteem who had a real Passion for no other but her he only knew her to be chaste for every Body else thought nothing could be refus'd a Monarch Being the most beautiful of the King's Mistresses she was therefore the chief Object of the Neapolitan Lady's Jealousie and one Day as she reproach'd the King with his Kindness for Eleonor he confess'd to her That he never could obtain the least Favour from her and that he began to be tir'd with Fruitless Endeavours This it was that put her so out of Humor and fearing her Modesty might gain her his Respect she resolv'd to ruin her by making him believe she was chaste only to him For that is the Way of such Women to cry down and hate those whose Vertues make their Vices more conspicuous I was charm'd with her Beauty at the first Sight and being weary of my Mistresses insupportable Humors my Heart readily embrac'd a Change I declar'd my Love to Eleonor who answer'd That if I were sincere she would return it Then we appointed a Meeting in the same Place the next day when the Neopolitan Lady whose Interest it was to promote our Amour made some Excuse and withdrew Eleonor seeing we were alone unbosom'd her self to me and having protested that she never had granted the King any Favour Modesty would not allow assur'd me she would behave her self in the same manner to any Man who should court her unless it were with a Design to marry These Principles increas'd my Passion and I answer'd That I could wish my self worthy that Honour but must own to her my Estate in France was but small and what I had in Poland belong'd to my Children so that my being her Husband would prove her Ruin She reply'd Riches was not what she desir'd and that she could be content with Necessaries I told her She must have more aspiring Thoughts and that all I could do for her Service was to advise her to match her self to Advantage She said It was only with that Design she had entertain'd the King's Addresses tho' she knew her Reputation suffer'd by it but being Friendless and being not conscious of any Guilt she had committed she hop'd Heaven would forgive and not forsake her This made me call my Carmelite to mind and I found their Sentiments so conformable that I wept at the sad Remembrance of that unfortunate Amour Eleonor was surpriz'd at it and having ask'd the Reason I told her It was a consequence of Esteem I had for her and the Trouble I was in to see my self uncapable of possessing so Generous and Vertuous a Wife This Reply pleas'd her and she told me That since I was willing to counsel her she would accept my Offer provided I would advise her how she should obtain of the King of Spain that he would make her rich enough to espouse me without being a Charge to me For said she I must confess I fancy you more than any Man I know I have a great Desire to live in France and wish for no greater Satisfaction than to spend my Life there with you I answer'd I saw little likelihood of our being marry'd which I repeated so often that she was offended at it Do not think said she my being so willing to have you proceeds from a want of Lovers I might find enough who would not deny me and one among the rest whose Quality would dazle the Eyes of any one but my self Then she inform'd me That the eldest Son to the Duke de laid close Siege to her and had she consented would have stole her but that she had still refus'd it By the concern I was in at hearing this I found I had but too great an Inclination for her yet I was Master of my self to that degree as to tell her That such an Offer was not to be slighted and that I would use my Endeavours to promote the Match There I think this Visit and Conversation ended and the Neapolitan Lady having ask'd me How Matters went I reply'd there was nothing to be done with her This increas'd her Rage and confirmed her in the Resolution she had taken to undo her to which end she went and told the King That Maid who was so
to rid them of all Care of me better than any other I pretended then a great unconcernedness for worldly Affairs and made all things ready to enter the Seminary and to apply my self to Divinity When this Resolution of mine was given out the Duchess's Niece to whom I had not spoke a Word of it was amazed and much concerned She told me I was mad and that she should never have expected this from me For added she I must confess I have lov'd you ever since I saw you If I did not presently let you know my Mind it was because I was desirous to know you first however I look'd upon you as the only Man I could fancy and was in Hopes of being your Wife one Day or other Ah Madam I replyed why did you not speak sooner For what will People say of me to see me alter my Resolution after the Preparations I have made However it shall be as you please and I assure you I will let it alone if you will have me She told me I must by no means be a Clergyman and that if I was it would be a sensible Affliction to her on which I assured her I would not and the next Day I told the Duchess I could not find in my Heart to embrace an Ecclesiastical Life I see said she you have been with my Niece I know she loves you and gives way to the idle Fancies her Passion supplies her with but she is very wide of her Mark She is a Fool I am weary of and I 'le tell you that we intend to marry her within these Two Days Thereupon she told me the Duke her Husband and she had taken secret Measures to marry her to a Man of Fortune who sought for some Support by that Alliance Indeed at this News I found I was really in Love I was possessed with a deep Sorrow to hear they were going to marry a young Lady I had a Kindness for and that to a Man who deserved her no other way than by his Estate I told the Duchess I was ready to do what she would and would enter into the Seminary the very next Day but that it was an unconscionable thing to marry her Niece in that manner Do what I desire you answered she and you shall have no Reason to complain I gave the Niece an account of the Discourse we had had and told her That her Aunt was jealous of the Kindness I had for her and would marry her if I did not put on a Gown How was I amazed when upon the News that she was to be married she cried out as transported with Joy Lord is it possible Yes said I. But hear to whom 't is to such a one What to him said she in a redoubled extasie Oh! I know him he is an extraordinary Rich Man and I cannot be better matched Then I am turned off said I in a serious manner You said she Do People use to marry Clergymen This was no sooner said but she ran and called one of her Women and embracing her Ah! my Dear said she do you know I am going to be married I remain'd motionless so great was my Amazement at so unexpected a Change and I had almost determined my self to become not only an Abbot but even an Hermit seeing Women were guilty of so much Inconstancy She took little heed of the Pain I was in and I went out with a firm Resolution to do what the Duchess expected of me I remained at Paris while my Brother went into Piedmont where his Regiment still made a part of the Count of Harcourt's Army and I put on the narrow Band. What I obtained from my Duchess was that instead of shutting my self up into a Seminary I should board my self out somewhere near the Sorbonne and study Divinity there The first Day that I drest my self as an Abbot I came to see her and she instructed me how I should behave my self in that Habit How I must look demure and take a modest Phiz and an honest Countenance Indeed it was a great Proof I gave her of my Affection for besides the natural Aversion I have already said I had for that kind of Life I was an Enemy to all Affectation But my Ambition was so flatter'd with my being belov'd by that Woman that tho' I had not then for her all the Kindness I have since had yet I thought I must yield a blindfold Obedience to all her Commands She was extreamly taken with me when she saw me an Abbot and took all possible care to spread a Report That I was grown a Saint and that an extraordinary Devotion had induced me to become a Clergyman Indeed tho it was with great Dissatisfaction that I played a Part so contrary to my Inclination yet I was wonderfully pleased that a Lady of such Quality and of an ununspotted Reputation should have so favourable Thoughts of me as she seemed to express The Duke tho' elder than her self entertained no Suspicion of her Conduct and she deserved that Trust from him by Two or Three convincing Proofs she had given him of her Affection which I shall mention to shew what a Woman is capable of A Person of the first Quality and extraordinary well accomplished had courted her with the most endearing Tokens of a sincere Love and that in a more respectful and submissive manner than those of his Rank are used to do The Lady had at first answered his Passion but perceiving it gave her Husband some Jealousie she told her Lover That she must admit no longer of his Addresses This almost distracted him and he fell sick upon it The only Comfort he had was that of Writing to her and I never saw any thing more soft than his Letters but she shewed them all to her Husband who himself composed her Answers which it may be thought were not over obliging since he was the Author of them I admired how it was possible she could be so cruel to him who was so obliging to her and this made me secretly despise her Certainly said I once to her you must hate that Man unmercifully to use him in this barbarous manner Hate him reply'd she not at all I rather love him and should I follow my Inclination I would take pity of him But I love my own Quiet better and in the present Posture of my Affairs I must not give my Husband the least Ground to mistrust me As young as I was I could infer from thence That I must expect the same Fate if her Husband came to suspect me However I kept my Thoughts to my self and seemed to applaud what my Heart could not but disapprove This Lover of hers knowing that my Visits were freely admitted of had found the Means to be acquainted with me that he might have the Pleasure to discourse of her and I could scarce forbear undeceiving him when I saw him persuaded that his Mistress's Disdain proceeded from an excessive Vertue At last I
Brother whisper'd in my Ear He knew the Person had lent them and what the Hire of them came to This made me think he was his Sister 's Confident at which I blushed and made no Reply As I was returning home from the Mask I was attack'd by Six armed Men who having driven off my Companions in spight of all the Resistance I could make disarm'd and robb'd me This Accident gave me no little Trouble but my Comfort was that I had yet a Bill of Exchange for Twelve thousand Crowns which I thought would procure the same number of fine Jewels When the Man who had brought them me came for them again I inform'd him of my Misfortune and offer'd the Bill of Exchange in lieu thereof but he refus'd it by Signs which made me believe he was dumb and the next Day came to me very early with this following Note BE not concern'd at the Loss of the Iewels When I lent them I willingly expos'd my self to all the Inconveniences that might follow the Blame lies wholly on me therefore it is my part to pay for them I wish I might by more considerable Losses convince you your Heart is the only Riches I covet Do not dispose of it till you may judge whether I deserve it or no. Whether she deserves it cry'd I Can there be a Woman more deserving Thus charm'd with her Generosity I abandon'd my self to the Transports I was in at my seeming good Fortune I earnestly intreated the Dumb Messenger to carry her the Bill of Exchange or at least an Answer to her obliging Billet but he would do neither and so left me The next Day her Brother told me She had hir'd them of a Jeweller whom he dealt with informing me withal That his Sister had reveal'd to him the great Passion she had for me wherein he serv'd her willingly because she had laid the like Obligation upon him in an Amour he had with a young Lady of her Acquaintance and he also assur'd me That it should be my Fault if I was not as happy in his Sister as he in his Mistress The Reader will no doubt be astonish'd to understand That all this was only an Artifice to chouse me of my Mony yet so it was for this Brother of hers had caused me to be robb'd and had the Jewels in his Possession The Rascal made me believe That his Sister's Generosity had brought her into a great Trouble for she knew not how to pay for them and that if she still refused to accept my Bill of Exchange the whole business might break out and come to her Father's Knowledge to prevent which he offer'd to carry me to the Merchants who had lent them I was overjoy'd at this Opportunity of shewing my Gratitude in saving her Honour and paid the Jeweller Eight thousand Crowns with more pleasure than I ever discharg'd any other Debt This Man who was Confederate with my pretended Friend receiv'd some small part of the Purchase and the Brother and Sister shar'd the rest between them I suspected not the Cheat but still flatter'd with the vain Thought of being belov'd by a Person whom I was so charm'd with I consider'd not the Loss of my Money which was at it's last ebb and my only Desire was that of seeing the beautiful Unknown I often sollicited the Brother That he would procure me the so much long'd for Interview which he as often promised me but still found an Excuse for his Delay I only sometimes receiv'd a Letter from the fair Deceiver which was no more deliver'd by the dumb Man but by himself and he also undertook to be the Bearer of my Answers Our Billets were all very passionate and the continual Theme was deploring our hard Fate which kept us thus asunder This continu'd till about the middle of February when I receiv'd Letters from my Brother who much blam'd me for staying so long at Venice saying I endanger'd my losing the Employment he had procur'd me in the Prince's Army which was to take the Field and besiege Ypres in March I little regarded my Brother's kind Admonitions nor the Injury I did my self in tarrying there any longer but full of Longings to see my Mistress I sent him Word I was Sick and that as soon as my Health should permit I would ride Post for France But he being better inform'd of my Condition than I imagin'd renewed his Instances for my return which I was so mad as to refuse for I would sooner have parted with my Life than left Venice till I had at least seen the Lady His Letters had this only effect That I was more urgent with her Brother not to keep me in Pain any longer and at last seeing I threat'ned to be gone if he did not give me that Satisfaction he promised to comply with my Request I was order'd to put on a Spanish Habit and to take with me as many Jewels and as much Mony as I could his Sister having pretended to the Person at whose House we were to meet that her Lover was a rich Spanish Lord. I made no Reflexions upon the Matter but yielded a blind Obedience to his Directions and being accoutred as a Castillan not forgetting the Mony and Jewels I was introduced into the Loâ—dgings of a most notorious Curtezan Indeed I was somewhat scandaliz'd at my being carry'd to such a Place for I both knew the House and her who kept it yet my Impatience to see my Mistress soon stifled that Scruple At my first Entrance I was lock'd up in a Room into which after some Minutes waiting the Object of my Wishes was admitted She did not seem to me so handsom as her flattering Picture represented her tho' it was so like that I had not the least reason to think my self imposed on This Disappointment something cool'd my Passion when the Lady who observ'd it used such Means to reflame me as made me imagine this was not the first Rendezvous she had had This gave me a Disturbance which I could not conceal and being unwilling to discover the true Occasion I pretended it was at her coming into such a House She told me She should not have expected such a Reprimand from me however she seem'd not to take it ill at first but seeing I continued preaching to her she left me saying The next Time I met her I might make an end of my Sermon Then I fully experienced the Weakness of my Heart For tho' I had all the Reason in the World to be convinc'd of her Dishonesty yet she was no sooner retir'd but I longed more than ever to see her again All my Scruples vanish'd and I heartily repented the ill use I had made of that Opportunity Her Brother thereupon coming in with an Angry Look drew his Sword telling me I was a Base Man that my Sister had complained to him of my rude Treatment and that he would have Satisfaction Said I Can I affront your Sister For Heaven's sake dear
but the Servants soon acquainted us That her kindness for him went farther yet and that something had pass'd between them which they knew not how to interpret to her Advantage His Father was inform'd of it also and his Displeasure was so great that forcing his Son from her he sent him to S. Lazarus But to compleat his Vexation and ours my Mother shew'd him a Contract and the Certificate of a Marriage made above a Month before So what the Father had courted during Fifteen or Sixteen Years with the most engaging Complacencies and endearing Tokens of Love his Son tho yet a School-Boy obtain'd in less than Three Months Time This Business which became at once the publick Discourse and Jest of the Town gave us no little Mortication His Father would have had us prosecute in order to annul the Marriage and produc'd a former Engagement from her to himself but we being indifferent as to the Person since she was resolv'd to have a Husband thought it not worth our while to meddle with it and left him to manage the Affair alone which prov'd his Ruin For after losing several Law-Suits and his Reputation into the Bargain his Trouble was so great that he sicken'd upon it and dyed having first disinherited his Son whom my Mother took out of the unpleasant Lodging he was in having prov'd her Marriage good But People never would be so complaisant as to call her by her New Husband's Name I thought all these Experiments had wholly withdrawn me from that perfidious Sex But even those induc'd me to seek for new Amours I had an earnest Desire to discover a Discreet Virtuous Woman and it may well be imagin'd that it was impossible for my Heart to remain free when I thought I had found her I often visited my poor Carmelite I cannot say I saw her for she was very exact in observing the Rules of her Order one of which is not to unveil themselves but I spoke with her and her Friendship made her concern'd in all my Adventures especially in my last I mean what happen'd to me in the Battle at Lens I was beholding to her good Counsels for my avoiding the Snares which the Coquets at Court laid to entrap me Women are not taken with any thing so much as with the Reputation of a War-like and Gallant Man and I had the Name of being both But I contented my self with bare Conversation without any particular Engagement laughing at those Friends who were caught in the Mouse-trap sharing in their Pleasures and Debauches and turning all to my own Diversion Thus I liv'd when my dear Carmelite told me That since I had wholly forsaken Poland I must think of getting a Wife in France and that she would help me to one whom she nam'd adding The Lady was an intimate Friend of hers and to her Knowledge had a good Opinion of me I had seen her and lik'd her well but the flattering Thoughts that she was charm'd with me gave her Accomplishments such a Lustre that I fell desperately in Love from that very Minute I ask'd my Nun Whether she could swear that so well-deserving a Lady were not given to Coquetry Oh! reply'd she She is a Model of Modesty and Virtue and the only Fault that can be found with her is That she runs into an Excess of Preciseness I desir'd her to bring us acquainted immediately and accordingly we appointed a Day when we should meet in the Parlor as by chance I was punctual so was she and after a Conversation on indifferent Matters I waited on the Lady home We were no sooner arrived there but she said in a very free and open manner Sir I will not detain you with Expectation my Design being once more to marry I look for a Man that may make me happy and the good Character I have heard of you gives me Hopes you will procure me that Felicity I answer'd her with the most convincing Expressions of Love and Gratitude I could invent Then she gave me a List of my Rivals who were all Men of Quality and Merit and concluded with an Assurance that I should ever have the Preference This engag'd me more than I ever had been in my whole Life-time insomuch that transported with the Prospect of possessing a Lady of so high a Rank and Fortune I wholly abandon'd my self to the deepest Passion and was not one Day without visiting her Some Disputes which arose about her Estate were the usual Themes of her Discourse and I saw she design'd me the Office of Solliciter before that of a Husband Tho' I had an Aversion to Business yet for her sake I gladly undertook to manage those Concerns and the earnestness wherewith I apply'd my self to it soon made me a good Lawyer Her entrusting me in all her Affairs and our being constantly together occasion'd a Report that we were already marry'd This I acquainted her with hoping it might oblige her to hasten the Consummation of my Happiness but she on the contrary reply'd That since my frequent Visits were so much taken notice of I must not see her so often That her Circumstances would not permit her to marry so soon but by waiting her Leisure I should give her an undeniable Proof of my Affection I was mad at this Delay yet to shew how much I lov'd I told her That tho' it was a great piece of Self-Denyal I would submit to her Directions She seem'd overjoy'd to find me so tractable and having settled our Meetings at thrice a Week I never miss'd one and in the Intervals ply'd her with Billets Deux Her Answers were very obliging giving fresh Proofs of her Affection and renew'd Assurances she would marry none but me In the mean while the Campaign drew near and consequently the Time approach'd when I must leave my Mistress She vow'd to me that she would espouse me at my Return and indeed I had not during my Absence any reason to doubt of her Sincerity her Letters which I never fail'd of every Post being an evident Argument of it We did little Execution that Summer the Enemy retook Ipres and we ballanc'd our Fortune by taking Conde Winter approaching I return'd to Paris where I found my Mistress in the same Sentiments I had left her My Duty often call'd me to S. Germains where the Court was then One Day being oblig'd to attend his Majesty at his Couchee I waited first on that Lady Having paid my Devoirs to her I was going when calling me back from the Stair-Head Heark ye said she What do you with all the Letters you receive from me Would you oblige me so far as to return them me I assur'd her That I kept them with all imaginable Care as a Treasure I valued more than all the World besides However continued she Let me have them again for my own Satisfaction pray send them me before you go for S. Germains I very unwilling comply'd but fearing to disoblige her I obey'd Two Days
after my arrival at S. Germains it was said in the Queen's Presence That a Prince of the Blood was going to marry and that the Match was wholly concluded My Curiosity led me to enquire who the Lady was and heard with no little Surprize that it was my intended Spouse My Astonishment was yet greater when they would have perswaded me That I had been the Promoter of it I confess there was some seeming Ground the Prince being my intimate Friend and every one imagining the Lady never did any thing without consulting me I could not be persuaded at first of the reality of the Report but calling to mind the Assiduity wherewith the Prince had lately visited her and how earnestly she had demanded a Return of her Letters I began to believe it too true That Prince was then at S. Germains and I thought the only way to know the Truth was to wait on him without taking any Notice of what I had heard I did so and he no sooner saw me but he came and embrac'd me saying There is the dear Friend to whom I owe my Happiness since my Mistress yields only upon his Recommendations My Blood boyl'd at these Words and I whisper'd him softly That his Marriage was not so sure but he might meet with Opposition I told him a Person waited for him in a Garden without the Pallace who had something of Moment to impart whither I intreated him to walk immediately He wondred at the manner of my Delivery for the Fury I was in had strangely alter'd my Countenance However he had the Complaisance to go with me still asking me What was the Matter and what had happen'd I reply'd not a Word till we were at the Place then I ask'd him very seriously If he was really to marry the Lady he spoke of Why do you ask such a Question said he since you know it as well as my self I assur'd him he was mightily mistaken for she was engag'd to me The Prince look'd on me with a Smile and seeing I still maintain'd my Gravity Are you mad my poor Count said he How long have you lost your Wits Did not you make the Match I am sure the Lady told me so I am your real Friend and the Devil take me if I ever thought of her while I imagin'd you pretended to her But prithee What Tyes are between you I answer'd They are such that it is but Three Days since she swore solemnly She would marry none but me and I have brought you hither to dispute my Right Not so continued he I 'le yield her if what you say be true Then I propos'd to adjourn the Controversie till she could decide it I had not Patience till my Time of Waiting was over but pretending some Business ask'd Leave to return to Paris which was granted me At my Arrival I presently ran to the Carmelites to acquaint my Nun with what had happen'd at S. Germains but she had Notice of it already the Lady having wrote to her the Day before telling her That my frequent Visits had rais'd a Scandal reflecting upon her Honour which she would not confirm by marrying me therefore she had entertain'd the Prince's Proposals Her Letter was much to this Purpose but her Arguments were not satisfactory since it but too plainly appear'd That Inconstancy and Interest were the only Motives of her Change My Carmelite advis'd me finding her of so fickle a Temper not to pursue my Claim assuring me such Qualifications would be worse in a Wife than a Mistress but I would not hearken to her Reasons and was resolv'd not to be bafl'd From the Nunnery I went to the Lady's and taking no notice of what had pass'd I ask'd her When she would compleat our Marriage She ask'd me If I had heard any thing at S. Germains And having answer'd No Then continued she your Friend at the Carmelites will acquaint you with what I dare not tell you my self Seeing then that there was no more dissembling I confess'd to her That I had understood she was to be marry'd to the Prince de Well said she and why do you deny it I hate a Liar and for that very reason would discard you I was inrag'd at this Reply especially to see her do it with such Assurance and Indifferency Proteus never put on his various Shapes more suddenly than I did mine for I Swore Threat'ned Cry'd and Pray'd all in a Breath and all to no purpose So I left her protesting I would use my utmost Industry to confirm the ill Reports which had been spread of her on my account It was indeed my first Resolution by that means to ruin her in the Prince's Esteem but since after all it would have been a base Slander for our Conversation had been very innocent I only gave him a Relation of all the Promises she had made Whether the Prince dislik'd her for her Inconstancy or suspected her Vertue he assur'd me That he would never think of her any more and in performance of his Word did presently disingage himself The Lady finding I forbore my visits also three Days after sent for me and having upbraided me with what she suppos'd I had given out against her Honour to occasion the breaking off of the Princes Match She in the conclusion told me She was now reduc'd to a Necessity of Marrying of me which she would perform as soon as I pleas'd I never had so little inclination to it as when I saw the thing so near being finish'd for her Coquetry had something abated my Esteem however the real Opinion I had of her Chastity made me consent for at least I concluded I should be sure of a good Fortune and a virtuous Wife Yet I was not so well resolv'd but my Heart fail'd me and that made me yield to a Delay for a Fortnight or Three Weeks upon the Lady's Request she having pretended some Indisposition Tho I saw no Simptoms of any I told her she might take her own Time and look'd upon my Wedding as a thing so certain that I really made Preparation for it Going to see her one Night I was told she was in Bed on which I offer'd to retire when her Woman proffer'd to conceal me in a Closet next to her Lady's Chamber where I should discover strange things yet necessary for me to know I enquir'd what it was She answer'd me Her Lady was with Child and actually then in Labor I was astonish'd and she seem'd in as great a Disorder but added If I would go with her she would convince me of the Truth This was of too great a concern to be neglected I went with her and in a short Time I heard the Lady's Groans All the Servants were sent out of the Way only the Midwife and that Woman remain'd at Home Heavens How great was my surprize beyond what can be describ'd I slipt into her Bed-Chamber privately hiding my self behind the Hangings where I beheld all that pass'd My Rage
Tho' I had highly disoblig'd the Queen yet she made a great Distinction between my Brother and me and if she seem'd not to desire me Stay in Poland it was because she did not think I could be serviceable to her there being out of Favour with the King So when I had settled my Affairs I resolv'd to be gone and first endeavour'd to persuade my Brother and his Friend to a more decent Carriage but thinking their Credit wholly lost there they went into Swedeland where they thought they might sooner meet with an Opportunity of shewing their Valour for they were already outlaw'd in France whither they durst not return I once more left Poland much in the same Posture as I had done the Time before out of Favour with the Court and still for a Woman's sake for my Heidelberg Lady was the Cause of all this and had not that unlucky Accident fell out I should have had a great Share in King Casimir's Affection That Prince was much of the same Genius as his Brother a Foe to Business and a Friend nay I may say a Slave to his Pleasures but Master of infinitely more Bravery He was not naturally daring enough for great Undertakings which had given the Queen an absolute Command over his Mind but when once he had resolv'd upon a thing he wanted not Courage to put it in execution His predominant Vice was the Love of Women and Constancy was what he was little guilty of His natural Levity was encourag'd by frequent Remorses and a Dread lest God should bring some Punishment on him for his Lewdness But it is observable that his Devotion increas'd but as his Love-Fits began to decrease and that he took Religion up but when he grew weary of an old Mistress which he would as easily lay down again when a new one pleas'd him better thus was his whole Life a mixture of Piety and Gallantry As for his Conversation he was frank and very Complaisant his only Fault was too little a Thirst for Glory and had not the King of Suedeland and Lubomirski disturb'd his quiet he would have preferr'd the Ease of a Private Man to the Reputation of a great Monarch The Queen had an absolute Power over him tho' she was still mistrustful of her Authority not that she wanted Wit or thought her self a Fool but she fear'd the King being of so easie a Temper might be wrought upon by others and seeing he must have Mistresses she took all possible Care to give him a distate for those who she thought might be cunning enough to outwit and supplant her Such was then the Posture of Affairs in Poland which I had taken especial notice of for being grown in Age and consequently more serious I began to observe the Characters and Intriegues of those I conversed with Before I was quite out of that Country I met with a new Adventure wherein I run great Hazard of my Life and was a Witness of the most barbarous Sight Eyes ever beheld the very Thought of which strikes my Soul with Horror Altho my Inclination for the fair Sex was the occasion of the share I had in it yet I cannot herein condemn my self since any one who had the least Humanity or Generosity would have acted as I did I was about Two Days Journey from Warsaw when resting in a little Town while fresh Horses were providing for me I spy'd a Woman in a great Disorder who running towards me made Signs that I should meet her being almost spent and not able to reach the Place where I was Being gone to her she threw her self into my Arms and before she could speak fainted away She was little as are most of the Polish Women and in spight of the Confusion she was in it was easily perceived she was as handsome as any that Country affords Her Beauty and Distress mov'd my Pity I carry'd her into a little House where my Servants waited and having laid her down she recover'd She told us That she was born at Breslau and that her Friends had marry'd her to a Tartar who was so rude to her that not being able to bear any longer with his ill Treatments she had left him and was going to Warsaw where she had some Relations who would protect her against her severe Husband That was all she told us at first but at last she own'd that the Reason of her running away was That she had given him an Occasion to suspect her Virtue that her Lover had accompany'd her in her Flight and being fallen into an Ambuscade of Cossaks they had murther'd him before her Eyes and that having made her escape from them also she was still in great Fear of her Husband who to her Knowledge was in pursuit of her Indeed my Heart bled to see her in that wretched condition but how to help her I knew not unless I carry'd her to Warsaw which would have been a considerable Stop to my Journey However I thought my self oblig'd in Honour and Conscience to do it and accordigly order'd one of my Men to take her up behind him and to follow me But we had scarce rid half a Day before we met with her Husband who with Ten or Twelve Tartars more was in Quest after her He presently knew her again and having drawn his Scymeter came to him who had her up behind him threat'ning to take away his Life I ran to his Relief with my Pistol cock'd but the superior Number soon overpower'd us and we were robb'd of our Charge I know not whether in the Passion he was in he took me for his Cuckold-maker but having order'd his Men to seize me I was forc'd into a Stable he had already caus'd her to be shut into where I beheld his barbarous Revenge He commanded Four of his Servants to grasp her tender Limbs while himself began to flea her The miserable Creature lookt sometimes on me and amidst the woful Cries that dreadful Pain forc'd from her did now and then put forth some Ejaculations to implore the Divine Mercy At last her inhuman Husband seeing her dead threw in my Face what he had of her Skin whence I expected to have been us'd in the same manner which to prevent I told him in Polish That I would have him take care of what he did That I was a Stranger wholly unacquainted with his Wife and whom he could have no quarrel against This made him look very earnestly on me and as I suppose finding his Mistake he did me the Favour having set my Men and Baggage at Liberty to turn me out of Doors Indeed I never was seiz'd with so much Dread and Horror it was above Ten Days before I could destroy the frightful Idea of her Punishment and I had so great an Execration for the Tartar that I often had duing that Time a violent Desire to seek out the Villain and kill him with mine own Hand But these Thoughts did at last wear off and gave Way
proud to him could stoop to other People and that I boasted of some Favours I had obtain'd from her The King who had a real Esteem for Eleonor inform'd her of what he had heard and she believing I had done her that Injury vow'd it was all false and begg'd his Majesty to avenge her which he promis'd Not thinking she had done enough she excited the Lover she had told me of against me Who promis'd he would make me recant or would cut out my Tongue I the while did not in the least suspect my Danger and was fill'd with Love and Admiration for a Lady who was then contriving my Ruin One Night as I was retiring homewards I was set upon by Six Men who having struck up my Heels bound me and carry'd me into a House where the first Person I saw was Eleonor who coming to me in an unexpressible Rage bid me Repair her Honour or expect to be hewn in pieces Upon that in came the Duke de 's Son with a Dagger in his Hand who seemed unwilling to hear me speak and desirous to have dispatch'd me immediately All I could do in the Danger I was in was to cast a languishing Eye upon Eleonor and I know not whether my Looks mov'd her Compassion but holding my Adversary's Arm Speak then Wretch said she How have I deserv'd that Slander from you This brought me to my self again and judging some Body must have misrepresented me to her I began not to be so much afraid but looking tenderly on her Who I Madam answer'd I that I should have injur'd your Reputation For Heaven's sake forbear such Thoughts All the Crime I am conscious of is having a greater Esteem for you than some People will perhaps allow and having been too free in speaking your Praise I spok these Words with such an honest Assurance as inclin'd Eleonor to believe me But I forgot I was in his presence who designed to marry her and I continued my Discourse with so much Passion that by clearing my self in the Lady's Opinion I grew guilty in that of her Lover who would still be interrupting me saying I must dye She answered It was fit I should be heard and acquainted me with what the Neapolitan Lady had told the King and I vowed to her That it was an Invention of her own occasion'd by her Malice and Jealousie This undeceived her quite and being asked by her Whether I would maintain what I said before the King I reply'd I would stand to my Words not only in his Majesty's Presence but before all the the World All this confirm'd her Lover's Suspicion who looking spitefully on her What then Madam said he you have sent for this Man hither only to let me know that he is my happy Rival Why reply'd she do you not see he is besides himself and that he caresses me only in Hopes I would save his Life I perceived not my Imprudence and reflecting only on the Affront was given me in saying I was afraid of Death No no answered I I am not afraid of dying I know what I say and were I unbound addressing my self to my Rival we should soon see which of us had the better Heart At these Words the Coward ran at me to stabbed me and would certainly have done it had not the generous Eleonor stopp'd him and plac'd her self between us The Spaniard seeing she took my Part went away threatning her and carry'd with him those who had seiz'd me She did what she could to call him back but in vain and so we were left alone Then she unty'd me and blam'd me very much for having declar'd my Love in so unfit a Season I comforted her as well as I could and desir'd her to excuse my Error since the Vexation I was in to think she should have thought me guilty of so great a Baseness had quite distracted me I promis'd her I would let the King know the whole Truth and would revenge her Quarrel with the Neapolitan Lady But she said We must let that alone for the present and only think of Means to sacrifice her Suitor I assur'd her I would obey all her Commands The first of which she told me should be Not to see her any more It was indeed the hardest she could have laid upon me yet I submitted to it promising to observe her Orders tho with the Forfeit of my Life In the mean while the Duke de 's Son had quitted her in such a Passion because she had not suffer'd him to stab me that he gave out He had undeniable Proofs that what I had bragg'd was true The King came to hear of it and this having confirm'd my Neapolitan Mistress's Slander he easily believ'd her guilty So she was every where defam'd and I became the innocent Cause of the Wrong she suffer'd I was sore afflicted at it and tho' I had promised never to see her more yet I made several vain Attempts to do it designing if I could to have offer'd my Service to her in vindicating her Honour or taking Vengeance of her Enemies The King being fully persuaded I had enjoy'd her thought that having had that Weakness she was not impossible to be gained and redoubled his Applications to her Thus it is that a vicious Love is increas'd by that which would extinguish an honourable Flame Whether his Majesty prevailed or not I cannot tell but she was marry'd a Fortnight or Three Weeks after to a Spanish Lord and the Wedding was scarce over when the King gave him the Government of M ordering him to his Post while his Lady remain'd at Court I had then broke off with my Neapolitan Mistress and vowed never to see her more but she us'd such means to entice me back again that I was once more wrought upon and renew'd my old Acquaintance with her The King having of late been very cold to her she told me She was resolv'd to refuse his Pension and return to Naples The first of these I confirmed her in but dissuaded her from the last for I could not quit Madrid and fear'd that she being gone I should want an Amusement and it was impossible to me to live without an Amour so great is a Man's Misfortune who has contracted these ill Habits which I would advise every one to avoid who has any Respect for his Ease and Quiet She yielded to stay at Madrid but I soon repented my being the occasion of it For she renew'd her Jealousies against Eleonor and told me I must lend a helping Hand to her undoing It was in vain that I represented to her How Odious and Unjust was her Design The more I would persuade her the more obstinate she grew so we fell out again for I would never comply with her Desires Seeing I had left her she found means to charm the young Lord who would have kill'd me His Love to his former Mistress turn'd to an implacable Hatred upon her preventing his murthering me which was improv'd
went the next Day to the Merchants where I remain'd under my Disguise waiting for the Messenger's Return and accordingly a Duena came and assur'd me That if I pleas'd she would carry me to a beautiful Lady who had an earnest Desire to see me I answer'd I would readily submit to her Directions and she without replying beck'd to me that I should follow her I did and having gone through many By-Alleys we stopp'd under a low Balcony out of which the Duena having cough'd once or twice a Rope-Ladder was thrown down I was bid to get up and obey'd hastily being spurr'd on by the impatience I had to know if it really was Isabella I enter'd into the Room and by the means of a dim Light knew her to be the same She told me That tho' she had never seen me but once as I passed along the Street she had been extreamly taken with my good Mien and that the Heroick Action I had done persuaded her she might entrust me with her Reputation I could scarce be persuaded but she knew me yet speaking in a feign'd Voice as I had always done while I wore that Habit I reply'd I was very much oblig'd to her for the good Opinion she had of me but yet I could not but resent the Injury she had done to the dearest Friend I had nameing my self What then answer'd she did he tell you of it Yes Madam reply'd I and that has something abated the Esteem I had for you Ha! said she do you then know me I told her I did and that my Friend had shew'd her to me one Day as she was coming out of Church And where were you then cry'd she that I did not see you I reply'd she went by in such haste that she took no notice of her Admirers But continu'd she I was told you was gone It is true answer'd I that it is thought so some Reasons having oblig'd me to abscond but through the Desire of knowing the Woman who had disoblig'd my Friend I ventur'd abroad under a Disguise She ask'd me If I had found her so despicable a Person I assur'd her I had done Justice to her Beauty and was very sorry that so handsom a Lady should be so cruel Accuse me not of Cruelty said she you see what Hazard I run for your sake and I were undone did you inform your Friend of all this Never mistrust me Madam reply'd I but if you would oblige me let me know what reason you had to use him so ill She answer'd I was my self the Occasion of it and that ever since she had seen me she had taken an Aversion for all other Men and having no Inclination for my Friend had been glad at once to get rid of him and give her Husband a good Opinion of her Vertue I enquir'd into the Cause of her Hatred to him and she reply'd She could not fancy him that she could not tell why but she hated him as much as she lov'd me This Discourse indeed surpriz'd me to see that the same Woman who found me so unworthy of her Esteem while I was habited like a Gentleman should have such a Fondness for me under the nasty Garb of a despicable Slave But our Passions are wholly unaccountable especially those of Women My Displeasure was so great to hear my self thus despis'd that I was tempted to discover who I was and tho' I forbore it at the present I could not keep from contradicting her bad Opinion of me being as jealous of the Slave's Happiness as if it had been another This hindred me from answering Isabella's Passion as I should have done and she soon perceiv'd that my chiefest Care was to give her better Thoughts of my Friend She was so dissatisfied at it that she told me I did not deserve the Honour she did me since my Zeal was greater for my Friend than for her I perceiv'd my Error and endeavour'd to repair my Fault but she said She dar'd not trust me and if I desir'd to regain her Favour I must conceal this Adventure from my Friend and not once name him in her Presence I promis'd I would obey her and she said We must put off our farther Conversation to another Time and that I should hear from her the next Day It was very unwillingly that I parted but being forc'd to comply I return'd to my Merchant's The Reader will wonder at what I am going to relate if he considers not that Self-love and Self-conceit are still our predominant Passions I was asham'd of standing indebted to my Disguise for the Enjoyment of my Mistress and resolv'd if I was sent for any more to return in my own Cloaths In this Humour I remain'd all Day at the Merchants and the Duena being come at Night I put on my false Beard and a Vest which cover'd my other Cloaths and thus habited I follow'd her but before I got up the Ladder I left them in the Street Isabella came with eagerness to receive me and knowing me again scream'd out saying she was undone and betray'd I conjur'd her not to make any Noise and she came to her self again I see said she then that the Villain has a greater Kindness for you than me since he has reveal'd this secret to you but if you love me you will assist me in being reveng'd of that perfidious Wretch and that is the only way for you to gain my Esteem I will answer'd I when ever you please I love you above all that can be dear to me and had he a thousand Lives I would sacrifice them all to your Resentment only let me know how so base a Man can have merited a Heart you refuse me Go reply'd she and fetch me his Head and you shall see what I will do for you I smil'd at her Mistake which I thought it now Time to bring to a Conclusion and assur'd her I could not bring his Head otherwise than on my own Shoulders that I was the same who came to her the Night before and who alone deserv'd her Kindness At which she was so astonish'd that she scarce heard what I said Her Surprize being at last over she told me It was impossible and that before she could believe me she must see me in the same Habit I had then I answer'd It was no very hard Task and that I had left it under the Balcony She desir'd me to fetch it but I was scarce down e're she pull'd up the Ladder and withdrew I was surpriz'd at it and believ'd she still continu'd in the Opinion that the Slave and I were two different Persons and that I had made use of the Passion she had for him to deceive her It was so dark I could not tell where I was and being desirous to know the House I resolv'd to remain there till it was Day having first put on my false Beard and Vest but I had not waited long before I heard a Noise and saw some Men with drawn Swords in
without the least Concern her Plot being so contriv'd that I was to be the Object of her Husband's Revenge Her Answer was That she neither fear'd me nor her Husband and knew well enough how to disappoint our Designs I was astonish'd at this Reply and thinking she had mistaken me repeated over-again what I had been saying to her vowing I would rather dye than assist her Husband to her Prejudice She seem'd well pleas'd at it and answer'd If I did not bear Witness against her she had nothing to fear I reply'd I wondred how she could suppose I should ever think of doing her any Injury and thus we parted But this Woman was more mischievous than I could ever have imagin'd I was no sooner gone e're she went to her Husband and told him shedding abundance of Tears she found her self bound in Duty and Conscience to acquaint him That he entertain'd a Man whose whole Study was to contrive his Shame I know continu'd she what he has made you believe to gain your good Opinion he has own'd it to me himself thinking me so mad as to love him He was the only Algerine that ever came to me for it was under that Disguise that he would have got up into my Chamber From his Hand you receiv'd your Wound All this I knew and if I have since endur'd his Company the Reason was because you were so infatuated with him that I could do no otherwise but his Impudence is at length grown to such a Pitch that I can bear with it no longer All the Lies she impos'd on his Belief seem'd to him so probable that he wondred how he ever had suspected her Vertue seeing she ever had given him notice of my endeavouring to cuckold him and being now fully persuaded of what she said he tenderly embrac'd her vowing he would be reveng'd on me I in the mean while suspected nothing of all this yet fearing Manrique would execute the Design he had made me acquainted with I kept from his House and it was above a Week since the last Visit I paid him when I receiv'd a Note from Eleonor to give me Notice That my Death was decreed and that I had best quit Spain with all possible Diligence Tho' it was very Pressing I could not trust to it but resolv'd to speak with the Person that sent it me I had not seen her since the Promise I had made not to visit her but upon the Receipt of her Letter I put on my Algerine Habit and waited on her pretending I came from her Husband Hearing I was there she ran down to me and informed me in a few Words That Manrique had given out I was the Person who under the Disguise of an Algerine Slave had kill'd the Duke de 's Son that the King was acquainted with it and grew extream jealous thereupon that he had quarrell'd with her accusing her of having harbour'd me under that Disguise and had not seen her since so that she thought her self wholly out of Favour and that as for me the King the Duke de and Manrique had agreed I should be murther'd so that my Ruin was unavoidable if I did not immediately fly out of the Kingdom By the manner of her Delivery I judged I had no Time to lose and that it was my best way to take her Counsel and be gone but my Sorrow at leaving her and at my being the innocent Cause of all the Trouble she had receiv'd made me very loath to part which she perceiving grew angry with me telling me She saw I did not care what became of her since I would remain there tho' I knew she were lost if it reach'd the King's Ears that she had spoke with me which said she retir'd ordering me to be gone I was vexed at heart to see my self thus sever'd from a Person for whom I still retain'd an unfeign'd Passion and from whom I had some Reason to expect an equal return and the Desire of seeing her once more and bidding her a more tender Adieu prevail'd with me above the Dread of my Danger I had not the Power to go out of Town and my Love blinded me to that degree that I endeavour'd to find out some plausible Excuse for my Stay The Prince's Business were a Pretext sufficient to satisfie my self and however useless I might be to him yet my fond Imagination made me fancy he could not be without me whenever my Dotage would not suffer me to think of a Retreat Here I again experienc'd That Love soon grows stronger than all our other Passions when we yield our selves up to it and those who once suffer it to gain Ground must expect it will make them deaf to all other Considerations But tho' the Hope of giving Eleonor another Visit were the chief Motive of my remaining there yet that of being revenged on Isabella did not a little conduce to it and after all that was my greatest Care so unsteady was I in my Wishes and Resolutions I had indeed several substantial Reasons to hate that Woman yet I resented nothing so much as her preferring the Algerine before me Thinking she was not fully satisfied that the Algerine and I were the same Person I attempted by deceiving her once more to work my Ends and to that purpose sent her the following Letter Madam YOV will perhaps be surpriz'd at receiving this But tho' the Hand may be unknown the Person I hope is not I am Acma-Hamet once happy in your Love and who have been oblig'd to abscond through the Perfidiousness of one I though undeservedly call'd my Friend However I have now put it out of his Power to injure me since he is ignorant of my being here which I have taken all possible Care to conceal from every one save the Person for whose sake I have ventur'd hither I lodge with Alonso Riberos and if you can still love me expect shortly to hear from you My Landlord thinks I come from Morocco and am call'd Muley Asan Vnder that Name it is I must be enquir'd for This being safely deliver'd I went and lay at Alonso Riberos whom I made believe that I was a Morocco Merchant and was come to Madrid about some Business relating to my Trade Thus under this new Disguise I was safe from my Persecutors I satisfied the Fancy I had to remain there and fed the Hopes of compassing my Designs When I reflect on my Madness I am convinc'd that any one Passion is sufficient to make a young Man venture on the most desperate Undertakings for the more perilous my Projects were the more eager was I to put them in Execution and certainly Age and Wisdom can alone reclaim a Man from this ridiculous Romantick undauntedness I was not long at Riberos's before I had an Answer to my Letter It came safe to Isabella's Hands and it is not to be wondred at if having formerly thought the Algerine Slave and I to be two different Persons she was confirm'd in