Noise I have made cou’d not wake you. I have not been all this time
asleep (answer’d MELLIORA) but not knowing you were in the House, cou’d
not imagine who it was that gave me this Disturbance. I heartily ask your
Pardon (said MELANTHA) and I know, my Dear, you are too good Natur’d to
refuse it me, especially when you know the Occasion, which is so very
Whimsical, that as grave as you are, you cannot help being diverted with
it----But come (continu’d she) get on your Cloaths, for you must go
along with me. Where, said MELLIORA, Nay, nay, ask no Questions (resum’d
MELANTHA) but make haste, every Minute that we Idle away here, loses us
the Diversion of an Age. As she spoke these Words, she fell into such an
excessive Laughter, that MELLIORA thought her Mad, but being far from
Sympathizing in her Gaiety; it has always (said she) been hitherto my
Custom to have some Reason for what I do, tho’ in never so trifling an
Affair, and you must excuse me, if I do not break it now. Pish (cry’d
MELANTHA) you are of the oddest Temper,----but I will give you your Way
for once,-----provided you’ll get your self ready in the mean time. I
shall certainly put on my Cloaths (said MELLIORA) lest I should take
cold, for I expect you’ll not permit me to sleep any more this Night.
You may be sure of it (rejoyn’d MELANTHA.) But to the Purpose,-----You
must know, having an Hour or two on my hands, I came this Evening to
visit ALOVYSA, and found her in the strangest Humour!----Good God! What
unaccountable Creatures these married Women are?----her Husband it seems
had sent her Word that he wou’d lye at my Brothers, and the poor loving
Soul cou’d not bear to live a Night without him. I stay’d to condole
with her, (tho’ on my Life, I cou’d scarce forbear Laughing in her Face)
’till it was too late to go Home.----About twelve a Clock she yawn’d,
stretch’d, and grew most horridly out of Temper; rail’d at Mankind
prodigiously, and curs’d Matrimony as heartily as one of Fourscore cou’d
do, that had been twice a Widow, and was left a Maid!----With much
ado, I made her Women thrust her into Bed, and retired to a Chamber
which they shew’d me, but I had no Inclination to sleep, I remember’d
my self of five or six _Billet-Doux_ I had to answer,----a Lover, that
growing foolishly troublesome, I have some thoughts of discharging to
Morrow----Another that I design to Countenance, to pique a third----a new
Suit of Cloaths, and Trimmings for the next Ball----Half a hundred new
Songs---and---a thousand other Affairs of the utmost Consequence to a
young Lady, came into my Head in a Moment; and the Night being extreamly
pleasant, I set the Candle in the Chimney, open’d the Window, and fell
to considering---But I had not been able to come to a conclusion what I
should do in any one thing I was thinking of, before I was interrupted
in my Cogitations, with a noise of something rushing hastily thro’ the
Myrtles under my Window, and presently after, saw it was a Man going
hastily along toward the great Alley of the Garden.----At first I was
going to cry out and Alarm the Family, taking it for a Thief; But,
Dear MELLIORA, how glad am I that I did not?----For who do you think,
when I look’d more heedfully, I perceiv’d it was? Nay, how should I
know? (cry’d MELLIORA peevishly, fearing the _Count’s_ Inadvertency
had expos’d himself and her to this foolish Woman’s Curiosity) It was
_Count_ D’ELMONT (resum’d MELANTHA) I’ll lay my Life, that he has been
on some Intreague to Night: And met with a Disappointment in it, by his
quick Return.---But prithee make hast, for I long to rally him about
it. What wou’d you do Madam? (said MELLIORA) you wou’d not sure go to
him? Yes, (answer’d MELANTHA): I will go down into the Garden, and so
shall you.---I know you have a back Way from your Chamber---Therefore
lay aside this unbecoming Demureness, and let us go, and talk him to
Death. You may do as you please, (said MELLIORA) but for my part, I am
for no such Frolicks. Was ever any thing so young, so Formal as you are!
(Rejoyn’d MELANTHA) but I am resolv’d to Teaze you out of a humour so
directly opposite to the _Beau-Monde_, and, if you will not Consent to go
down with me: I will fetch him up to your Chamber----Hold! Hold, (cry’d
MELLIORA perceiving she was going) what do you mean, for Heavens sake
stay, what will ALOVYSA think?---I care not, reply’d the other; I have
set my Heart on an hours Diversion with him and will not be baulk’d,
if the repose of the World, much less, that of a Jealous, silly Wife,
depended on it.
MELLIORA saw into the Temper of this Capricious young Lady too well not
to believe she wou’d do, as she had said, and perhaps, was not over
willing to venture her with the _Count_ alone, at that Time of Night,
and in the Humour she knew he was, therefore putting on an Air more
chearful than that she was Accustom’d to wear, well (said she) I will
Accompany you into the Garden, since it will so much oblige you; but if
the _Count_ be wise, he will, by quitting the Place, as soon as he sees
us, disappoint you worse than I shou’d have done, if I had kept you here.
With these Words she took her by the Hand, and they went down the Stairs,
where the _Count_ was but just past before them.
He had not Power to go away, without knowing who it was, that had given
him that Interruption, and had stood all this Time, on the upper Step
behind the inner Door. His Vexation, and Disdain when he heard it was
MELANTHA gave him as much Pain, as his Concern while he believ’d it
ALOVYSA, and he cou’d not forbear muttering a thousand Curses on her
Impertinence. He always despis’d, but now abhor’d her: She had behav’d
her self to him in a Fashion, as made him sufficiently Sensible she was
desirous of engaging him, and he resolv’d to Mortifie by the bitterest
Slights, both her Pride, and Love, if ’tis proper, to call that sort of
liking which Agitates the Soul of _Coquet_, by that Name.
The Ladies walk’d in the Garden for some time, and MELANTHA search’d
every Bush, before she found the _Count_ who stood Conceal’d in the
Porch, which being cover’d with _Jessamin_, and _Fillaree_, was Dark
enough to hide him from their View, tho’ they had pass’d close to him
as they came out. He had certainly remain’d there ’till Morning, and
disappointed MELANTHA’S search in part of the Revenge he ow’d her, if his
Desires to be with MELLIORA, on any Terms, had not prevail’d, even above
his Anger to the other. But he cou’d not see that Charmer of his Soul,
and imagine there might be yet an opportunity that Night of stealing a
Kiss from her (now he believ’d resistless Lips) of Touching her Hand!
Her Breast! And repeating some farther Freedoms which his late Advantage
over her had given him, without being fill’d with Wishes too Fiery and
too Impatient to be restrain’d. He watch’d their turning, and when he saw
that they were near an Ally which had another that led to it, he went
round and met them.
MELANTHA was overjoy’d at sight of him, and MELLIORA, tho’ equally
pleas’d, was Cover’d with such a Confusion, at the Remembrance of what
had pass’d, that it was happy for her that her Companion’s Volubility
gave her no room for Speech. There is nothing more certain, than that
Love, tho’ it fills the mind with a thousand charming Ideas, which those
untouch’d by that Passion, are not capable of conceiving, yet it entirely
takes away the Power of Utterance, and the deeper Impression it had
made on the Soul, the less we are able to express it, when willing to
indulge and give a loose to Thought; what Language can furnish us with
Words sufficient, all are too poor, all wanting both in Sublimity, and
Softness, and only Fancy! A lovers Fancy! can reach the Exalted soaring
of a Lovers Meaning! But, if so impossible to be Describ’d, if of so
Vast, so Wonderful a Nature as nothing but it’s self can Comprehend, how
much more impossible must it be, entirely to conceal it! What Strength of
boasted Reasons? What Force of Resolution? What modest Fears, or cunning
Artifice can correct the Fierceness of its fiery Flashes in the Eyes,
keep down the struggling Sighs, command the Pulse, and bid trembling
cease? Honour and Virtue may distance Bodies, but there is no Power
in either of those Names, to stop the Spring, that with a rapid Whirl
transports us from our selves, and darts our Souls into the Bosom of the
darling Object. This may seem strange to many, even of those who call,
and perhaps believe that they are Lovers, but the few who have Delicacy
enough to feel what I but imperfectly attempt to speak, will acknowledge
it for Truth, and pity the Distress of MELLIORA.
As they were passing thro’ a Walk of Trees on each Side, whose
intermingling Boughs made a friendly Darkness, and every thing
Undistinguishable, the Amorous D’ELMONT throwing his eager Arms round the
Waist of his (no less transported) MELLIORA, and Printing burning Kisses
on her Neck, reap’d painful Pleasure, and created in her a racking kind
of Extasie, which might perhaps, had they been now alone, prov’d her
Desires were little different from his.
After MELANTHA had vented part of the Raillery, she was so big with, on
the _Count_, which he but little regarded, being wholly taken up with
other Thoughts, she propos’d, going into the Wilderness, which was at
the farther end of the Garden, and they readily agreeing to it. Come, my
Lord, (said she) to the _Count_, you are Melancholly, I have thought of a
way which will either indulge the Humour you are in, or divert it, as you
shall chuse: There are several little Paths in this Wilderness, let us
take each a separate one, and when we meet, which shall be here, where we
part, agree to tell an entertaining Story, which, whoever fails in, shall
be doom’d to the Punishment of being left here all Night: The _Count_
at these Words, forgot all his Animosity, and was ready to hug her for
this Proposal. MELLIORA did a little oppose it; but the others were too
Powerful, and she was forc’d to submit: Thou art the dullest Creature,
I’ll lay my Life, (my Lord, cry’d MELANTHA, taking hold of the Count in a
gay manner) that it falls to her Lot to stay in the Wilderness. Oh Madam,
(reply’d the _Count_) you are too severe, we ought always to suspend our
Judgment ’till after the Tryal, which I confess my self so pleas’d with,
that I am Impatient for its coming on: Well then, (said she, laughing)
farewel for half an Hour. Agreed (cry’d the _Count_) and walk’d away:
MELANTHA saw which way he went, and took another Path, leaving MELLIORA
to go forward in that, in which they were, but I believe the Reader will
easily imagine that she was not long to enjoy the Priviledge of her
Meditations.
After the _Count_ had gone some few Paces, he planted himself behind
a Thicket, which, while it hid him, gave the Opportunity of observing
them, and when he found the Coast clear, rush’d out, and with unhurting
Gripe, seiz’d once more on the unguarded Prey. Blest turn of Fortune,
(said he in a Rapture,) Happy, happy Moment!---Lost, lost MELLIORA, (said
she) most unhappy Maid!---Oh why, my Lord, this quick Return? This is no
Place to answer thee, (resum’d he, taking her in his Arms, and bearing
her behind that Thicket, where he himself had stood) ’twas in vain for
her to resist, if she had had the Power over her Inclinations, ’till he,
sitting her softly down, and beginning to Caress her in the manner he
had done when she was in Bed, she assum’d Strength enough to raise her
self a little, and catching hold of his Transgressing Hands, laid her
Face on them, and Bath’d them in a shower of Tears: O! D’ELMONT (said
she) Cruel D’ELMONT! Will you then take Advantage of my Weakness? I
confess I feel for you, a Passion, far beyond all, that yet, ever bore
the Name of Love, and that I can no longer withstand the too powerful
Magick of your Eyes, nor deny any Thing that charming Tongue can ask; but
now’s the Time to prove your self the Heroe! subdue your self, as you
have Conquer’d me! be satisfied with Vanquishing my Soul, fix there your
Throne, but leave my Honour free! Life of my Life (cry’d he) wound me no
more by such untimely Sorrows: I cannot bear thy Tears, by Heaven they
sink into my Soul, and quite unman me, but tell me (continu’d he tenderly
Kissing her) coud’st thou, with all this Love, this charming----something
more than softness-----cou’dst thou I say, consent to see me Pale and
Dead, stretch’d at thy Feet, consum’d with inward Burnings, rather than
blest, than rais’d by Love, and thee, to all a Deity in thy Embraces?
For O! Believe me when I swear, that ’tis impossible to live without
thee. No more, no more (said she letting her Head fall gently on his
Breast) too easily I guess thy sufferings by my own. But yet, D’ELMONT
’tis better to die in Innocence, than to live in Guilt. O! Why (Resum’d
he, sighing as if his Heart wou’d burst) shou’d what we can’t avoid,
be call’d a Crime? Be Witness for me Heaven! How much I have struggl’d
with this rising Passion, even to Madness struggl’d!---but in vain, the
mounting Flame blazes the more, the more I wou’d suppress it---my very
Soul’s on Fire---I cannot bear it---Oh MELLIORA! Didst thou but know the
thousandth Part, of what this Moment I endure, the strong Convulsions of
my warring Thoughts, thy Heart steel’d as it is, and Frosted round with
Virtue, wou’d burst it’s icy Shield, and melt in Tears of Blood, to pity
me. Unkind and Cruel! (answer’d she) do I not partake them then?----Do
I not bear, at least, an equal share in all your Agonies? Have---you
no Charms---or have not I a Heart?---A most susceptible and tender
Heart?----Yes, you may feel it Throb, it beats against my Breast, like
an Imprison’d Bird, and fain wou’d burst it’s Cage! to fly to you, the
aim of all it’s Wishes!--Oh D’ELMONT!--With these Words she sunk wholly
into his Arms unable to speak more: Nor was he less dissolv’d in Rapture,
both their Souls seem’d to take Wing together, and left their Bodies
Motionless, as unworthy to bear a part in their more elevated Bliss.
But D’ELMONT at his returning Sense, repenting the Effects of the violent
Transport, he had been in was now, preparing to take from the resistless
MELLIORA, the last, and only remaining Proof that she was all his own,
when MELANTHA (who had contriv’d this separation only with a Design to be
alone with the _Count_, and had carefully observ’d which way he took) was
coming towards them. The rustling of her Cloaths among the Bushes, gave
the disappointed Couple leave to rise from the Posture they were in, and
MELLIORA to abscond behind a Tree, before she could come near enough to
discern who was there.
MELANTHA, as soon as she saw the _Count_, put on an Air, of Surprize, as
if it were but by Chance, that she was come into his walk, and Laughing
with a visible Affectation, bless me! You here, my Lord! (said she) I vow
this has the look of Assignation, but I hope you will not be so vain as
to believe I came on purpose to seek you. No Madam (answer’d he coldly)
I have not the least Thought of being so happy. Lord! You are strangely
grave (Rejoyn’d she) but suppose I really had come with a Design to meet
you, what kind of Reception might I have expected? I know no Reason Madam
(said he) that can oblige me to entertain a Supposition so unlikely.
Well then (resum’d she) I’ll put it past a Supposition, and tell you
plainly, that I did walk this way on purpose to divert your Spleen. I
am sorry (reply’d he, tir’d to Death with her Impertinence) that you
are disappointed; for I am not in a Humour at present, of receiving
any Diversion. Fie (said she) is this an answer for the gay, Gallant,
engaging _Count_ D’ELMONT, to give a Lady who makes a Declaration of
admiring him----who thinks it not too much to make the first Advances,
and who wou’d believe her self fully recompenc’d for breaking thro’ the
nice Decorums of her Sex, if he receiv’d it kindly---Madam (said he, not
a little amaz’d at her Imprudence) I know of no such Person, or if I did,
I must confess, shou’d be very much puzled how to behave in an Adventure
so uncommon: Pish (answer’d she, growing vext at his coldness) I know
that such Adventures are not uncommon with you: I’m not to learn the
Story of ALOVYSA, and if you had not been first Address’d, perhaps might
have been ’till now unmarried. Well Madam (said he, more out of humour)
put the Case that what you say were true, I am married; and therefore,
(interrupted she) you ought to be better acquainted with the Temper of
our Sex, and know, that a Woman, where she says she Loves, expects a
thousand fine things in Return. But there is more than a possibility
(answer’d he) of her being disappointed, and methinks Madam, a Lady of
your Gaity shou’d be conversant enough with Poetry, to remember those too
Lines of a famous English Poet.
_All naturally fly, what does Pursue_
_’Tis fit Men shou’d be Coy, when Women Woe._
MELANTHA was fretted to the Heart to find him so insensible, but not
being one of those who are apt to repent any thing they have done, she
only pretended to fall into a violent fit of Laughter, and when she came
out of it, I confess (said she) that I have lost my Aim, which was, to
make you believe I was dying for Love of you, raise you to the highest
Degree of Expectation, and then have the pleasure of baulking you at
once, by letting you know the jest.----But your Lordship is too hard for
me, even at my own Weapon, ridicule! I am mightly obliged to you Madam
(answer’d he, more briskly than before) for your Intention, however; but
’tis probable, if I cou’d have been drawn into a Belief that you were in
earnest, I might, at such a Time, and such a Place as this, have taken
some Measures which wou’d have sufficiently reveng’d me on you----but
come Madam, (continu’d he) the Morning begins to break, if you please we
will find out MELLIORA, and go into the House: As he spoke these Words,
they perceiv’d her coming towards them, who had only taken a little round
to meet ’em, and they all three made what hast they cou’d in: _Count_
D’ELMONT asked a formal leave of MELLIORA to go thro’ her Chamber, none
of the Servants being yet stirring, to let him into the House any other
way, which being granted, he cou’d not help sighing as he passed by
the Bed, where he had been lately so cruelly disappointed, but had no
opportunity to speak his Thoughts at that time to MELLIORA.
The _Count_ rung for his Gentleman to rise to undress him, and order’d
him to send somebody to take care of his Horse, and went to Bed,
ALOVYSA was very much surpriz’d at his return from the _Baron_’s at so
unseasonable an Hour, but much more so, when in the Morning, MELANTHA
came laughing into the Chamber, and told her, all that she knew of the
Adventure of the Night before; her old fit of Jealousie now resum’d
it’s Dominion in her Soul, she cou’d not forbear thinking, that there
was something more in it, than MELANTHA had discover’d: And presently
imagin’d that her Husband stay’d not at the _Baron_’s, because she
was abroad; but she was more confirm’d in this Opinion, when MELANTHA
calling for her Coach to go home; the _Count_ told her that he wou’d
accompany her thither, having urgent Business with her Brother. ’Tis
almost impossible to guess the rage ALOVYSA was in, but she dissembled
it ’till they were gone, then going to MELLIORA’s Chamber, she vented
part of it there, and began to question her about their Behaviour in the
Wilderness. Tho’ MELLIORA was glad to find, since she was jealous, that
she was jealous of any Body rather than her self, yet she said all that
she cou’d, to perswade her, that she had no Reason to be uneasie.
But ALOVYSA was always of too fiery a Nature to listen patiently to any
thing that cou’d be offer’d, to alter the Opinion she had taken up, tho’
it were with never so little an appearance of Reason, but much more now,
when she thought her self, in a manner Confirm’d: Forbear (said she)
Dear MELLIORA to take the part of perfidy: I know he hates me, I read
it in his Eyes, and feel it on his Lips, all Day he shuns my Converse,
and at night, colder than Ice, receives my warm Embraces, and when, (oh
that I cou’d tear the tender folly from me Heart) with Words as soft
as Love can Form, I urge him to disclose the Cause of his Disquiet, he
answers but in sighs, and turns away: Perhaps (reply’d MELLIORA) his
Temper naturally is gloomy, and love it self, has scarce the Power to
alter Nature. Oh no, (Interrupted ALOVYSA) far from it: Had I ne’er
known him otherwise, I cou’d forgive what now I know, but he was once as
kind as tender Mothers to their new born Babes, and fond as the first
Wishes of desiring Youth: Oh! With what eagerness has he approach’d
me, when absent but an Hour!---Hadst thou ’ere seen him in those Days
of Joy, even, thou, cold Cloyster’d Maid, must have ador’d him What
Majesty, then sat upon his Brow?-----What Matchless Glories shone around
him!----Miriads of _Cupids_, shot resistless Darts in every Glance,---his
Voice when softned in amorous Accents, boasted more Musick, than the
Poet _Orpheus!_ When e’re he spoke, methought the Air seem’d Charm’d,
the Winds forgot to blow, all Nature listn’d, and like ALOVISA melted
into Transport----but he is chang’d in all----the Heroe, and the Lover
are Extinct, and all that’s left, of the once gay D’ELMONT, is a dull
senceless Picture: MELLIORA was too sensibly Touch’d with this Discourse,
to be able presently to make any Answer to it, and she cou’d not forbear
accompanying her in Tears, while ALOVYSA renew’d her Complaints in this
manner; his Heart (said she) his Heart is lost, for ever Ravish’d from
me, that Bosom where I had Treasur’d all my Joys, my Hopes, my Wishes,
now burns and pants, with longings for a rival Curst! Curst, MELANTHA,
by Heaven they are even impudent in Guilt, they Toy, they Kiss, and make
Assignations before my Face, and this Tyrant Husband braves me with his
falsehood, and thinks to awe me into Calmness, but, if I endure it---No
(continu’d she stamping, and walking about the Room in a disorder’d
Motion) I’ll be no longer the tame easie wretch I have been---all
_France_ shall Eccho with my Wrongs---The ungrateful Monster!---Villain,
whose well nigh wasted Stream of Wealth had dry’d, but for my kind of
supply, shall he enslave me!--Oh MELLIORA shun the Marriage Bed, as thou
woud’st a Serpents Den, more Ruinous, more Poysonous far, is Man.
’Twas in vain that MELLIORA endeavour’d to pacifie her, she continu’d in
this Humour all Day, and in the Evening receiv’d a considerable Addition
to her former Disquiet: The _Count_ sent a Servant of the _Barons_
(having not taken any of his own with him) to acquaint her, that he
shou’d not be at home that Night. ’Tis well (said she ready to burst with
Rage) let the _Count_ know that I can change as well as he, and shall
excuse his Absence tho’ it lasts to all Eternity, (go continu’d she,
seeing him surpriz’d) deliver this Message, and withal, assure him, that
what I say, I mean. She had scarce made an end of these Words, when she
flung out of the Room, unable to utter more, and lock’d her self into her
Chamber, leaving MELLIORA no less distracted, tho’ for different Reasons,
to retire to her’s.
She had not ’till now, had a moments Time for reflection since her
Adventure in the Wilderness, and the Remembrance of it, joyn’d with the
Despair, and Grief of ALOVISA, which she knew her self the sole occasion
of, threw her into most terrible Agonies. She was ready to die with
shame, when she consider’d how much the secret of her Soul was laid open
to him, who of all the World she ought most to have conceal’d it from,
and with remorse, for the Miseries her fatal Beauty was like to bring on
a Family for whom she had the greatest Friendship.
But these Thoughts soon gave way to another, equally as shocking, she was
present when the Servant brought Word the _Count_ wou’d lie abroad, and
had all the Reason imaginable to believe that Message was only a feint,
that he might have an opportunity to come unobserv’d to her Chamber,
as he had done the Night before. She cou’d not presently guess by what
means he had got in, and therefore was at a loss how to prevent him,
’till recollecting all the Circumstances of that tender interview, she
remembred that when MELANTHA had surpriz’d them, he made his escape by
the back Stairs into the Garden, and that when they went down, the Door
was lock’d: Therefore concluded it must be by a Key, that he had gain’d
admittance: And began to set her Invention to Work, how to keep this
dangerous Enemy to her Honour, from coming in a second Time. She had no
Keys that were large enough to fill the Wards, and if she had put one in,
on the inside, it wou’d have fallen out immediately on the least touch,
but at last, after trying several ways, she tore her Handkerchief into
small pieces, and thrust it into the hole with her Busk, so hard, that it
was impossible for any Key to enter.
MELLIORA thought she had done a very Heroick Action, and sate her self
down on the Bed-side in a pleas’d Contemplation of the Conquest, she
believ’d her Virtue had gain’d over her Passion: But alas, How little did
she know the true State of her own Heart? She no sooner heard a little
noise at the Door, as presently after she did, but she thought it was the
_Count_, and began to tremble not with fear, but desire.