_ELVIRA_.
This she delivered to _Richardo's_ Servant, whom _Henrique_ had gained
that Night, as soon as she came to visit _Ardelia_, at her usual Hour,
just as she went out of the Cloister.
Don _Henrique_ was not a little surprized with this _Billet_; however,
he could hardly resolve to forbear his accustom'd Visits to _Ardelia_,
at first: But upon more mature Consideration, he only chose to converse
with her by Letters, which still press'd her to be mindful of her
Promise, and of the Hour, not taking notice of any Caution that he had
received of her Treachery. To which she still return'd in Words that
might assure him of her Constancy.
The dreadful Hour wanted not a Quarter of being perfect, when Don
_Henrique_ came; and having fixed his Rope-Ladder to that Part of the
Garden-Wall, where he was expected, _Ardelia_, who had not stir'd from
that very Place for a Quarter of an Hour before, prepar'd to ascend by
it; which she did, as soon as his Servant had returned and fixed it on
the inner-side of the Wall: On the Top of which, at a little Distance,
she found another fasten'd, for her to descend on the out-side, whilst
Don _Henrique_ eagerly waited to receive her. She came at last, and flew
into his Arms; which made _Henrique_ cry out in a Rapture, _Am I at last
once more happy in having my +Ardelia+ in my Possession!_ She, who knew
his Voice, and now found she was betray'd, but knew not by whom,
shriek'd out, _I am ruined! help! help!--Loose me, I charge you,
+Henrique!+ Loose me!_ At that very Moment, and at those very Words,
came _Sebastian_, attended by only one Servant; and hearing _Henrique_
reply, _Not all the Powers of Hell shall snatch you from me_, drawing
his Sword, without one Word, made a furious Pass at him: But his Rage
and Haste misguided his Arm, for his Sword went quite through
_Ardelia's_ Body, who only said, _Ah, wretched Maid!_ and drop'd from
_Henrique's_ Arms, who then was obliged to quit her, to preserve his own
Life, if possible: however he had not had so much Time as to draw, had
not _Sebastian_ been amazed at this dreadful Mistake of his Sword; but
presently recollecting himself, he flew with redoubled Rage to attack
_Henrique_; and his Servant had seconded him, had not _Henrique's_, who
was now descended, otherwise diverted him. They fought with the greatest
Animosity on both Sides, and with equal Advantage; for they both fell
together: _Ah, my +Ardelia+, I come to thee now!_ (_Sebastian_ groan'd
out,)--_'Twas this unlucky Arm, which now embraces thee, that killed
thee._ _Just Heaven!_ (she sigh'd out,)--_Oh, yet have Mercy!_ [Here
they both dy'd.] _Amen_, (cry'd _Henrique_, dying) _I want it most_--
_Oh, +Antonio+!_ _Oh, +Elvira+! Ah, there's the Weight that sinks
me down.--And yet I wish Forgiveness.--Once more, sweet Heaven, have
Mercy!_ He could not out-live that last Word; which was echo'd by
_Elvira_, who all this while stood weeping, and calling out for Help, as
she stood close to the Wall in the Garden.
This alarmed the Rest of the Sisters, who rising, caus'd the Bell to be
rung out, as upon dangerous Occasions it used to be; which rais'd the
Neighbourhood, who came time enough to remove the dead Bodies of the two
Rivals, and of the late fallen Angel _Ardelia_. The injur'd and
neglected _Elvira_, whose Piety designed quite contrary Effects, was
immediately seiz'd with a violent Fever; which, as it was violent, did
not last long: for she dy'd within four and twenty Hours, with all the
happy Symptoms of a departing Saint.
* * * * *
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