Chapter X: Letter II: To the Ungrateful D’ELMONT (2)

When the melancholly Account of my Fathers Death came to my Ears, he omitted nothing to persuade me to sell my Estate in _France_, and settle in _Rome_; he told me he had a Daughter, whose Heart had been the aim of the chiefest Nobility; but that he wou’d buy my Company at that Price and to keep me here, wou’d give me her. This Proposition was not altogether so pleasing to me, as perhaps, he imagin’d it wou’d be: I had heard much Talk or this Lady’s Beauty, but I had never seen her; and at that Time, Love was little in my Thoughts, especially that sort which was to end in Marriage. However, I wou’d not absolutely refuse his Offer, but evaded it, which I had the better pretence for, because _Violetta_, (so was his Daughter call’d) was gone to _Vitterbo_ to Visit a sick Relation, and I cou’d not have the opportunity of seeing her. In the mean time, he made me acquainted with his deepest Secrets; among many other Things he told me, that tho’ their Family was one of the greatest in _Rome_, yet by the too great Liberality of his Father, himself and one Sister was left with very little to Support the Grandeur of their Birth; but that his Sister who was acknowledg’d a Woman of an uncommon Beauty, had the good Fortune to appear so, to Seignior _Marcarius Fialasco_: he was the possessor of immense Riches, but very Old; but the young Lady found Charms enough in his Wealth to ballance all other Deficiencies; She Married, and Buried him in a Month’s Time, and he dy’d so full of fondness to his lovely Bride; that he left her Mistress of all he had in the World; giving only to a Daughter he had by a former Wife, the Fortune which her Mother had brought him, and that too, and herself to be dispos’d of, in Marriage, as this Triumphant Widow should think fit; and she, like a kind Sister, thought none worthy of that Alliance, but her Brother; and in a few Days he said, he did not doubt but that I shou’d see him a Bridegroom. I ask’d him if he was happy enough to have made an Interest in the young Lady’s Heart; and he very frankly answer’d, That he was not of a Humour to give himself much uneasiness about it, since it was wholly in his Sister’s Power to make him Master of her Person, and she resolv’d to do that, or Confine her in a Monastry for ever. I cou’d not help feeling a Compassionate concern for this Lady, tho’ she was a Stranger to me, for I cou’d not believe, so Beautiful and accomplish’d a Woman, as he had often describ’d her to be, cou’d find any thing in her design’d Husband which cou’d make this Match agreeable. Nothing can be more different from Graceful, than the Person of _Cittolini_; he is of a black swarthy Complexion, hook’d-Nos’d, wall Ey’d, short of Stature; and tho’ he is very Lean, the worst shap’d Man I ever saw; then for his Temper, as friendly as he behav’d to me, I discern’d a great deal of Treachery, and Baseness in it to others; a perpetual peevishness and Pride appear’d in his Deportment to all those who had any dependance on him: And I had been told by some who knew him perfectly well, that his cruel Usage of his first Lady had been the means of her Death; but this was none of my Business, and tho’ I pity’d the Lady, yet my gratitude to him engag’d me to wish him Success in all his Undertakings. ’Till one Day, unluckily both for him and me, as it has since prov’d; he desir’d me to Accompany him to the House of _Ciamara_, for so is his Sister call’d, being, willing I suppose, that I shou’d be a Witness of the extraordinary State she liv’d in; and indeed, in all the Courts I had been at, I never saw any thing more Magnificent than her Apartments; the vast quantity of Plate; the Richness of the Furniture; and the number of Servants attending on Her, might have made her be taken rather for a Princess, than a private Woman. There was a very noble Collation, and she sat at Table with us her self, a particular Favour from an _Italian_ Lady: She is by many Years younger than her Brother, and extreamly Handsome; but has, I know not what, of fierceness in her Eyes, which renders her, at least to me, a Beauty, without a Charm. After the Entertainment, _Cittolini_ took me into the Gardens, which were answerable to what I had seen within, full of Curiosities; at one end there was a little Building of Marble, to which he led me, and entering into it, see here, _Monsieur_, said he, the Place where my Sister spends the greatest part of her Hours, and tell me if ’tis in this kind of Diversion that the _French_ Ladies take Delight. I presently saw it was full of Books, and guess’d those Words were design’d as a Satyr on our Ladies, whose disposition to Gallantry seldom affords much time for Reading; but to make as good a Defence for their Honour as I was able. _Seignior_, reply’d I, it must be confest, that there are very few Ladies of any Nation, who think the _Acquisition_ of Knowledge, worth the Pains it must cost them in the _Search_, but that ours is not without some Examples, that all are not of that Mind; our famous _D’anois_, and _D’acier_ may evince. Well, Well, interrupted he laughing; the propensity which that Sex bears to Learning is so trifling, that I shall not pretend to hold any Argument on its Praise; nor did I bring you here so much to engage you to Admire my Sisters manner of Amusement, as to give you an Opportunity of diverting your self, while I go to pay a Compliment to my Mistress; who, tho’ I have a very great Confidence in you, I dare not trust with the sight of so accomplish’d a _Chevalier_. With these Words he left me, and I, designing to do as he had desir’d; turn’d to the Shelves to take down what Book I cou’d find most suitable to my Humour; but good God! As I was tumbling them over, I saw thro’ a Window which look’d into a Garden behind the Study; tho’ both belonging to one Person: A Woman, or rather Angel, coming down a Walk directly opposite to where I was, never did I see in one Person such various Perfections blended, never did any Woman wear so much of her Soul in her Eyes, as did this Charmer: I saw that moment in her Looks, all I have since experienc’d of her Genius, and her Humour; Wit, Judgment, good Nature and Generosity are in her Countenance, conspicuous as in her Actions; but to go about to make a Description, were to wrong her; She has Graces so peculiar, that none without knowing her, can be able to conceive; and tho’ nothing can be finer than her Shape, or more regular than her Features; yet those, our Fancy or a _Painters_ Art may Copy: There is something so inexpressibly striking in her Air; such a delightful Mixture of awful and attractive in every little Motion, that no Imagination can come up to. But if Language is too poor to paint her Charms, how shall I make you sensible of the Effects of them on me! The Surprize---the Love---the Adoration which this fatal View involv’d me in, but by that which, you say, your self felt at the first Sight of _Melliora_. I was, methought all Spirit,---I beheld her with Raptures, such as we imagine Souls enjoy when freed from Earth, they meet each other in the Realms of Glory; ’twas Heaven to gaze upon her: But Oh! The Bliss was short, the Envious Trees obscur’d her Lustre from me.---The Moment I lost Sight of her, I found my _Passion_ by my _Pain_, the _Joy_ was vanish’d, but the _Sting_ remain’d---I was so bury’d in Thought, that I never so much as stirr’d a Step to endeavour to discover which way she went; tho’ if I had consider’d the Situation of the Place, it would have been easy for me to have known, there was a Communication between the two Gardens, and if I had gone but a few Paces out of the Study, must have met her; but Love had for the present depriv’d me of my Sences; and it but just enter’d into my Head that there was a Possibility of renewing my Happiness, when I perceiv’d _Cittolini_ returning. When he came pretty near; Dear _Frankville_, said he, pardon my Neglect of you; but I have been at _Camilla_’s Apartment, and am told she is in the lower Garden; I will but speak to her, snatch a Kiss and be with you again: He went hastily by me without staying for any Answer, and it was well he did so, for the Confusion I was in, had made me little able to reply. His Words left me no room to hope it was any other than _Camilla_ I had seen, and the Treachery I was guilty of to my Friend, in but wishing to invade his Right, gave me a Remorse which I had never known before: But these Reflections lasted not long; Love generally exerts himself on these Occasions, and is never at a loss for means to remove all the Scruples that may be rais’d to oppose him. Why, said I to my self, should I be thus Tormented? She is not yet married, and ’tis almost impossible she can with Satisfaction, ever yield to be so, to him. Could I but have opportunity to Talk to her, to let her know my Passion,---to endeavour to deliver her from the Captivity she is in, perhaps she would not condemn my Temerity: I found a great deal of Pleasure in this Thought, but I was not suffer’d to enjoy it long; _Honour_ suggested to me, that _Cittolini_ lov’d me, had Oblig’d me, and that to supplant him would be Base and Treacherous: But would it not be more so, cry’d the Dictates of my _Love_, to permit the Divine _Camilla_ to fall a Sacrifice to one so every way undeserving of her; one who ’tis likely she abhors; one who despises her Heart, so he may but possess her Fortune to support his Pride, and her Person to gratify a Passion far unworthy of the Name of _Love_; One! who ’tis probable, when Master of the one, and satiated with the other, may treat her with the utmost Inhumanity. Thus, for a time, were my Thoughts at Strife; but Love at length got the Victory, and I had so well compos’d my self before _Cittolini_’s Return that he saw nothing of the Disorder I had been in; but it was not so with him, his Countenance, at the best displeasing enough, was now the perfect Representative of Ill Nature, Malice, and Discontent. _Camilla_ had assur’d him, that nothing could be more her Aversion, and that she was resolv’d, tho’ a Monastick Life was what she had no Inclination to, yet she would fly to that Shelter, to avoid his Bed. You may imagine, my Lord, I was Transported with an Excess of Joy, when he told me this; but Love taught me to dissemble it, ’till I had taken leave of him, which I made an Excuse to do, as soon as possible.

Now all that troubled me was to find an Opportunity to declare my Passion; and, I confess, I was so dull in Contrivance, that tho’ it took up all my Thoughts, none of them were to any purpose: Three or four Days I spent in fruitless Projections, the last of which I met with a new Embarrassment; _Cittolini_’s Daughter was return’d, he renew’d his Desires of making me his Son, and invited me the next Evening to his House, where I was to be entertain’d with the sight of her; I could not well avoid giving him my Promise to be there, but resolv’d in my Mind to behave my self in such a manner as should make her disapprove of me. While I was thus busied in Contriving how to avoid _Violetta_, and engage _Camilla_, a Woman wrapt up very closely in her Vail came to my Lodgings, and brought me a Note, in which I found these Words.

_To Monsieur_ FRANKVILLE.

_My Father is resolv’d to make me Yours; and if he has your
Consent, mine will not be demanded; he has Commanded me to
receive you to morrow, but I have a particular Reason to desire
to see you sooner; I am to pass this Night with CAMILLA at my
Aunt CIAMARA’s; there is a little Wicket that opens from the
Garden, directly opposite to the Convent of St. FRANCIS, if you
will favour me so far as to come there at Ten a Clock to Night,
and give Seven gentle Knocks at the Gate: You shall know the
Cause of my Entreating this private Interview, which is of more
Moment than the Life of_

Violetta.

Never had I been more pleasingly surpriz’d, than at the Reading these Lines; I could not imagine the Lady could have any other Reason for seeing me in private, than to confess that her Heart was pre-engag’d, and disswade me from taking the Advantage of her Father’s Authority, a secret Hope too, sprung within my Soul, that my Adorable _Camilla_ might be with her; and after I had dismiss’d the Woman, with an Assurance that I would attend her Lady, I spent my Time in vast Idea’s of approaching Happiness ’till the appointed Hour arriv’d.

But how great was my Disappointment, when being admitted, I cou’d distinguish, tho’ the Place was very dark, that I was receiv’d but by one, and accosted by her, in a manner very different from what I expected: I know not, _Monsieur_, said she, how you interpret this Freedom I have taken; but whatever we pretend, our Sex, of all Indignities, can the least support those done to our Beauty; I am not vain enough of mine to assure my self of making a Conquest of your Heart; and if the World should know you have _seen_, and _refus’d_ me, my slighted Charms would be the Theme of _Mirth_ to those whose _Envy_ now they are: I therefore beg, that if I am dislik’d, none but my self may know it; when you have seen my Face, which you shall do immediately, give me your Opinion freely; and if it is not to my Advantage, make some pretence to my Father to avoid coming to our House. I protest to you, my Lord that I was so much surpriz’d at this odd kind of proceeding, that I knew not presently how to Reply, which she imagining by my Silence: Come, come, _Monsieur_, said she, I am not yet on even Terms with you, having often seen _your_ Face, and you wholly a Stranger to _mine_: But when our Knowledge of each other is Mutual, I hope you will be as free in your Declaration as I have been in my Request. These Words I thought were as proper for my purpose as I cou’d wish, and drawing back a little, as she was about to lead me: Madam, said I, since you have that Advantage, methinks it were but just, you shou’d reveal what sort of Sentiments the sight of me has inspir’d, for I have too much Reason from the Knowledge of my Demerit, to fear, you have no other design in exposing your Charms, than to Triumph in the Captivating a Heart you have already doom’d to Misery; I will tell you nothing, answer’d she, of _my_ Sentiments ’till I have a perfect knowledge of _yours_. As she spoke this, she gave me her Hand to conduct me out of that Place of Darkness; as we went, I had all the Concern at the apprehension of being too much approv’d of by this young Lady, as I shou’d have had for the contrary, if I had imagin’d who it was I had been talking with, for as soon as we came out of the Grotto, I saw by the light of the Moon, which shone that Night, with an uncommon Lustre, the Face which in those Gardens had before so Charm’d me, and which had never since been absent from my Thoughts. What Joy, what a mixture of Extacy and Wonder, then fill’d my raptur’d Soul at this second view, I cou’d not presently trust my Eyes, or think my Happiness was real: I gaz’d, and gaz’d again, in silent Transport, for the big Bliss, surpass’d the reach of Words. What _Monsieur_, said she, observing my Confusion, are you yet Dumb, is there any thing so dreadful in the form of _Violetta_, to deprive you of your Speech? No Madam, reply’d I, ’tis not _Violetta_ has that Power, but she, who unknowing that she did so, caught at first sight the Victory o’re my Soul; she! for whom I have vented so Sighs! she for whom I languish’d and almost dy’d for; while _Violetta_ was at _Vitterbo_: She! The Divine _Camilla_ only cou’d inspire a Passion such as mine!--Oh Heavens! cry’d she, and that instant I perceiv’d her lovely Face all crimson’d o’re with Blushes; is it then possible that you know me, have seen me before, and that I have been able to make any Impression on you? I then told her of the Visit I had made to _Ciamara_ with _Cittolini_, and how by his leaving me in the Marble-Study, I had been blest with the sight of her; and from his Friend became his Rival: I let her know the Conflicts my Honour and my Obligations to _Cittolini_ had engag’d me in; the thousand various Inventions Love had suggested to me, to obtain that Happiness I now enjoy’d, the opportunity of declaring my self her Slave; and in short, conceal’d not the least Thought, tending to my Passion, from Her. She, in requital, acquainted me, that she had often seen me from her Window, go into the Convent of St. _Francis_, walking in the _Collonade_ at St. _Peter_’s, and in several other Places, and, prompted by an extravagance of good Nature, and Generosity, confess’d, that her Heart felt something at those Views, very prejudicial to her Repose: That _Cittolini_, always disagreeable, was now grown Odious; that the Discourse she had heard of my intended Marriage with his Daughter, had given her an alarm impossible to be express’d, and that, unable longer to support the Pangs of undiscover’d Passion, she had writ to me in that Ladies Name, who she knew I had never seen, resolving, if I lik’d her as _Violetta_, to own her self _Camilla_, if not, to go the next Day to a Monastry, and devote to Heaven those Charms which wanted force to make a Conquest where alone she wish’d they shou’d.

I must leave it to your Lordship’s imagination to conceive the wild tumultuous hurry of disorder’d Joy which fill’d my ravish’d Soul at this Condescention; for I am now as unable to describe it, as I was then to thank the Dear, the tender Author of it; but what _Words_ had not Power to do, _Looks_ and _Actions_ testified: I threw myself at her Feet, Embrac’d her Knees, and kiss’d the Hand she rais’d me with, with such a Fervor, as no false Love cou’d feign; while she, all softness, all divinely Kind, yielded to the pressure of my glowing Lips, and suffer’d me to take all the freedom which Honour and Modesty wou’d permit. This interview was too felicitous to be easily broken off, it was almost broad Day when we parted, and nothing but her Promise, that I shou’d be admitted the next Night, cou’d have enabled me to take leave of her.

I went away highly satisfy’d, as I had good Reason, with my Condition, and after recollecting all the tender Passages of our Conversation; I began to consider after what manner I shou’d proceed with _Cittolini_: To Visit and Address his Daughter, I thought, wou’d be Treacherous and Deceitful to the last degree; and how to come off, after the Promise I made of seeing her that Evening. I cou’d not tell; at last, since Necessity oblig’d me to one I resolv’d of, the two Evils to chuse the least, and rather to seem _Rude_, then _Base_, which I must have been, had I by counterfeiting a Desire to engage _Violetta_, left room for a possibility of creating one in her. I therefore, writ, to _Cittolini_ an Excuse for not waiting on Him and his Daughter, as I had promis’d, telling him that I, on more serious Reflection found it wholly inconsistent, either with my Circumstances, or Inclinations, to think of passing all my Life in _Rome_; that I thank’d him for the Honour he intended me, but that it was my Misfortune, not to be capable of accepting it. Thus, with all the Artifice I was Master of, I endeavour’d to sweeten the bitter Pill of Refusal, but in vain; for he was so much Disgusted at it, that he visited me no more: I cannot say, I had Gratitude enough to be much concern’d at being compell’d to use him in this Fashion; for, since I had beheld, and Ador’d _Camilla_, I cou’d consider him no longer as a Friend, but as the most dangerous Enemy to my Hopes and me. All this time I spent the best part of the Nights with _Camilla_; and in one of them, after giving, and receiving a thousand Vows of everlasting Faith, I snatch’d a lucking Moment, and obtain’d from the Dear, melting Charmer, all that my Fondest, and most eager Wishes cou’d aspire to. Yes, my Lord, the soft, the trembling Fair, dissolv’d in Love; yielded without Reserve, and met my Transports with an equal Ardor; and I truly protest to your Lordship, that what in others, _palls_ Desire, added fresh _Force_ to mine; the more I knew, the more I was Inflam’d, and in the highest Raptures of Enjoyment, the Bliss was dash’d with Fears, which prov’d alas, but too Prophetick, that some curst Chance might drive me from my Heaven: Therefore, to secure it mine for ever, I press’d the lovely Partner of my Joys, to give me leave to bring a Priest with me the next Night; who by giving a Sanction to our Love, might put it past the Power of Malice to Disunite us: Here, I experienc’d the greatness of her Soul, and her almost unexampled Generosity; for in spite of all her Love, her Tenderness, and the unbounded Condescentions she had made me, it was with all the difficulty in the World, that I persuaded her to think of Marrying me without a Fortune; which by her Father’s _Will_, was wholly in the Disposal of _Ciamara_, who it wou’d have been Madness to Hope, wou’d ever bestow it upon me. However, my Arguments at last prevail’d; I was to bring a Fryar of the Order of St. _Francis_, who was my intimate Friend, the next Night to join our Hands; which done, she told me, she wou’d advise to leave _Rome_ with what speed we cou’d, for she doubted not but _Cittolini_ wou’d make use of any means, tho’ never so base or Bloody, to Revenge his Disappointment. This Proposal infinitely pleas’d me, and after I had taken leave of her, I spent the remainder of the Night, in contriving the means of our Escape: Early in the Morning I secur’d Post-Horses, and then went to the Convent of St. _Francis_; a Purse of _Lewis D’ors_ soon engag’d the Fryar to my Interest, and I had every thing ready in wonderful Order, considering the shortness of the Time, for our Design: When returning Home towards Evening, as well to take a little rest after the Fatigue I had had, as to give some other necessary Directions, concerning the Affair to my Servants, when one of them gave me a Letter, which had been just left for me.

_Monsieur Frankville_ cou’d not come to this Part of his Story, without some Sighs, but suppressing them as well as he was able, he took some Papers out of his Pocket, and singling out one, read to the _Count_ as follows.

To Monsieur FRANKVILLE.

_With what Words can I represent the greatness of my
Misfortune, or Exclaim against the Perfidy of my Woman?
I was oblig’d to make her the Confidant of my Passion,
because without her Assistance, I cou’d not have enjoy’d the
Happiness of your Conversation, and ’tis by her that I am now
Betray’d----undone,---lost to all hopes of ever seeing you
more---What have I not endur’d this Day, from the upbraidings
of CIAMARA and CITTOLINI, but that I shou’d despise, nay,
my own Ruin too, if you were safe----But Oh! their Malice
aims to wound me most, through you----Bravo’s are hir’d, the
Price of your Blood is paid, and they have sworn to take your
Life---Guard it I conjure you, if you wou’d preserve that of
CAMILLA’s. Attempt not to come near this House, nor walk alone,
when Night may be an Umbrage to their Designs.---I hear my
cruel Enemies returning to renew their Persecutions, and I have
Time to inform you no more, than that ’tis to the Generous
VIOLETTA you are indebted for this Caution: She, in pity of my
Agonies, and to prevent her Father from executing the Crime he
intends; conveys this to you, slight it not, if you wou’d have
me believe you Love,_

Camilla.

What a turn was here (continu’d he, sadly) in my Fortune? How on a sudden was my Scene of Happiness chang’d to the blackest Despair?---But not to tire your Lordship, and spin out my Narration, which is already too long with unavailing Complainings. I every Day expected a Challenge from _Cittolini_, believing he wou’d, at least, take that Method at first, but it seems he was for chusing the _surest_, not the _fairest_ way: And I have since prov’d, that my Dear _Camilla_ had too much Reason for the Caution she gave me. Ten Days I lingred out without being able to invent any means, either to see her, or write to Her; at the end of which, I receiv’d another Letter from Her, which, if I were to tell you the Substance of, wou’d be to wrong her; since no Words but her own are fit to Express her Meaning, and ’tis for that Reason only, I shall Read it.

_To Monsieur_ FRANKVILLE.

_Of all the Woes which wait on humane Life, sure there is none
Equal to that a Lover feels in Absence; ’tis a kind of Hell,
an earnest of those Pains, we are told, shall be the Portion
of the Damn’d----Ten whole Nights, and Days, according to the
vulgar Reckoning, but in mine, as many Ages, have roll’d their
tedious Hours away since last I saw you, in all which time, my
Eyes have never known one Moments cessation from my Tears, nor
my sad Heart from Anguish; restless I wander thro’ this hated
House---Kiss the clos’d Wicket---stop, and look at every Place
which I remember your dear steps have blest, then, with wild
Ravings, think of past Joys, and curse my present Woes---yet
you perhaps are Calm, no sympathizing Pang invades your Soul,
and tells you what mine suffers, else, you wou’d, you must have
found some Means to ease your self and me--’tis true, I bid you
not attempt it--but Oh! If you had lov’d like me, you cou’d not
have obey’d----Desire has no regard to Prudence, it despises
Danger, and over-looks even Impossibilities---but whither am I
going?---I say, I know not what---Oh, mark not what Distraction
utters! Shun these detested Walls!---’tis Reason now commands!
fly from this House, where injur’d Love’s enslav’d, and Death
and Treachery reign---I charge thee come not near, nor prove
thy Faith so hazardous a way---forgive the little Fears, which
ever dwell with Love---I know thou art all sincerity!---all
God-like Truth, and can’st not change---yet, if thou
shouldst,---tormenting Thought!----Why then, there’s not a
Heaven-abandon’d Wretch, so lost---so Curst as I---What shall
I do to shake off Apprehension? in spite of all thy Vows---thy
ardent Vows, when I but think of any Maid, by Love, and fond
Belief undone, a deadly cold runs thro’ my Veins, congeals
my Blood, and chills my very Soul!---Gazing on the Moon last
Night, her Lustre brought fresh to my Memory those transporting
Moments, when by that Light I saw you first a Lover, and, I
think Inspired me, who am not usually fond of Versifying, to
make her this Complaint._

The Unfortunate CAMILLA’s Complaint to the _Moon_, for the
Absence of her Dear HENRICUS FRANKVILLE.

_Mild Queen of Shades! Thou sweetly shining Light!_
_Once, more than Phœbus, welcome to my Sight:_
_’Twas by thy Beams I first HENRICUS saw_
_Adorn’d with softness, and disarm’d of awe!_
_Never did’st thou appear more fair! more bright!_
_Than on that Dear, that Cause-remembred Night!_
_When the dull Tyes of Friendship he disclaim’d,_
_And to Inspire a tend’rer Passion aim’d:_
_Alas! he cou’d not long, in vain, implore_
_For that, which tho’ unknown, was his before;_
_Nor had I Art the Secret to Disguise,_
_My Soul spoke all her Meaning thro’ my Eyes,_
_And every Glance bright’ned with glad Surprize!_
_Lost to all Thought, but His Transporting Charms,_
_I sunk, unguarded! Melting in his Arms!_
_Blest at that lavish rate, my State, that Hour_
_I’d not have Chang’d for all in fortune’s Pow’r,_
_Nay, had descending Angel’s from on High_
_Spread their bright Wings to waft me to the Sky,_
_Thus clasp’d! Cœlestial Charms had fail’d to move_
_And Heav’n been slighted, for HENRICUS Love._
_How did I then thy happy Influence Bless?_
_How watch each joyful Night, thy Lights encrease?_
_But Oh! How alter’d since---Despairing now,_
_I View thy Lustre with contracted Brow:_
_Pensive, and sullen from the Rays wou’d hide,_
_And scarce the glimmering Star’s my Griefs abide,_
_In Death-like darkness wou’d my Fate deplore,_
_And wish Thee to go down, to Rise no more!_

_Pity the Extravagance of a Passion which only Charms
like thine cou’d Create, nor too severely chide this soft
Impertinence, which I cou’d not refrain sending you, when I
can neither see you, nor hear from you: to write, gives some
little respite to my Pains, because I am sure of being in your
Thoughts, while you are Reading my Letters. The Tender Hearted
VIOLETTA, preferring the Tyes of Friendship to those of Duty,
gives me this happy opportunity, but my Ill-fortune deprives me
too of her, she goes to Morrow to her Fathers VILLA, and Heaven
knows when I shall find means to send to you again._

_Farewel, Thou Loveliest, Dearest, and Divine Charmer---Think
of me with a Concern full of Tenderness, but that is not
enough; and you must pardon me, when I confess, that I cannot
forbear wishing you might feel some of those Pains, impatient
longing brings.---All others be far away, as far, as Joy is,
when you are Absent from_

Your Unfortunate

Camilla.

P.S. _Since I writ this, a Fancy came into my Head, that if
you cou’d find a Friend Trusty enough to confide in, and one
unknown to our Family, he might gain admittance to me in
CITTOLINI’s Name, as sent by him, while he is at the VILLA. I
flatter my self you will take as much pleasure in endeavouring
to let me hear from you, as I do in the hope of it. Once more
ADIEU._

Your Lordship may judge, by what I have told you of the Sincerity of my Passion, how glad I should have been to have comply’d with her Request, but it was utterly impossible to find any body fit for such a Business: I pass’d three or four Days more, in Disquietudes too great to be exprest; I saunter’d up and down the Street where she liv’d, in hopes to see her at some of the Windows, but Fortune never was so favourable to me, thus I spent my Days, and left the sight of those dear Walls at Nights, but in obedience to the Charge she had given me of preserving my Life.

Thus, my Lord, has the business of my Love engrossed my Hours, ever since your Lordships arrival, and tho’ I heard that you were here, and extreamly wish’d to kiss your Hands, yet I cou’d never get one Moment compos’d enough to wait on you in, ’till what my Desires cou’d not do, the rashness of my Indignation effected: Last Night, being at my Bankers where all my Bills and Letters are directed, I found this, from Monsieur _Sanseverin_, the Rage which the Contents of it put me in, kept me from remembring that Circumspection, which _Camilla_ had enjoyn’d, and I thought of nothing but revenging the injury I imagin’d you had done me: As I was coming Home, I was attack’d as you saw, when you so generously preserv’d me, the just Indignation I conceiv’d at this base procedure of _Cittolini_’s transported me so far, as to make me forget what I owed to my Deliverer, to run in pursuit of those who assaulted me, but soon lost sight of them, and returning, as Gratitude and Honour call’d me, to seek, and thank you for your timely Assistance, I found a Throng of People about the Body of the Villain I had killed, some of them were for Examining me, but finding no Wounds about me, nor any marks of the Engagement I had been in, I was left at my Liberty.

Thus, my Lord, have I given you, in as brief a manner as the Changes of my Fortune wou’d permit, the Account of my present melancholly Circumstances, in which, if you find many things blameable, you must acknowledge there are more which require Compassion.

I see no Reason, answer’d the Count, either for the one or the other, you have done nothing but what any Man who is a Lover, wou’d gladly have it in his Power to do, and as for your Condition, it certainly is more to be envy’d than pity’d: The Lady loves, is Constant, and doubtless will some way or other, find means for her Escape,----Impossible! Cry’d _Frankville_, interrupting him, she is too strictly watch’d to suffer such a Hope. If you will prepare a Letter, resum’d _D’elmont_, my self will undertake to be the Bearer of it; I am entirely a Stranger to the People you have been speaking of, or if I should chance to be known to them, cannot be suspected to come from you, since our Intimacy, so lately born, cannot yet be talk’d of, to the prejudice of our Design; and how do you know, continu’d he smiling, but, if I have the good Fortune to be introduc’d to this Lady, that I shall not be able to assist her Invention to form some Scheme, for both your future Happiness. This offer was too agreeable to be refus’d, _Frankville_ accepted it with all the Demonstrations of Gratitude and Joy imaginable, and setting himself down to the _Count_’s Scrutore, was not long Writing the following _Billet_ which he gave him to read before he seal’d it.

To the most Lovely and Adorable CAMILLA.

“If to consume with inward Burnings, to have no Breath but
Sighs, to wish for Death, or Madness to relieve me from the
racks of Thought, be Misery consummate, such is mine! And yet
my too unjust CAMILLA thinks I feel no Pain, and chides my cold
Tranquility; cou’d I be so, I were indeed a Wretch deserving
of my nate, but far unworthy of your Pity or Regard. No, no,
thou Loveliest, Softest, most angelic Creature, that Heaven, in
lavish Bounty, ever sent to charm the adoring World; he that
cou’d know one Moments stupid Calm in such an _Absence_, ought
never to be blest with those unbounded Joys thy _Presence_
brings: What wou’d I not give, what wou’d I not hazard but
once more to behold thee, to gaze upon thy Eyes, those Suns
of kindling Transports! to touch thy enlivening Hand! to feed
upon the ravishing sweetness of thy Lips! Oh the Imagination’s
Extacy! Life were too poor to set on such a Cast, and you
shou’d long e’re this, have prov’d the little Value I have
for it, in competition with my Love if your Commands had not
restrain’d me. _Cittolini_’s Malice, however, had last Night
been gratify’d, if the Noble Count _D’elmont_ had not been
inspir’d for my Preservation, it is to him I am indebted, not
only for my Life, but a much greater Favour, that of conveying
to you the Assurance, how much my Life, my Soul, and all the
Faculties of it are eternally Yours. Thank him, my _Camilla_,
for your _Frankville_, for Words like thine are only fit to
Praise, as it deserves, such an exalted Generosity; ’tis with
an infinite deal of Satisfaction I reflect how much thy Charms
will justify my Conduct when he sees thee, all that excess of
Passion, which my fond Soul’s too full of to conceal, that
height of Adoration, which offer’d to any other Woman wou’d be
Sacriledge, the wonders of thy Beauty and thy Wit, claim as
their due, and prove _Camilla_, like _Heaven_, can never be too
much Reverenc’d! Be too much Lov’d!----But, Oh! How poor is
Language to express what ’tis I think, thus Raptur’d with thy
Idea, thou best, thou Brightest----thou most Perfect----thou
something more than Excellence it self--thou far surpassing all
that Words can speak, or Heart, unknowing thee, conceive: yet
I cou’d dwell for ever on the Theme, and swell whole Volumes
with enervate, tho’ well-meaning Praises, if my Impatience, to
have what I have already writ, be with you, did not prevent my
saying any more than, that but in you I live, nor cou’d support
this Death-like absence, but for some little intervals of Hope,
which sometimes flatter me, that Fortune will grow weary of
persecuting me, and one Day re-unite my Body to my Soul and
make both inseparably Yours,

_Frankville_.”

These new made Friends having a fellow-feeling of each others Sufferings, as proceeding from one Source, pass’d the time in little else but amorous Discourses, till it was a proper Hour for the Count to perform his Promise, and taking a full Direction from _Frankville_ how to find the House, he left him at his Lodgings to wait his return from _Ciamara_’s, forming, all the way he went, a thousand Projects to communicate to _Camilla_ for her Escape, he was still extreamly uneasy in his Mind concerning _Melliora_, and long’d to be in _Paris_ to know the Truth of that Affair, but thought he cou’d not in Honour leave her Brother in this Embarrassment, and resolv’d to make use of all his Wit and Address to perswade _Camilla_ to hazard every thing for Love, and was not a little pleas’d with the Imagination, that he should lay so considerable an obligation on _Melliora_, as this Service to her Brother wou’d be. Full of these Reflections he found himself in the _Portico_ of that magnificent House he was to enter, and seeing a Crowd of Servants about the Door, desir’d to be brought to the presence of _Donna Camilla Fialaso_, one of them, immediately conducted him into a stately Room, and leaving him there, told him, the Lady shou’d be made acquainted with his Request; presently after came in a Woman, who, tho’ very Young, seem’d to be in the nature of a _Duenna_, the _Count_ stood with his Back toward her as she enter’d, but hearing somebody behind him, and turning hastily about, he observ’d she startled at sight of him, and appear’d so confus’d that he knew not what to make of her Behaviour, and when he ask’d if he might speak with _Camilla_, and said he had a Message to deliver from _Cittolini_, she made no other Answer than several times, with an amaz’d Accent, Ecchoing the names of _Camilla_ and _Cittolini_, as if not able to comprehend his Meaning; he was oblig’d to repeat his Words over and over before she cou’d recollect herself enough to tell him, that she wou’d let him know her Lady’s pleasure instantly. She left him in a good deal of Consternation, at the Surprize he perceiv’d the Sight of him had put her into, he form’d a thousand uncertain Guesses what the occasion shou’d be, but the Mistery was too deep for all his Penetration to fathom, and he waited with abundance of Impatience for her return, or the appearance of her Lady, either, of which, he hop’d, might give a Solution to this seeming Riddle.

He attended a considerable time, and was beginning to grow excessive uneasy, at this Delay, when a magnificent _Anti-porta_ being drawn up, he saw thro’ a Glass Door, which open’d into a Gallery, the _Duenna_ approaching: She had now entirely compos’d her Countenance, and with an obliging Smile told him, she wou’d conduct him to her Lady. She led him thro’ several Rooms, all richly furnish’d and adorn’d, but far inferior to the last he came into, and in which he was again left alone, after being assur’d that he should not long be so.

_Count D’elmont_ cou’d not forbear giving Truce to his more serious Reflections, to admire the Beauties of the Place he was in; where e’er he turn’d his Eyes, he saw nothing but was splendidly Luxurious, and all the Ornaments contriv’d in such a manner, as might fitly be a Pattern, to Paint the Palace of the Queen of Love by: The Ceiling was vastly high and beautify’d with most curious Paintings, the Walls were cover’d with Tapestry, in which, most artificially were woven, in various colour’d Silk, intermix’d with Gold and Silver, a great number of Amorous Stories; in one Place he beheld a Naked _Venus_ sporting with _Adonis_, in another, the Love transform’d _Jupiter_, just resuming his Shape, and rushing to the Arms of _Leda_; there, the seeming Chast _Diana_ Embracing her entranc’d _Endimion_; here, the God of soft Desires himself, wounded with an Arrow of his own, and snatching Kisses from the no less enamour’d _Psiche_: betwixt every one of these Pieces hung a large Looking-Glass, which reach’d to the top of the Room, and out of each sprung several crystal Branches, containing great Wax-Tapers, so that the number of Lights vy’d with the Sun, and made another, and more glorious Day, than that which lately was withdrawn. At the upper End of this magnificent Chamber, there was a Canopy of Crimson Velvet, richly emboss’d, and trim’d with Silver, the Corners of which were supported by two golden _Cupids_, with stretch’d out Wings, as if prepar’d to fly; two of their Hands grasp’d the extremity of the _Valen_, and the other, those nearest to each other, joyn’d to hold a wreath of Flowers, over a Couch, which stood under the Canopy. But tho’ the Count was very much taken at first with what he saw, yet he was too sincere a Lover to be long delighted with any thing in the absence of his Mistress: How Heavenly (said he to himself Sighing) wou’d be this Place, if I expected _Melliora_ here! But Oh! how preferable were a Cottage blest with her, to all this Pomp and Grandeur with any other; this Consideration threw him into a deep Musing, which made him forget either where he was, or the Business which brought him there, till rous’d from it by the dazling Owner of this sumptuous Apartment. Nothing could be more glorious than her Appearance; she was by Nature, a Woman of a most excellent Shape, to which, her desire of Pleasing, had made her add all the aids of Art; she was drest in a Gold and Silver stuff Petticoat, and a Wastcoat of plain blew Sattin, set round the Neck and Sleeves, and down the Seams with Diamonds, and fastned on the Breast, with Jewels of a prodigeous largeness and lustre; a Girdle of the same encompass’d her Waste; her Hair, of which she had great quantity, was black as Jet, and with a studied Negligence, fell part of it on her Neck in careless Ringlets, and the other was turn’d up, and fasten’d here and there with Bodkins, which had pendant Diamonds hanging to ’em, and as she mov’d, glittered with a quivering Blaze, like Stars darting their fires from out a sable Sky; she had a Vail on, but so thin, that it did not, in the least, obscure the shine of her Garments, or her Jewels, only she had contriv’d to double that part of it which hung over her Face, in so many folds, that it serv’d to conceal her as well as a _Vizard_ Mask.

The Count made no doubt but this was the Lady for whom he waited, and throwing off that melancholly Air he had been in, assum’d one, all gay and easy, and bowing low, as he advanc’d to meet her; Madam, said he, if you are that incomparable _Camilla_, whose Goodness nothing but her Beauty can equalize, you will forgive the intrusion of a Stranger, who confesses himself no other way worthy of the Honour of your Conversation, but by his Desires to serve him who is much more so: A Friend of _Cittolini_’s, answer’d she, can never want admittance here, and if you had no other Plea, the Name you come in, is a sufficient Warrant for your kind Reception: I hope, resum’d he in a low Voice, and looking round to see if there were no Attendants in hearing, I bring a Better, from _Frankville_, Madam, the adoring _Frankville_, I have these Credentials to Justify my Visit; in speaking this, he deliver’d the Letter to her, which she retiring a few Paces from him to read, gave him an opportunity of admiring the Majesty of her Walk, and the agreeable loftiness of her Mein, much more than he had time to do before.

She dwelt not long on the Contents of the Letter, but throwing it carelesly down on a Table which stood near her, turn’d to the Count, and with an Accent which express’d not much Satisfaction; and was it to you, my Lord! said she, that Monsieur _Frankville_ ow’d his Preservation? I was so happy, reply’d he, to have some little hand in it, but since I have known how dear he is to you, think my self doubly blest by Fortune for the means of acting any thing conducive to your Peace: If you imagine that this is so, resum’d she hastily, you are extreamly mistaken, as you will always be, when you believe, where Count _D’elmont_ appears, any other Man seems worthy the regard of a discerning Woman; but, continu’d she, perceiving he look’d surpriz’d, to spare your suspence, and my self the trouble of repeating what you know already, behold who she is, you have been talking to, and tell me now, if _Frankville_ has any Interest in a Heart to which this Face belongs? With these Words she threw off her Vail, and instead of lessening his Amazement, very much encreas’d it, in discovering the Features of the Lady, with whom he had discoursed the Night before in the Garden, He knew not what to think, or how to reconcile to Reason, that _Camilla_, who so lately lov’d, and had granted the highest Favours to _Frankville_, shou’d on a sudden be willing, uncourted, to bestow them on another, nor cou’d he comprehend how the same Person shou’d at once live in two several Places, for he conceiv’d the House he was in, was far distant from the Garden which he had been in the Night before.