As soon as they were come into his Chamber,and that Lights were brought them and the Servant dismissed,the paleness which so visibly before had usurped the sweet Countenance of the afflicted Youth vanished,and gave place to a more lively Flood of Crimson,which with a modest heat glow'd freshly on his Cheeks.Aurelian waited with a pleasing Admiration the discovery promised him,when the Youth still struggling with his Resolution,with a timorous haste,pulled off a Peruke which had concealed the most beautiful abundance of Hair that ever graced one Female Head;those dishevelled spreading tresses,as at first they made a discovery of,so at last they served for a veil to the modest lovely blushes of the fair Incognita;for she it was and none other.But Oh!the inexpressible,inconceivable joy and amazement of Aurelian!As soon as he durst venture to think,he concluded it to be all Vision,and never doubted so much of any thing in his Life as of his being then awake.But she taking him by the Hand,and desiring him to sit down by her,partly convinced him of the reality of her presence.
'This is the second time,Don Hippolito,(said she to him)'that Ihave been here this Night.What the occasion was of my seeking you out,and how by miracle you preserved me,would add too much to the surprize I perceive you to be already in should I tell you:Nor will I make any further discovery,till I know what censure you pass upon the confidence which I have put in you,and the strange Circumstances in which you find me at this time.I am sensible they are such,that I shall not blame your severest Conjectures;but I hope to convince you,when you shall hear what I have to say in justification of my Vertue.
'Justification!(cry'd Aurelian)what Infidel dares doubt it!Then kneeling down,and taking her Hand,'Ah Madam (says he)would Heaven would no other ways look upon,than I behold your Perfections--Wrong not your Creature with a Thought,he can be guilty of that horrid Impiety as once to doubt your Vertue--Heavens!(cry'd he,starting up)'am I so really blessed to see you once again!May I trust my Sight?--Or does my fancy now only more strongly work?--For still Idid preserve your Image in my Heart,and you were ever present to my dearest Thoughts.-'Enough Hippolito,enough of Rapture (said she)you cannot much accuse me of Ingratitude;for you see I have not been unmindful of you;but moderate your Joy till I have told you my Condition,and if for my sake you are raised to this Delight,it is not of a long continuance.
At that (as Aurelian tells the Story)a Sigh diffused a mournful sweetness through the Air,and liquid grief fell gently from her Eyes,triumphant sadness sat upon her Brow,and even sorrow seem'd delighted with the Conquest he had made.See what a change Aurelian felt!His Heart bled Tears,and trembled in his Breast;Sighs struggling for a vent had choaked each others passage up:His Floods of Joys were all supprest;cold doubts and fears had chill'd 'em with a sudden Frost,and he was troubled to excess;yet knew not why.
Well,the Learned say it was Sympathy;and I am always of the Opinion with the Learned,if they speak first.
After a World of Condoleance had passed between them,he prevailed with her to tell him her Story.So having put all her Sighs into one great Sigh,she discharged her self of 'em all at once,and formed the Relation you are just about to Read.
