I would 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 I 'll 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 Friend 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 leaning 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 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 all arumed 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 burst 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 self 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 uniust coldness she used me he 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 som hing surprize you after the design I had taken and which might cause your il 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
her have more especially a particular Grace in all her actions that may render her Amicable at the first view that it may be an Ornament to accompany all her actions that is rare said Madamoiselle d'Armand but me-thinks if you are not in too great haste to make an end you pass over but lightly qualities that well enough merit a larger delineation Tell me yet continued she what this Grace is of which you speak It is answered her the Caunt presently what may be seen in you Madam and if you please I will not make any other Explication since it is but to regard you to divine what it is This answer caused Madamoiselle d'Armand to blush and she was doubtless going to answer him if the Dutchess had not made a sign to her not to interrupt him any more and the Count continued his discourse in this manner since I am desired to draw the Picture of my Heroine at large I will prepare my self to let you see her altogether I have already said that her Body should be well shaped I mean of a just and well composed height free and without affectation though something above the mean yet without the excess of being too Great the Opinions are very different between the Brown and the Fait for my part I am for the Brown because they have commonly most VVit As to what concerns the figure of the Visage I have ever heard say that those who have it Oval promise most Friendship as for the Eyes they are yet disputable but the Blaek are in my mind the most beautiful if they are full and well divided such a fair one whose Picture I draw ought especially to have her Teeth white and well ranked the mouth small and rosie coloured the fore-head and chin proportionable to the Poriphyre of her Visage and for her Qualities proceeded he I will not speak of those Vertues so common for all Women it is to be supposed that a Lady so well made as I make her wanteth not those Vertues but to distinguish her from the Vulgar sort she ought to have some particular Qualities as much civility much sweetness in all her words but in conversation especially together with a certain ready way of never saying any thing but to the purpose according to the place wherein she is and according to the humors of the persons to whom she speaks her actions ought to be very obliging and she should have a good nature so charming as might surprize an esteem in the hearts of persons of Honor she must have a lively Wit that may cause her to be admired but a spright liness accompanied with something of gravity that may show in her as much soundness in judgment as promptness of wit She must beware praising her self for there is ever too much vanity and indiscretion in doing of it in what manner soever she ought to have the same regard in speaking which must be but little to the purpose and let affectation be avoided in discourse as well as carriage and in all things else such qualities will cause her to be considered wherever she is while others fall more or less into the opposite Errors Let her not neglect Instruments Musick and Dancing let her also make some esteem of Poetry History and of that we call Literature There the Count made a stand as if he would have made an end or taken breath which having done the Abbot said that the Count had drawn the Picture of so rare a Lady that he could scarce believe there were any like her in the World Nevertheless said he if we comprehend what he has said his discourse was of things altogether in general and notwithstanding a few Lessons will he give the Ladies I cannot believe that his hath yet all she should have I could answer you said the Count that I am not obliged to do more than the order of the pastime which required me to describe a Lady to my liking But you Mr. Abbot continued he who imagines what I have said to be so extraordinary that you cannot believe there are many such in the World although I have not yet done You have said me-thinks something too much before a Company where there is not a Lady but may be compared to her I have described and I may truly say that they were my pattern I see your design replyed the Abbot to him smiling you would make a difference between me and this Sex and cause these Ladies to be my adversaries while you in the mean time intrude your self by your flatteries to obtain their good wills but they are so just that they love truth better though it might seem to be against them than the false praises that you give them Nevertheless if my misfortune should cause it to happen otherwise I cannot but say that it is not only rare to find all these qualities in one only VVoman but that the like can be said but of few men notwithstanding that they are capable of a far greater perfection than Women to hear Mr. Abbot discourse said Monsieur d'Armenton one would imagine that he hath a mind to speak against the VVomen but if the Count will give me leave to answer him I will have the honor to serve him as second on the behalf of these Ladies You oblige me said the Count for I likewise think that I have already done what I was obliged to do and the Ladies quarrel cannot be ill in the management of so gallant a man as you Mr. Abbot was going to speak but the Dutchess prevented him and bid him keep those injuries he had to say against them till the day following that it was now too late to have time enough to relate them that she would give him the whole Night to consider on it if he dare be so bold to expose himself to so great a hazard all the Company smiled upon the Dutchess who had turned the subject of this new dispute in so gallant a manner it was referred till the next day Here the Pastime ended and the Violins that were placed round about the Arbor having begun to play at a sign the Dutchess made them they all arose and daunced as they went till they came to the House whereafter some Civilities the Dutchess made the Company and which is usual on such occasions they all walked to their Chambers and gave the remainder of the night over to sleep CHAP. II. THree hours had the Suns beams enlightned the whole House when none of this illustrious company were stirring but Mr. Abbot who was walking alone in one of the Garden VValks Madamoiselle de Armand the windows on that side whose chambers are scituate in this manner she call'd to her Madam d'Elus with whom she lay and beginning to laugh do you not see said she a loud to the end the Abbot might hear Mr. Abbot who is preparing his Talons to tear us to pieces this Evening he is up very early but I hope
then added the Dutchess 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 Letters 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 refervedness 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 propared 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
'll only say 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 desired 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 it 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 would 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 Cuidia 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 she had understood 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 uniust 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 reâ—ign 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 with out 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 apprehended 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 haâ—e 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 manner 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 â—ound the hardest usage would wiâ—lingly sacrifice her interest in me to the other I imagine that this conversation had something very singular in it that there was pleasuâ—e
death When Love is once 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 Faire-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'Ermond 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
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 serves 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 retuse 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 Garden gate 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 â—he 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 stature 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 where they were and
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 make 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 the 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 beaury and fince 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 fince 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 an dtrouble 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 Love which those take whose riper Years hath learned them to know them This being supposed as it is most certain I say
send him more 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' 〈◊〉 who was Author of this Letter having undertook the contrary the company thought sit 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 Personages 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'Estapes she desired to sing the Base with her which they did in the manner following SONG I. B. 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 will drown all my grief make me a lover that 's bleft Fly Eccho's fly And in your gentle murm'ring whispers bear My languishing and deep Complaints to my dear 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. After this Song had been most harmonioufly Sung by these two Persons they returned again to their Letters and the Second was for the Baron d'Espare with whom Madam â—…lus 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 I 'll 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 aster another fashion Fear is an unprossitatable 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 searful 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 examineone 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