gave me, but I forbore showing it to _Charlotta_, knowing how much it
would encrease her Anguish, and resolv’d when next I saw him, as I made
no doubt but I should quickly do, to use him in such a fashion, as in
spite of his Vanity, shou’d make him know I was not to be won in such
a manner; for I confess, my dear _D’elmont_, that his Timerity gave no
less a shock to my _Pride_, than his Infidelity to her I really lov’d,
did to my _Friendship_. The next Day I was told, a Gentleman enquir’d
for me, I presently imagin’d it was he, and went to the Grate, with a
Heart full of Indignation; I was not deceiv’d in my Conjecture, it was
indeed the Marquess, who appear’d on the other side, but with so much
Humility in his Eyes, and awful fear, for what he saw in Mine, as half
disarm’d my Anger for what concern’d my self, and had his Passion not
proceeded from his Inconstancy, I might have been drawn to _pity_ what
was not in my Power to Reward; but his base Usage of a Woman so deserving
as _Charlotta_, made me Express my self in Terms full of Disdain and
Detestation, and without allowing him to Reply, or make any Excuses,
pluck’d the Letter he had sent me out of my Pocket, with a design to
return it him, just at that Moment when a _Nun_ came hastily to call me
from the Grate: Some body had over-heard the beginning of what I said,
and had told the _Abbess_, who, tho’ she was not displeas’d at what she
heard of my Behaviour to him, yet she thought it improper for me to
hold any Discourse with a Man, who declar’d himself my Lover: I did
not, however, let her know who the Person was, fearing it might come to
_Charlotta_’s Ears, and encrease an Affliction, which was already too
violent: I was vext to miss the Opportunity of giving back his Letter,
but kept it still about me, not in the least Questioning, but that
boldness which had encourag’d him to make a discovery of his Desires,
wou’d again lead him to the Prosecution of them in the same manner, but
I was deceiv’d, his Passion prompted him to take other, as he believ’d,
more effectual Measures: One Day, at least a Fortnight after I had seen
the _Marquess_, as I was walking in the Garden with _Charlotta_, and
another young _Pensioner_, a Fellow who was imploy’d in taking away
Rubbish, told us there were some Statues carry’d by the Gate, which
open’d into the Fields, which were the greatest Master-pieces of Art that
had ever been seen: They are going, said he, to be plac’d in the _Seiur
Valiers_ Garden, if you step but out, you may get a Sight of them: We,
who little suspected any Deceit, run without Consideration, to satisfie
our Curiosity, but instead of the Statues we expected to see, four Living
Men disguis’d, muffl’d, and well Mounted, came Galloping up to us, and,
as it were surrounded us, before we had Time to get back to the Gate we
came out at: Three of them alighting, seiz’d me and my Companions, and I,
who was the destin’d Prey, was in a Moment thrown into the Arms of him
who was on Horseback, and who no sooner receiv’d me, than as if we had
been mounted on a _Pegasus_, we seem’d rather to _fly_ than _Ride_; in
vain I struggl’d, shriek’d, and cry’d to Heaven for help, my Prayers were
lost in Air, as quickly was my Speech, surprize, and rage, and dread,
o’rewhelm’d my sinking Spirits, and unable to sustain the Rapidity of
such violent Emotions, I fell into a Swoon, from which I recover’d not,
till was at the Door of some House, but where I yet am ignorant; the
first thing I saw, when I open’d my Eyes, was one of those Men who had
been Assistant in my carrying away, and was now about to lift me from
the Horse: I had not yet the power to Speak, but when I had, I vented
all the Passions of my Soul in terms full of Distraction and Despair: By
what means the People of the House were gain’d to my Ravishers Interest,
I know not, but they took little Notice of the Complaints I made, or my
Implorations for Succour: I had now, not the least shadow of a Hope,
that any thing but Death cou’d save me from Dishonour, and having vainly
Rag’d, I at last sate down meditating by what means I shou’d Compass that
only Relief from the worse Ruin which seem’d to threaten me: While my
Thoughts were thus employ’d, he who appear’d the chief of that insolent
Company, making a Sign that the rest shou’d withdraw, fell on his Knees
before me, and plucking off his Vizard, discover’d to me the Face of
the Marquess _D’Sanguillier_. Heavens! How did this Sight inflame me?
Mild as I am, by Nature, I that Moment was all Fury!----Till now I had
not the least Apprehension who he was, and believ’d ’twas rather my
_Fortune_ than my _Person_, which had prompted some daring Wretch to
take this Method to obtain it; but now, my Woes appear’d, if possible,
with greater Horror, and his Quality and Engagement with _Charlotta_
made the Act seem yet more Base. I blame you not, said he, Oh Divinest
_Melliora!_ The Presumption I am guilty of, is of so high a Nature, as
justly may deserve your utmost Rigour!-----I know, and confess my Crime;
Nay, hate my self for thus offending you.--But Oh? ’Tis unavoidable.---be
then, like Heaven, who when Injured most, takes most delight to pardon:
Crimes unrepented, answer’d I, can have no plea for Mercy, still to
persist, and still to ask forgiveness, is _Mocking_ of the Power we seem
to _Implore_, and but encreases Sin.----Release me from this Captivity,
which you have betray’d me into, Restore me to the Monastry----And for
the _future_, cease to shock my Ears with Tales of violated Faith,
detested Passion! Then, I perhaps, _may_ pardon what is _past_. His reply
to all this was very little to the Purpose, only I perceiv’d he was so
far from complying with my Request, or repenting what he had done, that
he resolv’d to proceed yet further, and one of his Associates coming
in, to tell him that his Chariot, which it seems he had order’d to meet
him there, was ready, he offer’d to take me by the Hand to lead me to
it, which I refusing, with an Air which testify’d the Indignation of my
Soul, Madam, said he, you are not here less in my Power, than you will
be in a Place, where I can Accommodate you in a manner more suitable to
your Quality, and the Adoration I have for you: If I were capable of a
base Design on you, what hinders but I now might perpetrate it? But be
assur’d, your Beauties are not of that kind, which inspire Sentiments
dishonourable; nor shall you ever find any other Treatment from me, than
what might become the humblest of your Slaves; my Love, fierce as it is,
shall know it’s Limits, and never dare to Breath an Accent less Chast
than your own Virgin Dreams, and Innocent as your Desires.
Tho’ the boldness he had been guilty of, and still persisted in, made
me give but little Credit to the latter part of his Speech, yet the
Beginning of it awak’d my Consideration to a reflection, that I cou’d not
indeed be any where in a greater danger of the Violence I fear’d, than
where I was; but on the contrary, it might so happen, that in leaving
that Place, I might possibly meet some Persons who might know me, or
at least be carry’d somewhere, whence I might with more likelihood,
make my Escape: In this last Hope, I went into the Chariot, and indeed,
to do him justice, neither in our Journey, nor since I came into his
House, has he ever violated the Promise he made me; nothing can be with
more Humility than his Addresses to me, never Visiting me without first
having obtain’d my leave! But to return to the particulars of my Story,
I had not been here many Days, before a Servant-Maid of the House, being
in my Chamber doing something about me, ask’d me if it were possible I
cou’d forget her; the Question surpriz’d me, but I was much more so,
when looking earnestly in her Face, which I had never done before, I
perfectly distinguish’d the Features of _Charlotta_: Oh Heavens! cry’d I,
_Charlotta_! The very same, said she, but I dare not stay now to unfold
the Mistery, lest any of the Family take Notice; at Night when I undress
you, you shall know the History of my Transformation.
Never any Day seem’d so long to me as that, and I feign’d my self
indispos’d, and rung my Bell for some body to come up, several Hours
before the time I us’d to go to Bed, _Charlotta_ guessing my impatience,
took care to be in the way, and as soon as she was with me, not staying
for my Requesting it of her, begun the Information she had promis’d, in
this manner.
You see, said she, forcing her self to put on a half smile, your unhappy
Rival follows to interrupt the Triumph of your Conquest; but I protest
to you, that if I thought you esteem’d my perjur’d Lover’s Heart an
offering worthy your Acceptance, I never wou’d have disturb’d your
happiness, and ’tis as much the Hopes of being able to be Instrumental
in serving you in your Releasment, as the prevention of that Blessing
the injurious _D’Sanguillier_ aims at, which has brought me here: Of all
the Persons that bewail’d your being carry’d away, I was the only one
who had any Guess at the Ravisher, nor had I been so wise, but that the
very Day on which it happen’d, you drop’d a Letter, which I took up,
and knowing it the _Marquess_’s Hand, made no scruple of Reading it. I
had no opportunity to upbraid you for the concealment of his falshood,
but the manner of your being seiz’d, convinc’d me you were Innocent of
favouring his Passion, and his Vizard flipping a little on one Side, as
he took you in his Arms, discover’d enough of that Face, I have so much
ador’d, for me to know who it was, that had took this Method to gain you:
I will not continu’d she, weeping, trouble you with any Recital of what
I endur’d from the Knowledge of my Misfortune, but you may judge it by
my Love, however, I bore up against the Oppressive weight, and resolv’d
to struggle with my Fate, even to the Last; I made an Excuse for leaving
the Monastry the next Day, without giving any suspicion of the Cause,
or letting any body into the Secret of the Marquess, and Disguis’d as
you see, found means to be receiv’d by the House-keeper, as a Servant, I
came here in three Days after you, and have had the opportunity of being
confirm’d by your Behaviour, of what I before believ’d, that you were far
from being an Assistant in his Design.
Here the sorrowful _Charlotta_ finish’d her little Account, and I
testify’d the Joy I felt in seeing her, by a thousand Embraces, and all
the Protestations of Eternal Friendship to her, that I could make: All
the times we had any opportunity of Talking to each other, were spent
in forming Schemes for my Escape, but none of them appear’d feasible;
however the very Contrivance was a kind of Pleasure to me, for tho’ I
began to banish all my Fears of the Marquess’s offering any violence
to my Virtue, yet I found his Passion wou’d not permit him to suffer
my Departure, and I was almost Distracted when I had no Hopes of being
in a Capacity of hearing from you, or writing to you: In this fashion,
my dearest _D’elmont_ have I liv’d, sometimes flattering my self with
vain Projects, sometimes desponding of being ever free: But last Night,
_Charlotta_ coming up, according to her Custom, told me in a kind of
Rapture, that you, and my Brother were in the House, she, it seems
knew you at _Paris_ while her Mother was yet Living, and to make her
entirely easy as to the Marquess, I had now made her the Confidant of
my Sentiments concerning you: I need not tell you the Extacy this News
gave me, you are too well acquainted with my Heart, not to be able to
conceive it more justly than Language can Express; but I cannot forbear
Informing you of one thing, of which you are ignorant, tho’ had Prudence
any share in this Love-directed Soul, I shou’d conceal it: My impatience
to behold you, was almost equal to my Joy to think you were so near,
and transported with my eager wishes, by _Charlotta_’s Assistance, I
last Night found the way into your Chamber: I saw you, Oh _D’elmont_! My
longing Eyes enjoy’d the satisfaction they so much desir’d, but yours
were clos’d, the Fatigue of your Journey had laid you fast a Sleep, so
fast, that even Fancy was unactive, and no kind Dream, alarm’d you with
one Thought of _Melliora_!
She cou’d not pronounce these last Words very Intelligibly, the greedy
Count devour’d ’em as she spoke, and tho’ Kisses had made many a
Parenthesis in her Discourse, yet he restrain’d himself as much as
possible, for the Pleasure of hearing her; but perceiving she was come to
a Period, he gave a loose to all the furious Transports of his ungovern’d
Passion: A while their Lips were Cemented! Rivetted together with Kisses,
such Kisses! As Collecting every Sence in one, exhale the very Soul, and
mingle Spirits! Breathless with bliss, then wou’d they pause and gaze,
then joyn again, with Ardour still encreasing, and Looks, and Sighs, and
straining Grasps were all the Eloquence that either cou’d make use of:
Fain wou’d he now have obtain’d the aim of all his Wishes, strongly he
press’d, and faintly she repuls’d: Dissolv’d in Love, and melting in his
Arms, at last she found no Words to form Denials, while he, all fire,
improv’d the lucky Moment, a thousand Liberties he took.----A thousand
Joys he reap’d, and had infallibly been possest of all, if _Charlotta_,
who seeing it broad Day, had not wonder’d at _Melliora_’s stay, and come
and knock’d at the Chamber Door, which not being fasten’d, gave way to
her Entrance, but she made not such hast, but that they had time enough
to Disengage themselves from that close Embrace they had held each other
in: Heavens! _Melliora_, cry’d the careful Interrupter, what mean you
by this stay, which may be so prejudicial to our Designs; the Marquess
is already stirring, and if he shou’d come into this Room, or send to
yours, what might be the Consequence: I come, I come, said _Melliora_,
alarm’d at what she heard, and rising from the Bed-side: Oh, you will
not, said the Count in a Whisper, and tenderly pressing her Hand, you
must not leave me thus! A few Hours hence, answer’d she aloud, I hope
to have the Power to own my self all yours, nor can the Scheme we have
laid fail of the Effects we wish, if no Discovery happens to Postpone it:
She was going with _Charlotta_ out of the Chamber, with these Words, but
remembring her self, she turn’d hastily back, let not my Brother, Resum’d
she, know my Weakness, and when you see me next, feign a surprize equal
to his own.
It is not to be suppos’d that after she was gone, _D’elmont_, tho’ kept
awake all Night, cou’d suffer any Sleep to enter his Eyes; excess of Joy
of all the Passions, hurries the Spirits most, and keeps ’em longest
busied: _Anger_ or _Grief_, rage violently at first, but quickly flag,
and sink at last into a Lethargy, but _Pleasure_ warms, exhillerates the
Soul, and every rapturous Thought infuses new Desires, new Life, and
added Vigour.
The Marquess _D’Sanguillier_ was no less happy in imagination than the
Count, and it was the force of that Passion which had rouz’d him so early
that Morning, and made him wait impatiently for his Guests coming out
of their Chambers, for he wou’d not disturb them: As soon as they were
all come into the Drawing-Room, I know not Messiures, said he, with a
Voice and Eyes wholly chang’d from those he wore the Day before, whether
you have ever Experienc’d the force of Love to that Degree that I have,
but I dare believe you have Generosity enough to rejoyce in the good
Fortune I am going to be possess’d of; and when I shall inform you how
I have long languish’d in a Passion, perhaps, the most extravagant that
ever was, you will confess the Justice of that God, who soon or late,
seldom suffers his faithful Votaries to miss their Reward: The Count
cou’d not force himself to a Reply to these Words, but _Frankville_ and
_Camilla_, who were entirely Ignorant of the Cause of them, heartily
Congratulated him. I am Confident, resum’d the Marquess, that Despair
has no Existance but in weak and timerous Minds, all Women may be won
by Force or Stratagem, and tho’ I had, almost, invincible Difficulties
to struggle with, Patience, Constancy, and a bold and artful Management
has at length surmounted them: Hopeless by Distant Courtship to obtain
the _Heart_ of my Adorable, I found means to make my self Master of her
_Person_, and by making no other use of the Power I had over her, than
humbly Sighing at her Feet, convinc’d her my Designs were far from being
Dishonourable; and last Night, looking on me, with more kindness than
she had ever done before: My Lord, said she, your Usage of me has been
too Noble, not to vanquish what ever Sentiments I may have been possest
with to your Prejudice, therefore since you have Company in the House,
who may be Witness of what I do, I think I cannot chuse a fitter time,
than this, to bestow my self, before them, on him who most Deserves me:
I will not now, continu’d he, delay the Confirmation of my Happiness so
long, as to go about to describe the Extacy I felt, for this so wish’d,
and so unhop’d a Condescension, but when, hereafter, you shall be told
the whole History of my Passion, you will be better able to conceive
it; the Marquess had scarce done speaking, when his Chaplain came into
the Room, saying, he believ’d it was the Hour his Lordship order’d him
to attend; it is! it is, cry’d the transported Marquess. Now my worthy
Guests you shall behold the lovely Author of my Joys; with these Words
he left them, but immediately return’d, leading the intended Bride:
Monsieur _Frankville_, tho’ he had not seen his Sister in some Years,
knew her at the first Glimpse, and the Surprize of meeting her----Meeting
her in so unexpected a manner was so great, that his Thoughts were
quite confounded with it, and he cou’d no otherwise Express it, than
by throwing his Eyes wildly, sometimes on her, sometimes on the Count,
and sometimes on the Marquess; the Count tho’ appris’d of this, felt a
Consternation for the Consequence little inferior to his, and both being
kept silent by their different Agitations, and the Marquess, by the
sudden Change, which he perceiv’d in their Countenances, _Melliora_ had
liberty to explain her self in this manner. I have kept my Word, my Lord,
said she to the Marquess, this Day shall give me to him who best deserves
me; but who that is, my Brother and Count _D’elmont_ must determine,
since Heaven has restor’d them to me, all Power of disposing of my self
must cease; ’tis they must, henceforth, rule the will of _Melliora_, and
only their consent can make me yours; all Endeavours wou’d be vain to
represent the Marquess’s confusion at this sudden Turn, and ’tis hard to
say whether his Astonishment, or Vexation was greatest; her Brother he
wou’d little have regarded, not doubting but his Quality, and the Riches
he was possest of, wou’d easily have gain’d his Compliance; but Count
_D’elmont_, tho’ he knew him not (having, for some disgust he receiv’d
at Court, been many Years absent from _Paris_,) yet he had heard much
talk of him; and the Passion he had for _Melliora_, by the Adventure
of _Alovysa_’s Death, had made too great a Noise in the World not to
have reach’d his Ears; he stood Speechless for some time, but when he
had a little recover’d himself, have you then Deceiv’d me, Madam, Said
he? No, answer’d she, I am still ready to perform my promise, whenever
these Gentlemen shall command me.----The one my Brother, the other my
Guardian, obtain but their Consent, and----Mine, he can never have,
Interrupted _Frankville_ hastily, and laying his Hand on his Sword. Nor
mine, cry’d the Count, while I have Breath to form Denials, or my Arm
strength to Guard my Beauteous Charge; hold Brother,----Hold, my Lord,
said _Melliora_, fearing their Fury wou’d produce some fatal Effects, the
_Marquess_ has been so truly Noble, that you rather ought to Thank, than
resent his Treatment of me, and tho’ I see Rage in _your_ Eyes, and all
the Stings of disappointment glowing fierce in _his_, yet I have Hopes, a
general Content may Crown the End.----Appear! Continu’d she, raising her
Voice, appear! Thou lovely faithful Maid! Come forth and Charm thy roving
Lovers Heart again to Constancy, to Peace, and thee! She had no sooner
spoke, then _Charlotta_ entred, drest like a Bride indeed, in a Suit of
Cloaths, which she had brought with her, in case any happy Opportunity
shou’d arise for her to discover herself: If the _Marquess_ was before
confounded, how much more so was he now? That injur’d Ladies Presence,
just at this juncture, and the Surprize by what means she came there,
made him utterly unable to resolve on any thing, which she observing,
and taking advantage of his Confusion, run to him, and catching hold
of his Hand; wonder not my Lord, said she, to see _Charlotta_ here,
nothing is impossible to Love like mine, tho’ slighted and abandon’d
by you, still I pursue your Steps with Truth, with Tenderness, and
Constancy untir’d!---Then, perceiving he still was silent, come, my
Lord, continu’d she, you must at last take Pity on my Sufferings, my
Rival, Charming as she is, wants a just sensibility of your Deserts,
and is by that, less worthy even than I; Oh, then remember, if not to
me, what ’tis you owe your self your own exhalted Merits, and you will
soon determine in my Favour, and confess that she, who knows you best,
ought most to have you; she spoke these Words in so moving an Accent,
and they were accompany’d with so many Tears, that the most rocky Heart
must have relented, and that the Marquess was sensibly touch’d with ’em,
his Countenance Testify’d, when sighing, and turning his Head a little
away, not with disdain, but Remorse, for the Infidelity he had been
guilty of: Oh, cease, said he, this Flood of Softness, it gives me Pains
I never felt before, for ’tis impossible you can forgive---Oh Heaven!
cry’d the transported _Charlotta_, all you have done, or ever can do of
Unkindness, is by one tender Word made full amends for; see at your Feet,
(continued she, falling on her Knees) thus in this humble Posture, which
best becomes my prostrate Soul, I beg you to accept the Pardon which I
bring, to banish from your Mind all Thoughts that you have injured me,
and leave it free from all the generous Joys, the making others happy,
must create: This Action of _Charlotta_’s, join’d to the Reflection, how
strangely every Thing happen’d to prevent his Designs on the other, won
him entirely, and raising her with a tender Embrace, put it out of her
Power to regret his ever being False, since his Return gave her a Taste
of Joys, which are not, but in Reconciliation to be found.
The Count, Monsieur _Frankville_, and the two Ladies who had waited all
this while in an impatient Expectation for the end of this Affair, now
paid their several Congratulations, all highly applauding the Constancy
of _Charlotta_, and the timely Repentance of the Marquess: These
Ceremonies being over, the Marquess desir’d _Charlotta_ to acquaint him
by what means she had gain’d Admittance to his House unknown to him;
which Curiosity she immediately satisfying, engag’d a new, the Praises of
the whole Company, and more endear’d herself to her belov’d Marquess’s
Affections.