the _Baron_, and got into the Garden as before, but with a much greater
Assurance now of making himself entirely happy in the Gratification of
his utmost Wishes. But ’tis impossible to represent the greatness of
his vexation and surprize, when all his Efforts to open the Door, were
in vain: He found something had been done to the Lock, but cou’d not
discover what, nor by any means remove the obstacle which MELLIORA had
put there. She, on the other hand, was in all the confusion imaginable:
Sometimes prompted by the violence of her Passion, she wou’d run to the
Door, resolving to open it; and then, frighted with the apprehension of
what wou’d be the Consequence, as hastily fly from it: If he had stay’d
much longer, ’tis possible love wou’d have got the better of all other
Considerations, but a light appearing on the other side of the Garden,
oblig’d the thrice disappointed Lover, to quit his Post. He had sent
away the Horses by the Servant who came with him, and had no opportunity
of going to the _Barons_ that Night, so came to his own Fore-gate, and
thunder’d with a force, suitable to the fury he was possest with; it was
presently open’d, most of the Family being up. ALOVISA had rav’d her self
into Fits, and her disorder created full Employment for the Servants,
who busily running about the House with Candles fetching things for her,
occasion’d that reflection which he had seen.
The _Count_ was told of his Lady’s Indisposition, but he thought he had
sufficient pretence not to come where she was, after the Message she had
sent him by the _Baron_’s Servant, and order’d a Bed to be made ready for
him in another Chamber.
ALOVISA soon heard he was come in, and it was with much ado, that her
Women prevail’d on her not to rise and go to him that moment, so little
did she remember what she had said. She pass’d the Night in most terrible
Inquietudes, and early in the Morning went to his Chamber, but finding it
shut, she was oblig’d to wait, tho’ with a World of impatience, ’till she
heard he was stirring, which not being till towards Noon, she spent all
that Time in considering how she shou’d accost him.
As soon as the Servant whom she had order’d to watch, brought her Word
that his Lord was dressing, she went into the Room, there was no body
with him but his Gentleman, and he withdrawing out of respect, imagining
by both their Countenances, there might something be said, not proper
for him to hear. I see (said she) my Presence is unwish’d, but I have
learn’d from you to scorn Constraint, and as you openly avow your
falshood, I shall my Indignation, and my just Disdain! Madam (answer’d
he suddenly) if you have any thing to reproach me with, you cou’d not
have chose a more unlucky Time for it, than this, nor was I ever less
dispos’d to give you Satisfaction. No, barbarous cold Insulter! (resum’d
she) I had not the least hope you wou’d, I find that I am grown so low
in your Esteem, I am not worth pains of an Invention.----By Heaven, this
damn’d indifference is worse than the most vile Abuse!---’Tis plain
Contempt!----O that I cou’d resent it as I ought----then Sword, or Poison
shou’d revenge me---why am I so Curst to Love you still?---O that those
Fiends (continu’d she, bursting into Tears) that have deform’d thy Soul,
wou’d change thy Person too, turn every Charm to horrid Blackness, grim
as thy Cruelty, and foul as thy Ingratitude, to free that Heart, thy
Perjury has ruin’d. I thought Madam (said he, with an Accent maliciously
Ironical) that you had thrown off, even the appearances of Love for me,
by the Message you sent me Yesterday---O thou Tormenter (interrupted
she) hast thou not wrong’d me in the tenderest Point, driven me to the
last Degree of Misery! To Madness!---To Despair? And dost thou----can’st
thou Reproach me for complaining?---Your coldness; your unkindness stung
me to the Soul, and then I said, I know not what---but I remember well,
that I wou’d have seem’d careless, and indifferent like you. You need
not (reply’d he) give your self the trouble of an Apology, I have no
design to make a quarrel of it: And wish, for both our Peace, you cou’d
as easily moderate your Passions, as I can mine, and that you may the
better do so, I leave you to reflect on what I have said, and the little
Reason I have ever given you for such intemperance. He left the Chamber
with these Words, which instead of quelling, more enflam’d ALOVYSA’s
Rage. She threw her self down into an Elbow Chair that stood there, and
gave a loose to the Tempest of her Soul, Sometimes she curst, and vow’d
the bitterest Revenge: Sometimes she wept, and at others, was resolv’d
to fly to Death, the only Remedy for neglected Love: In the midst of
these confus’d Meditations, casting her Eye on a Table by her, she saw
Paper, and something written on it, which hastily taking up, found it the
_Count_’s Character, and read (to her inexpressible Torment) these Lines.
[Illustration]
The Dispairing D’ELMONT to his Repenting Charmer.
_What Cruel Star last Night, had Influence over my
Inhumane Dear? Say, to what Cause must I ascribe my Fatal
Disappointment? For I wou’d fain believe I owe it not to
Thee!----Such an Action, after what thou hast confest, I cou’d
expect from nothing but a Creature of_ MELANTHA’s _Temper---no,
’tis too much of the vain Coquet, and indeed too much of the
Jilt, for my Adorable to be guilty of--and yet---Oh how shall I
excuse thee? when every thing was hush’d, Darkness my Friend,
and all my Wishes rais’d, when every Nerve trembled with fierce
Desires, and my Pulse beat a call to Love, or Death,----(For
if I not enjoy thee, that will soon arrive) then, then what,
but thy self, forgetting all thy Vows, thy tender Vows of the
most Ardent Passion, cou’d have destroyed my Hopes?---Oh where
was then that Love which lately flatter’d my fond doating Soul,
when sinking, dying in my Arms, my Charmer lay! And suffer’d
me to reap each Prologue favour to the greatest Bliss----But
they are past, and rigid Honour stands to Guard those joys,
which----_
There was no more written, but there needed no more to make ALOVYSA,
before half distracted, now quite so. She was now convinc’d that she had
a much more dangerous Rival than MELANTHA, and her Curiosity who it might
be, was not much less troublesome to her than other Passions.
She was going to seek her Husband with this Testimony of his Infidelity
in her Hand, when he, remembring he had left it there, was coming hastily
back to fetch it. The Excess of Fury which she met him with, is hardly
to be imagin’d, she upbraided him in such a Fashion as might be called
reviling, and had so little regard to good Manners, or even decency in
what she said, that it dissipated all the confusion he was in at first,
to see so plain a Proof against him in her Hands, and rouz’d him to a
rage not much Inferior to her’s. She endeavour’d (tho’ she took a wrong
Method) to bring him to a Confession, he had done amiss; and he, to lay
the Tempest of her Tongue, by storming louder, but neither succeeded in
their wish: And he, stung with the bitterness of her Reproaches, and
tired with Clamour, at last flung from her with a solemn Vow never to
eat, or Sleep with her more.
A Wife if equally haughty and jealous, if less fond than ALOVYSA will
scarce be able to comprehend the greatness of her Sufferings: And it is
not to be wonder’d at, that she, so violent in all her Passions, and
agitated by so many, at once, committed a thousand Extravagancies, which
those who know the force but of one, by the Aid of Reason, may avoid.
She tore down the _Count_’s Picture which hung in the Room, and stamp’d
on it, then the Letter, her own Cloaths, and Hair, and whoever had seen
her in that Posture, wou’d have thought she appear’d more like what the
Furies are represented to be, than a Woman.
The _Count_ when he took leave the Night before of the _Baron_
D’ESPERNAY, had promis’d to return to him in the Morning, and give him
an Account of his Adventure with MELLIORA, but the vexation of his
disappointment, and quarrel with his Wife, having hindred him all this
time, the _Baron_ came to his House, impatient to know the Success of an
Affair on which his own hopes depended. He was told by the Servants that
their Lord was above, and running hastily without Ceremony, the first
Person he saw was ALOVISA, in the condition I have describ’d.
The _Baron_ had passionately lov’d this Lady from the first Moment he had
seen her, but it was with that sort of Love, which considers more it’s
own gratification, than the Interest, or quiet, of the object beloved.
He imagin’d by the Wildness of ALOVYSA’s Countenance and Behaviour, that
the _Count_ had given her some extraordinary occasion of distaste, and
was so far from being troubled at the Sorrow he beheld her in, that he
rejoyc’d in it, as the advancement of his Designs. But he wanted not
cunning to disguise his Sentiments, and approaching her with a tender,
and submissive Air, entreated her to tell him the Cause of her disorder.
ALOVYSA had always consider’d him as a Person of worth, and one who
was entitled to her Esteem by the vast respect he always paid her, and
the Admiration, which in every opportunity, he exprest for her Wit and
Beauty. She was not perhaps far from guessing the Extent of his Desires,
by some Looks, and private Glances he had given her, and, notwithstanding
her Passion, for the _Count_, was too vain to be offended at it. On the
contrary, it pleas’d her Pride, and confirm’d her in the good Opinion
she had of her self, to think a Man of his Sense shou’d be compell’d
by the force of her irresistible Attractions to adore and to despair,
and therefore made no Difficulty of disburthening all the anguish of her
Soul, in the Bosom of this, as she believ’d, so faithful Friend.
The _Baron_ seem’d to receive this Declaration of her Wrongs, with all
imaginable concern: And accus’d the _Count_ of Stupidity in so little
knowing the value of a Jewel he was Master of, and gave her some hints,
that he was not unsensible who the Lady was, that had been the Cause of
it, which ALOVISA presently taking hold on, O speak her Name (said she)
quick, let me know her, or own thy Friendship was but feign’d to undo
me, and that thou hatest the wretched ALOVISA. O far (resum’d he) far be
such thoughts, first let me Die, to prove my Zeal---my Faith, sincere
to you, who only next to Heaven, are worthy Adoration---but forgive me,
if I say, in this, you must not be obey’d. O why, said she? Perhaps,
(answer’d he) I am a trusted Person---A confident, and if I should reveal
the secret of my Friend, I know, tho’ you approv’d the Treachery, you
wou’d detest the Traytor. O! Never (rejoyn’d she impatiently) ’twou’d
be a Service, more than the whole Study of my Life can pay----am I not
Rack’d,----Stab’d---and Mangled in Idea, by some dark Hand shaded with
Night and Ignorance? And shou’d I not be grateful for a friendly Clue
to guide me from this Labyrinth of Doubt, to a full Day of Certainty,
where all the fiend may stand expos’d before me, and I have Scope to
Execute my Vengeance? Besides, (continu’d she, finding he was silent and
seemingly extreamly mov’d at what she said) ’tis joyning in the Cause
of Guilt to hide her from me----come, you must tell me---your Honour
suffers else---both that, and pity, plead the Injur’d’s Cause. Alas (said
he) Honour can ne’er consent to a Discovery of what, with solemn Vows I
have promis’d to Conceal; but Oh!---There is something in my Soul, more
Powerful, which says, that ALOVYSA must not be deny’d. Why then (cry’d
she) do you delay? Why keep me on the Rack, when one short Word wou’d
ease me of my Torment? I have consider’d (answer’d he after a pause)
Madam, you shall be satisfied, depend on it you shall, tho’ not this
Moment, you shall have greater Proofs than Words can give you----Occular
Demonstration shall strike denial Dumb. What mean you? Interrupted she;
you shall behold (said he) the guilty pair, link’d in each others Arms.
Oh ESPERNAY (rejoyn’d she) coud’st thou do that?---’Tis easie (answer’d
he) as I can order Matters---but longer Conferrence may render me
suspected---I’ll go seek the _Count_, for he must be my Engine to betray
himself---In a Day or two, at farthest you shall enjoy all the Revenge
Detection can bestow.
ALOVYSA wou’d fain have perswaded him to have told her the Name of her
Rival, in part of that full Conviction he had promis’d her, but in vain,
and she was oblig’d to leave the Issue of this Affair entirely to his
Management.
The _Baron_ was extreamly pleas’d with the Progress he had made, and
did not doubt, but for the purchase of this secret he shou’d obtain
every thing he desired of ALOVYSA. He found _Count_ D’ELMONT full of
troubled and perplexed Thoughts, and when he had heard the History of
his disappointment: I am sorry to hear (said he) that the foolish Girl
does not know her own mind---but come (my Lord continued he, after
a little pause) do not suffer your self to sink beneath a Caprice,
which all those who converse much with that Sex must frequently meet
with---I have a Contrivance in my Head, that cannot fail to render all
her peevish Virtue frustrate: And make her happy in her own despite. Oh
ESPERNAY! (reply’d the _Count_) thou talkest as Friendship prompts thee,
I know thou wishest my Success, but alas! So many, and such unforeseen
Accidents have happen’d hitherto to prevent me, that I begin to think
the Hand of Fate has set me down for lost. For shame my Lord (Interrupted
the _Baron_) be not so poor in Spirit----Once more I tell you that she
shall be yours---a Day or two shall make her so---and because I know you
Lovers are unbelieving, and impatient----I will Communicate the Means. A
Ball, and Entertainment shall be provided at my House, to which, all the
Neighbouring People of Condition shall be invited, amongst the number,
your self, your Lady, and MELLIORA; it will be late before ’tis done,
and I must perswade your Family, and some others who live farthest off,
to Countenance the Design to stay all Night; all that you have to do,
is to keep up your Resentment to ALOVYSA, that you may have a pretence
to sleep from her: I shall take care to have MELLIORA plac’d where no
Impediment may bar your Entrance. Impossible Suggestion! (cry’d D’ELMONT
shaking his Head) ALOVYSA is in too much Rage of Temper to listen to
such an Invitation, and without her, we must not hope for MELLIORA.
How Industrious are you (resum’d the _Baron_) to create difficulties
where there is none: Tho’ I confess this may have, to you, a reasonable
Appearance of one. But know, my Friendship builds it’s hopes to serve you
on a sure Foundation---this jealous furious Wife, makes me the Confident
of her imagin’d Injuries, Conjures me to use all my Interest with you for
a reconcilement, and believes I am now pleading for her----I must for a
while rail at your Ingratitude, and Condemn your want of Taste, to keep
my Credit with her, and now and then sweeten her with a doubtful Hope
that it may be possible at last to bring you to acknowledge, that you
have been in an Error; this at once confirms her, that I am wholly on her
side, and engages her to follow my Advice.
Tho’ nothing Palls desire so much as too easie an Assurance of Means to
gratifie it, yet a little hope is absolutely necessary to preserve it.
The fiery Wishes of D’ELMONT’S Soul, before chill’d by despair, and half
supprest with clouding Griefs, blaz’d now, as fierce, and vigorous as
ever, and he found so much probability in what the _Baron_ said, that he
was ready to adore him for the Contrivance.
Thus all Parties, but MELLIORA, remain’d in a sort of a pleas’d
Expectation. The COUNT doubted not of being happy, nor ALOVISA of having
her curiosity satisfy’d by the _Baron’s_ Assistance, nor himself of the
reward he design’d to demand of her for that good Service, and each
long’d impatiently for the Day, or rather Night, which was to bring this
great Affair to a Period. Poor MELLIORA was the only Person, who had no
interval of Comfort. Restrain’d by Honour, and enflam’d by Love, her very
Soul was torn: And when she found that COUNT D’ELMONT made no attempt
to get into her Chamber again, as she imagin’d he wou’d, she fell into
a Despair more terrible than all her former Inquietudes; she presently
fancy’d that the disappointment he had met with the Night before, had
driven the hopeless Passion from his Heart, and the Thoughts of being no
longer beloved by him, were unsupportable. She saw him not all that Day,
nor the next, the quarrel between him and ALOVISA having caus’d separate
Tables, she was oblig’d in Decency, to eat at that where she was, and had
the Mortification of hearing her self Curs’d every Hour, by the enrag’d
Wife, in the Name of her unknown Rival, without daring to speak a Word in
her own Vindication.
In the mean time the _Baron_ diligent to make good the Promises he had
given the COUNT and ALOVISA, for his own Ends, got every thing ready, and
came himself to D’ELMONT’S House, to entreat their Company at his. Now
Madam (said he) to ALOVISA the time is come to prove your Servants Faith:
This Night shall put an end to your uncertainty: They had no opportunity
for further Speech; MELLIORA came that Moment into the Room, who being
ask’d to go to the Ball, and seeming a little unwilling to appear at any
publick Diversion, by Reason of the late Death of her Father, put the
_Baron_ in a Mortal Apprehension for the Success of his Undertaking: But
ALOVYSA joyning in his Entreaties, she was at last prevail’d upon: The
COUNT went along with the _Baron_ in his Chariot: And the Ladies soon
follow’d in an other.
There was a vast deal of Company there, and the _Count_ danc’d with
several of the Ladies, and was extreamly gay amongst them: ALOVYSA
watch’d his Behaviour, and regarded every one of them, in their Turn,
with Jealousie, but was far from having the least Suspicion of her whom
only she had Cause.
Tho’ MELLIORA’S greatest Motive to go, was, because she might have the
happiness of seeing her admir’d _Count_; a Blessing, she had not enjoy’d
these two Days, yet she took but little Satisfaction in that View,
without an opportunity of being spoke to by him. But that uneasiness
was remov’d, when the serious Dances being over, and they all joyning
in a grand Ballet: He every now and then, got means to say a Thousand
tender Things to her, press’d her Hand whenever he turn’d her, and wou’d
sometimes, when at a distance from ALOVISA, pretend to be out, on purpose
to stand still, and talk to her. This kind of Behaviour banish’d part of
her Sufferings, for tho’ she cou’d consider both his, and her own Passion
in no other View, than that of a very great Misfortune to them both,
yet there are so many Pleasures, even in the Pains of Love. Such tender
thrillings, such Soul-ravishing Amusements, attend some happy Moments of
Contemplation, that those who most Endeavour, can wish but faintly to be
freed from.
When it grew pretty late, the Baron made a sign to the Count to follow
him into a little Room joyning to that where they were, and when he had,
now my Lord, (said he) I doubt not but this Night will make you entirely
Possessor of your Wishes: I have prolonged the Entertainment, on purpose
to detain those, who ’tis necessary for our Design, and have ordered
a Chamber for MELLIORA, which has no Impediment to Bar your Entrance:
O! Thou best of Friends, (answer’d D’ELMONT) how shall I requite thy
Goodness? In making (resum’d the Baron) a right Use of the Opportunity
I give you, for if you do not, you render fruitless all the Labours of
my Brain, and make me wretched, while my Friend is so. Oh! fear me not
(cry’d D’ELMONT in a Rapture) I will not be deny’d, each Faculty of
my Soul is bent upon Enjoyment, tho’ Death in all its various Horrors
glar’d upon me, I’d scorn ’em all in MELLIORA’S Arms---O! the very Name
transports me---New fires my Blood, and tingles in my Veins---Imagination
points out all her Charms--Methinks I see her lie in sweet
Confusion--Fearing--Wishing--Melting---Her glowing Cheeks--Her closing
dying Eyes--her every kindling--Oh ’tis too vast for Thought! Even Fancy
flags, and cannot reach her Wonders! As he was speaking, MELANTHA, who
had taken notice of his going out of the Room, and had follow’d him with
a Design of talking to him, came time enough to hear the latter part of
what he said, but seeing her Brother with him, withdrew with as much
haste as she came, and infinitely more uneasiness of Mind; she was now
but too well assur’d that she had a greater difficulty than the Count’s
Matrimonial Engagement to get over, before she could reach his Heart, and
was ready to burst with Vexation to think she was supplanted: Full of a
Thousand tormenting Reflections she return’d to the Ball Room, and was so
out of Humour all the Night, that she could hardly be commonly Civil to
any Body that spoke to her.
At last, the Hour so much desired by the Count, the Baron, and ALOVISA
(tho’ for various Reasons) was arriv’d: The Company broke up; those who
liv’d near, which were the greatest part, went home, the others being
entreated by the Baron, stay’d. When they were to be conducted to their
Chambers, he call’d MELANTHA, and desired she would take care of the
Ladies as he should direct, but above all, charg’d to place ALOVISA and
MELLIORA in two Chambers which he shewed her.
MELANTHA was now let into the Secret she so much desired to know, the
Name of her Rival, which she had not come time enough to hear, when she
did the Count’s Rapturous Description of her. She had before found out,
that her Brother was in Love with ALOVYSA, and did not doubt, but that
there was a double Intrigue to be carry’d on that Night, and was the
more confirm’d in that Opinion, when she remembred, that the _Baron_
had order’d the Lock that Day to be taken off the Door of that Chamber
where MELLIORA was to be lodg’d. It presently came into her Head, to
betray all she knew to ALOVISA, but she soon rejected that Resolution for
another, which she thought would give her a more pleasing Revenge: She
conducted all the Ladies to such Chambers as she thought fit, and ALOVISA
to that her Brother had desired, having no design of disappointing him,
but MELLIORA she led to one where she always lay her self, resolving to
supply her Place in the other, where the Count was to come: Yes, (said
she to her self) I will receive his Vows in MELLIORA’S Room, and when
I find him rais’d to the highest pitch of Expectation, declare who I
am, and awe him into Tameness; ’twill be a charming Piece of Vengeance,
besides, if he be not the most ungrateful Man on Earth, he must Adore my
Generosity in not exposing him to his Wife, when I have him in my Power,
after the Coldness he has us’d me with. She found something so pleasing
in this Contrivance, that no Considerations whatever, could have Power to
deter her from pursuing it.
When the Baron found every thing was silent and ready for his Purpose,
he went softly to Count D’ELMONT’S Chamber, where he was impatiently
expected; and taking him by the Hand, led him to that, where he had
ordered MELLIORA to be Lodg’d. When they were at the Door, you see my
Lord, (said he) I have kept my Promise; there lies the Idol of your Soul,
go in, be bold, and all the Happiness, you wish attend you. The Count was
in too great a hurry of disorder’d Thoughts to make him any other Answer
than a passionate Embrace, and gently pushing open the Door which had no
fastning to it, left the Baron to prosecute the remaining part of his
treacherous Design.