首页 >出版文学> Incognita>第3章

第3章

  NowbecauseitispossiblethisatsometimeorothermayhappentobereadbysomeMaliciousorIgnorantPerson,(noReflectionuponthepresentReader)whowillnotadmit,ordoesnotunderstandthatSilenceshouldmakeaManstart;andhavethesameEffect,inprovokinghisAttention,withitsoppositeNoise;Iwillillustratethismatter,tosuchadiminutiveCritick,byaParallelInstanceofLight;whichthoughitdoeschieflyentertaintheEyes,andisindeedtheprimeObjectoftheSight,yetshoulditimmediatelycease,tohaveaManleftintheDarkbyasuddaindeficiencyofit,wouldmakehimstarewithhisEyes,andthoughhecouldnotsee,endeavourtolookabouthim。WhyjustthusdiditfarewithourAdventurer;whoseemingtohavewandredbothintotheDominionsofSilenceandofNight,begantohavesometenderforhisownSafety,andwouldwillinglyhavegropedhisWaybackagain;whenheheardaVoice,asfromaPersonwhoseBreathhadbeenstopp’dbysomeforcibleOppression,andjustthen,byaviolentEffort,wasbrokethroughtheRestraint。——’Yet——Yet——(againreply’dtheVoice,stillstrugglingforAir,)’Forbear——andI’llforgivewhat’spast——IhavedonenothingyetthatneedsaPardon,(saysanother)andwhatistocome,willadmitofnone。
  HerethePersonwhoseemedtobetheOppressed,madeseveralAttemptstospeak,buttheywereonlyinarticulateSounds,beingallinterruptedandchoakedintheirPassage。
  Aurelianwassufficientlyastonish’d,andwouldhavecreptnearertothePlacewhenceheguessedtheVoicetocome;buthewasgotamongtheRunesofanOldMonastery,andcouldnotstirsosilently,butsomelooseStoneshemetwithmadearumbling。TheNoisealarm’dbothParties;andasitgaveComforttotheone,itsoTerrifiedthet’other,thathecouldnothindertheOppressedfromcallingforhelp。Aurelianfancy’ditwasaWoman’sVoice,andimmediatelydrawinghisSword,demandedwhatwastheMatter;hewasansweredwiththeAppearanceofaMan,whohadopenedaDarkLanthornwhichhehadbyhim,andcametowardhimwithaPistolinhisHandreadycock’d。
  AurelianseeingtheirresistableadvantagehisAdversaryhadoverhim,wouldfainhaveretired;and,bythegreatestProvidenceintheWorld,goingbackwardsfelldownoversomelooseStonesthatlayinhisWay,justinthatInstantofTimewhentheVillainfiredhisPistol,whoseeinghimfall,concludedhehadShothim。TheCrysoftheafflictedPersonwereredoubledattheTragicalSight,whichmadetheMurderer,drawingaPoniard,tothreatenhim,thatthenextMurmurshouldbehislast。Aurelian,whowasscarceassuredthathewasunhurt,gotsoftlyup;andcomingnearenoughtoperceivetheViolencethatwasusedtostoptheInjuredMan’sMouth;(fornowhesawplainlyitwasaMan)cry’dout,——Turn,Villain,andlookuponthyDeath。——TheFellowamazedattheVoice,turn’dabouttohavesnatch’duptheLanthornfromtheGround;eithertohavegivenLightonlytohimself,ortohaveputouttheCandle,thathemighthavemadehisEscape;butwhichoftheTwohedesigned,noBodycouldtellbuthimself:andiftheReaderhaveaCuriositytoknow,hemustblameAurelian;whothinkingtherecouldbenofoulplayofferedtosuchaVillain,ranhimimmediatelythroughtheHeart,sothathedrop’ddownDeadathisFeet,withoutspeakingaWord。HewouldhaveseenwhothePersonwashehadthushappilydelivered,buttheDeadBodyhadfallenupontheLanthorn,whichputouttheCandle:Howevercominguptowardhim,heask’dhimhowhedid,andbidhimbeofgoodHeart;hewasansweredwithnothingbutPrayers,BlessingsandThanks,calledaThousandDeliverers,goodGenius’sandGuardianAngels。AndtheRescuedwouldcertainlyhavegoneuponhisKneestohaveworshippedhim,hadhenotbeenboundHandandFoot;whichAurelianunderstanding,gropedfortheKnots,andeitheruntiedthemorcutthemasunder;but’tismoreprobablethelatter,becausemoreexpeditious。
  TheytooklittleheedwhatbecameoftheBodywhichtheyleftbehindthem,andAurelianwasconductedfromouttheRuinsbytheHandofhimhehaddelivered。ByafaintlightissuingfromthejustrisingMoon,hecoulddiscernthatitwasaYouth;butcomingintoamorefrequentedpartoftheTown,whereseveralLightswerehungout,hewasamaz’dattheextreamBeautywhichappearedinhisFace,thoughalittlepaleanddisorderedwithhislatefright。AurelianlongedtoheartheStoryofsooddanadventure,andentreatedhisChargetotellithimbytheway;buthedesiredhimtoforbeartilltheywerecomeintosomeHouseorother,wherehemightrestandrecoverhistiredSpirits,foryethewassofainthewasunabletolookup。
  AurelianthoughttheselastwordsweredeliveredinaVoice,whoseaccentwasnotnewtohim。ThatthoughtmadehimlookearnestlyintheYouth’sFace,whichhenowwassurehehadsomewhereseenbefore,andthereuponaskedhimifhehadneverbeenatSiena?ThatQuestionmadetheyoungGentlemanlookup,andsomethingofaJoyappearedinhisCountenance,whichyetheendeavouredtosmother;soprayingAureliantoconducthimtohisLodging,hepromisedhimthatassoonastheyshouldcomethither,hewouldacquainthimwithanythinghedesiredtoknow。AurelianwouldratherhavegoneanywhereelsethantohisownLodging;butbeingsoverylatehewasataloss,andsoforcedtobecontented。
  AssoonastheywerecomeintohisChamber,andthatLightswerebroughtthemandtheServantdismissed,thepalenesswhichsovisiblybeforehadusurpedthesweetCountenanceoftheafflictedYouthvanished,andgaveplacetoamorelivelyFloodofCrimson,whichwithamodestheatglow’dfreshlyonhisCheeks。AurelianwaitedwithapleasingAdmirationthediscoverypromisedhim,whentheYouthstillstrugglingwithhisResolution,withatimoroushaste,pulledoffaPerukewhichhadconcealedthemostbeautifulabundanceofHairthatevergracedoneFemaleHead;thosedishevelledspreadingtresses,asatfirsttheymadeadiscoveryof,soatlasttheyservedforaveiltothemodestlovelyblushesofthefairIncognita;forsheitwasandnoneother。ButOh!theinexpressible,inconceivablejoyandamazementofAurelian!Assoonashedurstventuretothink,heconcludedittobeallVision,andneverdoubtedsomuchofanythinginhisLifeasofhisbeingthenawake。ButshetakinghimbytheHand,anddesiringhimtositdownbyher,partlyconvincedhimoftherealityofherpresence。
  ’Thisisthesecondtime,DonHippolito,(saidshetohim)’thatI
  havebeenherethisNight。Whattheoccasionwasofmyseekingyouout,andhowbymiracleyoupreservedme,wouldaddtoomuchtothesurprizeIperceiveyoutobealreadyinshouldItellyou:NorwillImakeanyfurtherdiscovery,tillIknowwhatcensureyoupassupontheconfidencewhichIhaveputinyou,andthestrangeCircumstancesinwhichyoufindmeatthistime。Iamsensibletheyaresuch,thatIshallnotblameyourseverestConjectures;butIhopetoconvinceyou,whenyoushallhearwhatIhavetosayinjustificationofmyVertue。
  ’Justification!(cry’dAurelian)whatInfideldaresdoubtit!Thenkneelingdown,andtakingherHand,’AhMadam(sayshe)wouldHeavenwouldnootherwayslookupon,thanIbeholdyourPerfections——WrongnotyourCreaturewithaThought,hecanbeguiltyofthathorridImpietyasoncetodoubtyourVertue——Heavens!(cry’dhe,startingup)’amIsoreallyblessedtoseeyouonceagain!MayItrustmySight?——Ordoesmyfancynowonlymorestronglywork?——ForstillI
  didpreserveyourImageinmyHeart,andyouwereeverpresenttomydearestThoughts-
  ’EnoughHippolito,enoughofRapture(saidshe)youcannotmuchaccusemeofIngratitude;foryouseeIhavenotbeenunmindfulofyou;butmoderateyourJoytillIhavetoldyoumyCondition,andifformysakeyouareraisedtothisDelight,itisnotofalongcontinuance。
  Atthat(asAureliantellstheStory)aSighdiffusedamournfulsweetnessthroughtheAir,andliquidgrieffellgentlyfromherEyes,triumphantsadnesssatuponherBrow,andevensorrowseem’ddelightedwiththeConquesthehadmade。SeewhatachangeAurelianfelt!HisHeartbledTears,andtrembledinhisBreast;Sighsstrugglingforaventhadchoakedeachotherspassageup:HisFloodsofJoyswereallsupprest;colddoubtsandfearshadchill’d’emwithasuddenFrost,andhewastroubledtoexcess;yetknewnotwhy。
  Well,theLearnedsayitwasSympathy;andIamalwaysoftheOpinionwiththeLearned,iftheyspeakfirst。
  AfteraWorldofCondoleancehadpassedbetweenthem,heprevailedwithhertotellhimherStory。SohavingputallherSighsintoonegreatSigh,shedischargedherselfof’emallatonce,andformedtheRelationyouarejustabouttoRead。
  ’HavingbeeninmyInfancyContractedtoaManIcouldneverendure,andnowbymyParentsbeinglikelytobeforcedtoMarryhim,isinshort,thegreatoccasionofmygrief。Ifansy’d(continuedshe)
  somethingsoGenerousinyourCountenance,anduncommoninyourBehaviour,whileyouweredivertingyourself,andrallyingmewithExpressionsofGallantry,attheBall,asinducedmetoholdConferencewithyou。Inowfreelyconfesstoyou,outofdesign,ThatifthingsshouldhappenasIthenfeared,andasnowtheyarecometopass,ImightrelyuponyourassistanceinamatterofConcern;andinwhichIwouldsoonerchusetodependuponagenerousStranger,thananyAcquaintanceIhave。WhatMirthandFreedomI
  thenputon,were,Icanassureyou,fardistantfrommyHeart;butI
  didviolencetomyselfoutofComplaisancetoyourTemper。——IknewyouattheTilting,andwishedyoumightcomeoffasyoudid;thoughIdonotdoubt,butyouwouldhavehadasgoodSuccesshaditbeenoppositetomyInclinations。——NottodetainyoubytootediousaRelation,everydaymyFriendsurgedmetotheMatchtheyhadagreeduponforme,beforeIwascapableofConsenting;atlasttheirimportunitiesgrewtothatdegree,thatIfoundImusteitherconsent,whichwouldmakememiserable,orbemiserablebyperpetuallyenduringtobebaitedbymyFather,BrotherandotherRelations。Iresolvedyesterday,onasuddaintogivefirmFaithtotheOpinionIhadconceivedofyou;andaccordinglycameintheEveningtorequestyourassistance,indeliveringmefrommyTormentors,byasafeandprivateconveyanceofmetoaMonasteryaboutfourLeagueshence,whereIhaveanAuntwhowouldreceiveme,andistheonlyRelationIhaveaversetotheMatch。IwassurprizedattheappearanceofsomeCompanyIdidnotexpectatyourLodgings;
  whichmademeinhastetearaPaperwhichIhadwrittentoyouwithDirectionswheretofindme,andgetspeedilyawayinmyCoachtoanoldServant’sHouse,whomIacquaintedwithmypurpose:BymyOrdersheprovidedmeofthisHabitwhichInowwear;IventuredtotrustmyselfwithherBrother,andresolvedtogounderhisConducttotheMonastery;heprovedtobeaVillain,andPretendingtotakemeashortandprivatewaytotheplacewherehewastotakeupaHackneyCoach(forthatwhichIcameinwasbrokesomewhereorotherwiththehasteitmadetocarrymefromyourLodging)ledmeintoanoldruinedMonastery,whereitpleasedHeaven,bywhatAccidentIknownot,todirectyou。IneednottellyouhowyousavedmyLifeandmyHonour,byrevengingmewiththeDeathofmyPerfidiousGuide。ThisisthesummofmypresentCondition,batingtheapprehensionsIaminofbeingtakenbysomeofmyRelations,andforcedtoathingsoquitecontrarytomyInclinations。
  AurelianwasconfoundedattheRelationshehadmade,andbegantofearhisownEstatetobemoredesperatethaneverhehadimagined。
  HemadeheraveryPassionateandEloquentSpeechinbehalfofhimself(muchbetterthanIintendtoinserthere)andexpressedamightyconcernthatsheshouldlookuponhisardentAffectiontobeonlyRalleryorGallantry。HewasveryfreeofhisOathstoconfirmtheTruthofwhathepretended,norIbelievedidshedoubtit,oratleastwasunwillingsotodo:ForIwouldCautiontheReaderbythebye,nottobelieveeverywordwhichshetoldhim,northatadmirablesorrowwhichshecounterfeitedtobeaccuratelytrue。ItwasindeedtruthsocunninglyintermingledwithFiction,thatitrequirednolessWitandPresenceofMindthanshewasendowedwithsotoacquitherselfonthesuddain。ShehadentrustedherselfindeedwithaFellowwhoprovedaVillain,toconducthertoaMonastery;butonewhichwasintheTown,andwheresheintendedonlytolieconcealedforhissake;astheReadershallunderstanderelong:ForwehaveanotherDiscoverytomaketohim,ifhehavenotfounditoutofhimselfalready。
  AfterAurelianhadsaidwhathewasableupontheSubjectinhand,withamournfultoneanddejectedlook,hedemandedhisDoom。SheaskedhimifhewouldendeavourtoconveyhertotheMonasteryshehadtoldhimof?’Yourcommands,Madam,(repliedhe)’areSacredtome;andweretheytolaydownmyLifeIwouldobeythem。WiththathewouldhavegoneoutoftheRoom,tohavegivenorderforhisHorsestobegotreadyimmediately;butwithaCountenancesofullofsorrowasmovedCompassioninthetenderheartedIncognita。’StayalittleDonHippolito(saidshe)IfearIshallnotbeabletoundergotheFatigueofaJourneythisNight。——StayandgivemeyourAdvicehowIshallconcealmyselfifIcontinuetomorrowinthisTown。
  Aureliancouldhavesatisfiedhershewasnottheninaplacetoavoiddiscovery:Buthemustalsohavetoldherthenthereasonofit,viz。whomhewas,andwhowereinquestofhim,whichhedidnotthinkconvenienttodeclaretillnecessityshouldurgehim;forhefearedleastherknowledgeofthosedesignswhichwereinagitationbetweenhimandJuliana,mightdeterhermorefromgivingherconsent。Atlastheresolvedtotryhisutmostperswasionstogainher,andtoldheraccordingly,hewasafraidshewouldbedisturbedthereintheMorning,andheknewnootherway(ifshehadnotasgreatanaversionforhimastheManwhomshenowendeavour’dtoavoid)thanbymakinghimhappytomakeherselfsecure。Hedemonstratedtoher,-thatthedisobligationtoherParentswouldbegreaterbygoingtoaMonastery,sinceitwasonlytoavoidachoicewhichtheyhadmadeforher,andwhichshecouldnothavesojustapretencetodotillshehadmadeoneforherself。
  AWorldofotherArgumentsheused,whichshecontradictedaslongasshewasable,oratleastwilling。Atlastshetoldhim,shewouldconsultherPillow,andintheMorningconcludewhatwasfittobedone。Hethoughtitconvenienttoleavehertoherrest,andhavinglock’dherupinhisRoom,wenthimselftoreposeuponaPallatbySigniorClaudio。
  Inthemeantime,itmaybeconvenienttoenquirewhatbecameofHippolito。HehadwanderedmuchinpursuitofAurelian,thoughLeonoraequallytookuphisThoughts;HewasreflectingupontheoddnessandextravaganceofhisCircumstances,theContinuationofwhichhaddoubtlesscreatedinhimagreatuneasiness,whenitwasinterruptedwiththenoiseofopeningtheGatesoftheConventofSt。
  Lawrence,whitherhewasarrivedsoonerthanhethoughtfor,beingtheplaceAurelianhadappointedbytheLacqueytomeethimin。HewonderedtoseetheGatesopenedatsounseasonableanhour,andwenttoenquirethereasonofitfromthemwhowereemploy’d;buttheyprovedtobeNovices,andmadehimsignstogoin,wherehemightmeetwithsomebodyallow’dtoanswerhim。HefoundtheReligiousMenallup,andTaperslightingeverywhere:atlasthefollow’daFriarwhowasgoingintotheGarden,andaskinghimthecauseofthesePreparations,hewasanswered,ThattheywereentreatedtoprayfortheSoulofaCavalier,whowasjustdepartingordepartedthisLife,andwhomuponfarthertalkwithhim,hefoundtobethesameLorenzosooftenmentioned。DonMario,itseemsUncletoLorenzoandFathertoLeonora,hadaprivateDooroutoftheGardenbelongingtohisHouseintothatoftheConvent,whichDoorthisFatherwasnowagoingtoopen,thatheandhisFamilymightcomeandofferuptheirOraisonsfortheSouloftheirKinsman。Hippolitohavinginformedhimselfofasmuchashecouldaskwithoutsuspicion,tookhisleaveoftheFriar,notalittlejoyfulattheHopeshehadbysuchunexpectedMeans,ofseeinghisBeautifulLeonora:AssoonashewasgotatconvenientDistancefromtheFriar,(who’tislikethoughthehadreturn’dintotheConventtohisDevotion)heturnedbackthroughacloseWalkwhichledhimwithalittleCompass,tothesameprivateDoor,wherejustbeforehehadlefttheFriar,whonowhesawwasgone,andtheDooropen。
  HewentintoDonMario’sGarden,andwalk’droundwithmuchCautionandCircumspection;fortheMoonwasthenabouttorise,andhadalreadydiffusedaglimmeringLight,sufficienttodistinguishaManfromaTree。ByComputationnow(whichisaveryremarkableCircumstance)HippolitoentredthisGardennearuponthesameInstant,whenAurelianwandredintotheOldMonasteryandfoundhisIncognitainDistress。HewasprettywellacquaintedwiththePlatform,andSightoftheGarden;forhehadformerlysurveyedtheOutside,andknewwhatparttomaketoifheshouldbesurpriz’danddriventoaprecipitateEscape。HetookhisStandbehindawellgrownBushofMyrtle,which,shouldtheMoonshinebrighterthanwasrequired,hadtheAdvantagetobeshadedbytheIndulgentBoughsofanancientBay-Tree。HewasdelightedwiththeChoicehehadmade,forhefoundaHollowintheMyrtle,asifpurposelycontriv’dfortheReceptionofonePerson,whomightundiscoveredperceiveallabouthim。HelookeduponitasagoodOmen,thattheTreeConsecratedtoVenuswassopropitioustohiminhisAmorousDistress。TheConsiderationofthat,togetherwiththeObligationhelayundertotheMuses,forshelteringhimalsowithsolargeaCrownofBays,hadliketohavesethimaRhyming。
  Hewas,totelltheTruth,naturallyaddictedtoMadrigal,andweshouldundoubtedlyhavehadasmalldesertofNumberstohavepick’dandCriticiz’dupon,hadhenotbeeninterruptedjustuponhisDelivery;nay,afterthePreliminarySighhadmadeWayforhisUtterance。ButsowashisFortune,DonMariowascomingtowardstheDooratthatverynickofTime,wherehemetwithaPriestjustoutofBreath,whotoldhimthatLorenzowasjustbreathinghislast,anddesiredtoknowifhewouldcomeandtakehisfinalLeavebeforetheyweretoadministertheExtreamUnction。DonMario,whohadbeenatsomeDifferencewithhisNephew,nowthoughtithisDutytobereconciledtohim;socallingtoLeonora,whowascomingafterhim,hebidhergotoherDevotionsintheChappel,andtoldherwherehewasgoing。
  HewentonwiththePriest,whileHippolitosawLeonoracomeforward,onlyaccompaniedbyherWoman。Shewasinanundress,andbyreasonofaMelancholyvisibleinherFace,moreCarelessthanusualinherAttire,whichhethoughtaddedasmuchaswaspossibletotheabundanceofherCharms。HehadnotmuchTimetoContemplatethisBeauteousVision,forshesoonpassedintotheGardenoftheConvent,leavinghimConfoundedwithLove,Admiration,Joy,Hope,Fear,andalltheTrainofPassions,whichseizeuponMeninhisCondition,allatonce。HewassoteazedwiththisVarietyofTorment,thathenevermissedtheTwoHoursthathadslippedawayduringhisAutomachyandIntestineConflict。Leonora’sReturnsettledhisSpirits,atleastunitedthem,andhehadnownootherThoughtbuthowheshouldpresenthimselfbeforeher。WhenshecallingherWoman,bidherbolttheGardenDoorontheInside,thatshemightnotbeSurpriz’dbyherFather,ifhereturnedthroughtheConvent,whichdone,sheorderedhertobringdownherLute,andleavehertoherselfintheGarden。
  AllthisHippolitosawandheardtohisinexpressibleContent,yethadhemuchtodotosmotherhisJoy,andhinderitfromtakingaVent,whichwouldhaveruinedtheonlyOpportunityofhisLife。
  LeonorawithdrewintoanArboursonearhim,thathecoulddistinctlyhearherifshePlayedorSung:HavingtunedherLute,withaVoicesoftastheBreathofAngels,sheflungtoitthisfollowingAir:
  I。
  Ah!Whither,whithershallIfly,ApoorunhappyMaid;
  TohopelessLoveandMiseryBymyownHeartbetray’d?
  NotbyAlexisEyesundone,NorbyhisCharmingFaithlessTongue,OranyPractis’dArt;
  SuchrealIllsmayhopeaCure,ButthesadPainswhichIendureProceedfromfansiedSmart。
  II。
  ’TwasFancygaveAlexisCharms,EreIbeheldhisFace:
  KindFancy(then)couldfoldourArms,AndformasoftEmbrace。
  ButsinceI’veseentherealSwain,Andtry’dtofancyhimagain,I’mbymyFancytaught,Though’tisaBlissnoTonguecantell,TohaveAlexis,yet’tisHellTohavehimbutinThought。
  TheSongendedgrievedHippolitothatitwassosoonended;andintheEcstacyhewasthenrapt,Ibelievehewouldhavebeensatisfiedtohaveexpiredwithit。HecouldnothelpFlatteringhimself,(thoughatthesameTimehecheckedhisownVanity)thathewasthePersonmeantintheSong。Whilehewasindulgingwhichthought,tohishappyAstonishment,hehearditencouragedbytheseWords:
  ’UnhappyLeonora(saidshe)howisthypoorunwaryHeartmisled?
  WhitheramIcome?ThefalsedeludingLightsofanimaginaryFlame,haveledme,apoorbenightedVictim,toarealFire。IburnandamconsumedwithhopelessLove;thoseBeamsinwhosesofttemperatewarmthIwanton’dheretofore,nowflashdestructiontomySoul,myTreacherousgreedyEyeshavesuck’dtheglaringLight,theyhaveunitedallitsRays,and,likeaburning-Glass,convey’dthepointedMeteortomyHeart——Ah!Aurelian,howquicklyhastthouConquer’d,andhowquicklymustthouForsake。OhHappy(tomeunfortunatelyHappy)Juliana!IamtobethesubjectofthyTriumph——TotheeAureliancomesladenwiththeTributeofmyHeartandGloriesintheOblationofhisbrokenVows。——Whatthen,isAurelianFalse!False!
  alass,IknownotwhatIsay;HowcanhebeFalse,orTrue,oranyThingtome?WhatPromisesdidheeremakeorIreceive?SureI
  dream,orIammad,andfansieittobeLove;FoolishGirl,recalthybanish’dReason。——Ah!woulditwerenomore,wouldIcouldrave,surethatwouldgivemeEase,androbmeoftheSenseofPain;atleast,amongmywandringThoughts,IshouldatsometimelightuponAurelian,andfansiehimtobemine;kindMadnesswouldflattermypoorfeebleWishes,andsometimestellmeAurelianisnotlost——notirrecoverably——notforeverlost。
  Hippolitocouldhearnomore,hehadnotRoomforhalfhisTransport。
  WhenLeonoraperceivedaMancomingtowardher,shefellatrembling,andcouldnotspeak。HippolitoapproachedwithReverence,astoaSacredShrine;whencomingnearenoughtoseeherConsternation,hefelluponhisKnees。
  ’Behold,OAdoredLeonora(saidhe)’yourravishedAurelian,beholdatyourFeettheHappiestofMen,benotdisturb’datmyAppearance,butthinkthatHeavenconductedmetohearmyBlisspronouncedbythatdearMouthalone,whosebreathcouldfillmewithnewLife。
  Herehewouldhavecomenearer,butLeonora(scarcecometoherself)
  wasgettingupinhastetohavegoneaway:hecatch’dherHand,andwithalltheEndearmentsofLoveandTransportpressedherstay;shewasalongtimeingreatConfusion,atlast,withmanyBlushes,sheentreatedhimtolethergowhereshemighthideherGuiltyHead,andnotexposehershamebeforehisEyes,sincehisEarshadbeensufficientWitnessesofherCrime。Hebegg’dpardonforhisTreacheryinover-hearing,andconfessedittobeaCrimehehadnowrepeated。WithaThousandSubmissions,Entreaties,Prayers,Praises,Blessings,andpassionateExpressionshewroughtuponhertostayandhearhim。HereHippolitomadeuseofhisRhetorick,anditprovedprevailing:’TweretedioustotellthemanyingeniousArgumentsheused,withallherNiceDistinctionsandObjections。Inshort,heconvincedherofhisPassion,representedtoherthenecessitytheywereunder,ofbeingspeedyintheirResolves:ThathisFather(forstillhewasAurelian)wouldundoubtedlyfindhimintheMorning,andthenitwouldbetoolatetoRepent。SheontheotherHand,knewitwasinvaintodenyaPassion,whichhehadheardhersofranklyown;
  (andnodoubtwasverygladitwaspastanddone;)besidesapprehendingthedangerofdelay,andhavingsomelittleJealousiesandFearsofwhatEffectmightbeproducedbetweentheCommandsofhisFatherandtheBeautiesofJuliana;aftersomedecentDenials,sheconsentedtobeConductedbyhimthroughtheGardenintotheConvent,whereshewouldprevailwithherConfessortoMarrythem。
  HewasascrupulousOldFatherwhomtheyhadtodealwithal,insomuchthateretheyhadperswadedhim,DonMariowasreturnedbytheWayofhisownHouse,wheremissinghisDaughter,andherWomannotbeingabletogiveanyfartherAccountofher,thanthatsheleftherintheGarden;heconcludedshewasgoneagaintoherDevotions,andindeedhefoundherintheChappeluponherKneeswithHippolitoinherhand,receivingtheFather’sBenedictionuponConclusionoftheCeremony。
  ItwouldhaveaskedaveryskilfulHand,tohavedepictedtotheLifetheFacesofthoseThreePersons,atDonMario’sAppearance。HethathasseensomeadmirablePieceofTransmutationbyaGorgon’sHead,mayformtohimselfthemostprobableIdeaofthePrototype。TheOldGentlemanwashimselfinasortofaWood,tofindhisDaughterwithaYoungFellowandaPriest,butasyethedidnotknowtheWorst,tillHippolitoandLeonoracame,andkneelingathisFeet,begg’dhisForgivenessandBlessingashisSonandDaughter。DonMario,insteadofthat,fellintoamostviolentPassion,andwouldundoubtedlyhavecommittedsomeextravagantAction,hadhenotbeenrestrained,morebytheSanctityofthePlace,thanthePerswasionsofalltheReligious,whowerenowcomeabouthim。Leonorastirr’dnotoffherKneesallthistime,butcontinuedbeggingofhimthathewouldhearher。
  ’Ah!UngratefulandUndutifulWretch(cry’dhe)’howhastthourequitedallmyCareandTendernessofthee?NowwhenImighthaveexpectedsomereturnofComfort,tothrowthyselfawayuponanunknownPerson,and,foroughtIknow,aVillain;tomeI’msureheisaVillain,whohasrobb’dmeofmyTreasure,myDarlingJoy,andallthefutureHappinessofmyLifeprevented。Go——go,thounow-to-
  be-forgottenLeonora,goandenjoythyunprosperousChoice;youwhowantednotaFather’sCounsel,cannotneed,orelsewillslighthisBlessing。
  TheselastWordswerespokenwithsomuchPassionandfeelingConcern,thatLeonora,movedwithExcessofGrief,faintedathisFeet,justasshehadcaughtholdtoEmbracehisKnees。TheOldManwouldhaveshookheroff,butCompassionandFatherlyAffectioncameuponhiminthemidstofhisResolve,andmeltedhimintoTears,heEmbracedhisDaughterinhisArms,andweptoverher,whiletheyendeavouredtorestoreherSenses。
  HippolitowasinsuchConcernhecouldnotspeak,butwasbusilyemployedinrubbingandchafingherTemples;whensheopeningherEyeslaidholdofhisArm,andcry’dout——OhmyAurelian——howunhappyhaveyoumademe!Withthatshehadagainliketohavefaintedaway,buthetookherinhisArms,andbegg’dDonMariotohavesomepityonhisDaughter,sincebyhisSeverityshewasreducedtothatCondition。TheOldManhearinghisDaughternameAurelian,wasalittlerevived,andbegantohopeThingswereinaprettygoodCondition;hewasperswadedtocomforther,andhavingbroughtherwhollytoherself,wascontenttohearherExcuse,andinalittletimewassofarwroughtuponastobegHippolito’sPardonfortheIllOpinionhehadconceivedofhim,andnotlongaftergavehisConsent。
  TheNightwasspentinthisConflict,anditwasnowclearDay,whenDonMarioConductinghisnewSonandDaughterthroughtheGarden,wasmetbysomeServantsoftheMarquessofViterbo,whohadbeenenquiringforDonnaLeonora,toknowifJulianahadlatelybeenwithher;forthatshewasmissingfromherFather’sHouse,andnoconjecturescouldbemadeofwhatmightbecomeofher。DonMarioandLeonoraweresurprizedattheNews,forheknewwellenoughoftheMatchthatwasdesign’dforJuliana;andhavingenquiredwheretheMarquesswas,itwastoldhim,ThathewasgonewithDonFabioandFabritiotowardAurelian’sLodgings。DonMariohavingassuredtheServantsthatJulianahadnotbeenthere,dismissedthem,andadvisedwithhisSonandDaughterhowtheyshouldundeceivetheMarquessandDonFabiointheirExpectationsofAurelian。HippolitocouldoftentimesscarceforbearsmilingattheoldMan’sContrivanceswhowasmostdeceivedhimself;heatlengthadvisedthemtogoalldowntogethertohisLodging,wherehewouldpresenthimselfbeforehisFather,andingenuouslyconfesstohimthetruth,andhedidnotquestionhisapprovingofhisChoice。
  Thiswasagreedto,andtheCoachmadeready。Whiletheywereupontheirway,Hippolitopray’dheartilythathisFriendAurelianmightbeattheLodging,tosatisfieDonMarioandLeonoraofhisCircumstancesandQuality,whenheshouldbeobligedtodiscoverhimself。HisPetitionsweregranted;forDonFabiohadbesettheHouselongbeforehisSonwasuporIncognitaawake。
  UponthearrivalofDonMarioandHippolito,theyheardagreatNoiseandHubbubaboveStairs,whichDonMarioconcludedwasoccasionedbytheirnotfindingAurelian,whomhethoughthecouldgivethebestaccountof:SothatitwasnotinHippolito’spowertodisswadehimfromgoingupbeforetopreparehisFathertoreceiveandforgivehim。WhileHippolitoandLeonorawereleftintheCoachattheDoor,hemadehimselfknowntoher,andbegg’dherpardonathousandtimesforcontinuingthedeceit。Shewasundersomeconcernatfirsttofindshewasstillmistaken;buthisBehaviour,andtheReasonshegave,soonreconciledhimtoher;hisPersonwasaltogetherasagreeable,hisEstateandQualitynotatallinferiourtoAurelian’s;
  inthemeantime,thetrueAurelianwhohadseenhisFather,begg’dleaveofhimtowithdrawforamoment;inwhichtimehewentintotheChamberwherehisIncognitawasdressingherself,byhisdesign,inWoman’sApparel,whilehewasconsultingwithherhowtheyshouldbreakthemattertohisFather;ithappenedthatDonMariocameupStairswheretheMarquessandDonFabiowere;theyundoubtedlyconcludedhimMad,tohearhimmakingApologiesandExcusesforAurelian,whomhetoldthemiftheywouldpromisetoforgivehewouldpresentbeforethemimmediately。TheMarquessaskedhimifhisDaughterhadlainwithLeonorathatNight;heansweredhimwithanotherquestioninbehalfofAurelian。Inshort,theycouldnotunderstandoneanother,buteachthought’totherbesidehimself。DonMariowassoconcern’dthattheywouldnotbelievehim,thatherandownStairsandcametotheDooroutofBreath,desiringHippolitothathewouldcomeintotheHousequickly,forthathecouldnotperswadehisFatherbutthathehadalreadyseenandspoketohim。
  HippolitobythatunderstoodthatAurelianwasintheHouse;sotakingLeonorabytheHand,hefollowedDonMario,wholedhimupintotheDining-Room,wheretheyfoundAurelianuponhisKnees,begginghisFathertoforgivehim,thathecouldnotagreetotheChoicehehadmadeforhim,sincehehadalreadydisposedofhimself,andthatbeforeheunderstoodthedesignshehadforhim,whichwasthereasonthathehadhithertoconcealedhimself。DonFabioknewnothowtoanswerhim,butlook’dupontheMarquess,andtheMarquessuponhim,asiftheCementhadbeencool’dwhichwastohaveunitedtheirFamilies。
  Allwassilent,andDonMarioforhisparttookittobeallConjuration;hewascomingforwardtopresentHippolitotothem,whenAurelianspyinghisFriend,startedfromhisKneesandrantoembracehim——MydearHippolito(saidhe)whathappychancehasbroughtyouhither,justatmyNecessity?HippolitopointedtoDonMarioandLeonora,andtoldhimuponwhattermshecame。DonMariowasreadytorunmad,hearinghimcalledHippolito,andwentagaintoexaminehisDaughter。Whileshewasinforminghimofthetruth,theMarquess’sServantsreturnedwiththemelancholyNewsthathisDaughterwasnowheretobefound。WhiletheMarquessandDonFabritiowerewonderingat,andlamentingtheMisfortuneofherloss,HippolitocametowardsDonFabioandintercededforhisSon,sincetheLadyperhapshadwithdrawnherselfoutofanAversiontotheMatch。DonFabio,thoughverymuchincens’d,yetforgotnottheRespectduetoHippolito’sQuality;andbyhisperswasionspoketoAurelian,thoughwithasternLookandangryVoice,andaskedhimwherehehaddisposedthecauseofhisDisobedience,ifhewereworthytoseeherorno;Aurelianmadeanswer,Thathedesirednomorethanforhimtoseeher;andhedidnotdoubtaConsequenceofhisApprobationandForgiveness——Well(saidDonFabio)youareveryconceitedofyourownDiscretion,letusseethisRarety。WhileAurelianwasgoneinforIncognita,theMarquessofViterboandDonFabritioweretakingtheirleavesingreatdisorderfortheirlossanddisappointment;butDonFabioentreatedtheirstayamomentlongertillthereturnofhisSon。AurelianledIncognitaintotheRoomveil’d,whoseeingsomeCompanytherewhichhehadnottoldherof,wouldhavegonebackagain。ButDonFabiocamebluntlyforwards,andereshewasaware,liftedupherVeilandbeheldtheFairIncognita,differingnothingfromJuliana,butinherName。Thisdiscoverywassoextreamlysurprizingandwelcome,thateitherJoyorAmazementhadtieduptheTonguesofthewholeCompany。Aurelianherewasmostataloss,forheknewnotofhisHappiness;andthatwhichallalongpreventedJuliana’sconfessingherselftohim,washerknowingHippolito(forwhomshetookhim)tobeAurelian’sFriend,andshefearedifhehadknownher,thathewouldneverhaveconsentedtohavedeprivedhimofher。Julianawasthefirstthatspoke,fallinguponherKneestoherFather,whowasnotenoughhimselftotakeherup。DonFabiorantoher,andawakenedtheMarquess,whothenembracedher,butcouldnotyetspeak。FabritioandLeonorastrovewhoshouldfirsttakeherintheirArms;forAurelianhewasoutofhiswitsforJoy,andJulianawasnotmuchbehindhim,toseehowhappilytheirLovesandDutieswerereconciled。DonFabioembracedhisSonandforgavehim。TheMarquessandFabritiogaveJulianaintohishands,hereceivedtheBlessinguponhisKnees;allwereover-joy’d,andDonMarionotalittleproudatthediscoveryofhisSon-in-Law,whomAureliandidnotfailtosetforthwithalltheardentZealandEloquenceofFriendship。JulianaandLeonorahadpleasantDiscourseabouttheirunknownandmistakenRivalship,anditwastheSubjectofagreatdealofMirthtohearJulianarelatetheseveralContrivanceswhichshehadtoavoidAurelianforthesakeofHippolito。
  HavingdivertedthemselveswithmanyRemarksuponthepleasingsurprize,theyallthoughtitpropertoattendupontheGreatDukethatMorningatthePalace,andtoacquainthimwiththeNoveltyofwhathadpass’d;while,bytheway,thetwoYoungCoupleentertainedtheCompanywiththeRelationofseveralParticularsoftheirThreeDaysAdventures。