fain desire him to explain to us the Nature of this paine and for my part since I am not infected with the Vice of insensibility as many people are I might give him some ease if it lay in the Circuit of my power Nothing could be more gallantly and favourably said on my behalf than this was and I was just now going to answer her according to her desire had not a sudden look which Egidia cast upon me put me in mind of my promise which made me silent not knowing what to say This admirable Lady perceived my trouble and took up the word very well for the purpose it is true said she that there are certain sorts of Distempers that for their recovery the parties afflicted must have Recourse to those persons that caused them but the Cavaleer is not sick in such manner however it is continued she I acknowledg my self so sensible of all that concerneth him that I hould not willingly suffer him to relate his pain before me nay though I might be capable of giving him ease For your part Madam said she in speaking to her Sister if you are in that mind you may give your self that content but you shall give me leave to retire then if you please And after she had said these words she went away insomuch that I remained alone with the Abbess who thinking she had triumphed told me with a Joy she had much to do to conceal that she saw well that her Sister had resigned up my heart since she quitted the party and that it was she that must cure my Distemper but that this was not yet all she would know of my own self after what manner she was established in this heart and how much beyond her Sister that she had given me time enough to consider on it and that one part I must take which was either to despair the obtaining any thing of tenderness from me or else to resolve not to divide a thing which she desired the entire possession of that she would grant me a small tender esteem for her Youngest Sister but for the heart she only must have it and that she knew how to use it after she had said all these things with much Gallantry she was silent to hear my answer but I answered nothing and I believe that my silence alone spoke enough to be understood by her and that she took it as an evil Omen some moments after she seeing me prepare to speak as one that had been musing what to speak she did it before me to hinder me from explaining my meaning thinking it would not have been very favourable on her behalf Oh Heaven said she how little reason have I to be satisfied now Were I not in an Humor to forgive you every thing and had I not some pity to see you thus melancholy Go into your Chamber and there repose your self that 's all the head-ake requires Ill take care that none shall trouble you I retired with this permission but confused like a man that knew not what to say but I was no sooner got to her Chamber door then she called me back again and said with an air full of sweetness Sir Cavaleer hark you I will meet you this Evening at Eight in the Arbor that is in the last Walk I shall expect you there with one of my Friends if you love me you will not fail What do I say replied she presently if you did not love me you are too gallant to miss a Rendezvouz that I appoint you there 's nothing that I know of can make you dispence with it Adieu and do not fail then in ending these words she smiled and entred into her Closet there to hide from me a small blush which did instantly ascend her Visage but for what I 'll not tell you but in this manner said the Cavaleer endrd this conversation which I so much dreaded I believed nevertheless that I was rid of this incumbrance better than I did think I should and that I had avoided very much trouble in not being constrained to explain my mind before these two Ladies upon the choice my Heart should have made of them But yet I could not forbear to fear the Evening-meeting I apprehended her designe by it and to be the last act of Grace however since I must and since I was resolved to hide nothing from her through unworthy Equivocations I thought it better to make use of this occasion when I should see her alone to disabuse her wholly than to stay any longer The Honours and Favours I received from her augmented daily and rendred my ingratitude the greater I determined than upon this Declaration and was the remainder of the day after Dinner preparing my self for it in my Chamber they went to Supper a little after six of the clock that they might have the more time to walk in the fresh aire I seemed less Melancholy at the Table than I did in the morning Egidia took notice of it and she who had sought me a very great while with extream patience for to demand of me how the case stood with me and her Sister judged not well on her own behalf seeing me in another humor and did effectively believe that I had betrayed her I took notice how discomposed she seemed and how little she eat this thought so perplexed her she had ever her eyes upon the Abbess or me to endeavour to surprize our looks and penetrate into our hearts to see whether we had no intelligence one with another to deceive her she had not the patience to rise from the Table with the rest but at length upon a light pretence she left us and retired into her Chamber from whence she sent one of her Friends who quitted her self very handsomly of that Commission to tell me that she stayed to speak with me as soon as I had supped I failed not and took so good a time that the Abbess who was entertaining two or three Ladies that came to Visit her did not in the least perceive it I found this Lady in a very melancholy posture leauing upon a Table who presently told me that I was not a little obliged to her for having helped me out of trouble at her Cost and that she doubted not but her Sister had reaped the advantage but that for my sake she would not repent it and when it was for my Repose she would sacrifice all things even to her heart it self and afterwards suddenly changing her discourse but by what Charme said She or to speak better through what engagement hath Madam the Abbess rendred You your Jovial humor for me-thinks you seem to be very pleasant this after-noon Alas you were so melancholy this morning have You some gage of her heart that gives You so much Joy speak Cavaleer and conceal nothing from me You have betrayed me and doubtless You knew not how to save your self from the hands of my Adversary but in this manner What do You
departed from the heart of a Jealous man which departeth as I said before in the moment that Jealousie is introduced this last Passion doth wholly Occupy him ruleth him tyrannizeth over him and loadeth him with that affliction which alwaies followeth it If You would yet more clearly see that there is no Love in the heart of an unfortunate Jealous man take more special notice You shall see nothing in him but high-carried designes and full of Revenge he is never contented he talketh of nothing but death and despair he will lose all he calleth her he adored a little before unfaithful and ingrateful full of Cruelties and Treacheries and in fine the least suspition he hath to the disadvantage of this Fair-one he maketh a truth of it and assureth it as a thing that he hath seen he seeks no more to please her by his cares discretion and fidelity he seeketh nothing but her ruine and acteth in such manner that his Rivals who were perhaps incapable of Ravishing her from him profit by his going astray and endeavour to establish themselves to destroy him quite if his Mistress endeavour to cause his return to her he taketh all these advancements from her for Treasons he publisheth them to let the World see that he is not so unwise as to trust her he committeth daily new crimes against her without giving any Reasons wherefore for which a moment afterwards he repenteth a thousand times Pray tell me how a man of this humor can be called Lover and whether it be the fear he hath to lose what he loveth that leadeth him to these Extremities for my part I believe it not If he loved he would use other meanes if it was nought but fear that molested him he would use some meanes to re-assure himself and not to make him despair I believe certainly that the first effect of Jealousie is the last sigh of Love here is at length my thoughts in the Question You have proposed let me next know what Your Opinion is upon which I will govern my self in all things Adieu This Letter pleased all the Company extreamly and I believe they had enlarged this matter eurther for the Company thought it handsome and very proper for a Conversation but at the Hour it was they were all for deferring of it for another time The Company departed after their leave taken of the Dutchess to go and seek their Repose CHAP. IV. THe Fourth day began by an agreaable surprizal The Dutchess had caused by the arrival of two of the Fairest Ladies of the Court the Countess d'Eâ—mond and Madam d'Eyrac they had notice that there was a great company at this Ladies they owed her a Visit and were glad to make use of that opportunity while they were pleasingly at their Diversion Monsieur d'Arignan was of the party and accompanied them in this Visit he was a brave wit and who had a gallant way with him for Conversation and who fulfilled his duty very well in the Circle as the Company enlarged so the Dutchess did augment the expences if it were possible to add any thing to the magnificense with which she treated her Guests VVe must acknowledg that since this day it was but a meer profusion that appeared in the smallest Collasions which she gave them in Basons full of Comfits in most exquisite Wines in other Liquors and in all that a man could wish that was most delicate A Ball was their diversion for some part of the afternoon and if I had undertook to relate all that passed in this House I should have somewhat to amuse the Reader from time to time with in particulars that perhaps might not displease him but since I am tyed only to the conversations of the Evening which were kept in the green Arbour I must not to leave my design refer my self to what they have sayed The Dutchess who had taken great delight in the History of these Nuns and who had a desire that it might serve for this Evenings Conversation had intreated Madamoiselle d'Armand to relate to the two Ladies which were newly come that which the Cavaleer had already told them This Damsel acquitted her self faithfully and wittily of her Office and gave much delight to these two Ladies especially to Madam d'Eyrac to whom this History was not unknown and who consequently told the Countess d'Ermond that she knew it they had no sooner took their places in the Circle according as they came but the Dutchess addressing her self to the Cavaleer told him that he must make an end of what he began the day before and that no other question should be proposed nor any other Pastime before he had ended the recital of this Adventure the Cavaleer endeavoured to refuse it by a thousand subtleties and instantly entreated the Dutchess that she would dispence with him and he would not submit at last but by compulsion that which vexed him most of all was that the Lady Sindal and Madamoiselle d'Armand told him that what he did was only because he desired intreaties but however they could not do him a greater kindness Notwithstanding all these Raileries he must proceed in his History he had very many Reasons not to continue it because of Madam d'Eyrac who was not ignorant of the least circumstance as he knew very well himself This Lady smiled in her heart to see the trouble he was in she had her Eye on him on purpose to discountenance him at length he began his discourse at where he had left off but with so great a negligence and so little regard to all what he said that it was no more the same thing but a weak and light recital which was nothing like what he had accounted before there was no Body but perceived it the Dutchess was the first that told him that it was pitty to hear him relate it in that manner and that he had not this day the same wit as formerly The other Ladies made him the same reproaches except the Countess d'Ermond and Madam d'Eyrac who took his part for my part I believe said the first of these two Ladies with an agreeable smile that the Cavaleer never wanteth wit but that he yet hath more discression that is it that obligeth him to touch but lightly upon things which may injure the reputation of a sort of People whom we ought to respect more than others And what is this discretion answered the Lady Sindal that he hath not taken care for till to day and before a company who knoweth not so much as of what Countries those are of which he speaketh I ask your pardon Madam replyed the Countess d'Ermond to her if there were none here Yesterday that were acquainted with these Nuns there may be to day who can inform you better than he of the particulars of this History Ah Madam replyed presently the Lady Sindal it is you then I pray tell us what you know in it The other Ladies made the same request to her but
as a sleep in them her Jealousies were all allarumed at this noise she knew that none beside her self but her Sister had a Key to come out of the Monastery into the Garden and this only Reason was more than sufficient to make her think that it was she with the Cavaleer who were entertaining each other in at Love-commerce she would at least know the truth of it Jealousie breedeth courage in Women and Love leadeth them every where she who on another occasion would perhaps have been afraid for a less cause was not fearful to go and discover who those were in the Garden and bid her Companion who trembled with fear to come softly after her they walked a while by the side of a hedge which hid them for the night was light and they might be discerned at a good distance they approached as near as they could to an Arbor from whence they heard he noise come till they began to discern the Cavaleers voice but not to discover very well what he said wherefore they crept something nearer and so near that the Abbess did at length hear her Sister who spoke thus But you do not consider to what I expose my self and in what you hazard your self for without making reflection on what hath hapned to so many unhappy Women who relying upon the Faith of men have lightly forsaken themselves in which thing they notwithstanding found they were deceived I imagine that You have more sincerity and honour in You than all those people have consider the noise my flight will make how furiously we shall both be sought for by my Parents and into what strange misfortune I shall lead you if you fall into their hands Oh Heaven once more continued she let us not try any thing so full of danger and let me rather die here in sorrow than precipitate our selves into so dangerous a gulf You will then Madam replied another to her whom the Abbess knew to be the Cavaleer have me to leave You to al the Cruelties Jealousie is capable of inventing against you to all the injuries and all the affronts that You will receive from your Sister to a hundred other things which I consider and which will make me tremble for You You know I have no more the liberty to see You that they refuse it me and that I have been used too illy here to present my self without shame You desire my death then If You love me Madam Alas If I love You interrupted she You know it but too well If proceeded the Cavaleer You desire I should not doubt of it and if my love and services have merited Your doing any thing for me as You have told me many times You will leave considering on it any more and follow me Let us make our selves happy dear Lady of my Affections since we may do it our flight is easie my Servant and Yours are both at the Gardengate who expect us with Horses all things favour us and I promise You in less than three hours to guide You to a place where not only any Body shall ever imagine where we are but where You shall not have cause to fear any thing though it were known The Cavaleer said no more after that to hear the answer his dear Mistress would make him who beginning to sigh be gone said she Cavaleer for I fear if You urge me much that You will obtain of me more than I ought to grant I pray depart hence before my weakness overcometh my duty You your self if you are more reasonable than I as You should be strengthen my heart against your self I 'll not assure you I can resist You and the trouble in which I am is so great that I find my Vertue is going to forsake me to follow You. Adieu then but grant I may After these words they heard her weep at which the Cavaleer immediatly cryed out no rather grant you may still continue Conqueror of my heart Grant you may believe a Love thus tender and passionate submit to my services and to my fidelity which are but too well known to you to doubt it much more he said which was very tender and loving which pierced the heart of the Abbess in the same time that he won that of her Sister It were unnecessary to present to You the different Passions which Occupied these two Ladies at that time viz. the love languishing and tender sighs of the Youngest and the despight shame and rage of the Eldest who had the patience to hear even to the end an entertainment as cruel for her as it was charming for her Sister Imagine then she saw her disposed to satisfie the Cavaleers desire and that the Fair-one was making preparation to go with him for she wanted cloaths more suitable to travel in than those she then wore and so went to her Chamber to fetch them The Abbess let her pass by her and came not out from where she was till a great while after and then she fetched a great turn and with her Masque on her Face came into the Arbour where the Cavaleer was who as soon as he saw her he embraced her with much tenderness and manifested many tokens of his Love to her How charming are You said he to her taking her for his Mistress in that You have not made no long stay for truly I was impatient to see Your Return But what Violence did she use to conceal her displeasure it being not yet time for her to make her self known nor discover her self You need not wonder at the mistake of the Cavaleer she seemed not so strange in the night-time for besides the little difference there is in the statuâ—e of these two Ladies there was notwithstanding a thousand things which contributed to deceive him and he had so little reason to imagine the contrary that it was impossible for him even to see his error unless he had unmasked her and had taken special notice of her as this was no place for them to discourse in he spoke but little to her and he thought on nothing but to secure himself in the place of safety in which he had already designed to be the Abbess answered him not a word to all he said to her upon which he made even no reflection having his mind busied about his enterprize and in this sort they went to the gate where he was not a little surprized to find it shut but she presently eased him of that trouble and took the Key she had about her and opened it by what meanes or rather by what good Fortune said the Cavaleer then to her who knew that none but the Abbess had the Key to that door Have you had this Key she answered him no more than before at which he took as little notice as before and went forth to get presently on Horse-back but the Horses were gone from thence and his man who had been seeking them told him in a sad note that he knew not
they find without art and fashion I mean without being too witty they will love that simplicity which shall cause her to utter her thoughts in matters as they are there are yet lovers of a character much different from these who would pass for ingenious people and who vainly believe that in Love as in all things else the glory of a Conquest consisteth in the difficulty and resistance they are perswaded that there is no Victory more sweet than to overcome that which others have found inaccessible they will apply themselves to Beauty whose looks words and proud Behaviour menace nothing but Rigours as if there were no advantage more glorious than to reduce a proud heart to love These same men will sometimes love certain Women that use a thousand Artifices and who are often-times more difficult to vanquish than those who are austere by profession they try yet others whose disdainful humour with few words and some smiles seemeth to despise the whole Universe and with whom it is a crime to dare only to behold them I have seen another kind of Lovers who were for the Women-gallants and of great Conversation for those who would show them fair play and whom nothing could shake in a word who love facility and the VVomen that are necessary But when an understanding Lady shall miss of all these sorts of Lovers I 'll not think her unfortunate I know very well that those who are already endued with Vertue and love Discretion desire not such rediculous ones there are for them enough that seek merit as well as beauty who serve the Graces of the mind as well as those of the body and who can love in a much more solid manner than the others these are Lovers who ever give testimonies of a passion as respectful as Violent and think their service well requited with a small affection which a Mistress of the humor I have described shall testifie they would not require a publick declaration from her nor any favour which might touch the rules of Civility Confess said d'Arignan that there is much Tyranny in this Civility 〈◊〉 tf Ii must make this Sex close their Eyes for services respects sighs and for tears in fine for all that a Lover can do it would be the terriblest thing in the world and such an Ingratitude was never heard of before You would then said the Countess d'Ermond to him have as much of Complacency on our side as there is Love on Yours if it be true that Love is the cause of your sighing and weeping what do You think said she that when a Lady hath seen in the Cavaleers eyes that he hath a tenderness for her that she is Obliged to declare to him what she hath for him is it not enough that she separateth him from others that she heareth his sighs and explaineth them as she ought that she loveth to see her self loved that she also pittieth and bewaileth him and in fine that she perhaps desireth what he desireth without coming to what is too difficult to do and too dangerous for a Lady to tell her sufferings in that case It is true said the Abbot in smiling that it would be a very sensible recompence and that the pleasure would be gteat to be made happy in that manner By your leave Madam I pray tell me what sweetness one can suck from a thing that one is ignorant of and how a Lover shall know if he possesseth the happiness he hath so much hoped for and for which he hath done so much service if his Mistress never saith any thing to him and if he knoweth not in what manner he is seated in her mind for my part I should almost as soon love to be hated and I conclude that there is a necessity in Love to declare their minds on both sides Nevertheless with this Order that the men are to begin but the VVomen must second them If any Body be so nice as to think it a thing so very troublesome as to say I love You as the Countess d'Ermond would make us believe let her at least manifest to her Lover sufficient tokens to make him understand the love she hath for him so that according to Mr. Abbot replied the same Countess things must be equally poised and there must be no more difficulty on our part than there is on yours in truâ—h You show your self but a novice in Love-matteâ—s Mr. Abbot said the Cavaleer to her hath not so little reason as you think and if You did what he haâ—h said and that on your parts you would not seem so insensible as you do the e would perhaps be more sweetness in life than there is found Love would give a tast of his pleasures to both Sexes we should not know the torments and the men would be delivered from an infinity of Evils which they endure for your sakes These Gentlemen said the Dutchess speak for themselves and we must not think it strange that they give us counsels so little reasonable however I would know the opinion of d'Armenton for though he be inte essed in the matter I doubt not but he will speak otherwise I believe answered her d'Armenton that there would assuredly be much sweetness in Love if the Ladies were a little indulgent and if they would pass over some ce tain considerations and submit to our first sighs since in effect it is enough to be loved as one loveth to abstain from being unhappy in Love Modesty certain Observations and I know not what other scruples of the Ladies causeth our sorrows maketh us Ilment from which we should be delivered were it the custome among them to free us from these powerful Obstacles when they see themselves loved But to speak the truth these delights and pleasures would fade and there are many that would not taste them if Love made us not to suffer It is from these cruel effects which this passion produceth in the Soul of a Lover that which pricketh us and makeâ—h us concerned and in a word it is a seasoning of the pleasure we commonly esteem but little a thing that costeth us nothing and a happiness which we possess in quiet we forsake it and leave it without grief for who will take it It is commonly the pain that giveth the price to things it is difficulty which heateth our desires and we should have but cold ones and consequently small pleasures should we take no pains and fuffer a little to possess what we desire A Lover who is a Gentleman and who loveth as he ought shall find more glory and more satisfaction in the Conquest of a heart that hath held out long than in the possession of another that is vanquished with the first A tack the paines it shall have cost him which haâ—h made so much resistance wil make him esteem it Infinitely his love and his pleasure will continue the longer he will never be cloyed and will alwayes fear to lose what he hath obtained
is wanting in your Heroine in which if you please you must instruct her or I will be the first my self that will say she hath failings since she is not yet skilled in Lovers you must tell us continued she what are the most certain marks to know true Love and what it is can convince your Lady to perswade her to love for in fine it hath been a saying a great while that a Woman beginneth to love when she believeth her self loved if her Lover be endued with these Perfections that may deserve Love What you ask of me Madam answered her the Count is cumbersome enough for if we must speak the truth the men are now such Cheats in this that the prudentest Women are the first that are deceived we see them sometimes complain weep and sigh when they have a mind to laugh and the most part are so accustomed to it that in one and the same day they will let fall Tears at at the feet of two or three Mistresses and will promise them a fidelity not to be parallel'd and if I might be believed they should make an example of these false-hearted sighers and a good part of them should be sent into some desert Island However to the end the Lady whose Picture I have given you and of whom I must take a particular protection may not be deceived in the choice she shall make of a Lover I am obliged to give her some counsel by which she may regulate her Carriage When the Count had gone thus far a Lacquey belonging to the Dutchess who had been sent to Paris to fetch some Letters which he was to take at the Post-house brought some for many persons of the Company and put them all into the hands of his Mistress There was at first a little confusion in the Circle the impatience which they all had about the Letters occasioned them to rise from their places and every one endeavoured to know if there was none for them The Dutchess who had a mind to engage her self from the trouble put them all into the Lady Sindals hand to take care to deliver them but this Lady who had a desire to partake of some mirth desired them immediatly all to betake themselves to their places again and that she would give chem all satisfaction I see well said the Dutchess that how gallant soever the subject was which we even now proposed the curiosity of Letters will carry it and that there will be given but little attention to what the Count shall tell us wherefore Madam continued the Dutchess in addressing her self to the Lady Sindal if you will believe me you must quit your self of these Letters as soon as you can and deliver them to the Owners we will afterwards begin the Conversation If you desire so answered the Lady Sindal I consent but it is certain that we shall have but little time left for a matter so gallant as is that which we have given the Count and besides you will see that they will be prevented after they have read these Leâ—ters that they will scarcely answer the discourse and the Count will have the discourtesie done him of relating curious things to persons that will not hear him For my part added she if I may be believed a Conversation might be made even from these Letters and the Count might retain his for another time I may have some here as well as the rest for truly I expect some that are witty enough too if you please we will make choice of some of the company that shall read them out but without naming from whence nor from whom they come except the persons interessed order otherwise There was no Body but approved the design of the Lady Sindal no body would oppose it for fear of giving the company leave to think they had some private Intelligence The Dutchess nevertheless according to her ordinary prudence would have some order kept and that they who should be chosen to read these Letters should first let the persons see them to whom they belonged to ask them whether they might be exposed or whether they would give them permission This reservedness served for little there was nothing in these Letters that might not be communicated to so judicious and reasonable a company as this was however it was judged necessary to do thus to avoid troublesom inconveniencies Madam d'Elus who was a Woman noted for wisdom and discretion through all the world was the person chosen to take this care The first Letter which came to her hand for it was through hazard she took them was for the Cavaleer d'Estapes and without naming from whom nor from whence it came after she had shewed it him and asked him the permission to read it she found it as followeth SIR IN two moneths time I have received none of your Letters Why so am I by you so much forgot or is there some misfortune come upon you how cruel are you tell me if there be any one more interessed in your Concerns than my self and if you ought to neglect me so far as to believe you owe me not at least so feeble a satisfaction in truth you love me not since you can let so much time pass away in silence I perceive very well that all those marks of tenderness which you have given me were but a meer effect of your spirit your heart had no part there was at least more of complaisance than amity it was through Exchange and not through inclination for I know not how one can love after the manner as I mean and live as you do You know what you promised me when you parted hence and how you would render me an account every eight daies as long as you lived I did let my self be flattered so patiently that the only hope of this caused me to endure the first dayes of your absence with patience there is nothing easier than to abuse the credulity of a heart that loves us but there is nothing more base or more black neither I endeavoured to comfort my self for the Regret that I had of your absence after I had been so well accustomed to it through the pleasure I hoped to have had by a small commerce of Letters which we should read together You have not let me enjoy this pleasure but a small time What have you done Why did you not tell me that absence with you was an unavoidable adversary to all sorts of friendship I should it may be have prepared my self and I should not have found my self in that strange necessity wherein I am driven to make Complaints to you If you can endeavour to justify your self or deceive me by some false Arguments I am in despair to find you guilty and not to see any thing whereby you can justify your ingratitude Farewell Omit nothing to make me believe you innocent and that I have done you Wrong Adieu The Cavalier said Madam d'Elus after she had read this Letter need
that this Lady had nothing common in her and that all was rare and perfected in her The other two Ladies were two persons very witty and handsome the one had something more of lustre and fire than the othea but this in exchange had something more of sincerity which thing hath rendred her also a more particular Friend to the Abbess her Sister I discoursed for sometime with these three Nuns upon matters almost indifferent where I endeavoured to produce what wit I could they for their parts did miracles to sustain the Conversation especially the Abbess her Sister this charming Maid said nothing but what I thought so particular and clear that I believed there was but her in the world that had so much wit and that knew how to turn it in so admirable a manner the Abbess at length re-entred and truly in good time if she had the least desire to conserve what she had won of me for to tell you the things as they hapned the merit of her Sister seemed too great to me than to dare to give her less than a heart and I was just upon changing my mind as she fore-told me I had been perjured indeed if her presence had not re-kindled the fire that the first sight of her had excited in my Soul Her Sister did nevertheless prevent the farther progress and I confess to you were it not for her I should have loved the Abbess very well all my esteem was in her divided and tenderness had followed this esteem if I had seen her first and if her Sister had not seized upon the better part of my heart I left not the Parlour almost all that day but conversed sometimes with one and sometimes with the other of these two aimable persons insomuch that these beginnings of acquaintance increased so much in tenderness through the succession of time that I may in truth say that I never loved any thing like them I believe the company don't desire that I should make too long a rehearsal of this adventure nor that I should recite every small circumstance Go on with your story answered the Lady Sindal who spoke for all the company we will not have you omit any particular that may be of any small consequence and you must use as much fidelity in your relation as gallantry We may permit him added the Dutchess to omit a great many small circumstances which he may relate to us at other times for we have now no remainder of time I would continued the said Lady in speaking to the Cavalier have a little knowledg how and with what air you managed your affairs with these two Ladies and being as you say in what manner they could suffer this division for I have ever thought it a thing very difficult to deceive two Mistresses with much more reason two Sisters which you almost alwaies see together I 'll tell you answered the Cavalier what hath hapned to me in a Year and a halfs time in which I had the honour of their acquaintance for the first time of my seeing them was but a day and a half but there was cause enough left behind for my speedy return and to tell you in a word all the time of my abode in this Province I ever left them the later but it was to return the sooner At first I would consult with my self about the different sentiments I had for the one and the other and I found at least it seemed to me that I loved the Abbess and that I had a very great esteem and a very tender Friendship for the other and although it be not ordinary yet it is true that being charmed with the Beauty and Mildness of the first I was in the same instant powerfully concerned at the rare merit of the other and had for her a strange longing to see her even in the presence of the Abbess I needed not to have over-studied my actions yet if there were any one of them remarkable in favour of the Elder the Younger would attribute it to the Quality she had above her and the Elder wou d take for gallantry of wit all the obliging language I passed upon her Sister it is true that this simple Error could not long continue the more we love the clearer is our eye-sight insomuch that both of them having taken a little esteem for me which before they had not they then began to mistrust one another and to regard my actions and examine my words with a deeper consideration then before they did sometimes one would tell me that I praised her Sister with a certain Exageration proper to nothing but love the other would reproach me that I alwaies sought the company of the Abbess and that I was seldom in a good humor but in her Conversation All these usual complaints are but the Overtures of a clearing Evidence it must appear after a great many windings and you shall hear in what manner The Abbess her Sister who if you please we will call Egidia was the last that put the question who prospered the better however she sought the opportunity of a particular converse with me which she found in a time when her Sister was busied about some affairs else-where from which she knew she could not be dispensed and looking upon me with the tenderest look that Love could paint out or delineate in a Visage apt to receive its impression Sir Cavalier said she it is no longer time now to dissemble with you in any thing you want not wit and you know but too well that you are not indifferent to me these five or six moneths have I seen you I never was yet so positive with you upon this matter but now I 'll do more for you than you can expect from a Maid of my humor It is to assure you that the esteem and tenderness buried in the Cabinet of my Breast for your sake is none of the smallest if you know me you will find that a declaration in this manner is no trifle and if you do owe me any small Obligation it is for having told you what I might have layen hid in the obscurity of my heart all my life In these joyful Raptures where the effects of the Grace she did me did lift me her hand I saluted not knowing how to forbear a thousand times and testifying by the access of my joy even to what point of happiness I considered a declaration so charming and favourable had brought me But she interrupting me bid me in retiring her hand let her make an end saying it was yet no time for me to answer If you believe said she that the favour I did you in opening my heart to you meriteth any acknowledgment from you let me know in permitting me to look into yours what I am going to demand of you You are a person of Honour and it would be too low-spirited a thing of you to deceive people especially those that have both esteem and friendship
for you It is not now that I perceive Madam the Abbess to have some inclinations for you she doth not hide her thoughts from me because she knoweth not that I have the like Sore But she imagineth not that you love another person besides her and if I may believe your eyes your heart hath not a little Intelligence with hers tell me and tell me truly Do you sincerely love her to the end that without making any further progress I may Sacrifice to her in the moment I now speak to You. All that I have that tendeth towards You. I have still so much reason in me as to render Justice to my Rival if you would have me call her so and to acknowledg that she doth very well merit your whole heart she is too mistrustful and too well perswaded of her own worth to permit you to divide your heart with another and to speak the truth although I am her youngest Sister I am so jealous of these sort of Treasures when I have them once in my possession that it would be no little trouble to me to surrender up that place to her wherein I should be established Consult a little and Madam said I to her interrupting her not being able to contain my self any longer from not answering her I had not need to consult any more It is not two dayes since I explained my intents to your Sister would the hand understand me I acknowledg that her good Nature and Civility hath engaged me in many things which I rob from you but if I must pay these Obligations I owe her with a heart believe me I were the most ingratefull of all men and that I have given it to you in such manner never to be separated be it for who it will it was on Thursday in the evening when you were in the Garden that she took occasion to tell me there was no more then one step wanting to gain the entire possession of her heart which was to break with you What mean you by this Proposition Madam said I being surprized at what she said Will you be so unjust as to make me buy your heart with such baseness Can I my self be so weak as to obey you you will pardon me if you please But I believe it is not in earnest you would make me thus criminal I understand you answered she presently and I perceived the fault that my imprudence had made me commit you do not esteem my heart at such a rate as to engage you in a loss like that of my Sisters but however do you know the sentiments she hath for you and is there any one that possesseth what you may pretend of her esteem I know not Madam answered I what passeth in your Sisters heart but in sine I never received any thing from her but Honour and I should be the sorrowfullest man alive if I had given her the least occasion of repentance however you must resolve replied she with a coy and disdainful look or think never to pretend any thing in my heart I 'll not resign it but on those terms after these words I endeavoured to explain my self to her all at length because I would not give her any more cause to doubt of the inward passages of my heart but she left me without so much as giving me the leisure to answer her in giving me the longer time of thinking Thus continued I in speaking to Egidia this Conversation passed whether it be that She would find me alone or that she â—â—â—rehended me too soon knowing of what she would be ignorant of The Lady Abbess hath not spoke any more to me of any thing to tell you the truth I thought her Fair her charms surprized my tenderness in the beginning and what for her I suffer a true friend is not unworthy of that ranck I cannot refuse her and if you should order me to the contrary I could not do otherwise This charming Lady did so rejoice at the sincerity with which I spoke to her and at what had passed between her Sister and me that she willingly consented at that part of my Friendship I bestowed upon her Eldest Sister and believed that being assured of enjoying my heart entirely it would but ill become her to ask more We left one another with much content and more love at least on my behalf This sweet tenderness I had for her at first had already taken the forme of a very strong passion and this passion increased daily while the love in which I first scorched for the Abbess was half diminished unexpectedly this so obliging and tender confirmation which Egidia had manifested to me of her love I thought so charming that by this means she finished her Conquest in subduing the remainder of my heart and hath left for her Sister only so much as could make me say I I did not hate her neither did I look upon her more than as a Friend whom I had a desire to conserve and to whom I owed some Obligation she perceived it presently and whether she found out some alteration in me by my behaviour towards her or whether she apprehended her Sister since the time I had told her I perceived that she took very great notice of all my actions and that she had not that confidence in me as formerly she had been accustomed to have she took pleasure even not to believe me any more in whatever I said to her but with her Sister it was not so However jealous she was of her nothing was visible and she would mention me to her as one whose heart she feared not the loss of she would sometimes cause her self to cast Jests upon her when she would endeavour to do any thing for her sake in telling her the care she took was unprofitable So that at last one day when Egidia was troubled that her Sister would by all outward circumstances bear the Conquest from her when she knew she had no reason for it told her that it signified little to her to make a Trophy of a heart which she so illy kept and that others perhaps possessed in a better ma ner than she I believe answered her the Abbess with a voice no less scornful than full of disdain to have so good a part in it that it were folly for any one to dispute it with me or if they did it were in vain if they dared to do it Egidia wanted no reply And this difference went so far that they not being capable of being Judges where they were parties they were content with a common consent since they could not read those Characters that are writ upon the heart to refer themselves to what I should say and to engage me to explain my self before them in such manner that she that found the hardest usage would willingly sacrifice her interest in me to the other I imagine that this conversation had something very singular in it that there was pleasure great enough
say Madam answered I that I have betrayed You Is it possible that You can have such a suspition pray vouchsafe to tell me what grounds You have for it believe if You please that far from having thought it I No no Cavaleer said she interrupting me I see well that You know me not I know better how to Love than You think I do Your heart I aimed at and I have sometimes doubted whether I should come to the end of my aim in the manner I desired or no. My Sister I confess hath given me many causes of trouble upon this Enterprize and I have been allarumed at the smallest cast of her eye and a continual trouble hath not let me enjoy in quiet the pleasure there is to believe when one loveth that one is loved again but after all these assaults I begin to be now something perswaded that it might perhaps endure thus a great while were it not for the resolution I have taken to make You change You must then Cavaleer continued she settle your Love wholly upon the Abbess and endeavour to please none but her perhaps it will not be so troublesome to you as to me but however she must take this as an Obligation from my hands and let her know that I was the first that spoke of it to You and that intreated you to it I acknowledg said she in making a sign to me that I should not interrupt her that I find it troublesome enough to me to lose you and that what I do now lies heavier upon me than death it self however I 'll conquer it and if I have any power over You You will do as I say and will look upon me as no more than one of your good Friends As she was proceeding to perswade me to this alteration some few Tears which fell from her Eyes maugre he betrayed her and I saw her so strnngely burthened with grief that my heart was ready to buâ—st with pitty neither had I power to answer her but with a tender embrace I admired in my self at the Generosity of this Lady and to what extent the Love she had for me would reach that tender passion which I discovered through the midst of her Tears pierced the very bottom of my heart and made me with facility to determine rather to lose the light than to make an alteration I also made a thousand Oaths to her and in the condition wherein I was not being capable of any cold Expression I expressed my self so tenderly that she had no longer a mind to loose me I intreated her that this might be the last time of her speaking to me of a thing which she neither must nor could ever obtain of me that my heart should alwaies tend towards her and that I would break off with Madam the Abbess she endeavoured to disswade me and assured me that it would but precipitate my se f and her too but it was all said to no purpose and with this design in my head I quitted the Chamber excusing my self upon some small business I had for that I stayed no longer with her and told her before I slept I would Visit her again I would not give her any Notice of my private meeting lest knowing the Resolution I had taken she had not took a Fancy to detain me and done her endeavour to hinder this meeting it was already past the time that I was to meet her and the tears of charming Egidia had so well disposed me to do all things on her behalf that I died with impatience to render that testimony of my Love after she had given me that of the tenderness and goodness of her heart I was then at the place the Abbess appointed and found her where she expected me with one of her Friends who left us by our selves as soon as I came she told me she began to be weary with staying for me and that if I had tarried a minute longer she would scarce have pardoned me I believe Madam said I coldly enough that I should come at any time in time enough for what you may have to command me she was very much surprised at this answer after those obliging words with which she accosted me she endeavoured to dissemble it and without sticking at my unjust coldness she used me the sweet liest in the world there was no engaging art which she did not use no charme with which she served not her self it is easie if a VVoman be but fair and not indifferent to You to find a thousand charmes in her if she have a desire to please This of whom I speak did presently present to my view the power of her Beauty This great resolution which I had taken against her became by little and little if not unprofitable to me at least very weak she did rend a thousand tokens of inward tenderness from me without knowing from whence I drew them it was no more the person I would forsake she had such full possession of me in that moment that I had scarce any room left in my thoughts for the idea of amiable Egidia To speak the truth this Abbess was well skilled in the art of rewarming a heart when she pleased it was impossible to defend ones self from her One would think that she had imployed her whole Life in the study of Charms the most faithful Lovers deserve to be excused at those infidelities she causeth them to commit for it lies not in the power of man to do his duty when she pleaseth to seduce him But not to keep you longer in a place where there are too many things to relate I acknowledg that she is the only person that hath made me know my self best no one can be assured of any thing against a Woman that useth complaisance If this Fair-one was not fully satisfied with me she had also but little reason to complain There is one thing which perhaps may somâ— hing surprize you after the design I had taken and which might cause your ilâ— opinion of me had I not told you that this Abbess had Charms against which there was no resistance it is that I prayed her my self not to press me to declare to her what she desired to know of me and that she would content her self with the power she saw she had over me it was such that to speak the truth she might if she had pleased have made me commit the blackest perjury in the world but by good chance she was glad to go no farther because she perhaps feared the not prospering neither was it a time convenient for her she had had advice by those she constantly kept to spy me with her Sister of the Conversation I had with her and how the tears were seen in her eyes she cast some railleries upon me concerning it and told me that she knew when I first accosted her that those Tears had made strange havock in my mind but however she would pardon me hoping that
time when she had most company with her to avoid a number of evil reproaches which I knew she would not do before witnesses I went then towards the Evening to her apartment and asked the Religious whom I met and whom doubt ess they had sent before me if I could not obtain the Honour as to Visit Madam the Abbess She presently answered me no and that she was something indisposed But having once again made me some instance for that she whispered me softly in the ear and told me that this Order was given expresly for me and that therefore as a Friend she counselled me to retire I confess that this adventure did not so much surprize me as it would have done had I not prepared my self from being kindly received by her but yet it is true that I resented some despite in my heart for this refusal and that I had not been comforted but by the meanes I obtained to acquit my self in another manner of the respect I owed her it wa by writing I would take my Farewell and see here in proper termes the Letter I sent her MADAM I Know not whether You are truly ill that we may not be permitted to see You or whether it be because I am thought a troublesom Guest here both the one and the other would have perplexed me enough but for fear of being too knowing in learning what I might be glad to ignorize and that I might not be more miserable than I am I have designed never to urge You more to declare it to me and to morrow to be gone Were You visible I would enjoy the honour of taking a Formal Leave of You and I begg the permission of You if You please to let me make use of this last way to bid You adieu in Writing and humbly to Kiss Your hands This Letter as you may see was neither too gallant nor too well fashioned my mind was nor very busie when I began to write it and to speak the truth I must have seen her to have manifested any testimonies of tenderness she received the Letter and made me no answer Egidia who saw that I did really intend to leave her who had a desire to try the whole storm intreated me before I went that I would make some sort of peace with the Abbess and to give no cause of talk to the other Religious who doubtless would upon such a departure she added further that her Sister would infallibly believe that it was her that had precipitated me to be gone in this manner and that she would be glad to make use of this pretence to find subject to turn all her Resentment upon her self for my part who feared this interview more than death and who represented to my self all the reproaches that she might make to me to which I could answer nothing I knew not how to resolve to see her but she found a Medium and we agreed between us both that I would absent my self for only some few daies waiting the time only until the Abbess her mind was sweetned and â—hat I should return if occasion serve at the least note she should send me I prepared then to be gone the next morning to Visit one of my Friends that lived in the Neighbouring Village I was just ready to mount on Horseback when a Lacquey brought me a Letter wherein I found these words SIR ANd dare You go and not see me thou most ingrateful and lowest-spirited of all men But no goe for the favour would be too great to suffer thy sight after thy perfidious actions However chose what You think best to the end I may see to what extent thy black ingratitude reacheth and if You can forget even that you owe me at least this Civility in going from hence Never was man more amazed nor more cast down than I after I had read this Note I saw that cost me what it would I must see her I asked then the Lacquey where his Lady was and he told me that she expected me alone in her Chamber I went thither but in what manner as a Criminal that was going to present himself before his Judge I found this Lady so sorrowful and changed that it was enough to move the most barbarous heart I know not how I found my self then but truly I could not enjoy my self and the confusion wherein the sight of her put me is not to be expressed She beheld me some moments without speaking to me and breaking at length silence what do you here said she and why are You not already gone I did not believe Madam answered I her that I ought so to have done since I knew I might have the Honour to see you I come to take my leave of You and begg the favour of You in the same time to tell me what it is You have a-against me VVhat I have against You replied she with a sigh ah Traytor You know but too well VVell Madam said I to her since You will that I know I come to know what the Crime meriteth I have committed against You if it be death my Life dependeth wholly upon Your Commands Death replied she alas You have but too much deserved it and in that consisteth my greatest misery VVhat do You then desire Madam replied I very eagerly if a Sword You want to give it me see here is mine and in saying so I presented it naked into her hand and opened my breast to her for her to pierce it but she only turned her face another way with these words which in pronouncing she something raised her Voice Cruel one You are but illy acquainted with my heart if you think that my Revenge extendeth so far as to bereave you of Life I could wish only that my Life were dear enough to you I would then deprive my self of it to punish you but I should miss the joy I should have in my death to see You breath a deep-fetched sigh In ending these words a great number of Tears covered her face and the sobs took from her her speech in so sad a manner that my heart was choaked up with pitty I knew not what to say to her I feared that whatever I said she would take for new infidelities in the trouble I was in to see her in this condition Nevertheless since it is no difficult thing to appease a person that loveth us and desireth to be loved I brought my self at length to overcome her anger and left her not till I saw her in a condition to forgive me all I will tell You what caused her to be so soon won she had a desire to stay me and it was no pollicie for her to use me rigorously I was not yet so indifferent to her but that she thought it troublesome to forsake me quite she did not so much as doubt as in Love we often flatter our selves but one day to bear away the Conquest from her Sister she knew not that my Journey was
tender ones If we knew You not said the Countess d'Ancyce we would interpret the things litterally and show you little Favour but I believe there is a mystery in this Letter and that You are not willing to partake of the Honour your self in the manner it is turned for my part said the Dutchess I comprehend nothing and I confess that I want as great an esteem as I have for Madamoiselle d'Armand not to condemn her but tell us however continued she in addressing her self to that Lady what You smile at and what there is we understand not in this Letter for I have no mind to change the Opinion I have of You. Madamoiselle d'Armand after she had thanked the Dutchess for what she had thus Obligingly said related to her that being sometime since with one of the chiefest Ladies of the Court where a great number of Noble Gentlemen did ordinarily meet They had proposed a question which had been very wittily handled viz. to know whether it was more troublesome for a Lover to make a Declaration to his Mistress than for the Mistress to receive it and that she had maintained the Lovers part and that it was less difficult for a man to say he loved than for a Lady to suffer it and that the Baron d'Estall who was Author of this Letter having undertook the contrary the company thought fit that for the rarity of the act that the Baron should represent the person of a Mistress and she that of the Lover that they might have the pleasure of seeing how this business would pass she assured them that this Gallantry had given way to such witty things as well in Prose as Verse that thousands of Persons have been divertized by it and that she did also in the like manner so that this Letter must not be read as coming from a Gallant but as from a sensible Mistress and that the truth was that they both of them had ill represented their Pe sonages because that the Baron had too soon submitted himself and that for he part she did not use those Cares and Endeavours as passionate Lovers use The Cavaleer would willingly that Madamoiselle d'Armand had not justified her self so well and that they had but doubted of what she said But the rest of the Company had too good thoughts of her not to render her that Justice as was her due They found this Gallantry very pleasing and capable of giving much diversion They enlarged no further upon this to obtain time for the reading the other Letter but before they read them the Dutchess pulled this Song out of her pocket and gave it to Madamoiselle d'Armond who she desired to sing the Treble part of it and the Cavaleer d'Estâ—pes she desired to sing the Base with her which they did in the manner following SONG Bear witness now you silver streams pleasing shady groves whose harmony and solitude can sweeten harmless Loves How lowd the Ecchoes of my sighs do ring for her whose scorns can me no comfort bring Ye powers above grant she may love and feel those pangs which I already know Chorus For if Love once dwell in her breast for if Love once dwell in her breast such pleasing relief wiâ—â— drown all my grief make me a lover that 's blest Fly Eccho's fly And in your gentle murm'ring whispers hear My languishing and deep Complaints to my deâ— Phillis ear Tell her Oh tell her 't is for her I dye And ask her when shee 'l leave off cruelty Oh powerful Love Come from above And in her chaste heart go take up thy seat Chorus For if Love once dwell c. I. â— After this Song had been most harmoniously â—ung by these two Persons they returned again to their Letters and the Second was for the Baron d'Esparc with whom Madam d'Eâ—us observed the same Ceremonies as with the rest and she had without trouble the permission to let the Company hear it See here what it did contain SIR THe Question You propose me would better have been your Business than mine I should have been willing to have heard how You would come off in it You who never fail to prosper in these witty sorts of Gallantry Nevertheless since I am not permitted to refuse You any thing and as your Friendship desires of me a blind Obedience I shall tell You Ill or Well what my Opinion is in what You demand of me You would know whether ajealous man may be termed a Lover Whence jealousie proceeds and what difference there is in matter of Love between Fear and Jealousie I First must tell You that I believe not that a Jealous Man Loveth but on the contrary say that he hateth with a terrible hatred as it is easie to discern by his Actions and therefore it were very improper to give him the title of Lover since he deserveth it not I must according to the Order of things First tell You whence jealousie springeth For my part it is my Opinion that a man is not Jealous but then when he believeth himself unworthy to possess the Esteem of his Mistress And I dare my Self believe that one that is Jealous doth not imagine himself Loved for else he would not afflict himself as he doth 'T is folly to say as many do that this Viper Love is but a meer Fear to lose what one Loveth a Jealous man would proceed after another fashion Fear is an unproffitatable Passion which truly molesteth the Soul and causeth it to apprehend the Evils that may disturb him but it never bringeth a man into despair as doth Jealousie because that it breedeth in us thse things which may come to pass and yet not happen neither A fearful man doth not altogether lose his hope he endeavours to prevent by all the meanes possible the misfortunes which he apprehendeth to the end he may escape the storm I say further that the Fear in Love is a sort of Vertue between the two extreams it is easily discerned that Jealous men are not possessed with this Fear but rather with a Rage which causeth them to believe that they have absolutely lost what they adored let us but take the pains to examine one of these Fools we shall see that he acteth not like a man that feareth nor like a Lover that desireth to be loved but like a desperate and declared Enemy Every one naturally hateth that which giveth them displeasure and what greater displeasure can one imagine than to think ones self forsaken and slighted by that which one esteemeth and loveth more than Ones life A Jealous man who is perswaded that he is thus evilly treated by his Mistress cannot love her more hatred must succeed this love and oftentimes Fury What trouble to this unhappy man in the time of this alteration What Combat is there in his mind I believe there is nothing more terrible and that the least Councel his mind suggests to him is to have recourse to death When Love is once
hope You will not take it Ill if I go to know of Your Sister her self if this be the reason that Obligeth her to treat me thus after that I shall continue with You no longer time than for to bid You adieu and in saying that he ran towarde the Fair afflicted one whom he overtook just as she was entring into the Monastery What 's the matter Madam said he to her quite out of breath that You fly me say rather perfideous answered she him that I should not see thee but at length thy Treacheries are discovered and thou sha t deceive me no more for while I live I 'll never see thee more After these words she went in shut the door upon her and left the sad-hearted Cavaleer in the pittifullest condition a man could be reduced to he will tell You himself that he was a hundred times ready to kill himself and that he would have said a thousand Injuries against her could she have heard them his Conscience reproached him not of any Infidelity he though he had done nothing against his duty in thiâ— assignation since he had given her notice by a Letter and he knew very well that his hear towards this Fair-one did not deserve thâ— name of Perfideous So rude a treatment madâ— him take a resolution to be gone without staying any longer hoping that time would make his Mistress know the wrong she was in oâ— that despite and absence would cure him oâ— his Love The Abbess who had followed him close to have hindred an explanation came in the same instant he accosted her in a manner which testified his despair and scarce beholding her what you told me Madam said he to her is more true than ever I thought and the air with which I am here treated is so strange that it maketh my wonder so much the greater for that I know not the reason of it there is no other way left for me then not to remain a minute longer in a place where I am so ill received Just so answered him the Abbess all Traytors ought to be recompenced for their perfideousness It is now no time replied the Cavaleer to her to ask you what reason you have to call me by this name because I must now be gone and deliver you from a man who is more than importunate to you Iâ— is enough for you to remember that it was You that caused me to come hither to day I came according to my promise and you have permitted and perhaps also called your Sister to come hither whom you charged me so much to keep ignorant of this Enterview Yes Traytor answered she him all overcome by her passion and it is in what thy base heart hath failed Tell me base one whether thou didst not write what I desired thee to conceal The Cavaleer was so strangely surprized at this that he remained confused and did effectively believe that his Mistress had revealed the Letter he had sent her Nevertheless not to fall into a greater confusion if it should come to a clearer Evidence he would break off upon this occasion I know not very well Madam said he to her very unconcernedly what it is you mean but if all these reproaches and all these injuries tend only to drive me from hence I assure you you give your self a trouble without cause and that there need not so much to deprive me of the desire of ever setting my foot here again I am going to take my leave of You continued he in going to leave her and Madam Farewell for ever The Abbess stayed him and told him after she had become something milder that whatever reason they had to act although worse with him than yet they had done they would not let him go at the hour it was Whether You have reason or not replied the Cavaleer to her abruptly I am so little accustomed to be received thus wherever I go that I very impatiently can bear all the minutes I abide here to get out of the trouble I am in I pray Madam permit me proceeded he in endeavouring to get loose from her to make use of the time that yet remains But I will not let You go to night said the Abbess to him and if You think I have yet some power over You to oblige You to do any thing for my sake You will make it appear in this I have somewhat to say to You and it will be time enough to morrow to do your pleasure The Cavaleer prayed her not to stay any longer if she had any thing to say to him and that on any other occasion he would testifie to her the respect he had for her but that he could in no wise stay We will see that said she and they separated the one from the other in this manner The Abbess was like those unfortunate Lovers who in their despaires know not what they would have she who but a moment before would have been glad not only to banish the Cavaleer from her presence but to ruine him had not the power to see him leave her What a weak thing is Choler against an Object that hath known how to charm us How illy can a heart be revenged on what it loveth It is commonly the Lover only that suffereth and one seldom punisheth that which is loved She gave order to stop the Cavaleers Horses but something too late for he was ready to be gone and he seeing the meanes they used to hind him and that he must yet have some time to make up his baggage he chose rather to leave his man behind him and to go and lie the same Evening about a league from the Mâ—nastery where he was to meet him the next morning The Abbess heard of this departure with a sensible displeasure she in words misused those whom she had sent to stay him because they let him go she knew not what to become nor do she was informed that his man was left behind she sent for him and by force of presents pumped out of him all she desired to know her trouble was half diminished when she knew that her Lover lay but a mile from her her passion which would have made her try all meanes at this instant furnished her with a design which in a Religious Lady was not pardonable unless one would pardon all things in Love This little god is never accustomed to Inspire any thing too just nor to consult Reason there is nothing that he will not make any one do when he designs any thing The Maid of whom I have already spoken who was her particular Confident entred into her Chamber just as she was thinking on this and seeing her in a profound study she believed she was busie and would have excused her self for coming to interrupt her privacies No no my dear Companion said the Abbess to her for thus she called her You come in a better time than You think I wanted You and I may say that there is
but You only from whom I may hope for relief in the trouble I am in This Maid answered her with much acknowledgment for the favour she did her as to consider her even to that point and assured her with a thousand respectful protestations of fidelity and tenderness that there was nothing which she would not do for her The Abbess embraced her five or six times most tenderly sighed wept and did in such manner move the heart of her dear Confident that she saw her in a condition to undertake all things to serve her insomuch that this poor Maid begg'd of her with the tears in her eyes that she would tell her the cause of this affliction You know said the sad-hearted Lover to her with a look extreamly pittiful You who know all the passages of my heart with what Ingratitude the Cavaleer hath of late requited the tenderness I have for him This Traytor after all my tokens of Goodness hath had yet the baseness to leave me whether I would or no and to go without so much as bidding me adieu You may see by that Madam answered the Maid to her wisely how much unworthy he is of the favour You show him and how he meâ—iteth not any more esteem from You. I am resolved replied the Abbess to come to where You say and I see my self enough disposed to it But the trouble I am in at present and which I cannot overcome is for not having had the pleasure to reproach him of his perfidious actions and for that he perhaps goeth with this opinion that I am not undeceived in all his Treacheries I would especially eâ—ap the joy of making him blush for the last he showed me and which I have not yet told You If thou lovest me my dear Companion added she with her charming meen thou wilt find some meanes whereby I may at least content my heart and that I may at length break off with the most Ingrateful of all men without which my dear Child I cannot promise thee to live much longer in the displeasure and Choler I am in and thou wilt lose thy best of Friends This Maid who in the Intrigues of Love was not the subtilest in the world and who yet saw nothing of the Abbesses designe proposed to her to write a Letter to this Traytor filled with Injuries But this satisfaction was too weak for a passionate Lover I can never express my self well in writing said she and upon a subject so full of Injustice to punish a Criminal as he ought to be the persons offended should with their own mouths make those reproaches to him he deserveth that they may have the advantage of confuting him Well Madam said her Companion to her what will You do then unless it be to wait his return The innocence of this Maid did almost make the Abbess smile Can one replied she to her contain ones displeasure so long against a man who is not indifferent to me No no if You think good proceeded she with a blush that overspread her whole Visage we will not differ so much in our revenge on him thou art enough to execute the design if thou hast the courage to follow me we will find out this perfideous man who is but a small league from hence and thou shalt see to what a height I will serue the thing and if a man can be loaded with Injuries and Reproaches I protest to You that he shall So bold a Proposition at first did strangely surprize this Maid she who was afraid to walk in the Night about the Monastery without a light could not but think this a thing too dangerous and full of horror to dare to expose them two alone at that hour to the troublesome accidents of a great high way But the Abbess knew how to represent this Enterprize so sure and easie to her and so uncapable of any ill rencounter in that little way they were to go and in so fine a Night that at length she over-perswaded her and made her to Love even a Novelty The Abbess extreamly rejoycing for having o'recome her dear Companion thought on nothing more than getting of Horses she would not use her own because of going forth privatly she chose rather to have recourse to her Farmer to let her have three Horses and not to fail to send them the same Evening the man went immediatly and left the Ladies who were preparing themselves to get on Horseback the first thing the Abbess did was to give out that she was something indisposed and that she would go to her bed she took her leave of those that served her and had none remaining with her but her dear Companion as she had formerly as soon as they were by themselves they began to undress them to put on their riding apparel those of the Abbess were extream gallant and in which they dressed themselves with as much care as if they they had been to go to some Assembly more especially the Abbess who was unmindful of nothing she knew would handsomly aâ—orn her she was the last that was ready But however there could be no Body in a more neater Garb than her self her Chamber was not far from the Garden they might get thither without noise and without any bodies seeing them as they did and as soon took their way towards the back door where the Servant was to meet them with the Horses one would have taken them for two Amazones going to the siege of some place by the manner of their encouraging one another they came to the gate of which only the Abbess had the Key but no body was yet come they already grew impatient by reason the man stayed so long and that he was not yet returned at length they heard the noise of some Horses which encouraged them and gave them some hope of Joy but we are sometimes deceiveâ— and oftenest when we desire any thing to our advantage the greater the noise grew the greater was their fear that it might not be their Horses as inde d the man they expected was not to come that way insomuch that fear seized upon them so strangely perplexed them so much that they hardly knew what to do the Abbess who had something more of resolution than her Companion endeavoured to encourage her upon the smal appearance there was that it should not be her man and told her that he was doubtless come some other way and so mistook his right road and comes that way and desired her to go two or three steps forward to see if what she said was not true This poor Maid who was afraid of every Object could never have the courage to do what the Abbess commanded her and did most humbly entreat her not to put her courage to trial that she could not go a step from her without she died and that every tree gave her a mortal fear The Abbess could not forbear smiling at the fearfulness of her Companion and bid her
extream ill which I plain y saw by her writing which I could scarce read and where I found these words SIR ALl that You have Writ to me frighteth me in such a manner that I believe I shall dye I know not of what Gate You speak all I can say is that I saw You not since I left You in the Arbour but a Shadow or rather a Ghost which I met in my way and of which I took such a fright that it will cause my death it was assuredly this Fautome of which You speak and who had doubtless taken my shape Thus Heaven chastiseth those who are unwise I have not slept since and me-thinks I alwaies see this Spirit pursue me I see what Heaven will do with me and that I have offended it too long a time let us take warning by this for my part I am wholly resolved to lead another kind of life and if You love me You will do the same We went the way to ruine and Heaven would Conserve us let us render it those thanks we owe it for this happiness Do not see me for some dayes I will think upon my Salvation I Conjure You to do like me and entreat You in the same moment to look upon me for the future as no more than one of Your simple Friends Adieu This Letter moved me and surprized me extreamly but to speak the truth were it not that she was very ill indeed I had taken all she said for Chimera's and pretences which she might use to excuse her levity I do not think my self over-wise hut I scarcely ever did believe these stories of Ghosts however when I reflected upon what she assured me how she had not seen me since she had left thâ—â—â—â—our I began to be something afâ—aid also I examined in my mind all that hapned to me with this pretended Ghost and I remembred very well that it spoke not a word to me that it was sooner returned than I expected Egidia would I fancied to my self that it had opened the door without a Key and that when it left me it vanished In a word I insensibly gave way to my error and that served to make me indeed think upon my Conscience and to endeavour to reconcile my self with Heaven I remained some dayes without so much at going to the Monastery to avoid seeing of the Abbess who had sent to entreat me to return to the saâ—â— Lodging I had before with her I excused my self as well as I could and returned not before I had received this Letter which her Sister had sent me by one of her Friends SIR I Believe that Heaven will still do me the favour to allow me some time of doing Penitence the Physicians have now better hopes of my Recovery however it is come and see me to the end that if death doth separate us I may at least in dying have the Consolation of having done my duty in telling You of things which I am obliged to tell You I expect You. Adieu This place proceeded the Cavaleer is but little proper to divertize the Company for here is nothing but Tears I gave her a Visit and I avow to you that I found my self so insensibly moved to see her in the condition she was in that I could not be Master of my heart I could not refrain giving of it ease by a Torrent of tears which immediatly trickled from my eyes all that were present could not forbear weeping with me insomuch that even the Abbess was concerned to see in what manner I was afflicted this poor Lady who endured no less than me used some endeavour to tell me some things of concernment in the world and spoke to me as if she had been to depart that day and truly most of them believed that she would scarce live much longer but Heaven would preserve her to be an example of a most rare constancy and of a most sweet and civil Friendship in which we have lived ever since Perhaps you know not said Madam de Eyrac to him that no body hath contributed so much to the recovery of her health than me and you shall see how this Maid or if you will the companion of the Abbess who as I have told you more than once reposed much confidence in me failed not to come and give me an account of this Adventure and how your Mistress had been frighted so that it was not difficult for me to know the cause of her Illness and what might be the meanes to cure her mind Every body observed an extraordinary trouble in her Eyes and such a disorder in her words that she seemed to be in a continual dream I took pitty on her and although it was to Sacrifice my Friend to declare the Secret which she had confided in me I believed that in the extremity wherein this poor Lady was there was nothing which I might not hazard to endeavour her recovery I took the opportunity just when there was no Body with her but a Young Maiden whom I did not mistrust and I asked her boldly whether her distemper proceeded not from some trouble of mine and whether she thought me not enough her Friend to declare it to me She looked stedfastly upon me and blushed thinking that I would speak of the Cavaleer But having afterwards said that I perhaps knew the cause of her Illness better than she did her self and that I could deliver her from the fear which she had in the Garden she lifted her self suddenly up in the Bed and taking me by the hand Oh Heaven Madam said she what you tell me surprizeth me I Could it be possible that in my musings I should speak of any thing like that no no! answered I to her in interrupting her I came to the knowledg of it some other way than by you and I believe that no Body here ever heard you speak of any such thing the Persons that frighted You told it to me and I thought I ought not to leave you any longer in this trouble I imagine that you will do so well that I may have no cause to complain of your discretion and that you will make good use of the confidence I have in You She promised it me and I told her all that had passed in the Garden after the manner I had heard it related and which did so greatly amaze her that she could scarce have believed me had I not told her all that hapned to her self and even to the entertainment which she had had with the Cavaleer she blushed and I perceived that she was ashamed that I knew this part of the story But in fine since this time by little and little her mind was resetled she recovered her strength and in a small time he Health entirely I know not how she hath used it since with you but I know that she had taken very strong resolutions that not knowing how to forbear to love You she would do it in a manner
of his love It is certain added the Countess d'Ancyre that we shali see no understanding VVoman that would not blush upon a like occasion That is true replied d'Arignan but I pray tell me by what motion is it they blush for I imagine it is not alwaies for anger However it is repâ—ied the Marchioness smiling at the demand of d'Arignan it is my Opinion that a Gentleman should make his actions and his sighs speak before he speaketh himself there are many said d'Armenton as hath already been said that contribute to the revealing of a Lovers designs and inclination a sigh and a service rendred in due season a small fear some respects on a certain occasion all these things in their proper season are oftentimes more effectual and better understood than the smoothest Rhetorick in the world there is no body but may apprehend the Eyes meaning those are the faithful Messengers that bring the news of what passeth in the heart and they have quite another power than the tongue insomuch that they discover the most hidden thoughts and penetrate sometimes even to the heart of the persons loved and cause in them the same ardour with which they themselves are inflamed Do you believe that a Mistress how deaf so ever she seemeth doth not understand what the eyes tell her when she seeth how pittifully they turn towards her how they fix tpon hers as if they were made fast to them and turn away again as if they were dazled It is true it is good to Husband this Language and to beware the discovering ones passion to those from whom it should be the most concealed We seldome love without Jealousie or without a Rival who continually observes the motion of these innocent Interpreters especially from persons who are most to be suspected A Lover hath but two Eyes and a Jealous Husband hath four he seeth before and behind for which reason a Judicious man ought to govern himself wisely and to behave himself according to time and place and when he hath cause to fear to deprive himself of so sweet a pleasure the more secretly a Love is kept I mean of these Loves which are not permitted and which are now notwithstanding very much Alamode the sweeter it is and we know to how many evil Consequences the least inclination is subject to when it is revealed and I said the Cavaleer I believe that the great secret is not to make it so much a mistery We believe that an inclination doth not proceed so far that they need to give themselves the trouble to conceal it and the world is now so much upon one matter that they take the most amorous things for simple Gallantry when they are done in company whereas they that take the other part are in continual Alarms because indeed the least appearance to them is a deaths wound they imagine very often that there is more than they see and more than there is and it is a pleasure to them to tell it because they believe it not to be known How many Women are there who live with a Familiarity without example with their Gallants even before their Husbands who perhaps would suspect all things if they did otherwise I know one whose Husband is more jealous than any man who could never endure that any one saw her except one of my friends because she treateth him familiarly before his face and yet it is the only One that ever hath obtained the good-will of this Lady These things happen seldom replied d'Armenton and for my part I hold that the surest way is to love in private and that one cannot be too cautious before those that are Interessed We must dissemble say that we least think of and use constraint constantly or else we may be in danger to lose all I believe replyed de Ariguan that these maxims are good but so difficult to Observe that they are almost impossible for a passionate Lover We have not alwayes an occasion to find a Mistress without a witness and there are some that are never to be seen but in company and if we must always practice what you say we run the danger of being long before we do our business and never to receive content We must love in tranquility that it may not appear a little when we see the person we love Those that know how to love as they should do replyed de Armenton find Expedients for all things and meanes to make them to be understood although they have little Intelligence without being understood by others and without amuzing me to particularize all those small secrets to you since you cannot have been in love for not to have known much your self I will only tell you what hapned a few dayes since in a company where I was two Lovers whom the jealousie of a Husband did for some time hinder them from seeing each other having in an assembly entertained each other most tenderly by the side of a Table and which seemed most indifferent there was none but I in the whole company that did suspect their discourse to be of Love they were so expert as to use some indifferent matter to entertain each other aloud before the company and from time to time when they talked of the most inward secrets of their hearts they spoke to each other softly And this scene continued above two hours without seeming to look one on another and as persons that had the least acquaintance together there are yet many other pleasant wayes upon which time places and the persons must give a Discreet Lover counsel for it would be impossible to form certain Rules In truth the matter is too large replyed the Baron it is Love that must instruct us in that he who is the Father of Inventions and who alwayes favoureth a Lover when he hath recourse to him But the thing which I would at present know and which is not less important in Gallantry than it is to be discreet in publick and to love in private It is the manner how to conserve our selves in our Mistresses favour for it is the chiefest thing we fail in and of many Lovers who can perfectly gain the esteem of a Lady I see but very few that know how to conserve it which is a great defect and which causeth us to enjoy the happiness to be loved when we love but a little time I believe that after so many pretty matters as hath been proposed this here may deserve the pains of a continued conversation It is this that doth evidence the mens inconstancy I am certain at least that we often-times need to seek no other cause than their unquiet spirit which is weary of a Happiness as soon as they possess it whatever trouble it hath cost them to Obtain it From thence you may judge whether the Women have no reason not to engage themselves so far in Love and never to submit if they can avoid it We may also replyed the Cavaleer
You have is not so general but that it may be true to say that Dancing like Love and Gallantry are not altogether diversions for persons of your Age and I I believe Madam replyed the same party that we are never more capable of the things You speak of than in the Age wherein I am and for Love it belongeth to us to make use of it as we ought You were a very Ingenious man said the Cavaleer to him if You would take upon You the Trouble to maâ—e us understand what you there say for in my Opinion it is a thing very difficult to maintain and I believe there is no Body here but is against it and but who would be glad to hear You discourse upon a matter so contrary to the Opinion of all the world Thus said the Lady Sindal we have accidentally entred into a matter for a very pleasant Conversation If You please Madam added she in addressing her self to the Dutchess this we will fix upon the Evening is delightful and the place wherein we are very pleasant and me-thinks I see d'Armenton ready to relate to us something that is Gallant to make us discern that Gallantry is a Land wherein People that are endued with his Qualities and with a wit so ready as his may at all times enter the Dutchess did not Oppose this designe and the rest of the Company doing like the Dutchess they formed a Ring upon a green Bank after which d'Armenton seeing them ready to give him attention began in this manner I see well said he smiling that it is to justifie what I alwayes take so much paines to conceal to desire to maintain that Love appertaineth more to a man who exceedeth fifty than to those who are not twenty or twenty one But since I have undertaken it I will not recoil I shall at least give You to understand that though I am Old Age is not such as the Vulgar believe it to be and that it is without reason that they would deprive them of the pleasures of Love that they know how to take and to relish them more happily than Youth You must first give me leave if You please before any thing else to make a small digression and to tell You first what Love is and in what that Felicity consisteth which Lovers find and afterwards you will agree with me that this passion doth not Illy suite with gray hairs and that one must be no man at all not to be capable Love then according to the Ancients is a desire to enjoy beauty and since we desire nought but what we know it must necessarily be that knowledg precedeth desire the eyes reason and the mind causeth us to know the happiness and this knowledg produceth in us the desire to possess it the Eyes discovereth Reason choseth the Mind judgeth of what the Eyes and Reason have done Beauty though the most sensible thing in the world is nevertheless the most difficult to know it never appeareth with more charms than upon the face of a Woman and Heaven who is marvellous in all the works it hath done is in nothing so admirable as here it is a work which bringeth men even to Idolatry both Old and Young are dazled every one desireth it but desire it differently because of the different knowledg they have of it When this Beauty hapneth to strike the eyes of a Young man she doth as soon vanquish him and in seducing these two Innocent Interpreters by I know not what pleasure with which they are so enchanted that they Introduce it even to the heart which being no more cautious than the Eyes suffereth it self to be caught in this sweet snare I say much more it feeleth a certain Joy which transporteth it and empoysons it self in a manner that it sighs for it that it is tormented with a daily desire Oh the strange disorder when a heart is cumbred with all these desires by which it suffereth it self to be lead and which desires being no less blind than the heart cause it to make a thousand mistakes it thinketh on nought but the Object that hath struck it it seeketh and followeth it every where not to be revenged on the harm it hath given it but to unite it self wholly to it and thinketh that in possessing of it it shall be eased from the torment it suffereth Nevertheless it deceiveth it self and even the pleasure of this possession is a Lyar. It is a gross error wherein the most of these people fall that suffer themselves to be blinded at the first glance of Beauty to make the aim of their Love a brutal pleasure to satisfie themselves which they have no sooner compassed but they cease not only from having the same ardour but pass even to disdain look upon him no otherwise but a loathing that which before was the Idol of their heart It seemeth as though this desire repented for what it had done that it is vexed it is deceived that it believed that to be all a heart could desire the heart who on his part acknowledgeth the fault it had committed seemeth also to reproach the Eyes of their blindness to take a happiness in appearance for the true one he is not satisfied in himself but Imagining the Felicity he promised to himself to be yet far distant hence desires augment in him as if he possessed nothing which maketh it clearly apear that that is not the true Felicity he seeketh and that these Young Lovers have a way of loving which is not happy or rather that they know not how to Love since they are never satisfied although they arrive to what they aspired and this is it we may well term unhappiness for there is both paine and trouble at the end as well as at the beginning of this Love They cease neither complaints sufferings nor sighings and even then when they believe themselves at the height of their desires it is then they have more subject of desire and that they find themselves unfortunate It is a precipice in which this foolish ardour doth cast them which cannot justly be termed Love it is here where Youth Embarquing in foul weather perisheth he is carried away with all sorts of winds he followeth his desires and never consulteth his passion Reason is too weak with him to resist this Torrent He permitteth himself to be led away every Guide is a Guide for him and if he may be carried towards the Object he cherisheth he forsaketh himself and will follow even his own Enemies he knoweth not so much as how to distinguish the true from the false he is blind who taketh good for evil and who feedeth himself with every thing which his will and desires will perswade him to who being of themselves Incapable of discerning any thing cannot fail to render him miserable You see then how those who are possessed with this blind passion altogether contrary to the laws of Reason do never find those solid pleasures in