[Illustration: _E. Kirkall fec._]
_LOVE in Excess_;
OR THE
FATAL ENQUIRY,
A
NOVEL.
In THREE PARTS.
By Mrs. HAYWOOD.
----_In vain from Fate we fly,_
_For first or last, as all must die,_
_So ’tis as much decreed above,_
_That first or last, we all must Love._
LANSDOWN.
The Fourth EDITION Corrected.
_LONDON_:
Printed for D. BROWNE _jun._ at the _Black Swan_ without
_Temple Bar_. MDCCXXII.
[Illustration]
TO
Mrs. ELIZ. HAYWOOD,
ON HER
NOVEL
CALL’D
_Love in Excess_, &c.
_Fain wou’d I here my vast Ideas raise,_
_To paint the Wonders of ELIZA’s praise;_
_But like young Artists where their Stroaks decay,_
_I shade those Glories which I can’t display._
_Thy Prose in sweeter Harmony refines,_
_Than Numbers flowing thro’ the Muse’s Lines;_
_What Beauty ne’er cou’d melt, thy Touches fire,_
_And raise a Musick that can Love inspire;_
_Soul-thrilling Accents all our Senses wound,_
_And Strike with softness, whilst they Charm with sound!_
_When thy COUNT pleads, what Fair his Suit can flye?_
_Or when thy Nymph laments, what Eyes are dry?_
_Ev’n Nature’s self in Sympathy appears,_
_Yeilds Sigh for Sigh, and melts in equal Tears;_
_For such Descriptions thus at once can prove_
_The Force of Language, and the Sweets of Love._
_The Myrtle’s Leaves with those of Fame entwine,_
_And all the Glories of that Wreath are thine?_
_As Eagles can undazzl’d view the Force_
_Of scorching PHŒBUS in his Noon-day Course;_
_Thy Genius to the God its Luster plays,_
_Meets his fierce Beams, and darts him Rays for Rays!_
_Oh Glorious Strength! Let each succeeding Page_
_Still boast those Charms and luminate the Age;_
_So shall thy beamful Fires with Light divine_
_Rise to the Sphere, and there triumphant Shine._
RICHARD SAVAGE.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
By an unknown Hand.
To the most Ingenious Mrs HAYWOOD, on her NOVEL Entitled,
_Love in Excess:_
_A Stranger Muse, an Unbeliever too,_
_That Womens Souls such Strength of Vigour knew!_
_Nor less an Atheist to Love’s Power declar’d,_
_Till YOU a Champion for the Sex appear’d!_
_A Convert now, to both, I feel that Fire_
_YOUR Words alone can paint! YOUR Looks inspire!_
_Resistless now, Love’s shafts new pointed fly,_
_Wing’d with YOUR Flame, and blazing in YOUR Eye._
_With sweet, but pow’rful Force, the Charm-shot Heart_
_Receives th’ Impression of the Conqu’ring Dart,_
_And ev’ry Art’ry huggs the Joy-tipt Smart!_
_No more of PHŒBUS, rising vainly boast,_
_Ye tawny Sons of a luxuriant Coast!_
_While our blest Isle is with such Rays replete,_
_BRITAIN shall glow with more than Eastern Heat!_
[Illustration]
VERSES
Wrote in the Blank Leaf of
Mrs. _Haywood_’s NOVEL.
_Of all the Passions given us from above,_
_The Noblest, Truest, and the Best, is Love;_
_’Tis Love awakes the Soul, informs the Mind,_
_And bends the stubborn Temper to be kind,_
_Abates the Edge of ev’ry poi’nant Care_
_Succeeds the Wishes of the trembling Fair,_
_And ravishes the Lover from Despair._
_’Tis Love ELIZA’s soft Affections fires,_
_ELIZA writes, but Love alone inspires;_
_’Tis Love, that gives D’ELMONT his manly Charms,_
_And tears AMENA from her Father’s Arms;_
_Relieves the Fair one from her Maiden Fear,_
_And gives MELLIORA all her Soul holds dear,_
_A generous Lover, and a Bliss sincere._
_Receive, my Fair, the Story, and approve,_
_The Cause of HONOUR, and the Cause of LOVE;_
_With kind Concern, the tender Page peruse,_
_And aid the Infant Labours of the Muse._
_So never may those Eyes forget to shine,_
_And bright MELLIORA’s Fortune be as Thine;_
_On thy best Looks, an happy D’ELMONT feed,_
_And all the Wishes of thy Soul succeed._
[Illustration]
LOVE in EXCESS:
OR, THE
FATAL ENQUIRY.
PART the FIRST.
In the late War between the _French_ and the _Confederate_ Armies, there
were two BROTHERS, who had acquir’d a more than ordinary Reputation,
under the Command of the great and intrepid LUXEMBOURGH. But the
Conclusion of the Peace taking away any further Occasions of shewing
their Valour, the Eldest of ’em, whose Name was COUNT D’ELMONT, return’d
to PARIS, from whence he had been absent two Years, leaving his Brother
at St. OMER’s, ’till the Cure of some slight Wounds were perfected.
The Fame of the _Count_’s brave Actions arriv’d before him, and he
had the Satisfaction of being receiv’d by the KING and COURT, after
a Manner that might gratify the Ambition of the proudest. The Beauty
of his Person, the Gayity of his Air, and the unequal’d Charms of his
Conversation, made him the Admiration of both Sexes; and whilst those of
his _own_ strove which should gain the largest share in his Friendship;
the _other_ vented fruitless Wishes, and in secret, curs’d that Custom
which forbids Women to make a Declaration of their Thoughts. Amongst the
Number of these, was ALOVISA, a Lady descended (by the Father’s Side)
from the Noble Family of the D’ LA TOURS formerly Lord of BEUJEY, and (by
her Mothers) from the equally Illustrious House of MONTMORENCY. The late
Death of her Parents had left her Coheiress (with her Sister,) of a vast
Estate.
ALOVISA, if her Passion was not greater than the rest, her Pride, and
the good Opinion she had of her self, made her the less able to support
it; she sigh’d, she burn’d, she rag’d, when she perceiv’d the Charming
D’ELMONT behav’d himself toward her with no Mark of a distinguishing
Affection. What (said she) have I beheld without Concern a Thousand
Lovers at my Feet, and shall the only Man I ever endeavour’d, or wish’d
to Charm, regard me with Indifference? Wherefore has the agreeing World
join’d with my deceitful Glass to flatter me into a vain Belief I had
invincible Attractions? D’ELMONT sees ’em not! D’ELMONT is insensible.
Then would she fall into Ravings, sometimes cursing her own want of
Power, sometimes the Coldness of D’ELMONT. Many Days she pass’d in these
Inquietudes, and every time she saw him (which was very frequently)
either at Court, at Church, or publick Meetings, she found fresh Matter
for her troubled Thoughts to work upon: When on any Occasion he happen’d
to speak to her, it was with that Softness in his Eyes, and that engaging
tenderness in his Voice, as would half persuade her, that, that God had
touch’d his Heart, which so powerfully had Influenc’d hers; but if a
glimmering of such a Hope gave her a Pleasure inconceivable, how great
were the ensuing Torments, when she observ’d those Looks and Accents were
but the Effects of his natural Complaisance, and that to whomsoever he
Address’d, he carried an equality in his Behaviour, which sufficiently
evinc’d, his Hour was not yet come to feel those Pains he gave; and if
the afflicted fair Ones found any Consolation, it was in the Reflection,
that no Triumphant Rival could boast a Conquest, each now despair’d of
gaining. But the impatient ALOVISA disdaining to be rank’d with those,
whom her Vanity made her consider as infinitely her Inferiors, suffer’d
her self to be agitated almost to Madness, between the two Extreams of
Love and Indignation; a thousand _Chimeras_ came into her Head, and
sometimes prompted her to discover the Sentiments she had in his Favour:
But these Resolutions were rejected, almost as soon as form’d, and she
could not fix on any for a long time; ’till at last, Love (ingenious in
Invention,) inspir’d her with one, which probably might let her into the
Secrets of his Heart, without the Shame of revealing her own.
The Celebration of Madam the Dutchess of BURGUNDY’s Birth-day being
Solemniz’d with great Magnificence; she writ this _Billet_ to him on the
Night before.
[Illustration]
To Count D’ELMONT.
_Resistless as you are in War, you are much more so in Love;
Here you conquer without making an Attack, and we Surrender
before you Summons; the Law of Arms obliges you to show Mercy
to an yielding Enemy, and sure the Court cannot inspire less
generous Sentiments than the Field. The little God lays down
his Arrows at your Feet, confesses your superior Power, and
begs a Friendly Treatment; he will appear to you to morrow
Night at the Ball, in the Eyes of the most passionate of
all his Votresses; search therefore for him in Her, in whom
(amongst that bright Assembly) you would most desire to find
Him; I am confident you have too much Penetration to miss of
him, if not bypass’d by a former Inclination, and in that Hope,
I shall (as patiently as my Expectations will let me) support,
’till then, the tedious Hours._
Farewell.
This she sent by a trusty Servant, and so disguis’d, that it was
impossible for him to be known, with a strict Charge to deliver it to
the _Count_’s own Hands, and come away before he had read it; the Fellow
perform’d her Orders exactly, and when the _Count_, who was not a little
surpriz’d at the first opening it, ask’d for the Messenger, and commanded
he should be stay’d; his Gentleman (who then was waiting in his Chamber,)
told him he ran down Stairs with all the speed imaginable, immediately
on his Lordship’s receiving it. D’ELMONT having never experienc’d
the Force of Love, could not presently comprehend the Truth of this
Adventure; at first he imagin’d some of his Companions had caus’d this
Letter to be wrote, either to sound his Inclinations, or upbraid his
little Disposition to Gallantry; but these Cogitations soon gave Place
to others; and tho’ he was not very vain, yet he found it no difficulty
to perswade himself to an Opinion, that it was possible for a Lady to
distinguish him from other Men. Nor did he find any thing so unpleasing
in that Thought as might make him endeavour to repell it; the more he
consider’d his own Perfections, the more he was confirm’d in his Belief,
but who to fix it on, he was at a Loss as much as ever; then he began
to reflect on all the Discourse, and little Railleries that had pass’d
between him and the Ladies whom he had convers’d with since his Arrival,
but cou’d find nothing in any of ’em of Consequence enough to make him
guess at the Person: He spent great part of the Night in Thoughts very
different from those he was accustom’d to, the Joy which naturally rises
from the Knowledge ’tis in one’s Power to give it, gave him Notions which
till then he was a Stranger to; he began to consider a Mistress as an
agreeable, as well as fashionable Amusement, and resolv’d not to be Cruel.
In the mean time poor ALOVISA was in all the Anxiety imaginable, she
counted every Hour, and thought ’em Ages, and at the first dawn of Day
she rose, and calling up her Women, who were amaz’d to find her so
uneasy, she employ’d ’em in placing her Jewels on her Cloaths to the best
Advantage, while she consulted her Glass after what Manner she should
Dress, her Eyes, the gay; the languishing, the sedate, the commanding,
the beseeching Air, were put on a thousand times, and as often rejected;
and she had scarce determin’d which to make use of, when her Page brought
her Word, some Ladies who were going to Court desir’d her to accompany
them; she was too impatient not to be willing to be one of the first,
so went with them immediately, arm’d with all her Lightnings, but full
of unsettled Reflections. She had not been long in the Drawing Room,
before it grew very full of Company, but D’ELMONT not being amongst ’em,
she had her Eyes fix’d towards the Door, expecting every Moment to see
him enter; but how impossible is it to represent her Confusion, when he
appear’d, leading the young AMENA, Daughter to Monsieur _Sanseverin_, a
Gentleman, who tho’ he had a very small Estate, and many Children, had
by a partial Indulgence, too common among Parents, neglecting the rest,
maintain’d this Darling of his Heart in all the Pomp of Quality. The
Beauty and Sweetness of this Lady was present-Death to ALOVISA’s Hope’s;
she saw, or fancy’d she saw an usual Joy in her Eyes, and dying Love in
his; Disdain, Despair, and Jealousie at once crowded into her Heart, and
swell’d her almost to bursting; and ’twas no wonder that the violence of
such terrible Emotions kept her from regarding the Discourses of those
who stood by her, or the Devoirs that D’ELMONT made as he pass’d by, and
at length threw her into a Swoon; the Ladies ran to her assistance, and
her charming Rival, being one of her particular Acquaintance, shew’d an
extraordinary assiduity in applying Means for her Relief, they made what
hast they cou’d to get her into another Room, and unfasten her Robe,
but were a great while before they could bring her to herself; and when
they did, the Shame of having been so disorder’d in such an Assembly,
and the Fears of their suspecting the Occasion, added to her former
Agonies, had rack’d her with most terrible Revulsions, every one now
despairing of her being able to assist at that Night’s Entertainment, she
was put into her Chair, in order to be carry’d Home; AMENA who little
thought how unwelcome she was grown, would needs have one call’d, and
accompany’d her thither, in spight of the Intreaties of D’ELMONT, who had
before engag’d her for his Partner in Dancing; not that he was in Love
with her, or at that time believ’d he cou’d be touch’d with a Passion
which he esteem’d a Trifle in it self, and below the Dignity of a Man of
Sense; but Fortune (to whom this Lady no less enamour’d than ALOVISA)
had made a thousand Invocations, seem’d to have allotted her the glory
of his first Addresses; she was getting out of her Chariot just as he
alighted from his, and offering her his Hand, he perceiv’d hers trembled,
which engaging him to look upon her more earnestly than he was wont, he
immediately fancy’d he saw something of that languishment in her Eyes,
which the obliging Mandate had describ’d: AMENA was too lovely to make
that Belief disagreeable, and he resolv’d on the Beginnings of an Amour,
without giving himself the trouble of considering the Consequences; the
Evening being extreamly pleasant, he ask’d if she wou’d not favour him so
far as to take a turn or two within the Palace-Garden; She who desir’d
nothing more than such a particular Conversation, was not at all backward
of complying; he talk’d to her there for some time, in a manner as could
leave her no room to doubt he was entirely Charm’d, and ’twas the Air
such an Entertainment had left on both their Faces, as produc’d those sad
Effects in the jealous ALOVISA. She was no sooner led to her Apartment,
but she desir’d to be put to Bed, and the good natur’d AMENA, who really
had a very great kindness for her, offer’d to quit the Diversions of the
Ball, and stay with her all Night; but the unfortunate ALOVISA was not
in a Condition to endure the Presence of any, especially her, so put
her off as civilly as her Anxiety would give her leave, chusing rather
to suffer her to return to the Ball, than retain so hateful an Object
(as she was now become) in her sight; and ’tis likely the other was not
much troubled at her Refusal. But how, (when left alone, and abandon’d
to the whirlwinds of her Passion,) the desperate ALOVISA behav’d, none
but those, who like her, have burn’d in hopeless Fires can guess, the
most lively Description wou’d come far short of what she felt; she
rav’d, she tore her Hair and Face, and in the extremity of her Anguish
was ready to lay violent Hands on her own Life. In this Tempest of Mind,
she continu’d for some time, till at length rage beginning to dissipate
it self in Tears, made way for cooler Considerations; and her natural
Vanity resuming its Empire in her Soul, was of no little Service to
her on this Occasion. Why am I thus disturb’d? Mean Spirited as I am!
Said she, D’ELMONT is ignorant of the Sentiments I am possess’d with
in his favour; and perhaps ’tis only want of Incouragement that has so
long depriv’d me of my Lover; my Letter bore no certain Mark by which
he might distinguish me, and who knows what Arts that Creature might
make use of to allure him. I will therefore (persu’d she, with a more
cheerful Countenance) direct his erring Search. As she was in this
Thought (happily for her, who else might have relaps’d) her Women who
were waiting in the next Room, came in to know if she wanted any thing;
yes, answer’d she, with a Voice and Eyes wholly chang’d, I’ll rise, one
of you help me on with my Cloaths, and let the other send CHARLO to me,
I have instant Business with him. ’Twas in vain for ’em to represent to
her the Prejudice it might be to her Health to get out of her Bed at so
unseasonable an Hour, it being then just Midnight: They knew her too
absolute a Mistress not to be obey’d, and executed her Commands, without
disputing the Reason. She was no sooner ready, than CHARLO was introduc’d
who being the same Person that carry’d the Letter to D’ELMONT, guess’d
what Affair he was to be concern’d in, and shut the Door after him. I
commend your Caution, said his Lady, for what I am now going to trust you
with, is of more concernment than my Life. The Fellow bow’d, and made a
thousand Protestations of an eternal Fidelity. I doubt it not, resum’d
she, go then immediately to the _Court_, ’tis not impossible but in this
hurry you may get into the Drawing Room; but if not, make some pretence
to stay as near as you can ’till the Ball be over; listen carefully to
all Discourses where you hear COUNT D’ELMONT mention’d, enquire who he
Dances with, and above all, watch what Company he comes out with, and
bring me an exact Account. Go, continu’d she hastily, these are all the
Orders I have for you to Night, but to Morrow I shall employ you farther.
Then turning to her _Escritore_, she sat down, and began to prepare a
second Letter, which she hop’d wou’d be more lucky than the former. She
was not long writing, Love and Wit, suggested a World of passionate and
agreeable Expressions to her in a Moment: But when she had finish’d
this so full a Discovery of her Heart, and was about to sign her Name
to it; not all that Passion which had inspir’d her with a Resolution to
scruple nothing that might advance the compassing her Wishes, nor the
vanity which assur’d her of Success, were forcible enough to withstand
the shock it gave her Pride; No, let me rather die! Said she, (starting
up and frighted at her own Designs) than be guilty of a Meanness which
wou’d render me unworthy of Life, Oh Heavens! To offer Love, and poorly
sue for Pity! ’tis insupportable! What bewitch’d me to harbour such a
Thought as even the vilest of my Sex wou’d blush at? To pieces then
(added she, tearing the Paper) with this shameful Witness of my Folly,
my furious Desires may be the destruction of my Peace, but never of my
Honour, that shall still attend my Name when Love and Life are fled. She
continu’d in this Temper (without being able to compose herself to rest)
till Day began to appear, and CHARLO returned with News which confirmed
her most dreaded Suspicions. He told her that he had gain’d admittance to
the Drawing Room several Times, under pretence of delivering Messages to
some of the Ladies; that the whole Talk among ’em was, that D’ELMONT, was
no longer insensible of Beauty; that he observ’d that Gentleman in very
particular Conference with AMENA, and that he waited on her Home in his
Chariot, her own not being in the way, I know it, said ALOVISA (walking
about in a disorder’d Motion) I did not doubt but that I was undone, and
to my other Miseries, have that of being aiding to my Rival’s Happiness:
Whatever his Desires were, he carefully conceal’d ’em, till my cursed
Letter prompted a Discovery; tenacious as I was, and too, too confident
of this little Beauty! Here she stop’d, and wiping away some Tears which
in spight of her ran down her Cheeks, gave CHARLO leave to ask if she had
any more Commands for him. Yes (answer’d she) I will write once more to
this undiscerning Man, and let him know, ’tis not AMENA that is worthy of
him; that I may do without prejudicing my Fame, and ’twill be at least
some Easement to my Mind, to undeceive the Opinion he may have conceiv’d
of her Wit, for I am almost confident she passes for the Authoress of
those Lines which have been so fatal to me; in speaking this, without any
further Thought, she once more took her Pen, and wrote these Words.
[Illustration]
_To Count_ D’ELMONT.
_If Ambition be a Fault, ’tis only in those who have not a
sufficient stock of Merit to support it; too much Humility is a
greater in you, whose Person and Qualities are too admirable,
not to render any Attempt you shall make justifiable, as
well as successful. Heaven when it distinguish’d you in so
particular a Manner from the rest of Mankind, design’d you
not for vulgar Conquests, and you cannot without a manifest
Contradiction to its Will, and an irreparable Injury to your
self, make a present of that Heart to AMENA, when one, of
at least an equal Beauty, and far superior in every other
Consideration, would Sacrifice all to purchase the glorious
Trophy; continue then no longer in a wilful Ignorance, aim
at a more exalted flight, and you will find it no difficulty
to discover who she is that languishes, and almost dies for
an Opportunity of confessing (without too great a breach of
Modesty) that her Soul, and all the Faculties of it, are, and
must be_,
Eternally Yours.
This she gave to CHARLO, to deliver with the same Caution as the former;
but he was scarce got out of the House before a new Fear assaulted her,
and she repented her uncircumspection. What have I done, cry’d she! Who
knows but D’ELMONT may shew these Letters to AMENA, she is perfectly
acquainted with my Hand, and I shall be the most expos’d and wretched
Woman in the World. Thus Industrious was she in forming Notions to
Torment herself; nor indeed was there any thing of Improbability in
this Conjecture. There are too many ungenerous enough to boast such an
Adventure; but D’ELMONT tho’ he would have given good Part of his Estate
to satisfy his Curiosity, yet chose rather to remain in a perpetual
Ignorance, than make use of any Means that might be disadvantagious to
the Lady’s Reputation. He now perceiv’d his Mistake, and that it was
not AMENA who had taken that Method to engage him, and possibly was not
disgusted to find she had a Rival of such Merit, as the Letter intimated.
However, he had said too many fine Things to her to be lost, and thought
it as inconsistent with his Honour as his Inclination to desist a
Pursuit in which he had all the Reason in the World to assure himself of
Victory; for the young AMENA (little vers’d in the Art of Dissimulation,
so necessary to her Sex) cou’d not conceal the Pleasure she took in
his Addresses, and without even a seeming reluctancy, had given him a
Promise of meeting him the next Day in the _Tuilleries_; nor could all
his unknown Mistress had writ, perswade him to miss this Assignation, nor
let that be succeeded with another, and that by a third, and so on, ’till
by making a shew of Tenderness; he began to fancy himself really touch’d
with a Passion he only design’d to represent. ’Tis certain this way of
Fooling rais’d Desires in him little different from what is commonly
call’d Love; and made him redouble his Attacks in such a Manner, as AMENA
stood in need of all her Vertue to resist; but as much as she thought her
self oblig’d to resent such Attempts, yet he knew so well how to excuse
himself, and lay the Blame on the Violence of his Passion, that he was
still too Charming, and too Dear to her not to be forgiven. Thus was
AMENA (by her too generous and open Temper) brought to the very brink of
Ruin, and D’ELMONT was possibly contriving Means to compleat it, when her
Page brought him this Letter.
[Illustration]
To Count D’ELMONT.
_Some Malicious Persons have endeavour’d to make the little
Conversation I have had with you, appear as Criminal; therefore
to put a stop to all such Aspersions, I must for the future
deny my self the Honour of your Visits, unless Commanded to
receive ’em by my Father, who only has the Power of disposing
of_
AMENA.
The Consternation he was in at the reading these Lines, so very different
from her former Behaviour, is more easily imagin’d than express’d, ’till
casting his Eyes on the Ground, he saw a small Note, which in the opening
of this, had fallen out of it, which he hastily took up, and found it
contain’d these Words.
_I guess the Surprize my lovely Friend is in, but have not time
now to unriddle the Mystery: I beg you will be at your Lodgings
towards the Evening, and I will invent a Way to send to you._
’Twas now that D’ELMONT began to find there were _Embarrassments_ in
an Intrigue of this Nature, which he had not foreseen, and stay’d at
Home all Day, impatiently expecting the clearing of an Affair, which at
present seem’d so ambiguous. When it grew a little Duskish, his Gentleman
brought in a Young Woman, whom he immediately knew to be: ANARET, an
Attendant on AMENA; and when he had made her sit down, told her he hop’d
she was come to make an _Eclaircissment_, which would be very obliging to
him, and therefore desir’d she wou’d not defer it.
My Lord, said she, ’tis with an unspeakable Trouble I discharge that
Trust my Lady has repos’d in me, in giving you a Relation of her
Misfortunes; but not to keep you longer in suspence, which I perceive
is uneasy to you; I shall acquaint you, that soon after you were gone,
my Lady came up into her Chamber, where, as I was preparing to undress
her, we heard Monsieur SANSEVERIN in an angry Tone ask where his Daughter
was, and being told she was above, we immediately saw him enter, with a
Countenance so inflam’d, as put us both in a mortal Apprehension. An ill
use (said he to her) have you made of my Indulgence, and the Liberty I
have allow’d you! Could neither the Considerations of the Honour of your
Family, your own Reputation, nor my eternal Repose, deter you from such
imprudent Actions, as you cannot be ignorant must be the inevitable Ruin
of ’em all. My poor Lady was too much surpriz’d at these cruel Words,
to be able to make any Answer to ’em, and stood trembling, and almost
fainting, while he went on with his Discourse. Was it consistent with the
Niceties of your Sex, said he, or with the Duty you owe me, to receive
the Addresses of a Person whose Pretensions I was a Stranger to? If the
Count D’ELMONT has any that are Honourable, wherefore are they conceal’d?
The Count D’ELMONT! (cry’d my Lady more frighted than before) never made
any Declarations to me worthy of your Knowledge, nor did I ever entertain
him otherwise, than might become your Daughter. ’Tis false (interrupted
he furiously) I am but too well inform’d of the contrary; nor has the
most private of your shameful Meetings escap’d my Ears! Judge, Sir,
in what a Confusion my Lady was in at this Discourse; ’twas in vain,
she muster’d all her Courage to perswade him from giving Credit to an
Intelligence so injurious to her; he grew the more enrag’d, and after a
thousand Reproaches, flung out of the Room with all the Marks of a most
violent Indignation, But tho’ your Lordship is too well acquainted with
the mildness of AMENA’S Disposition, not to believe she could bear the
Displeasure of a Father (who had always most tenderly lov’d her) with
indifference; yet ’tis impossible for you to imagine in what an excess of
Sorrow she was plung’d, she found every Passage of her ill Conduct (as
she was pleas’d to call it) was betray’d, and did not doubt but whoever
had done her that ill Office to her Father, wou’d take care the Discovery
should not be confin’d to him alone. Grief, Fear, Remorse, and Shame by
turns assaulted her, and made her incapable of Consolation; even the soft
Pleas of Love were silenc’d by their Tumultuous Clamours, and for a Time
she consider’d your Lordship in no other view than that of her Undoer.
How! cry’d D’ELMONT (interrupting her) cou’d my AMENA, who I thought
all sweetness, judge so harshly of me. Oh! my Lord, resum’d ANARET,
you must forgive those first Emotions, which as violent as they were,
wanted but your Presence to dissipate in a Moment; and if your Idea had
not presently that Power, it lost no Honour by having Foes to struggle
with, since at last it put ’em all to flight, and gain’d so entire a
Victory, that before Morning, of all her Troubles, scarce any but the
Fears of losing you remain’d. And I must take the Liberty to assure your
Lordship, my Endeavours were not wanting to establish a Resolution in her
to despise every thing for Love and you. But to be as brief as I can in
my Relation; the Night was no sooner gone, than Monsieur her Father came
into the Chamber, with a Countenance, tho’ more compos’d, than that with
which he left us, yet with such an Air of Austerity, as made my timerous
Lady lose most of the Spirit she had assum’d for this Encounter. I come
not now AMENA, said he, to upbraid or punish your Disobedience, if you
are not wholly abandon’d by your Reason, your own Reflections will be
sufficiently your Tormentors. But to put you in a way, (if not to clear
your Fame, yet to take away all Occasion of future Calumny,) you must
write to Count D’ELMONT.
I will have no denials continu’d he, (seeing her about to speak) and
leading her to her Escritore, constrain’d her to write what he dictated,
and you receiv’d; just as she was going to Seal it, a Servant brought
word that a Gentleman desir’d to speak with Monsieur SANSEVERIN, he
was oblig’d to step into another Room, and that absence gave her an
Opportunity of writing a Note, which she dextrously slip’d into the
Letter, unperceiv’d by her Father at his return, who little suspecting
what she had done, sent it away immediately. Now, said he, we shall
be able to judge of the sincerity of the Count’s Affections, but till
then I shall take care to prove my self a Person not disinterested in
the Honour of my Family. As he spoke these Words, he took her by the
Hand, and conducting her, thro’ his own, into a little Chamber (which
he had order’d to be made ready for that purpose) shut her into it; I
follow’d to the Door, and seconded my Lady in her Desires, that I might
be permitted to attend her there; but all in vain, he told me, he doubted
not but that I had been her Confident in this Affair, and ordered me
to quit his House in a few Days. As soon as he was gone out, I went
into the Garden, and saunter’d up and down a good while, hoping to get
an Opportunity of speaking to my Lady through the Window, for I knew
there was one that look’d into it; but not seeing her, I bethought me of
getting a little Stick, with which I knock’d gently against the Glass,
and engag’d her to open it. As soon as she perceiv’d me, a Beam of Joy
brighten’d in her Eyes, and glisten’d tho’ her Tears. Dear ANARET, said
she, how kindly do I take this proof of thy Affection, ’tis only in thy
Power to alleviate my Misfortunes, and thou I know art come to offer thy
Assistance. Then after I had assur’d her of my willingness to serve her
in any command, she desir’d me to wait on you with an Account of all that
had happen’d, and to give you her Vows of an eternal Love. My Eyes, said
she weeping, perhaps may ne’er behold him more, but Imagination shall
supply that want, and from my Heart he never shall be Absent. Oh! do not
talk thus, cry’d the Count, extreamly touch’d at this Discourse. I must,
I will see her, nothing shall hold her from me. You may, answer’d ANARET,
but then it must be with the Approbation of Monsieur SANSEVERIN, he will
be proud to receive you in Quality of a Suitor to his Daughter, and ’tis
only to oblige you to a publick Declaration that he takes these Measures.
D’ELMONT was not perfectly pleas’d with these Words: he was too quick
sighted not to perceive immediately what Monsieur SANSEVERIN drove at,
but as well as he lik’d AMENA, found no inclination in himself to Marry
her; and therefore was not desirous of an Explanation of what he resolv’d
not to seem to understand. He walk’d two or three turns about the Room,
endeavouring to conceal his Disgust, and when he had so well overcome
the shock, as to banish all visible Tokens of it, I would willingly said
he coldly, come in to any proper Method for the obtaining the Person of
AMENA, as well as her Heart; but there are certain Reasons for which I
cannot make a Discovery of my Designs to her Father, ’till I have first
spoken with her. My Lord, reply’d the subtle ANARET (easily guessing at
his Meaning) I wish to Heaven there were a possibility of your Meeting;
there is nothing I would not risque to forward it, and if your Lordship
can think of any way in which I may be serviceable to you, in this short
Time I am allow’d to stay in the Family, I beg you would command me. She
spoke this with an Air which made the Count believe she really had it in
her Power to serve him in this Occasion, and presently hit on the surest
Means to bind her to his Interest. You are very obliging, said he, and
I doubt not but your Ingenuity is equal to your good Nature, therefore
will leave the Contrivance of my happiness entirely to you, and that you
may not think your Care bestow’d on an ungrateful Person, be pleas’d
(continu’d he, giving her a Purse of _Lewis-Dor_’s) to accept this small
Earnest of my future Friendship. ANARET, like most of her Function, was
too mercinary to resist such a Temptation, tho’ it had been given her to
betray the Honour of her whole Sex; and after a little pause, reply’d,
Your Lordship is too generous to be refus’d, tho’ in a Matter of the
greatest Difficulty, as indeed this is; for in the strict Confinement
my Lady is, I know no way but one, and that extreamly hazardous to her;
however, I do not fear but my Perswasions, joyn’d with her own Desires,
will influence her to attempt it. Your Lordship knows we have a little
Door at the farther End of the Garden, that opens into the _Tuillerys_. I
do, cry’d D’ELMONT interrupting her. I have several times parted from my
Charmer there, when my Entreaties have prevail’d with her to stay longer
with me than she wou’d have the Family to take notice of. I hope to order
the Matter so, resum’d ANARET, that it shall be the Scene this Night of a
most happy Meeting. My Lady unknown to her Father, has the Key of it, she
can throw it to me from her Window, and I can open it to you, who must be
walking near it, about Twelve or One a Clock, for by that time every body
will be in Bed. But what will that avail, cry’d D’ELMONT hastily; since
she lies in her Father’s Chamber, where ’tis impossible to pass Without
alarming him. You Lovers are so impatient rejoyn’d ANARET smiling, I
never design’d you should have Entrance there, tho’ the Window is so low,
that a Person of your Lordship’s Stature and Agility might mount it with
a Galliard step, but I suppose it will turn to as good an Account, if
your Mistress by my Assistance stets out of it. But can she, interrupted
he; will she, dost thou think? Fear not, my Lord, reply’d she, be but
punctual to the Hour, AMENA, shall be yours, if Love, Wit and Opportunity
have power to make her so. D’ELMONT was transported with this Promise,
and the Thoughts of what he expected to possess by her Means, rais’d
his Imagination to so high a pitch, as he cou’d not forbear kissing and
embracing her with such Raptures, as might not have been very pleasing
to AMENA, had she been witness of ’em. But ANARET who had other things in
her Head than Gallantry, disengag’d her self from him as soon she cou’d,
taking more Satisfaction in forwarding an Affair in which she propos’d so
much Advantage, than in the Caresses of the most accomplish’d Gentleman
in the World.
When she came Home, she found every thing as she cou’d wish, MONSIEUR
Abroad, and his Daughter at the Window, impatiently watching her
return, she told her as much of the Discourse she had with the COUNT
as she thought proper, extolling his Love and Constancy, and carefully
concealing all she thought might give an umbrage to her Vertue. But
in spight of all the Artifice she made use of, she found it no easie
Matter to perswade her to get out of the Window; the fears she had of
being discover’d, and more expos’d to her Father’s Indignation, and the
Censure of the World, damp’d her Inclinations, and made her deaf to the
eager Solicitations of this unfaithful Woman. As they were Disputing,
some of the Servants happ’ning to come into the Garden, oblig’d ’em to
break off; and ANARET retir’d, not totally dispairing of compassing her
Designs, when the appointed Hour should arrive, and AMENA should know the
darling Object of her Wishes was so near. Nor did her Hopes deceive her,
the Resolutions of a Lover, when made against the Interest of the Person
belov’d, are but of a short duration; and this unhappy Fair was no sooner
left alone, and had leisure to Contemplate on the Graces of the Charming
D’ELMONT, but Love plaid his part with such Success, as made her repent
she had chid ANARET for her Proposal, and wish’d for nothing more than an
Opportunity to tell her so. She pass’d several Hours in Disquietudes she
had never known before, till at last she heard her Father come into the
next Room to go to Bed, and soon after some Body knock’d softly at the
Window, she immediately open’d it, and perceiv’d by the Light of the Moon
which then shone very bright, that it was ANARET, she had not Patience
to listen to the long Speech the other had prepar’d to perswade her,
but putting her Head as far as she could, to prevent being heard by her
Father. Well ANARET, said she, where is this Adventrous Lover, what is it
he requires of me? Oh! Madam, reply’d she, overjoy’d at the compliable
Humour she found her in, he is now at the Garden Door, there’s nothing
wanting but your Key to give him Entrance; what farther he requests,
himself shall tell you. Oh Heavens! cry’d AMENA, searching her Pockets,
and finding she had it not; I am undone, I have left it in my Cabinet in
the Chamber where I us’d to lie. These Words made ANARET at her Wits end,
she knew there was no possibility of fetching it, there being so many
Rooms to go thro’, she ran to the Door, and endeavour’d to push back the
Lock, but had not Strength; she then knew not what to do, she was sure
D’ELMONT was on the other side, and fear’d he would resent this usage
to the disappointment of all her mercenary Hopes, and durst not call to
acquaint him with his Misfortune for fear of being heard. As for AMENA,
she was now more sensible than ever of the violence of her Inclinations,
by the extream vexation this Disappointment gave her: Never did People
pass a Night in greater uneasiness, than these three; the _Count_ who was
naturally impatient, could not bear a balk of this nature without the
utmost chagrin. AMENA languish’d, and ANARET fretted to Death, tho’ she
resolv’d to leave no Stone unturn’d to set all right again. Early in the
Morning she went to his Lodgings, and found him in a very ill Humour,
but she easily pacify’d him, by representing with a great deal of real
Grief, the Accident that retarded his Happiness, and assuring him there
was nothing cou’d hinder the fulfilling it the next Night. When she had
gain’d this Point, she came Home and got the Key into her possession,
but could not find an opportunity all Day of speaking to her Lady,
Monsieur SANSEVERIN did not stir out of Doors, and spent most of it with
his Daughter; in his Discourse to her, he set the Passion the COUNT had
for her in so true a light, that it made a very great alteration in her
Sentiments; and she began to reflect on the Condescensions she had given
a Man, who had never so much as mention’d Marriage to her, with so much
shame, as almost overwhelm’d her Love, and she was now determin’d never
to see him, till he should declare himself to her Father in such a manner
as would be for her Honour.
In the mean time ANARET waited with a great deal of Impatience for the
Family going to Bed; and as soon as all was hush, ran to give the COUNT
Admittance; and leaving him in an ALLEY on the farther side of the
Garden, made the accustom’d Sign at the Window. AMENA presently open’d
it, but instead of staying to hear what she would say, threw a Letter
out, Carry that, said she, to COUNT D’ELMONT, let him know the Contents
of it are wholly the result of my own Reason. And as for your part, I
charge you trouble me no farther on this Subject; then shutting the
Casement hastily, left ANARET in a strange Consternation at this suddain
Change of her Humour; however she made no delay, but running to the Place
where the COUNT waited her return, deliver’d him the Letter, but advis’d
him (who was ready enough of himself) not to obey any Commands might be
given him to the hindrance of his Designs. The Moon was then at the full,
and gave so clear a Light, that he easily found it contain’d these Words.
[Illustration]
_To Count_ D’ELMONT.
_Too many Proofs have I given you of my weakness not to make
you think me incapable of forming or keeping any Resolution
to the Prejudice of that Passion you have inspir’d me with:
But know, thou undoer of my Quiet, tho’ I have Lov’d and
still do Love you with a Tenderness, which I fear will be
Unvanquishable; yet I will rather suffer my Life, than my
Virtue to become its Prey. Press me then no more I conjure you,
to such dangerous Interviews, in which I dare neither Trust
my Self, nor You, if you believe me worthy your real Regard,
the way thro’ Honour is open to receive You; Religion, Reason,
Modesty, and Obedience forbid the rest._
Farewel.