told by some for then it was darken'd because of the wounded Child but it made her more certain seeing the Bed was the same and the Cabinet standing in the same place as it did when she took thence the Crucifix in fine the Stairs from the Chamber to the Street which she had carefully counted when she was lead out of it clear'd her of all Doubts she counted them again as she went home and found their number to be the same so comparing all these Signs she was thorowly convinced that she was in the right of all this she gave a particular Account to her Mother who being a prudent Woman resolv'd to inform herself whether the owner of that House had now or ever had a Son she found he had one named Ridolfo who was in Italy and computing how long he had been out of Spain she found 't was something more than seven Years which agreed exactly with the Age of Luisetto she told all this to her Husband and they resolv'd all of them the Father Mother and Daughter first to expect how God would dispose of the wounded Child and afterwards consult what was farther to be done In fifteen Days he was out of danger and in so many more perfectly well during all which time he was daily visited by his Mother and Grand-mother and as much Care was taken of him by the Master and Mistress of the House as if he had been their own Son One time as Signora Stefana for this was Ridolfos Mothers Name was discoursing with Leocadia told her that that little Boy was so like her Son in Italy that when she look'd upon him she imagin'd her own Son stood before her Eyes Leocadia took this hint they two being alone to let her know what with her Father and Mother she had agreed and it was in this manner That Day Madam when my Father and Mother receiv'd the News of what befel their Grandchild they concluded that Heaven was lock'd up from them and that all the World would fall upon them They imagin'd that they had lost the Light of their Eyes and the Staff of their Old Age in loosing this Child So great is the Love they have for him that it exceeds what Parents usually have for their own Children but 't is proverbially said When God sends a Disease he also sends Remedy this the Child has found in your House of which I shall preserve a grateful Memory as long as I live I am Madam a Gentlewoman of a Noble Stock as my Ancestors were before me who tho not abounding in the goods of Fortune have nevertheless happily preserv'd their Reputation in all places where they have liv'd Signora Stefana wonder'd to hear Leocadia speak so well and that so much Discretion should be in so few Years for she seem'd not to pass Twenty without speaking to her or replying one Word she expected the end of her Discourse Then Leocadia told the insolence and unworthy proceeding of her Son that he had ravish'd her blinded her with a Handkerchief and left her in the middle of the Street and told what Marks she had observ'd whereby she knew that 't was he And for a greater Confirmation she drew out of her Bosome the Crucifix and looking earnestly upon it thus said O Lord thou who wast a Witness of the Force which I suffer'd be now a Judge of the Reparation which ought to be made to my Honour I took thy Image from that Cabinet with intention to put thee always in mind of my wrong not to beg Vengeance which I do not pretend to but that thou wouldst afford me some Consolation that I may with patience bear my Disgrace This Boy Madam towards whom you have been pleas'd to exert so much Charity is without doubt your true Grandchild I believe the Heavens have permitted that the Horse should run over him and that he should be carried to your House and brought me hither to visit him with design that I should find a satisfactory Remedy or at least some Reparation for my lost Honour saying this and embracing the Crucifix she swooned in the Arms of Signora Stefana Who as a Noble Lady in which Quality and Sex commiseration is as natural as cruelty in Men as soon as she perceiv'd her fall join'd her Face with Leocadias shedding upon it so many Tears that there was no need of throwing any other water upon it to bring her to her self While they remain'd in this posture behold Stefanas Husband enter'd into the Chamber bringing Luisetto in his Hand and seeing his Wife weeping and Leocadia in a Trance ask'd what was the matter The Boy embrac'd his Mother as his Cousin and his Grandmother as his Benefactress and ask'd of them why they wept Signora Stefana replied speaking to her Husband I have great things Sir to tell you but I will not now use many words in short this afflicted young Lady is without dispute your Daughter in Law and this Boy your Grandchild she has convinc'd me of this Truth and besides what she has declar'd to me is confirm'd by the Childs likeness to our Son The Gentleman answer'd Madam I understand not what you say pray explain yourself In the interim Leocadias spirits return'd and embracing the Crucifix she appear'd chang'd into a Fountian of Tears All these things increased the Gentlmans amazement but he soon came out of it upon his Wifes telling him the story which she had heard from Leocadia and it pleased God he believed it as much as if it had been sworn by Witnesses of unspotted Reputation He comforted Leocadia and embrac'd her he kiss'd his little Grandchild and the same day he and his Wife sent an Express to Naples with Letters to their Son commanding him to return with all speed for they had found out a Match for him with a Noble Lady of exquisite Beauty which he could by no means dislike In the mean while they would not permit Leocadia nor her Son to return to their Parents who being overjoy'd at the happy success of their Daughter return'd them infinite thanks The Courier arriv'd at Naples and Ridolfo swallow'd the bait his Father laid for him two days after the receipt of the Letter took the opportunity of four Galleys which were going to Spain embarking himself and his two Companions upon one of them With a prosperous Voyage in twelve days he reach'd Barcelona where he took Post and in seven more arriv'd at Toledo and came to his Fathers House in a Garb so rich and becoming that all the Gallantry in the World seem'd to center in him his Father and Mother received him with all imaginable joy Leocadia betwixt fear and hope look'd upon him from a certain place where Signora Stefana had posted her that she might see and not be perceived Ridolfos two Companions would presently have retired to their own homes but Signora Stefana retained them with courteous Invitations thinking them necessary for her design It was almost Night when
whom she loved more than her Eyes with which sometimes she stole a look upon him began to revolve in her Mind what had pass'd betwixt Ridolfo and her so that the hopes which his Mother had given her to be his Wife began to vanish fearing those Promises would be render'd ineffective by her bad Fortune Considering how near she was to be Happy or Miserable for ever she was so intent upon this Consideration and so much immers'd in it and her Thoughts were so much upon it that it stop'd the circulation of the Blood in her Heart that she began to sweat to look pale and swoon away and was forc'd to lay her Head in the Arms of Signora Stefana who sustain'd her They were all much troubled at this Accident and rose from the Table to assist her But Ridolfo shew'd himself more concern'd than the rest and running hastily towards her he stumbled and fell down twice he unlac'd her and threw water in her Face but this did not make her return to her Senses but the palpitation of her Heart and the cessation of her Pulse gave evident Signs of her approaching Death so that the Servants of the House began to cry out that she was dead This bad News came to the Ears of the Parents of Leocadia whom Signora Stefana had caus'd to be conceal'd that when things were ripe they might augment the common joy they and the Parish Priest who was with them came running into the Room against the Orders that Signora Stefana had given them He drew near to her to see whether he could perceive any signs of Contrition or Repentance for her Sins that he might give her Absolution but where he thought to find one in a Swoon he perceiv'd two for Ridolfo was in the same Condition his Head hanging down upon Leocadias Breast His Mother gave him the opportunity of approaching so near to Leocadia as to one which was to be his own therefore when she perceiv'd that he also had lost his Sense she had almost lost hers and had certainly if Ridolfo had not recover'd he return'd to himself again but full of Shame and Confusion for having behav'd himself so unmanfully but his Mother who guess'd at the cause of his Confusion said to him be not asham'd Ridolfo that thou hast shew'd so much weakness you will have reason to repent that it was no more when you shall understand what I am about to declare to you I will no longer conceal what I reserv'd to acquaint you with upon a less sad occasion Know then dear Son that this disconsolate Lady which I hold in my Arms half dead is your true and lawful Wife I call her so because your Father and I have pitch'd upon her for our Daughter the Picture I shew'd you was only an amusement and a fiction of mine When Ridolfo perceiv'd this he was so much transported by his amorous and ardent desire that the name of Husband taking from him all Considerations and Impediments which the Ladys Honour and Decency might have obliged him to preserve he joyn'd his Lips to Leocadias expecting to receive her last Breath but whilst all of them were in Tears The Father and Mother of Leocadia tearing their grey Hairs and the cries of Luisetto penetrating the Heavens Leocadia return'd to her Senses and restor'd the joy to all the by-standers which that funest Accident had depriv'd them of She open'd her Eyes and saw herself in the Arms of Ridolfo and endeavour'd to get out of them No Madam no said he do not strive to free your self from his Arms who holds you yet faster in his Soul These last words made Leocadias lost Spirits return intirely and Signora Stefana would not prosecute her Design any further but spoke to the Curate presently to marry them which he did finding there was no impediment either in time or place or want of Consent of Parents and consequently no necessity of those forms of proceeding which are for the most part practised I leave it to a better Pen than mine to describe the Universal Jubilee of all those who were present the Embraces which Leocadias Parents gave to Ridolfo the Thanks which they return'd to Heaven and Ridolfos Parents the interchang'd Compliments the admiration of Ridolfos Companions who saw unexpectedly the same Night that they came to Town so noble a Wedding But they were much more surpriz'd when Signora Stefana acquainted them that Leocadia was the Lady whom her Son had ravish'd This was no less wonderful to Ridolfo who the better to inform himself concerning the Truth of it desired Leocadia that she would be pleas'd to give him some Signs whereby he might arrive to the clear Knowledge of that of which he made no doubt because he believ'd his Father and Mother had thorowly inform'd theirselves in the matter When I recover'd answer'd Loocadia from my Swoon I found my self in your Arms but without Honour nevertheless I esteem it well lost because in returning out of this I found my self in your Arms but with Honour And if this is not sufficient to convince you I will add the Evidence of the Crucifix which no body but I could rob you of and 't is the same which your Mother has in her possession having heard these words he embrac'd her again with infinite Affection and Tenderness and all the Company renew'd their Benedictions and joyful Congratulations Supper was brought in and the City Music hearing of this Wedding gave their Attendance and play'd and sung all the while they sate at the Table Ridolfo beheld his Face in Luisettos as in a Glass The four Parents shed Tears for Joy upon this occasion there was no Corner in that spacious Palace but was full of Joy and Content And altho Night came flying with her black and nimble Wings she did not appear to Ridolfo to approach with that swiftness but that she walked slowly upon Crutches so great was his desire to be alone with his beloved Consort At last as there is nothing but has its end the long'd for Hour arriv'd and they went to sleep all the House was buried in silence but so shall not this Story For the illustrious Progeny and the many Children which this happy Couple left in Toledo will not permit it There they live this Day having enjoy'd one another many Years and seen their Childrens Children These Events proceeded from the permission of Heaven and THE FORCE OF BLOOD which Luissettos illustrious Grandfather saw shed upon the Ground The End of the Third Novel CORNELIA NOVEL IV. DON Antonio of Izunza and Don John of Gamboa Eminent Gentlemen near of equal Age very Discreet and intimate Friends being Students in Salamanca determin'd to leave their Studies and take a Journey into Flanders being incited to it by the hot Blood that boil'd in their young Veins and by Desire and Curiosity to see the World and besides because it appear'd to them that the Exercise of Arms tho it is laudable in all
Queen would first be informed what made her so earnestly desire her to do that which was directly contrary to her word The Countess would not answer till the Queen had granted her Petition which she did being desirous to know the reason which forced the Countess upon such a demand Then the Countess told the Queen her Sons love and that she feared that if he did not obtain his desire it might make him desperate and that she hop'd in two days Her Majesty might find out some expedient to satisfie her inamoured Son The Queen reply'd That had she not engaged her word 't was possible she might find out some thread to guide him out of that labyrinth but she could not neither would she defraud Ferdinandos hopes for all the World This answer the Countess carried to her Son who immediately put on his armour and mounted upon a stately Horse rid to Captain Manlys House and with a loud voice call'd upon Ferdinando who was dress'd like a Bridegroom in order to go to White-Hall to be Married having heard the voice he went to the Window as soon as the Earl saw him he thus accosted him Ferdinando have patience and mind what I have to say the Queen our Mistress commanded you to go to Sea and give such proofs of your Valour that might make you deserve the incomparable Izabella you went and return'd with a Vessel freight with Gold and Spices and precious Stones by which Action you think you have deserved her and believe there is no body in the Court that merits her better than you in which you are much mistaken I am of opinion nay I affirm that you have not yet nor ever can do any thing that can make you worthy of Izabella If you say the contrary I defy you and shall make my words good with my Sword Thus the Earl ended and Ferdinando reply'd My Lord your Challenge concerns me not because I own that not only I am unworthy of Izabella but that there is no man living upon the face of the Earth does deserve her making this acknowledgment I do not see that your defiance touches me nevertheless I accept of it that I may chastise your insolence This said he call'd for his Arms whereat his Parents and the rest of the Company were much disturbed Some who saw the Earl and heard the Challenge went immediately and inform'd the Queen who commanded the Captain of Her Guard to go presently and Arrest the Earl The Captain was so expeditious that he arriv'd just as Ferdinando was coming out of his House on Horseback and Armed No sooner did the Earl see him but guessing what he came for he spoke thus with a loud voice to Ferdinando You see what hinders us at present from deciding our quarrel if you have any desire to see me you may search me out and I will not give over looking for you till I have found and chastized you Two Persons that hate one another may easily meet if they are inclined to it let us therefore put off the execution of our design till we meet I am contented reply'd Ferdinando In this instant the Captain arrived and told the Earl that he arrested him in Her Majestys Name The Earl desired him to carry him before Her Majesty which the Captain granted and putting him in the midst of his men guarded him to White-Hall and brought him into Her Majesties presence who had been informed by the Countess of Lundy also of what had happened and who earnestly petitioned for his pardon as one carried â—y the heat of Youth and Passion to commit this Fact The Earl was brought before the Queen who without entering into any discourse with him commanded that his Sword should be takâ—n away and he carried to the Tower All these things caused great inquietude in Izabella and her Parents who in so little time found their affairs so much embroyl'd the Countess endeavour'd to persuade the Queen to send Izabella to Spain and so taking away the cause put an end to the bad consequences which migâ—t arise she added that Izabella was so stiff a Roman Catholic that no body could prevail with her to quit that Religion I have reply'd the Queen a greater esteem for her because she is stedfast in the Religion wherein she was educated neither can I think of sending her to Spain for that would be to deprive my self of the pleasure which her company her virtues and her beauty afford me Instead of that I intend either this day or to morrow at farthest to see her marryed to Ferdinando This answer afflicted the Countess with so much sorrow that she was not able to reply one word and believing there was no other remedy for her Sons Malady but to remove Izabella out of the way she resolv'd to put in practise one of the greatest wickednesses and cruelties that ever entred into the thoughts of a Person of her Quality which was to Poyson her and as it is natural to all Women when they have fix'd their resolutions especially if they are bad ones not to defer the execution of them that very night she gave her the Poyson in Câ—…serve of Roses forcing her to take it telling her 't was a soveraign Remedy for the Heart-beating and Qualmes to which Izabella was subject presently upon taking of it she began to swell her Tongue her Neck and her Lips grew black her Voice hoarse her Eyes dim and she was short-breath'd all which were evident sign of her being poysoned The Ladies repaired presently to the Queen and inform'd her that the Countess of Lundy had poisoned Izabella The Queen went immediately to visit her whom she found senseless and at the point of death she presently sent for her Fysicians but before they came she gave her Powder of Unicorns horn and other Antidotes which Princes are usually well stored with when the Fysicians came they applied the same again and pray'd the Queen to ask the Countess what sort of Poison she gave her which when she had declared they now knowing the Cause prescribed so many and so efficacious Remedies that by their means and Gods help Izabella remained alive or at least in some hopes of Living The Queen committed the Countess to the Tower who to excuse her fact alledg'd that She thought in removing Izabella any way it would be a grateful Service to Heaven in ridding the World of a Roman Catholic and the Cause of difference betwixt her and her Son When Ferdinando heard this News it almost distracted him he did extravagant things raved and lamented immoderately Izabella did not die but the Hair came off from her Head Eybrows and Eylids her Head and her Face swelled her Colour became squalid her Skin scurfy and yellow her Eyes red running in a word the Poison left her so ugly that whereas before she was a Miracle of Beauty she was now become a Monster of Deformity those that saw her in this plight thought that she lost more by her
the Affairs of the House but when there was occasion in the Marquess's absence undertook public Matters composing Differences of the meaner Subjects and the Nobility with so much Equity that she was cried up by all of them as a Woman sent from Heaven for the public good It was not long before she found herself with Child to the Joy of the Country which was increas'd by her being safely deliver'd of a most beautiful Daughter to her Husbands and Subjects great Satisfaction for altho they had rather it had been a Son yet they were well pleas'd with this Introduction hoping and not doubting that a young Woman who had given this sign of her fertility would in good time bless them with a Son and Successour No sooner was the Daughter nurs'd but the Marquess was resolv'd to put in effect a very strange Resolution whether more admirable or laudable let the learned judge to make an experiment of the Fidelity and Patience and Obedience of his dear Wife which he knew too well to have any reason to suspect and he was not contented to make one single trial but repeated ones which began thus He calls her into his Bed-Chamber and with a troubled and discontented Countenance spoke in this manner to her You cannot but remember Grissel for I do not believe your present Condition has made you forget what you were I say you remember how you came first into my House tho you are belov'd by me and very dear which I will not deny Yet I must tell you to my great Grief you are not so to my Subjects especially since you have brought forth a Child and they believe you may have more and now they shew theirselves very uneasy and ready to mutiny for being under a Woman of such mean Parentage It is necessary to the Peace in my Dominions to dispose of your Daughter not according to my own Inclinations but so that I may quiet the minds of my Subjects and to do that then which nothing can grieve me more But I would not put it in effect without having your Knowledge and Consent not doubting but you will arm yourself with Patience as you promis'd before we were married Having heard him speak without any alteration in her Countenance or Speech Sir said she you are my Lord and Prince I and this little Daughter are yours do with your own whatever you think fit whatever pleases you shall not displease me I desire to have nothing else nor fear to loose any thing but you whom I carry fix'd in my Heart that no Time or Death it self can remove all things may happen sooner than I shall change my mind towards you The Marquess rejoyc'd at this answer but conceal'd it and seem'd to leave her with great sadness in his face not long after he sent for an Officer of his Guards of whose Fidelity he had often experienc'd in matters of great Importance and having given him full Instructions he sent him to the Marchioness he came to her in the Night I humbly beg of you Madam said he to forgive the Messenger that brings you ill Tidings and not lay the fault upon me for what I do I do by compulsion and God knows against my will Your Highness is wise and knows how we are to behave ourselves who are under Masters neither can one of your divine Understanding be ignorant altho you have not yet known it by Experience that we are under an indispensable Obligation of obeying our Masters Commands be they never so rigorous I am commanded to take this Child from you and here he stop'd as not being willing to declare what he was to do with it The fame of the Messenger his suspicious Countenance and the time of the Night and his suspicious Speech made her firmly believe the Child was to be murder'd or at least expos'd upon the Mountains yet she did not sigh or shed the least tear which would be a wonderful thing in a hir'd Nurse and was certainly a most admirable in a natural Mother but with a sedate Countenance she took the Child in her Arms looking a while upon it then kissing it most tenderly and blessing it and making the sign of the Cross upon it she deliver'd it to the Souldier Go said she and execute what ever Commands your Master has laid upon you yet let me beg one thing of you bury my Daughter and permit not that her Flesh should be food to Birds and wild Beasts but I do not desire even this if your Master has given you positive Orders to the contrary The Officer return'd to the Marquess and inform'd him of what pass'd what was said and what was done which mov'd in him Fatherly Piety but not to that degree as to bend his mind and make him desist to prosecute his rigorous experiment but he deliver'd the Child to the Officer commanding him to wrap it up in warm Cloaths and put it into a Cradle and carry it upon a Mule with great Care and easy Journies to Bolonia and there to deliver it to a Sister of his who was married to the Count of Panico to be Educated and Instructed as a Daughter of such a Father ought to be but with privacy and secretness that no body should guess or know whose Daughter she was He went and carefully perform'd the Commands which his Master had laid upon him In the mean while the Marquess oftentimes consider'd the Countenance and Words of his Wife and could find therein no change there were the same Chearfulness the same Sedulity and Obedience as before the same Love no sadness no mention of her Daughter neither on purpose or casually the Name of her was never heard proceeding out of the Mothers mouth In this Condition they pass'd four Years when the Marchioness prov'd again with Child and in due time was deliver'd of a Boy the most beautiful Child that ever the Sun shin'd upon to the great Joy of its Father and of all his Friends and Subjects which after having been in the Country at Nurse was brought to Saluzzo where the Marquess resided who not being yet satified in what he had done resolved to push on yet further this cruel Experiment and thus he again accosts his Wise I told you before Grissel said he how much my People grumbled at our Marriage especially after they found you were fruitful but now their discontent is augmented since you have brought forth a Son for they stick not to say and I have often heard them When the Marquess Gualtiero is dead Janicolas Grand-Child is to be our Prince and our noble Country must be subject to the Off-spring of a poor Labourer This is the common talk of the People which make a great impression upon me for I love Peace and fear Tumults and Insurrections that therefore I may make my Condition secure I find my self forced to dispose of this Child as I have done of his Sister but I thought good to acquaint you with it