Acquaintance with one Monsieur BELPINE, a Gentleman who was
there on some Business; we being both pretty much Strangers
in the Place, occasion’d an Intimacy between us, which the
disparity of our Tempers, wou’d have prevented our Commencing
at _Paris_; but you know I was never a lover of Solitude, and
for want of Company more agreeable, was willing to encourage
his. He was indeed so obliging as to stay longer at St. _Omers_
then his Affairs required, purposely to engage me to make
_Amiens_ in my way to _Paris_. He was very Vain, and fancying
himself happy in the esteem of the fair Sex, was desirous I
should be witness of the Favours they bestow’d on him. Among
the Number of those he used to talk of, was Madamoiselle
ANSELLINA de la TOUR, a _Parisian_ Lady, and Heiress of a
great Estate, but had been some time at _Amiens_ with Madam
the Baroness _de_ BERONVILLE her God-Mother. The Wonders he
told me of this young Lady’s Wit, and Beauty, inclin’d me to a
desire of seeing her; and as soon as I was in a Condition to
Travel, we took our Way towards _Amiens_, he us’d me with all
the Friendship he was capable of expressing; and soon after we
arriv’d, carry’d me to the _Baronesses_: But oh Heavens! How
great was my Astonishment when I found ANSELLINA as far beyond
his faint Description, as the Sun Beams the Imitation of Art;
besides the regularity of her Features, the delicacy of her
Complexion, and the just Simmetry of her whole Composition, she
has an undescribable Sweetness that plays about her Eyes and
Mouth, and softens all her Air: But all her Charms, dazling
as they are, would have lost their captivating Force on me,
if I had believ’d her capable of that weakness for BELPINE,
that his Vanity would have me think. She is very Young and
Gay, and I easily perceiv’d she suffer’d his Addresses more
out of Diversion then any real Regard she had for him; he held
a constant Correspondence at _Paris_, and was continually
furnish’d with every thing that was _Novel_, and by that means
introduc’d himself into many Companies, who else wou’d not
have endured him; but when at any time I was so happy as to
entertain the lovely ANSELLINA alone, and we had Opportunity
for serious Discourse, (which was impossible in his Company)
I found that she was Mistress of a Wit, Poynant enough to be
Satyrical, yet it was accompanied with a Discretion as very
much heighten’d her Charms, and compleated the Conquest that
her Eyes begun. I will confess to you, Brother, that I became
so devoted to my Passion, that I had no leisure for any other
Sentiments. Fears, Hopes, Anxities, jealous Pains, uneasie
Pleasures, all the Artillery of Love, were garrison’d in my
Heart, and a thousand various half form’d Resolutions fill’d my
Head. ANSELLINA’s insensibility among a Crow’d of Admirers, and
the disparity of our Fortunes, wou’d have given me just Causes
of Despair, if the Generosity of her Temper had not dissipated
the one, and her Youth, and the hope her Hour was not yet come,
the other. I was often about letting her know the Power she had
over me, but something of an awe which none but those who truly
Love can guess at, still prevented my being able to utter it,
and I believ’d should have languish’d ’till this Moment in an
unavailing silence, if an accident had not hapen’d to embolden
me: I went one Day to visit my Adorable, and being told she
was in the Garden, went thither in hopes to see her, but being
deceiv’d in my Expectation, believ’d the Servant who gave
me that Information was mistaken, and fancying she might be
retir’d to her Closet, as she very often did in an Afternoon,
and the pleasantness of the Place inducing me to stay there
till she was willing to admit me. I sat down at the Foot of
a DIANA, curiously carv’d in Marble, and full of melancholy
Reflections without knowing what I did, took a black lead Pen
out of my Pocket, and writ on the Pedestal these two Lines.
_Hopeless, and Silent, I must still adore,_
_Her Heart’s more hard than Stone whom I’d implore._
I had scarce finish’d ’em, when I perceiv’d ANSELLINA at a good
distance from me, coming out of a little Arbour; the respect I
had for her, made me fear she should know I was the Author of
’em, and guess, what I found, I had not gain’d Courage enough
to tell her. I went out of the Alley, as I imagin’d, unseen,
and design’d to come up another, and meet her, before she cou’d
get into the House. But tho’ I walk’d pretty fast, she had left
the Place before I cou’d attain it; and in her stead (casting
my Eyes toward the Statue with an Intention to rub out what I
had writ) I found this Addition to it.
_You wrong your Love, while you conceal your Pain,_
_Flints will dissolve with constant drops of Rain._
But, my dear Brother, if you are yet insensible of the
wonderful Effects of Love, you will not be able to imagine what
I felt at this View; I was satisfy’d it could be writ by no
Body but ANSELLINA, there being no other Person in the Garden,
and knew as well she could not design that Encouragement for
any other Man, because on many Occasions she had seen my
Hand; and the Day before had written a Song for her, which
she desir’d to learn, with that very Pen I now had made use
of; and going hastily away at the sight of her, had forgot
to take with me. I gaz’d upon the dear obliging Characters,
and kiss’d the Marble which contain’d ’em, a thousand times
before I cou’d find in my Heart to efface ’em; as I was in
this agreeable Amazement, I heard BELPINE’S Voice calling to
me as he came up the walk, which oblig’d me to put an end to
it, and the Object which occasion’d it. He had been told as
well as I, that ANSELLINA was in the Garden, and expressing
some wonder to see me alone, ask’d where she was, I answer’d
him with a great deal of real Truth, that I knew not, and that
I had been there some Time, but had not been so happy as to
Entertain her. He seem’d not to give Credit to what I said,
and began to use me after a Fashion as would have much more
astonish’d me from any other Person. I would not have you, said
he, be concern’d at what I am about to say, because you are
one of those for whom I am willing to preserve a Friendship;
and to convince you of my Sincerity, give you leave to address
after what manner you please to any of the Ladies with whom I
have brought you acquainted, excepting ANSELLINA. But I take
this Opportunity to let you know, I have already made choice
of her, with a design of Marriage, and from this time forward,
shall look on any Visits you shall make to her, as injurious
to my Pretensions. Tho’ I was no Stranger to the Vanity and
Insolence of BELPINE’S Humour, yet not being accustomed to
such arbitrary Kind of Treatment, had certainly resented it
(if we had been in any other Place) in a very different Manner
than I did, but the consideration that to make a Noise there,
would be a Reflection, rather than a Vindication on ANSELLINA’S
Fame; I contented myself with telling him he might be perfectly
easie, that whatever Qualifications the Lady might have that
should encourage his Addresses, I should never give her any
Reason to boast a Conquest over me. These Words might have born
two Interpretations, if the disdainful Air with which I spoke
’em, and which I could not dissemble, and going immediately
away had not made him take ’em, as they were really design’d,
to affront him; He was full of Indignation and Jealousy (if
it is possible for a Person to be touch’d with that Passion,
who is not capable of the other, which generally occasions
it) but however, having taken it into his Head to imagine I
was better receiv’d by ANSELLINA than he desired; Envy, and
a sort of a Womanish Spleen transported him so far as to go
to ANSELLINA’s Apartment, and rail at me most profusely (as I
have since been told) and threaten how much he’d be reveng’d,
if he heard I ever should have the assurance to Visit there
again. ANSELLINA at first laugh’d at his Folly, but finding
he persisted, and began to assume more Liberty than she ever
meant to afford him; instead of list’ning to his Entreaties,
to forbid me the Privilege I had enjoy’d of her Conversation;
she pass’d that very Sentence on him, and when next I waited of
her, receiv’d me with more Respect than ever; and when at last
I took the boldness to acquaint her with my Passion; I had the
Satisfaction to observe from the frankness of her Disposition,
that I was not indifferent to her; nor indeed did she, even in
Publick, affect any reservedness more than the decencies of
her Sex and Quality requir’d; for after my Pretensions to her
were commonly talk’d of, and those who were intimate with her,
wou’d rally her about me; she pass’d it off with a Spirit of
Gaity and good Humour peculiar to her self, and bated nothing
of her usual freedom to me; she permitted me to Read to her,
to Walk and Dance with her, and I had all the Opportunities
of endeavouring an encrease of her Esteem that I cou’d wish,
which so incens’d BELPINE, that he made no scruple of reviling
both her and me in all Companies wherever he came; saying, I
was a little worthless Fellow, who had nothing but my Sword to
depend upon; and that ANSELLINA having no hopes of Marrying
him, was glad to take up with the first that ask’d her. These
scandalous Reports on my first hearing of ’em had assuredly
been fatal to one of us, if ANSELLINA had not commanded me by
all the Passion I profess’d, and by the Friendship she freely
acknowledged to have for me, not to take any Notice of ’em.
I set too high a Value on the favours she allow’d me, to be
capable of Disobedience; and she was too nice a Judge of the
Punctillio’s of our Sexes Honour, not to take this Sacrifice
of so just a Resentment, as a very great proof how much I
submitted to her will, and suffer’d not a Day to pass without
giving me some new mark how nearly she was touch’d with it. I
was the most contented and happy Person in the World, still
hoping that in a little time, (she having no Relations that
had Power to contradict her Inclinations) I should be able to
obtain every thing from her that an honourable Passion could
require; ’till one Evening coming Home pretty late from her, my
Servant gave me a Letter, which he told me was left for me, by
one of BELPINE’S Servants; I presently suspected the Contents,
and found I was not mistaken; it was really a Challenge to meet
him the next Morning, and must confess, tho’ I long’d for an
Opportunity to Chastise his Insolence, was a little troubled
how to excuse my self to ANSELLINA but there was no possibility
of evading it, without rendering my self unworthy of her, and
hop’d that Circumstance wou’d be sufficient to clear me to
her. I will not trouble you, Brother, with the particulars of
our Duel, since there was nothing material, but that at the
third pass (I know not whether I may call it the effect of my
good or evil Fortune) he receiv’d my Sword a good depth in
his Body, and fell with all the Symptoms of a Dying-Man. I
made all possible hast to send a Surgeon to him. In my way I
met two Gentlemen, who it seems he had made acquainted with
his Design (probably with an intention to be prevented). They
ask’d me what Success, and when I had inform’d ’em, advis’d me
to be gone from _Amiens_ before the News should reach the Ears
of BELPINE’S Relations, who were not inconsiderable in that
Place. I made ’em those Retributions their Civilities deserv’d;
but how eminent soever the Danger appear’d that threatned me,
cou’d not think of leaving _Amiens_, without having first seen
ANSELLINA. I went to the _Baronesses_, and found my Charmer
at her Toylet, and either it was my Fancy, or else she really
did look more amiable in that Undress, than ever I had seen
her, tho’ adorn’d with the utmost Illustrations. She seem’d
surpriz’d at seeing me so early, and with her wonted good
Humour, asking me the reason of it, put me into a mortal Agony
how to answer her, for I must assure you, Brother, that the
fears of her Displeasure were a thousand times more dreadful
to me, than any other apprehensions; she repeated the Question
three or four times before I had Courage to Reply, and I
believe she was pretty near guessing the Truth by my Silence,
and the disorder in my Countenance before I spoke; and when I
did, she receiv’d the account of the whole Adventure with a
vast deal of trouble, but no anger; she knew too well, what I
ow’d to my Reputation, and the Post his Majesty had honour’d me
with, to believe, I cou’d, or ought to dispence with submitting
to the Reflections which must have fallen on me, had I acted
otherwise than I did. Her Concern and Tears, which she had not
Power to contain at the thoughts of my Departure, joyn’d with
her earnest Conjurations to me to be gone, let me more than
ever into the Secrets of her Heart, and gave me a Pleasure as
inconceivable as the necessity of parting did the contrary.
Nothing cou’d be more moving than our taking leave, and when
she tore her self half willing, and half unwilling, from
my Arms, had sent me away inconsolable, if her Promises of
coming to _Paris_, as soon as she could, without being taken
notice of, and frequently writing to me in the mean time,
had not given me a Hope, tho’ a distant one, of Happiness.
Thus Brother, have I given you, in as few Words as I cou’d, a
Recital of every thing that has happen’d to me of Consequence
since our Separation, in which I dare believe you will find
more to Pity than Condemn. The afflicted Chevalier cou’d not
conclude without letting fall some Tears; which the _Count_
perceiving, ran to him, and tenderly embracing him, said all
that cou’d be expected from a most affectionate Friend to
mitigate his Sorrows, nor suffered him to remove from his Arms
’till he had accomplish’d his Design; and then believing the
hearing of the Adventures of another, (especially one he was
so deeply interested in) would be the surest Means to give a
Truce to the more melancholy Reflections on his own; related
every thing that had befallen him since his coming to _Paris_.
The Letters he receiv’d from a Lady _Incognito_, his little
Gallantries with AMENA, and the accident that presented to his
View, the unknown Lady in the Person of one of the greatest
Fortunes in all _France_. Nothing cou’d be a greater Cordial
to the Chevalier, than to find his Brother was belov’d by the
Sister of ANSELLINA; he did not doubt but that by this there
might be a possibility of seeing her sooner than else he cou’d
have hop’d, and the two Brothers began to enter into a serious
consultation of this Affair, which ended with a Resolution
to fix their Fortunes there. The _Count_ had never yet seen
a Beauty formidable enough to give him an Hours uneasiness
(purely for the sake of Love) and would often say, _Cupid_’s
Quiver never held an Arrow of force to reach his Heart; those
little Delicacies, those trembling aking Transports, which
every sight of the belov’d Object occasions, and so visibly
distinguishes a real Passion from a Counterfeit, he look’d on
as the Chimera’s of an idle Brain, form’d to inspire Notions of
an imaginary Bliss, and make Fools lose themselves in seeking;
or if they had a Being; it was only in weak Souls, a kind of
a Disease with which he assur’d himself he should never be
infected. Ambition was certainly the reigning Passion in his
Soul, and ALOVISA’S Quality and vast Possessions, promising a
full Gratification of that, he ne’er so much as wish’d to know
a farther Happiness in Marriage.
But while the _Count_ and _Chevalier_ were thus Employ’d,
the Rival Ladies past their Hours in a very different
Entertainment, the despair and bitter Lamentations that the
unfortunate AMENA made, when she came out of her swooning, were
such as mov’d even ALOVISA to Compassion, and if any thing
but resigning D’ELMONT cou’d have given her Consolation, she
wou’d willing have apply’d it. There was now no need of further
Dissimulation, and she confessed to AMENA, that she had Lov’d
the Charming _Count_ with a kind of Madness from the first
Moment she beheld him: That to favour her Designs on him, she
had made use of every Stratagem she cou’d invent, that by her
means, the Amour was first discover’d to _Monsieur_ SANSEVERIN,
and his Family Alarm’d the Night before; and Lastly, that by
her Persuasions, he had resolv’d to send her to a Monastry, to
which she must prepare her self to go in a few Days without
taking any leave even of her Father; have you (cry’d AMENA
hastily interrupting her) have you prevail’d with my Father to
send me from this hated Place without the Punishment of hearing
his upbraidings? Which the other answering in the Affirmative,
I thank you, resum’d AMENA, that Favour has cancell’d all your
Score of Cruelty, for after the Follies I have been guilty of,
nothing is so dreadful as the Sight of him. And, who wou’d, oh
Heavens! (continued she bursting into a Flood of Tears) wish
to stay in a World so full of Falshood. She was able to utter
no more for some Moments, but at last, raising herself on the
Bed where she was laid, and endeavouring to seem a little
more compos’d: I have two Favours, Madam, yet to ask of you
(rejoin’d she) neither of ’em will, I believe, seem difficult
to you to grant, that you will make use of the Power you have
with my Father, to let my Departure be as sudden as possible,
and that while I am here, I may never see Count D’ELMONT. It
was not likely that ALOVISA shou’d deny Requests so suitable
to her own Inclinations, and believing, with a great deal of
Reason, that her Presence was not very grateful, left her to
the Care of her Women, whom she order’d to attend her with the
same Diligence as herself. It was Evening before the Count
came, and ALOVISA spent the remainder of the Day in very
uneasie Reflections; she knew not, as yet, whether she had
Cause to rejoyce in, or blame her Fortune in so unexpectedly
discovering her Passion, and an incessant vicissitude of Hope
and Fears, rack’d her with most intollerable Inquietude, till
the darling Object of her Wishes appear’d; and tho’ the first
sight of him, added to her other Passions, that of Shame, yet
he manag’d his Address so well, and so modestly and artfully
hinted the Knowledge of his Happiness, that every Sentiment
gave place to a new Admiration of the Wonders of his Wit; and
if before she lov’d, she now ador’d, and began to think it a
kind of Merit in herself, to be sensible of his. He soon put
it in her Power to oblige him, by giving her the History of
his Brother’s Passion for her Sister, and she was not at all
backward in assuring him how much she approv’d of it, and that
she wou’d write to ANSELLINA by the first Post, to engage her
coming to _Paris_ with all imaginable Speed. In fine, there
was nothing He cou’d ask, refus’d, and indeed it would have
been ridiculous for her to have affected Coyness, after the
Testimonies she had long since given him of one of the most
violent Passions that ever was; this fore-Knowledge sav’d
abundance of Dissimulation on both Sides, and she took care
that if he should be wanting in his kind Expressions after
Marriage, he should not have it in his Power to pretend (as
some Husbands have done) that his Stock was exhausted in a
tedious Courtship. Everything was presently agreed upon, and
the Wedding Day appointed, which was to be as soon as every
thing cou’d be got ready to make it Magnificent; tho’ the
_Count’s_ good Nature made him desirous to learn something of
AMENA, yet he durst not enquire, for fear of giving an Umbrage
to his intended Bride; but she, imagining the Reason of his
Silence, very frankly told him, how she was to be dispos’d
of, this Knowledge made no small Addition to his Contentment,
for had she stay’d in _Paris_, he could expect nothing but
continual Jealousies from ALOVISA; besides, as he really
wish’d her happy, tho’ he could not make her so, he thought
Absence might banish a hopeless Passion from her Heart, and
Time and other Objects efface an Idea, which could not but be
destructive to her Peace. He stay’d at ALOVISA’S House ’till it
was pretty late, and perhaps they had not parted in some Hours
longer, if his impatience to inform his Brother his Success,
had not carried him away. The young _Chevalier_ was infinitely
more transported at the bare Hopes of being something nearer
the Aim of all his Hopes, than D’ELMONT was at the Assurance
of losing his in Possession, and could not forbear rallying
him for placing the ultimate of his Wishes on such a Toy, as
he argu’d Woman was, which the _Chevalier_ endeavouring to
confute, there began a very warm Dispute, in which, neither of
’em being able to convince the other, Sleep at last interpos’d
as Moderator. The next Day they went together to visit ALOVISA,
and from that time were seldom asunder: But in Compassion to
AMENA, they took what Care they could to conceal the Design
they had in Hand, and that unhappy Lady was in a few Days,
according to her Rival’s Contrivance, hurried away, without
seeing any of her Friends. When she was gone, and there was no
farther need of keeping it a Secret, the News of this great
Wedding was immediately spread over the whole Town, and every
one talk’d of it as their particular Interests or Affections
dictated. All D’ELMONT’S Friends were full of Joy, and he
met no inconsiderable Augmentation of it himself, when his
Brother receiv’d a Letter from ANSELLINA, with an Account,
that BELPINE’S Wound was found not Dangerous, and that he was
in a very fair way of Recovery. And it was concluded, that as
soon as the Wedding was over, the _Chevalier_ should go in
Person to AMIENS, and fetch his belov’d ANSELLINA, in order
for a Second, and as much desir’d Nuptial. There was no Gloom
now left to Cloud the Gaiety of the happy Day, nothing could
be more Grand than the Celebration of it, and ALOVISA now
thought her self at the end of all her Cares; but the Sequel
of this glorious Beginning, and what Effect the Despair and
Imprecations of AMENA (when she heard of it) produc’d, shall,
with the continuance of the _Chevalier_ BRILLIAN’S Adventures,
be faithfully related in the next Part.
End of the FIRST PART.
[Illustration]
LOVE in _Excess_:
OR, THE
FATAL INQUIRY,
A
NOVEL.
PART the SECOND.
By _Mrs._ HAYWOOD.
_Each Day we break the bond of Humane Laws_
_For Love, and vindicate the common Cause._
_Laws for Defence of civil Rights are plac’d;_
_Love throws the Fences down, and makes a gen’ral waste_
_Maids, Widows, Wives, without distinction fall,_
_The sweeping deluge Love, comes on and covers all._
DRYDEN.
[Illustration]
LONDON:
Printed for W. CHETWOOD, J. WOODMAN, D.
BROWN, and S. CHAPMAN.
[Illustration]
LOVE in EXCESS:
OR, THE
FATAL ENQUIRY.
PART the SECOND.
The Contentment that appear’d in the Faces of the new Married Pair,
added so much to the Impatience of the _Chevalier_ BRILLIAN to see his
belov’d ANSELLINA, that in a few Days after the Wedding, he took leave
of them, and departed for _Amiens_: But as human Happiness is seldom of
long continuance, and ALOVISA placing the Ultimate of _her’s_ in the
Possession of her Charming Husband, secure of that, despis’d all future
Events, ’twas time for _Fortune_, who long enough had smil’d, now to turn
her Wheel, and punish the presumption that defy’d her Power.