CHAPTER IV.
_The history of Leonora, or the unfortunate jilt._
Leonora was the daughter of a gentleman of fortune; she was tall andwell-shaped, with a sprightliness in her countenance which oftenattracts beyond more regular features joined with an insipid air: nor isthis kind of beauty less apt to deceive than allure; the good humourwhich it indicates being often mistaken for good nature, and thevivacity for true understanding.
Leonora, who was now at the age of eighteen, lived with an aunt of hersin a town in the north of England. She was an extreme lover of gaiety,and very rarely missed a ball or any other public assembly; where shehad frequent opportunities of satisfying a greedy appetite of vanity,with the preference which was given her by the men to almost every otherwoman present.
Among many young fellows who were particular in their gallantriestowards her, Horatio soon distinguished himself in her eyes beyond allhis competitors; she danced with more than ordinary gaiety when hehappened to be her partner; neither the fairness of the evening, nor themusick of the nightingale, could lengthen her walk like his company. Sheaffected no longer to understand the civilities of others; whilst sheinclined so attentive an ear to every compliment of Horatio, that sheoften smiled even when it was too delicate for her comprehension.
"Pray, madam," says Adams, "who was this squire Horatio?"
Horatio, says the lady, was a young gentleman of a good family, bred tothe law, and had been some few years called to the degree of abarrister. His face and person were such as the generality allowedhandsome; but he had a dignity in his air very rarely to be seen. Histemper was of the saturnine complexion, and without the least taint ofmoroseness. He had wit and humour, with an inclination to satire, whichhe indulged rather too much.
This gentleman, who had contracted the most violent passion for Leonora,was the last person who perceived the probability of its success. Thewhole town had made the match for him before he himself had drawn aconfidence from her actions sufficient to mention his passion to her;for it was his opinion (and perhaps he was there in the right) that itis highly impolitick to talk seriously of love to a woman before youhave made such a progress in her affections, that she herself expectsand desires to hear it.
But whatever diffidence the fears of a lover may create, which are aptto magnify every favour conferred on a rival, and to see the littleadvances towards themselves through the other end of the perspective, itwas impossible that Horatio's passion should so blind his discernment asto prevent his conceiving hopes from the behaviour of Leonora, whosefondness for him was now as visible to an indifferent person in theircompany as his for her.
"I never knew any of these forward sluts come to good" (says the ladywho refused Joseph's entrance into the coach), "nor shall I wonder atanything she doth in the sequel."
The lady proceeded in her story thus: It was in the midst of a gayconversation in the walks one evening, when Horatio whispered Leonora,that he was desirous to take a turn or two with her in private, for thathe had something to communicate to her of great consequence. "Are yousure it is of consequence?" said she, smiling. "I hope," answered he,"you will think so too, since the whole future happiness of my life mustdepend on the event."
Leonora, who very much suspected what was coming, would have deferred ittill another time; but Horatio, who had more than half conquered thedifficulty of speaking by the first motion, was so very importunate,that she at last yielded, and, leaving the rest of the company, theyturned aside into an unfrequented walk.
They had retired far out of the sight of the company, both maintaining astrict silence. At last Horatio made a full stop, and taking Leonora,who stood pale and trembling, gently by the hand, he fetched a deepsigh, and then, looking on her eyes with all the tenderness imaginable,he cried out in a faltering accent, "O Leonora! is it necessary for meto declare to you on what the future happiness of my life must befounded? Must I say there is something belonging to you which is a barto my happiness, and which unless you will part with, I must bemiserable!"--"What can that be?" replied Leonora. "No wonder," said he,"you are surprized that I should make an objection to anything which isyours: yet sure you may guess, since it is the only one which the richesof the world, if they were mine, should purchase for me. Oh, it is thatwhich you must part with to bestow all the rest! Can Leonora, or ratherwill she, doubt longer? Let me then whisper it in her ears--It is yourname, madam. It is by parting with that, by your condescension to be forever mine, which must at once prevent me from being the most miserable,and will render me the happiest of mankind."
Leonora, covered with blushes, and with as angry a look as she couldpossibly put on, told him, "That had she suspected what his declarationwould have been, he should not have decoyed her from her company, thathe had so surprized and frighted her, that she begged him to convey herback as quick as possible;" which he, trembling very near as much asherself, did.
"More fool he," cried Slipslop; "it is a sign he knew very little of oursect."--"Truly, madam," said Adams, "I think you are in the right: Ishould have insisted to know a piece of her mind, when I had carriedmatters so far." But Mrs Grave-airs desired the lady to omit all suchfulsome stuff in her story, for that it made her sick.
Well then, madam, to be as concise as possible, said the lady, manyweeks had not passed after this interview before Horatio and Leonorawere what they call on a good footing together. All ceremonies exceptthe last were now over; the writings were now drawn, and everything wasin the utmost forwardness preparative to the putting Horatio inpossession of all his wishes. I will, if you please, repeat you a letterfrom each of them, which I have got by heart, and which will give you nosmall idea of their passion on both sides.
Mrs Grave-airs objected to hearing these letters; but being put to thevote, it was carried against her by all the rest in the coach; parsonAdams contending for it with the utmost vehemence.
HORATIO TO LEONORA.
"How vain, most adorable creature, is the pursuit of pleasure in theabsence of an object to which the mind is entirely devoted, unless ithave some relation to that object! I was last night condemned to thesociety of men of wit and learning, which, however agreeable it mighthave formerly been to me, now only gave me a suspicion that they imputedmy absence in conversation to the true cause. For which reason, whenyour engagements forbid me the ecstatic happiness of seeing you, I amalways desirous to be alone; since my sentiments for Leonora are sodelicate, that I cannot bear the apprehension of another's prying intothose delightful endearments with which the warm imagination of a loverwill sometimes indulge him, and which I suspect my eyes then betray. Tofear this discovery of our thoughts may perhaps appear too ridiculous anicety to minds not susceptible of all the tendernesses of this delicatepassion. And surely we shall suspect there are few such, when weconsider that it requires every human virtue to exert itself in its fullextent; since the beloved, whose happiness it ultimately respects, maygive us charming opportunities of being brave in her defence, generousto her wants, compassionate to her afflictions, grateful to herkindness; and in the same manner, of exercising every other virtue,which he who would not do to any degree, and that with the utmostrapture, can never deserve the name of a lover. It is, therefore, with aview to the delicate modesty of your mind that I cultivate it so purelyin my own; and it is that which will sufficiently suggest to you theuneasiness I bear from those liberties, which men to whom the worldallow politeness will sometimes give themselves on these occasions.
"Can I tell you with what eagerness I expect the arrival of that blestday, when I shall experience the falsehood of a common assertion, thatthe greatest human happiness consists in hope? A doctrine which noperson had ever stronger reason to believe than myself at present, sincenone ever tasted such bliss as fires my bosom with the thoughts ofspending my future days with such a companion, and that every action ofmy life will have the glorious satisfaction of conducing to yourhappiness."
LEONORA TO HORATIO.[A]
[A] This letter was written by a y
oung lady on reading the former.
"The refinement of your mind has been so evidently proved by every wordand action ever since I had the first pleasure of knowing you, that Ithought it impossible my good opinion of Horatio could have beenheightened to any additional proof of merit. This very thought was myamusement when I received your last letter, which, when I opened, Iconfess I was surprized to find the delicate sentiments expressed thereso far exceeding what I thought could come even from you (although Iknow all the generous principles human nature is capable of are centredin your breast), that words cannot paint what I feel on the reflectionthat my happiness shall be the ultimate end of all your actions.
"Oh, Horatio! what a life must that be, where the meanest domestic caresare sweetened by the pleasing consideration that the man on earth whobest deserves, and to whom you are most inclined to give youraffections, is to reap either profit or pleasure from all you do! Insuch a case toils must be turned into diversions, and nothing but theunavoidable inconveniences of life can make us remember that weare mortal.
"If the solitary turn of your thoughts, and the desire of keeping themundiscovered, makes even the conversation of men of wit and learningtedious to you, what anxious hours must I spend, who am condemned bycustom to the conversation of women, whose natural curiosity leads themto pry into all my thoughts, and whose envy can never suffer Horatio'sheart to be possessed by any one, without forcing them into maliciousdesigns against the person who is so happy as to possess it! But,indeed, if ever envy can possibly have any excuse, or even alleviation,it is in this case, where the good is so great, and it must be equallynatural to all to wish it for themselves; nor am I ashamed to own it:and to your merit, Horatio, I am obliged, that prevents my being in thatmost uneasy of all the situations I can figure in my imagination, ofbeing led by inclination to love the person whom my own judgment forcesme to condemn."
Matters were in so great forwardness between this fond couple, that theday was fixed for their marriage, and was now within a fortnight, whenthe sessions chanced to be held for that county in a town about twentymiles' distance from that which is the scene of our story. It seems, itis usual for the young gentlemen of the bar to repair to these sessions,not so much for the sake of profit as to show their parts and learn thelaw of the justices of peace; for which purpose one of the wisest andgravest of all the justices is appointed speaker, or chairman, as theymodestly call it, and he reads them a lecture, and instructs them in thetrue knowledge of the law.
"You are here guilty of a little mistake," says Adams, "which, if youplease, I will correct: I have attended at one of thesequarter-sessions, where I observed the counsel taught the justices,instead of learning anything of them."
It is not very material, said the lady. Hither repaired Horatio, who, ashe hoped by his profession to advance his fortune, which was not atpresent very large, for the sake of his dear Leonora, he resolved tospare no pains, nor lose any opportunity of improving or advancinghimself in it.
The same afternoon in which he left the town, as Leonora stood at herwindow, a coach and six passed by, which she declared to be thecompletest, genteelest, prettiest equipage she ever saw; adding theseremarkable words, "Oh, I am in love with that equipage!" which, thoughher friend Florella at that time did not greatly regard, she hath sinceremembered.
In the evening an assembly was held, which Leonora honoured with hercompany; but intended to pay her dear Horatio the compliment of refusingto dance in his absence.
Oh, why have not women as good resolution to maintain their vows as theyhave often good inclinations in making them!
The gentleman who owned the coach and six came to the assembly. Hisclothes were as remarkably fine as his equipage could be. He soonattracted the eyes of the company; all the smarts, all the silkwaistcoats with silver and gold edgings, were eclipsed in an instant.
"Madam," said Adams, "if it be not impertinent, I should be glad to knowhow this gentleman was drest."
Sir, answered the lady, I have been told he had on a cut velvet coat ofa cinnamon colour, lined with a pink satten, embroidered all over withgold; his waistcoat, which was cloth of silver, was embroidered withgold likewise. I cannot be particular as to the rest of his dress; butit was all in the French fashion, for Bellarmine (that was his name) wasjust arrived from Paris.
This fine figure did not more entirely engage the eyes of every lady inthe assembly than Leonora did his. He had scarce beheld her, but hestood motionless and fixed as a statue, or at least would have done soif good breeding had permitted him. However, he carried it so far beforehe had power to correct himself, that every person in the room easilydiscovered where his admiration was settled. The other ladies began tosingle out their former partners, all perceiving who would beBellarmine's choice; which they however endeavoured, by all possiblemeans, to prevent: many of them saying to Leonora, "O madam! I supposewe shan't have the pleasure of seeing you dance to-night;" and thencrying out, in Bellarmine's hearing, "Oh! Leonora will not dance, Iassure you: her partner is not here." One maliciously attempted toprevent her, by sending a disagreeable fellow to ask her, that so shemight be obliged either to dance with him, or sit down; but this schemeproved abortive.
Leonora saw herself admired by the fine stranger, and envied by everywoman present. Her little heart began to flutter within her, and herhead was agitated with a convulsive motion: she seemed as if she wouldspeak to several of her acquaintance, but had nothing to say; for, asshe would not mention her present triumph, so she could not disengageher thoughts one moment from the contemplation of it. She had nevertasted anything like this happiness. She had before known what it was totorment a single woman; but to be hated and secretly cursed by a wholeassembly was a joy reserved for this blessed moment. As this vastprofusion of ecstasy had confounded her understanding, so there wasnothing so foolish as her behaviour: she played a thousand childishtricks, distorted her person into several shapes, and her face intoseveral laughs, without any reason. In a word, her carriage was asabsurd as her desires, which were to affect an insensibility of thestranger's admiration, and at the same time a triumph, from thatadmiration, over every woman in the room.
In this temper of mind, Bellarmine, having inquired who she was,advanced to her, and with a low bow begged the honour of dancing withher, which she, with as low a curtesy, immediately granted. She dancedwith him all night, and enjoyed, perhaps, the highest pleasure that shewas capable of feeling.
At these words, Adams fetched a deep groan, which frighted the ladies,who told him, "They hoped he was not ill." He answered, "He groaned onlyfor the folly of Leonora."
Leonora retired (continued the lady) about six in the morning, but notto rest. She tumbled and tossed in her bed, with very short intervals ofsleep, and those entirely filled with dreams of the equipage and fineclothes she had seen, and the balls, operas, and ridottos, which hadbeen the subject of their conversation.
In the afternoon, Bellarmine, in the dear coach and six, came to wait onher. He was indeed charmed with her person, and was, on inquiry, so wellpleased with the circumstances of her father (for he himself,notwithstanding all his finery, was not quite so rich as a Croesus oran Attalus).--"Attalus," says Mr. Adams: "but pray how came youacquainted with these names?" The lady smiled at the question, andproceeded. He was so pleased, I say, that he resolved to make hisaddresses to her directly. He did so accordingly, and that with so muchwarmth and briskness, that he quickly baffled her weak repulses, andobliged the lady to refer him to her father, who, she knew, wouldquickly declare in favour of a coach and six.
Thus what Horatio had by sighs and tears, love and tenderness, been solong obtaining, the French-English Bellarmine with gaiety and gallantrypossessed himself of in an instant. In other words, what modesty hademployed a full year in raising, impudence demolished intwenty-four hours.
Here Adams groaned a second time; but the ladies, who began to smokehim, took no notice.
From the opening of the assembly till the end of Bellarmine's visit,Leonora had
scarce once thought of Horatio; but he now began, though anunwelcome guest, to enter into her mind. She wished she had seen thecharming Bellarmine and his charming equipage before matters had gone sofar. "Yet why," says she, "should I wish to have seen him before; orwhat signifies it that I have seen him now? Is not Horatio my lover,almost my husband? Is he not as handsome, nay handsomer than Bellarmine?Aye, but Bellarmine is the genteeler, and the finer man; yes, that hemust be allowed. Yes, yes, he is that certainly. But did not I, nolonger ago than yesterday, love Horatio more than all the world? Aye,but yesterday I had not seen Bellarmine. But doth not Horatio doat onme, and may he not in despair break his heart if I abandon him? Well,and hath not Bellarmine a heart to break too? Yes, but I promisedHoratio first; but that was poor Bellarmine's misfortune; if I had seenhim first, I should certainly have preferred him. Did not the dearcreature prefer me to every woman in the assembly, when every she waslaying out for him? When was it in Horatio's power to give me such aninstance of affection? Can he give me an equipage, or any of thosethings which Bellarmine will make me mistress of? How vast is thedifference between being the wife of a poor counsellor and the wife ofone of Bellarmine's fortune! If I marry Horatio, I shall triumph over nomore than one rival; but by marrying Bellarmine, I shall be the envy ofall my acquaintance. What happiness! But can I suffer Horatio to die?for he hath sworn he cannot survive my loss: but perhaps he may not die:if he should, can I prevent it? Must I sacrifice myself to him? besides,Bellarmine may be as miserable for me too." She was thus arguing withherself, when some young ladies called her to the walks, and a littlerelieved her anxiety for the present.
The next morning Bellarmine breakfasted with her in presence of heraunt, whom he sufficiently informed of his passion for Leonora. He wasno sooner withdrawn than the old lady began to advise her niece on thisoccasion. "You see, child," says she, "what fortune hath thrown in yourway; and I hope you will not withstand your own preferment." Leonora,sighing, begged her not to mention any such thing, when she knew herengagements to Horatio. "Engagements to a fig!" cried the aunt; "youshould thank Heaven on your knees that you have it yet in your power tobreak them. Will any woman hesitate a moment whether she shall ride in acoach or walk on foot all the days of her life? But Bellarmine drivessix, and Horatio not even a pair."--"Yes, but, madam, what will theworld say?" answered Leonora: "will not they condemn me?"--"The world isalways on the side of prudence," cries the aunt, "and would surelycondemn you if you sacrificed your interest to any motive whatever. Oh!I know the world very well; and you shew your ignorance, my dear, byyour objection. O' my conscience! the world is wiser. I have livedlonger in it than you; and I assure you there is not anything worth ourregard besides money; nor did I ever know one person who married fromother considerations, who did not afterwards heartily repent it.Besides, if we examine the two men, can you prefer a sneaking fellow,who hath been bred at the university, to a fine gentleman just come fromhis travels. All the world must allow Bellarmine to be a fine gentleman,positively a fine gentleman, and a handsome man."--"Perhaps, madam, Ishould not doubt, if I knew how to be handsomely off with theother."--"Oh! leave that to me," says the aunt. "You know your fatherhath not been acquainted with the affair. Indeed, for my part I thoughtit might do well enough, not dreaming of such an offer; but I'lldisengage you: leave me to give the fellow an answer. I warrant youshall have no farther trouble."
Leonora was at length satisfied with her aunt's reasoning; andBellarmine supping with her that evening, it was agreed he should thenext morning go to her father and propose the match, which she consentedshould be consummated at his return.
The aunt retired soon after supper; and, the lovers being left together,Bellarmine began in the following manner: "Yes, madam; this coat, Iassure you, was made at Paris, and I defy the best English taylor evento imitate it. There is not one of them can cut, madam; they can't cut.If you observe how this skirt is turned, and this sleeve: a clumsyEnglish rascal can do nothing like it. Pray, how do you like myliveries?" Leonora answered, "She thought them very pretty."--"AllFrench," says he, "I assure you, except the greatcoats; I never trustanything more than a greatcoat to an Englishman. You know one mustencourage our own people what one can, especially as, before I had aplace, I was in the country interest, he, he, he! But for myself, Iwould see the dirty island at the bottom of the sea, rather than wear asingle rag of English work about me: and I am sure, after you have madeone tour to Paris, you will be of the same opinion with regard to yourown clothes. You can't conceive what an addition a French dress would beto your beauty; I positively assure you, at the first opera I saw sinceI came over, I mistook the English ladies for chambermaids, he, he, he!"
With such sort of polite discourse did the gay Bellarmine entertain hisbeloved Leonora, when the door opened on a sudden, and Horatio enteredthe room. Here 'tis impossible to express the surprize of Leonora.
"Poor woman!" says Mrs Slipslop, "what a terrible quandary she must bein!"--"Not at all," says Mrs Grave-airs; "such sluts can never beconfounded."--"She must have then more than Corinthian assurance," saidAdams; "aye, more than Lais herself."
A long silence, continued the lady, prevailed in the whole company. Ifthe familiar entrance of Horatio struck the greatest astonishment intoBellarmine, the unexpected presence of Bellarmine no less surprizedHoratio. At length Leonora, collecting all the spirit she was mistressof, addressed herself to the latter, and pretended to wonder at thereason of so late a visit. "I should indeed," answered he, "have madesome apology for disturbing you at this hour, had not my finding you incompany assured me I do not break in upon your repose." Bellarmine rosefrom his chair, traversed the room in a minuet step, and hummed anopera tune, while Horatio, advancing to Leonora, asked her in a whisperif that gentleman was not a relation of hers; to which she answered witha smile, or rather sneer, "No, he is no relation of mine yet;" adding,"she could not guess the meaning of his question." Horatio told hersoftly, "It did not arise from jealousy."--"Jealousy! I assure you, itwould be very strange in a common acquaintance to give himself any ofthose airs." These words a little surprized Horatio; but, before he hadtime to answer, Bellarmine danced up to the lady and told her, "Hefeared he interrupted some business between her and the gentleman."--"Ican have no business," said she, "with the gentleman, nor any other,which need be any secret to you."
"You'll pardon me," said Horatio, "if I desire to know who thisgentleman is who is to be entrusted with all our secrets."--"You'll knowsoon enough," cries Leonora; "but I can't guess what secrets can everpass between us of such mighty consequence."--"No, madam!" criesHoratio; "I am sure you would not have me understand you inearnest."--"'Tis indifferent to me," says she, "how you understand me;but I think so unseasonable a visit is difficult to be understood atall, at least when people find one engaged: though one's servants do notdeny one, one may expect a well-bred person should soon take the hint.""Madam," said Horatio, "I did not imagine any engagement with astranger, as it seems this gentleman is, would have made my visitimpertinent, or that any such ceremonies were to be preserved betweenpersons in our situation." "Sure you are in a dream," says she, "orwould persuade me that I am in one. I know no pretensions a commonacquaintance can have to lay aside the ceremonies of good breeding.""Sure," said he, "I am in a dream; for it is impossible I should bereally esteemed a common acquaintance by Leonora, after what has passedbetween us?" "Passed between us! Do you intend to affront me before thisgentleman?" "D--n me, affront the lady," says Bellarmine, cocking hishat, and strutting up to Horatio: "does any man dare affront this ladybefore me, d--n me?" "Hark'ee, sir," says Horatio, "I would advise youto lay aside that fierce air; for I am mightily deceived if this ladyhas not a violent desire to get your worship a good drubbing." "Sir,"said Bellarmine, "I have the honour to be her protector; and, d--n me,if I understand your meaning." "Sir," answered Horatio, "she is ratheryour protectress; but give yourself no more airs, for you see I amprepared for you" (shaking his whip at him). "Oh! _serviteur treshumble_," says Bellarmine: "_Je vous en
tend parfaitment bien_." At whichtime the aunt, who had heard of Horatio's visit, entered the room, andsoon satisfied all his doubts. She convinced him that he was never moreawake in his life, and that nothing more extraordinary had happened inhis three days' absence than a small alteration in the affections ofLeonora; who now burst into tears, and wondered what reason she hadgiven him to use her in so barbarous a manner. Horatio desiredBellarmine to withdraw with him; but the ladies prevented it by layingviolent hands on the latter; upon which the former took his leavewithout any great ceremony, and departed, leaving the lady with hisrival to consult for his safety, which Leonora feared her indiscretionmight have endangered; but the aunt comforted her with assurances thatHoratio would not venture his person against so accomplished a cavalieras Bellarmine, and that, being a lawyer, he would seek revenge in hisown way, and the most they had to apprehend from him was an action.
They at length therefore agreed to permit Bellarmine to retire to hislodgings, having first settled all matters relating to the journey whichhe was to undertake in the morning, and their preparations for thenuptials at his return.
But, alas! as wise men have observed, the seat of valour is not thecountenance; and many a grave and plain man will, on a just provocation,betake himself to that mischievous metal, cold iron; while men of afiercer brow, and sometimes with that emblem of courage, a cockade, willmore prudently decline it.
Leonora was waked in the morning, from a visionary coach and six, withthe dismal account that Bellarmine was run through the body by Horatio;that he lay languishing at an inn, and the surgeons had declared thewound mortal. She immediately leaped out of the bed, danced about theroom in a frantic manner, tore her hair and beat her breast in all theagonies of despair; in which sad condition her aunt, who likewise aroseat the news, found her. The good old lady applied her utmost art tocomfort her niece. She told her, "While there was life there was hope;but that if he should die her affliction would be of no service toBellarmine, and would only expose herself, which might, probably, keepher some time without any future offer; that, as matters had happened,her wisest way would be to think no more of Bellarmine, but to endeavourto regain the affections of Horatio." "Speak not to me," cried thedisconsolate Leonora; "is it not owing to me that poor Bellarmine haslost his life? Have not these cursed charms (at which words she lookedsteadfastly in the glass) been the ruin of the most charming man of thisage? Can I ever bear to contemplate my own face again (with her eyesstill fixed on the glass)? Am I not the murderess of the finestgentleman? No other woman in the town could have made any impression onhim." "Never think of things past," cries the aunt: "think of regainingthe affections of Horatio." "What reason," said the niece, "have I tohope he would forgive me? No, I have lost him as well as the other, andit was your wicked advice which was the occasion of all; you seduced me,contrary to my inclinations, to abandon poor Horatio (at which words sheburst into tears); you prevailed upon me, whether I would or no, to giveup my affections for him; had it not been for you, Bellarmine neverwould have entered into my thoughts; had not his addresses been backedby your persuasions, they never would have made any impression on me; Ishould have defied all the fortune and equipage in the world; but it wasyou, it was you, who got the better of my youth and simplicity, andforced me to lose my dear Horatio for ever."
The aunt was almost borne down with this torrent of words; she, however,rallied all the strength she could, and, drawing her mouth up in apurse, began: "I am not surprized, niece, at this ingratitude. Those whoadvise young women for their interest, must always expect such a return:I am convinced my brother will thank me for breaking off your match withHoratio, at any rate."--"That may not be in your power yet," answeredLeonora, "though it is very ungrateful in you to desire or attempt it,after the presents you have received from him." (For indeed true it is,that many presents, and some pretty valuable ones, had passed fromHoratio to the old lady; but as true it is, that Bellarmine, when hebreakfasted with her and her niece, had complimented her with abrilliant from his finger, of much greater value than all she hadtouched of the other.)
The aunt's gall was on float to reply, when a servant brought a letterinto the room, which Leonora, hearing it came from Bellarmine, withgreat eagerness opened, and read as follows:--
"MOST DIVINE CREATURE,--The wound which I fear you have heard Ireceived from my rival is not like to be so fatal as those shot into myheart which have been fired from your eyes, _tout brilliant_. Those arethe only cannons by which I am to fall; for my surgeon gives me hopes ofbeing soon able to attend your _ruelle_; till when, unless you would dome an honour which I have scarce the _hardiesse_ to think of, yourabsence will be the greatest anguish which can be felt by,
"Madam,
"_Avec toute le respecte_ in the world,
"Your most obedient, most absolute _Devote_,
"BELLARMINE."
As soon as Leonora perceived such hopes of Bellarmine's recovery, andthat the gossip Fame had, according to custom, so enlarged his danger,she presently abandoned all further thoughts of Horatio, and was soonreconciled to her aunt, who received her again into favour, with a moreChristian forgiveness than we generally meet with. Indeed, it ispossible she might be a little alarmed at the hints which her niece hadgiven her concerning the presents. She might apprehend such rumours,should they get abroad, might injure a reputation which, by frequentingchurch twice a day, and preserving the utmost rigour and strictness inher countenance and behaviour for many years, she had established.
Leonora's passion returned now for Bellarmine with greater force, afterits small relaxation, than ever. She proposed to her aunt to make him avisit in his confinement, which the old lady, with great and commendableprudence, advised her to decline: "For," says she, "should any accidentintervene to prevent your intended match, too forward a behaviour withthis lover may injure you in the eyes of others. Every woman, till sheis married, ought to consider of, and provide against, the possibilityof the affair's breaking off." Leonora said, "She should be indifferentto whatever might happen in such a case; for she had now so absolutelyplaced her affections on this dear man (so she called him), that, if itwas her misfortune to lose him, she should for ever abandon all thoughtsof mankind." She, therefore, resolved to visit him, notwithstanding allthe prudent advice of her aunt to the contrary, and that very afternoonexecuted her resolution.
The lady was proceeding in her story, when the coach drove into the innwhere the company were to dine, sorely to the dissatisfaction of MrAdams, whose ears were the most hungry part about him; he being, as thereader may perhaps guess, of an insatiable curiosity, and heartilydesirous of hearing the end of this amour, though he professed he couldscarce wish success to a lady of so inconstant a disposition.
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