FEMALE FALSEHOOD: OR, THE Unfortunate Beau. Contained in the genuine MEMOIRS OF A Late French Nobleman.  
WRITTEN By Monsieur S. Euremont.  
And now made English.  Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum. 
LONDON: Printed and to be Sold by E. Whitlock, near Stationer's Hall, 1697.   

THE TRANSLATOR TO THE READER.  
SInce these Memoirs were designed, both by the Writer and Translator of them, for the Reader's Instruction, 'tis hoped he will do himself and us the justice, to make his Remarks only upon the different Characters of those Women our Knight-errant has met with, and (warned by his Sufferings) fortify his Heart against their Allurements who would serve him in the same kind, without criticising upon the Style or guessing at the real Actor, whom the Ingenious Author has disguised both as to Time and Place; not so much for his own sake, as to conceal the Names of those Ladies, who little merited so generous a Caution.  
Indeed the World is extremely obliged to his good Nature, since he had rather expose his Discretion to our Censure, than let us want the pleasant Relation of so many diverting Adventures; and that Person must be very nice, who, among these several Amours, cannot find one that will relish his Palate: Perhaps some being surprised at the variety of these Intrigues, may think them Fictitious, or at least suspect they are not the performances of one Gallant; but we doubt not their Wonder will lessen, when they consider his sanguine Constitution and roving Temper, which run him into perpetual Temptations.  
I would not have the charming and best part of Mankind esteem this Narrative as a Libel upon their Fair Sex; for the Virtuous (who are much superior in number) are no ways concerned in the Reflections made upon the Infamous, for whom neither my Author, nor myself, have an overgreat respect.  
I never troubled the Press before; but if this meets with a kind Reception, it may encourage a young Beginner to higher Undertake.  
I must not omit to tell you, That the Book is at present imperfect; the Second Part, promised by the Author, being not yet come to our Hands: But we chose not to delay the Publication of this, being hasty to show some of those Rocks and Quicksands on which our powdered Beaux do daily suffer Shipwreck.   

MEMOIRS OF THE Count de— Compiled by Monsieur SAINT E. BOOK I.  
I Am now entering into my Sixtieth Year, more weary of the World, for the Crosses I have met with in it, than because of my Age▪ Let me then endeavour to enjoy myself, during that little Time that is yet afforded me▪ by employing my Thoughts wholly on that, which may draw them off from worldly Concerns. But my Life being, as I may say, a Complication of all the Misfortunes which the Conversation of Women exposes a Man to, I think it will be of no little Use, both to myself and others, if I run over all those Adventures of mine which they engaged me in. Whoso reads these Memoirs, will, perhaps, warned by my Follies, know how to avoid the like Disasters; and I by writing them, and exposing the Ridiculous Errors all Admirers of the fair Sex are guilty of, will be encouraged to persist in the Resolution I have taken of extinguishing that cursed Inclination, that in spite of my Age and Experience, might yet bear too great a Sway over my Judgement; so little is the Power we have over ourselves, to follow that Good we approve of, and avoid that evil which we blame.  
Since my Design in writing these Memoirs is rather to leave the World an Instruction than an History, I hope I may be excused if I conceal my Name, as well as those of most Persons I shall speak of. My Aim in writing, is not the making a Recital of my Adventures, but by that Recital to direct my Reader how he shall avoid those Inconveniencies I have lain under; and it would be unjust in him, to apply himself rather to guests at the Truth of this History, than to make his Advantage of what I write.  
I desire that such as find me out, will at least be so kind as not to divulge their Conjectures, and I discover to them as a Secret all I can not conceal from them.  
I was born in May, in the Year 1625. My Father, who was descended of one of the most Ancient Houses in the whole Kingdom, and had an Employment in the Army which allowed him little Leisure to look after his Family, had left that wholly to my Mother; which consisted in a Girl and Three Boys, the Girl being the Eldest, and I the youngest of all Four. He might be worth about Four hundred thousand Livers, and was the poorer because he had made considerable Settlements on my Mother, tho' she had brought him but a slender Fortune. We scarce knew any thing, but we were informed how small an Estate we must trust to. My Mother took Care not to be troubled with us too long, and having bestowed her Daughter into a Nunnery, where she paid but little for her Board, she looked for Colleges, where her Sons might be educated at as cheap a rate. My elder Brother, tho' he was yet but Fifteen, had already engaged himself into the Army; and my second Brother and I were sent, under the Conduct of a Priest, to a little Country Town, wherein was a College, where the Priest carried us to follow our Studies. We were not a little looked upon, tho' our Expenses were no ways extravagant; but besides that it was known what Family we were of, such Titles were bestowed on us as might occasion that Distinction. My Brother was called a Count, and I a Knight; for it was not then, as it is now the Fashion, to entitle Children to the Name of Abbot, who have no other Call to an Ecclesiastical Life than that of being younger Brothers.  
The Count, my Brother was no ways inclined nor fit to study, and all his Occupation from Morning till Night was to vex the poor Man, who was entrusted with us. As for me, I was something more tractable, and tho' I was no Enemy to Sports, yet I made a Shift to please my Tutor. The Difference that was observed in our Characters, procured me some Praise; which being a Mortification to my Brother, occasioned that Hatred he has always bore me, an Instance that Parents ought never to send Children out together, whose Inclinations are different. The Reprimands an elder Brother, who is outdone by his Junior, is subject to, must always be paid for, by him who is the innocent Cause thereof. My Brother was already Fifteen and I Fourteen Years old, when a Company of Strowlers came into that Town.  
I had as yet felt but loose and uncertain Impressions of that Passion which inclines one Sex to the other. It was at the Play that it began to unfold itself, and make me feel its Rage: And I must own it, to my Shame, or to that of the graver Authors of the Tragic Scene, that at the Acting of the Cid I began to love in earnest. The Actress, who represented Chimena, charmed me, with her Beauty, and the Tenderness expressed in her Part. I was moved with Compassion at her Sufferings; and was methought something concerned that she should be so virtuous as the Author had made her: But that Care was presently over. I soon understood how that Woman, who on the Stage expressed such Virtue, had as little in another Place. This it was that put my poor Brain quite out of order. What, thought I, were it then so easy for me to be beloved by that Chimena who is so cruel to Roderiguo? These and such like Reflections wholly employed my Thoughts, and thus I unwittingly sucked in the Poison of Debauchery.  
What I experienced in that tender Age, has since hindered my being surprised, when I have seen Actresses, tho' never so infamous, be courted with a stronger Passion than honest and virtuous Women. The Part they act on the Stage seeming to give, as it were Relish to that which they act elsewhere.  
However, I was not old enough to apply myself to the Chimena, who had pleased me so well, in acting the Cid. Besides, she was always engaged with Sparks, not so young as myself, and whose Pockets were better furnished than mine at that Time; and foreseeing that if I presumed to make Love to her without presenting her with something, I should be received but as a Schoolboy, I sought for easier Amours and Mistresses not so hard to be come at. But to whom should I proffer my Service? I saw not one Woman who was indifferent to me. Every She was my Chimena, but I, alas! was no Body's Rodriguo; and the greatest Compliment I had from those I bestowed most upon, was, That I was a pretty Boy. This was worse than Death to me, who would have been looked on as a Man, since I so well felt myself to be such.  
There was a Nunnery in that same Town, the Abbess whereof was something a kin to us: I visited her pretty often, and by that means had got acquainted with most of the young Ladies she boarded. There was one among the rest, who was much about my Age, and pleased me above them all; and having all Liberty of seeing her, I thought I could not do better than to make my Application to her. She was then the Person pitched upon, to whom I should express those Desires that had newly taken Possession of my Heart. I did it in some Verses I had remembered out of a Play, which I repeated to her with all the Passion and Softness imaginable. Miss was already a far greater Scholar in that Science than myself, and I was amazed to hear her answer my Verse in very intelligible Prose. She ridiculed the manner wherein I had made my Declaration, and told me, She had learned in her Nunnery to speak in another Tone. I found her well read in Books of Gallantry, and learned enough, not only to answer my Love, but also to instruct and encourage me in it. She swore, however, That she never had felt, but on my account, that Passion which she discovered, and that she never would feel it for any one else; but she told me, That if I really loved her, we must lose no Time, but must seek out the Means frequently to enjoy each other's Company.  
One may easily imagine how ravished I was, to find so charming a Person filled with Love for me. I was easily persuaded my own Desert had occasioned that Passion in her, and the Letters she began to send me daily, confirmed me in this vain Opinion; for I thought it impossible to write with more Wit and Passion than she did.  
Her Love began to be the only Object of my Thoughts. We wrote to one another every Day, constantly, and one of my Schoolfellows, who was Son to a Servant of the Abbesses, delivered me her Letters, when he came into School, and took my Answers back with him, as he returned home.  
It was a Month since this Intrigue had begun, when my Brother, who, it seems, was fond of a Nun of the same Abbey, and was not over-given to Secrecy, showed me the Letters he had received from her. How was I amazed, when I saw they were almost Word for Word, the same as those my Boarder sent me, and that they must have all been composed by the Nun! I took no Notice of it to my Brother, but having left him I went and packed up all the Letters I had, and sent them back to her whom I had received them from, acquainting her by a Note, That I would neither love nor see her any more, since she had been capable of deceiving me.  
She returned an Answer yet more disobliging than my Note; and as my Love was real and sincere, I was concerned to see her angry. I sent her a very submissive Letter, begging a thousand Pardons; but having no Answer, I waited on her myself, to sue for a Reprieve.  
She received me in such a manner that I was persuaded she never had loved me. She made a Sport of the Grief I was in, and seeing I would have made a formal Complaint of her Cruelty, she said, I was a fine Lad indeed to pretend to such a Person as she was. This confounded me quite, for she was not much older than myself, and I was enraged to be used like a Child by a Child, not knowning at that Time, That Women are sooner ripe than Men.  
The ill Success of this my first Attempt began to give me an Insight into the Character of the Female Sex, which would have been a Happiness to me, had I taken Warning by it; but I thought the Levity of Youth was the only Cause she had served me so, and resolved to apply myself to more solid Mistresses.  
We were often invited to the Deputy Governor of the Town we lived in. He was married to a Woman not unhandsome, and who was pretty much talked of. She was about Thirty Years old, and I wanted something of Fifteen, yet I never saw her but I gave her some Tokens of my Passion. I thought 〈…〉 Man must pretend Courtship 〈…〉 he conversed with, and in my Applications I really spoke my Mind, for in the general Desire I had to make Love, I found my Heart ready for any who would accept it.  
I had read several Romances, for it was then that they began to be cried up, and did not think it lawful to make Love otherwise than their Heroes. I fancied myself sometimes Alexander, sometimes Orondates, and I took the governor's Lady for no less a Mistress than Cassandra or Statira.  
I was not at all suspected by the Husband, being almost the only one whom he permitted her to converse withal. Besides our frequent being alone at her House, we often went abroad, only she and I, into a Garden she had in one of the Suburbs.  
One Day she told me, she would try whether I was sincere in my Addresses, and if she could trust me. I promised her an Inviolable Discretion; and then she told me, She had some Business with a Relation of hers, whom we should find in the Garden, but that it must be done with all Secrecy, because she were undone should her Husband come to the Knowledge of it, he having expressly forbid her ever to see that Man. She assured me, It was about Business that she desired to discourse with him, and I promised her, I would be faithful, without enquiring what Reason she had to do it.  
We went to the Garden, and were scarce there, but the Spark, she waited for, got in over the Wall, and came towards us. There he is, said she; stay here while I speak with him in that Summer-House, and watch if any Body comes: And if there does, you'll come and give me Notice. I told her, She might rely upon me; and she went into the Summer-house with that Man, while I lay Perdue at the End of the Walk that led to it, she having charged me not to stir from that Place.  
No sooner was she in, but I forgot the Promise I had made her not to leave my Post, and creeping softly to the Door of the Arbour, I was unlucky enough to knock at it pretty hard, crying out, Madam, Your Husband is coming. Whereupon she came to the Door, and without opening of it, desired me to carry her Husband into another Walk, while her Friend should make his Escape.  
I walked aside to give him that Leisure, and my Spark returned by the same way, tho' with a little more haste than he came. She came to me, and seeing me all alone, asked where her Husband was? It was in vain for me to tell her, he was gone out again; she perceived what I had done was but to fright her, and expressed so much Resentment as to give me ill Language.  
I thought, that having Knowledge of her Intrigue, she would be afraid to disoblige me; but it happened quite otherwise; she carried me home again, without saying a Word, and having left me, went and told her Husband, I was an impudent young Fellow, who had been so bold as to make Love to her, and that she desired him that I might come no more to her House.  
I came there the next Day, and the Husband told me, in a deriding manner, that I was a lewd Debauchee, and that were it not for the Respect he had for my Family, he would have me whipped.  
This Affront touched me to the Quick, and instead of answering him as I might have done, that his Wife made a Fool and a Cuckold of him; I only reflecting on the shameful manner he had threatened me in, flew in his Face, and had I been strong enough, would have done him more Mischief. His Spouse ran in, alarmed at the Noise, and taking her Husband's Part, called me a thousand Rogues. See, said she, what Impudence! How brisk this little Rogue is for his Age, and if he dares use my Husband thus, what would he not say of me, if he might be 〈◊〉? I was taken off of the Husband, and was desired to avoid his House; on which I went out, exclaiming against both Husband and Wife as they deserved.  
When I was got Home, I reflected with Admiration on the Impudence of that Woman, who knowing it was in my Power to ruin her Reputation, by divulging what I knew of her, had yet carried herself so strangely towards me; but I knew not as yet all a lewd Woman can do, and what happened to me then, was but a Sample of what I have experienced since in those of that Character.  
This Adventure made no little Noise: Our Tutor, at whose House we boarded, wrote to my Mother about it, and prayed her to send for us back, because we were grown too big to be governed by him. She would have had little Respect for his Admonitions, were she not that Year, which was 1640. become a Widow, my Father being killed in Piedmont, in the Battle wherein the Count de Harcourt got the better of the Spaniards. She sent for us to Paris, where we found my eldest Brother, who was come there after my Father's Death, to beg for his Place, and to endeavour to get Two Commissions for my Brother, the Count, and myself.  
We had a Friend whose Interest was very great, with whom my eldest Brother had been educated, and who had also been a great Acquaintance of ours, in our Childhood. It was Monsieur de Cinq Mars, Son to the Marshal d'Effiat. He being at that Time at the highest Period of his Favour, we easily obtained what we sued for. My eldest Brother was preferred to the Post my Father had been in; my Brother, the Count, was placed with the Duke de Breze, to serve at Sea, and the former, who had a Kindness for me, kept me with him, to make my first Campaign in Piedmont the next Summer. I remained with him, at Paris, for that Winter, being a sharer in almost all his Pleasures, and it was then I had an Opportunity of enquiring more particularly into the Manners of Women of Pleasure.  
We were almost perpetually at Monsieur de Cinq Mars'; and here I cannot forbear mentioning the Amazement I was in, and the Reflections I used to make whenever I saw him. Never any Man seemed to me more happy than he did at that Time. He was at the Age of 20 Years the King's chief Favourite, and that in such a degree as never any one was before him; adored by all the Courtiers, and caressed by all the Ladies he was pleased to court. Yet I never saw him contented, and as often as he found himself alone with my Brother and me, he would say he was the unhappiest Man in the World. He mused, sighed, and would spend whole Hours in walking about the Room, without speaking a Word. My Brother was the only Confident of the Causes of his Affliction, and they would often whisper together. As for me, I was not desirous of meddling with their Concerns, but could not cease admiring how much those Men are imposed upon, who think that Places of great Trust and great Honour are an essential Part of Happiness.  
I had no Knowledge of Monsieur de Cinq Mars' Secrets as to Matters of State, and I know not whether he revealed them to my Brother, but I was entrusted with most of those that related to his Gallantry; for many may be met with who have Command enough over themselves, to conceal what respects their Fortune, but few that can forbear bragging of what flatters their Vanity in Love Affairs.  
Monsieur de Cinq Mars was extraordinary handsome and very generous. However, the Women he applied himself to, were unfaithful to him. Being obliged to attend the King almost all Day long, he had but little Time left to Converse with his Mistresses, and they deceived him with all the Ease imaginable.  
He kept one who had been very expensive to him: He had given her a sumptuous House, richly and magnificently furnished, and seldom made her an empty Visit. He often carried me and my Brother thither, and sometimes left us there, being obliged to go to Court. Whether my Brother was engaged elsewhere, or that he was unwilling to Court his Friend's Mistress, he expressed little Kindness for her, and when Monsieur de Cinq Mars was gone out, he commonly fell asleep, and left me free Leave to talk what I would to her.  
I had not yet lost the Habit I had got, to fancy that a Man must not see a Woman without making Love to her. The Lady was Handsome, and, it may be easily imagined, that, having Liberty to say what I would, I told her I loved her.  
Being, however, desirous to do things handsomely, I told her, I was sorry to see Monsieur de Cinq Mars so fond of her, and that she should be under such Obligations to him, because I would else have taken the Freedom to make my Addresses to her. You think, said she, he has a Kindness for me, and that I am obliged to him; but you are mistaken, he does not love me at all, and gives me no Tokens of his Passion. How! replied I, not without Amazement, than I am very ill informed, for the World talks as tho' he had already bestowed above Fifty thousand Crowns upon you. Well, answered she, and Fifty thousand Crowns; there's a mighty Business for such a Person as I am. If I would oblige others as far as I have done him, I should already have received three times as much Money, and be better settled.  
I confess this Discourse seemed to me to be so singular that I could scarce forbear taxing her for so high an Ingratitude; for I knew not then that a bought Mistress still thinks she is worth more than is laid out for her.  
I would not however let her perceive the Surprise I was in. It is true, continued I, that in respect to your Desert Fifty thousand Crowns are a small Matter. But what must he expect then, who has nothing; and how will you accept of the Tender I design to make you of my Heart, I who cannot give you a Farthing? Do you think then, said she, that I am Mercenary, and would buy my Lovers? If you did love, and that you are in earnest, I would have more Kindness for you than for Monsieur de Cinq Mars, with his Fifty thousand Crowns; for, continued she, Whores only make a Trade of Love.  
These Words won my very Heart, and hindered the Reflection I should have, how ridiculous and extravagant it was that a Person should be so covetous as not to be satisfied with Fifty thousand Crowns, and yet pretend to Generosity; but I was charmed with it as tho' she had been sincere in what she spoke. I fancied myself a Man of greater Merit than Monsieur de Cinq Mars, and carried my Folly so far as to think, that a Girl so well equipped, as she was, might not only love me without any Interest, but might give me some more substantial Proofs of her Affection: For I was then very bare of Money, and found that I should love that Woman most whom there was most to be got by.  
I told her, That I was wonderfully taken with her generous Temper, and that she ought not to doubt of my Sincerity. The Answer she made me persuaded me I was beloved by her, and she assured me, That I should be Welcome when ever I should visit her, and that no Body should disturb us. I desired a Meeting the next Day, at Ten in the Morning, and she gave her Consent thereto.  
I left her, so transported with my good Fortune, that I could scarce forbear acquainting my Brother with it. I could not, as we returned home, leave off talking of her to him, and that with such an Earnestness as made him laugh. I think, said he, you are in Love with her. I should, answered I, be rich enough to gratify her, before I might pretend to that. This made my Brother laugh extravagantly; and especially when I told him, That none but Monsieur de Cinq Mars must attempt to gain her Affection; and I have thought since, that he must have known her for what she was.  
I expected with Impatience that the Clock should strike the appointed Hour, when I received a Note from her, wherein she acquainted me, That an unexpected Business was fallen out, which obliged her to go forth early; and that wanting a Watch, all her's being at the Watch-maker's, she desired me to send her one, she had seen in my Hands the Day before. I had one indeed which was tolerably pretty, which I sent her, with a most passionate Letter, begging, She would remember her Promise against that Afternoon. I was eager to be with her, and found her undressed, and saw no Sign of her going out that Day. She had Two of her Friends with her, who, she told me, had kept her at Home till then; adding, She must go out within a quarter of an Hour, to procure Ten Pistols, having lost as much at Play.  
I do not ask you for them, said she, since you have told me, You had no Mony. She spoke those last Words so dry, that I thought she meant to upbraid me with it. That struck me to the Heart, and I resolved to get her Ten Pistols, whatever it cost me. I left her, and went and sold a small Diamond I had, and brought her the Mony. She expressed an excessive Joy thereat, and told me, What she did was rather to try me than any need she had of them. She promised to meet me the next Day; but when the Time was come, I had a Message, That she was heartily vexed she could not see me, Monsieur de Cinq Mars having sent her Word, he was coming to her.  
I was mad at these Disappointments. The next Day was not more favourable to me, and she fooled me thus for a Fortnight together, finding still some new Excuse to disengage herself. That Time being expired, she sent me Word, to meet her at a certain Church, to which she came, and where I went to speak with her. She expressed much concern that she could not contrive it so, that I should see her at her House; but said, My frequent Visits had been taken notice of, and that we must of necessity meet at some other Place. But she said, That was not her greatest Pain; for what troubled her most, was, That Monsieur de Cinq Mars, having given her Fifty Pistols to buy her a Gown, she had no more Wit than to engage herself at Play; that she dared not tell him she had lost them, and must make 'em up some way or other. Do you think, said she, that if you pretended you wanted that Money, and should ask Monsieur de Cinq Mars for it, he would deny you? I told her, I dared not propose any such thing to him, not only because I was averse to borrowing of any one, but also that for some Reasons of great concern to me, I must not lose Monsieur de Cinq Mars' good Opinion. She replied angrily, That this was but a Shame, and that she was a Fool to think I ever loved her. She left me after that, and would not hear my Reply.  
I had all imaginable Cause to think she Jilted me. She had my Watch, which she hastened not to return: I had given her Ten Pistols, and she again asked me for Fifty more: But yet I was blind enough not to reflect on her by'r Behaviour. She is too rich, thought I, to desire more than she has, and her Addressing herself to me, must be an Effect of Confidence she has in me.  
I resolved then to beg the Fifty Pistols from Monsieur de Cinq Mars. We were at her House when I proposed this to him. I took him aside into another Room, and told him trembling, That I had an urgent occasion for Fifty Pistols, by reason my Friends allowed me short. He replied, he would give me a Hundred, and presently calling the Lady, at whose House we were; What Money, said he, did I leave you, Madam, the last Time I was here? Was it not Three hundred Pistols? Fetch me a Hundred, pray, which I have a present occasion for. She blushed, and not daring to return any Answer, brought him the Hundred Pistols; which he gave me. I scrupled taking them, saying; That perhaps she wanted them. No, no, said he, she has enough, and I will have her, when you want any thing, to supply you; and calling her, he bade her give me all I should ask her for. I went away, keeping the Hundred Pistols, in the Resolution of letting Monsieur de Cinq Mars know, That I had borrowed them only for that Person of whom he had them, and left him with her.  
I was at a loss what to make of her, who pretended Want of Fifty Pistols, when Monsieur de Cinq Mars had so lately given her Three hundred: Yet I found it pleasant enough, supposing she tricked me, to see her thus punished for her Covetousness; and that instead of ask her for Money, she was now to give me some as often as I should require it.  
I could not forbear acquainting my Brother therewith, who was angry that I should have borrowed any thing of Monsieur de Cinq Mars, and would have the Hundred Pistols, to send them back to him. He told me then, That she was used to play such Pranks, and let Monsieur de Cinq Mars give her never so much Money, she would be still ask some of all that pretended to her. I have attempted, continued he, to convince Monsieur de Cinq Mars of it; but Love blinds him; and he has not Leisure to study his Mistress' Characters.  
My Brother returned the Hundred Pistols, which Monsieur de Cinq Mars would not accept, but on condition that I would ask her for more, whenever I had need of them. My Brother, who had already found how blind he was on her account, thought not fitting to let him know, That it was she who had obliged me to ask him for that Sum: But as I had resolved to get my Watch and my Ten Pistols again, I was also determined to make use of the Order Monsieur de Cinq Mars had given me, and to lack for nothing.  
I went then to see her, and was not a little astonished, when receiving me with a smiling Countenance; Well, said she, and where are the Hundred Pistols Monsieur de Cinq Mars has given you; are not they for me? For you? said I, Why, Faith I have spent them; and, far from that, I must beg of you, that you would supply me with Twenty more, on the account of an urgent Necessity. What then, replied she, you think the Three hundred Pistols Monsieur de Cinq Mars spoke of, were mine? You are mistaken, he had given me them to keep for him, and he is so covetous that he would be as mad as the Devil, if I should touch a Farthing of it. Alas, added she, with Tears in her Eyes, I am an unhappy Woman: Monsieur de Cinq Mars scarce allows me what is necessary, and I never ask him for any thing but he upbraids me with it.  
What my Brother had told me, secured me against this Artifice. I told her, she misrepresented Monsieur de Cinque Mars, and that I would speak to him myself, to know the Truth of the Matter: Then I prayed her to return me my Watch, and my Ten Pistols, since I had now no more Cause to doubt but the Love she Feigned was a Pretence she made use of to choose me. Here she wept afresh; begging, That for God's sake, I would not tell Monsieur de Cinq Mars of it: Which I promised I would not. But it was in vain for me to insist upon my Watch and my Ten Pistols; she positively denied them, telling me she would keep them for my sake.  
As Angry as I was, I could not forbear laughing at the Compliment. The more I laughed the more she cried; but I had the Courage not to be moved with her Tears, and to despise her as much as I had ever loved her. She was indeed such as my Brother had told me; tho Monsieur de Cinq Mars had lavished an incredible Sum of Money on her, she would be ask every Body for more. She was worth Four hundred thousand Livers when Monsieur de Cinq Mars died, and we shall see anon what was her Fate.  
I avoided her House, except when I was forced to accompany my Brother thither, where he went often to meet with Monsieur de Cinq Mars; and looking for another Amour, I pitched on— House, because the Duchess of— was our Cousin, and was always very obliging to me. She had a very pretty Niece, whose Education she took care of, for she had no Child as yet. She was a Maid about Sixteen or seventeen; and it will easily be judged, that a Youth of my Complexion did not see her often without telling her she was Handsome. She answered my Love in such a manner as made me distracted; she did nothing but laugh at it, and I could not guests whether she loved me or no. One Day, that she was gone out with the Duchess, I went to see her, and found no Body there but a young Woman, that waited on her, who was about Twenty and very passable: I used to be civil to her as often as I saw her; but finding her alone, was more free of my Compliments than usually. She spoke to me of her Mistress, who, she said, was passionately in Love with me, but dared not tell me so herself. She told me, That if I really loved her, she would endeavour to rid her of those Fears, and to contrive how we should converse privately together. I made her all the Oaths and Protestations she desired; and she assured me, I should shortly see her Mistress, provided I would be discreet. Then she gave me that Caution, That I should not take any Notice of it to the young Lady till she had prepared her thereto.  
This Conversation was scarce ended, when the Duchess came back with her Niece. With what an Eye did I look on that charming Person, having just before heard how well inclined she should be on my Account! I took that Opportunity of assuring her, That I loved her even to Madness; and indeed I never was more passionate. I found then, that nothing is more capable of increasing our Passion, than the thought of an equal Return.  
The Waiting Woman was afraid I should grow impatient. The very next Morning she sent me Word, She had something to say to me: And I went to her in a neighbouring Church. She told me, She had discoursed with her Mistress, and that if I would come that Night to their House, I might see her. You may think, I did not put it off, but submitted myself to her Directions.  
I waited that Evening on the Duchess, who kept me to Supper: And when I thought it was time to withdraw, I took my Leave; but instead of going out, I went up into a Garret, where they laid their Lumber, into which the Waiting Woman locked me. It was extreme cold, and I was freezing there for the space of Two Hours. When that Time was expired, which was about Midnight, I heard the Door open, and perceived it was the Maid; who, taking me by the Hand, whispered to me, That I should follow her. I did, and after many Turnings, I found myself in a Chamber, wherein was a Fire, half out, which gave not Light enough in the Room to let me see where I was. She bid me warm myself, and that my Mistress was coming. Half a quarter of an Hour afterwards, I heard one come in, who, without saying any thing, came near to me. It is you? said I, taking her for the Duchess' Niece. I might repeat the Question often enough, no answer was made: This made me think that her Modesty was the cause of her Silence; I therefore resolved to spend no more Time in talk. In that very Moment the Door was opened, and I saw the Shape of a Man come in. The Person, who was come near me, pushed me into the Ruel, and went to him who had disturbed us. I heard that Man speak very familiarly to her, and she desired him very civilly to go out; which he refused, and answered with an Oath, That he would see what was the Reason he might not be admitted. With that, in he comes to the Bedside, where I was, and falling on me in a furious manner, was very free of his Blows. I returned the Compliment, endeavouring to get from him, which occasioned some Noise. Immediately I heard a great stirring in the Room over head, and presently a Light enters, which discovered the Duchess herself, followed by her Waiting Woman. She was no sooner come into the Room, but I knew him who beat me unmercifully to be a Footman that belonged to the House. The Waiting Woman showed me to the Duchess, saying, with Tears in her Eyes, You see, Madam, I did not tell you a Lie, and that the Knight hid himself in my Chamber with a design to ravish me; I was loath to let you know it, and went and desired Tom to turn him out: But it was impossible for him, so that I was forced to call you up. The Duchess could not forbear laughing, tho' she was very angry, and directing her Words to me, she told me, These were fine Doings, and that I was a pretty Fellow. I was so ashamed that I could not speak one Word. The Duchess sent some of her People to wait on me to the Door, and I went out, guessing in part the Business.  
The Truth is, That the Waiting Woman had never spoke to her Lady in my behalf, and that she had only made use of her Name to have a Meeting with me herself. She it was that came into the Room, and did not dare to answer when I asked, Is it you? Whether the Footman, who came afterwards, had seen me, or that he had used to come to that young Woman, he was resolved to stay there; and she finding herself in that Dilemma, thought the best way to get out of it, was to tell the Duchess, I was hid in the Room. This had the Effect she desired; she was taken for a chaste Vestal, and I for a Debauchee. Neither did I dare to undeceive the Duchess presently, because it would have prejudiced her Niece; so all the Shame of that Adventure fell to my share, and no one doubted but I was in Love with the Waiting Woman. The Niece taxed me with it, and it was in vain for me to protest I was innocent, and to tell her what Hopes the Maid had given me. All was to no purpose, and she still believed what was most likely, and took the Truths I told her for shame Excuses.  
I was resolved not to be bubbled, and seeing the Niece herself was against me, I told the Duchess the whole Truth of the Business. This made her suspect the Waiting Woman's Honesty; she watched her, and found she had Intrigues not only with that Footman but also with several others. She was turned out of Doors, and the Duchess and her Niece had no other Complaint to make against me, but that I should harbour such ill Thought of that young Lady, as to expect what Mrs Abigal had promised me.  
When all the Truth was out, I found the Duchess and her Niece more obliging than I had done hitherto, and whether they had pitied the ill Success of my Adventure, or that Women have a natural Tendency to love those who have the Courage to undertake something for them, I could not doubt but both had a Kindness for me. But, alas! even that served but to give me a farther Insight into Female Inconstancy.  
The Duchess was the first who opened herself to me; she told me plainly, That having looked upon me hitherto but as a Child, she had not dared to let me know the secret Inclination she had for me; but that after the Courage and Discretion I had expressed in the Adventure with the Waiting Woman, she saw I might be relied on, and that she would have me love her: But, said she, we must patch up your Reputation, for you have the Name of a Lewd young Man, and it would be ill looked upon if I should admit your frequent Visits, unless you appear quite another Man than what there is cause to believe you are. You are the youngest of your Family, and if you will be advised by me, enter into Orders; I will see you shall not want Preferment. Get into a Seminary.  
I told her I was ready to obey her; and indeed I was at that Time so pleased with the Thoughts of being courted by a Duchess, that neither the natural Aversion I had for that Profession, nor the Melancholy Reflections I might make on the Life that is led in a Seminary, could deter me from it.  
I promised her to get some body to speak to my Mother, and that very Day told my Brother of it; and I found my Family very willing to let me take that Condition upon me, which seemed to rid them of all Care of me, better than any other.  
I pretended then a great unconcernedness for worldly Affairs, and made all things ready to enter the Seminary, and to apply myself to Divinity. When this Resolution of mine was given out, the Duchess' Niece, to whom I had not spoke a Word of it, was amazed and much concerned. She told me, I was mad, and that she should never have expected this from me; For, added she, I must confess I have loved you ever since I saw you. If I did not presently let you know my Mind, it was because I was desirous to know you first; however, I looked upon you as the only Man I could fancy, and was in Hopes of being your Wife one Day or other.  
Ah, Madam! I replied, why did you not speak sooner? For what will People say of me, to see me alter my Resolution after the Preparations I have made? However, it shall be as you please, and I assure you I will let it alone, if you will have me. She told me, I must by no means be a Clergyman, and that if I was it would be a sensible Affliction to her; on which I assured her, I would not: and the next Day I told the Duchess, I could not find in my Heart to embrace an Ecclesiastical Life.  
I see, said she, you have been with my Niece, I know she loves you, and giveth way to the idle Fancies her Passion supplies her with, but she is very wide of her Mark: She is a Fool I am weary of; and I'll tell you that we intent to marry her within these Two Days. Thereupon she told me, the Duke, her Husband, and she had taken secret Measures to marry her to a Man of Fortune, who sought for some Support by that Alliance.  
Indeed at this News I found I was really in Love. I was possessed with a deep Sorrow, to hear they were going to marry a young Lady, I had a Kindness for, and that to a Man, who deserved her no other way than by his Estate. I told the Duchess, I was ready to do what she would, and would enter into the Seminary the very next Day, but that it was an unconscionable thing to marry her Niece in that manner. Do what I desire you, answered she, and you shall have no Reason to complain.  
I gave the Niece an account of the Discourse we had had; and told her, That her Aunt was jealous of the Kindness I had for her, and would marry her if I did not put on a Gown. How was I amazed, when upon the News that she was to be married, she cried out, as transported with Joy; Lord! is it possible? Yes, said I. But hear to whom; 'tis to such a one. What to him? said she, in a redoubled ecstasy. Oh! I know him, he is an extraordinary Rich Man, and I cannot be better matched. Then I am turned off, said I, in a serious manner. You; said she, Do People use to marry Clergymen? This was no sooner said, but she ran and called one of her Women, and embracing her; Ah! my Dear, said she, do you know I am going to be married?  
I remained motionless, so great was my Amazement at so unexpected a Change; and I had almost determined myself to become not only an Abbot, but even an Hermit, seeing Women were guilty of so much Inconstancy. She took little heed of the Pain I was in, and I went out with a firm Resolution, to do what the Duchess expected of me.  
I remained at Paris while my Brother went into Piedmont, where his Regiment still made a part of the Count of Harcourt's Army, and I put on the narrow Band. What I obtained from my Duchess was, that instead of shutting myself up into a Seminary, I should board myself out somewhere near the Sorbonne, and study Divinity there.  
The first Day that I dressed myself as an Abbot, I came to see her, and she instructed me how I should behave myself in that Habit; How I must look demure, and take a modest Phiz and an honest Countenance. Indeed it was a great Proof I gave her of my Affection, for besides the natural Aversion I have already said I had for that kind of Life, I was an Enemy to all Affectation: But my Ambition was so flattered with my being beloved by that Woman, that tho' I had not then for her all the Kindness I have since had, yet I thought I must yield a blindfold Obedience to all her Commands.  
She was extremely taken with me when she saw me an Abbot, and took all possible care to spread a Report, That I was grown a Saint, and that an extraordinary Devotion had induced me to become a Clergyman.  
Indeed, though it was with great Dissatisfaction that I played a Part so contrary to my Inclination, yet I was wonderfully pleased that a Lady of such Quality, and of an ununspotted Reputation, should have so favourable Thoughts of me as she seemed to express. The Duke, tho' elder than herself, entertained no Suspicion of her Conduct, and she deserved that Trust from him, by Two or Three convincing Proofs she had given him of her Affection, which I shall mention, to show what a Woman is capable of.  
A Person of the first Quality and extraordinary well accomplished, had courted her, with the most endearing Tokens of a sincere Love, and that in a more respectful and submissive manner than those of his Rank are used to do. The Lady had at first answered his Passion; but perceiving it gave her Husband some Jealousy, she told her Lover, That she must admit no longer of his Addresses. This almost distracted him, and he fell sick upon it: The only Comfort he had, was, that of Writing to her, and I never saw any thing more soft than his Letters: but she showed them all to her Husband; who himself composed her Answers, which, it may be thought, were not over obliging, since he was the Author of them. I admired how it was possible she could be so cruel to him, who was so obliging to her; and this made me secretly despise her. Certainly, said I, once to her, you must hate that Man unmercifully, to use him in this barbarous manner. Hate him? replied she, not at all; I rather love him, and should I follow my Inclination I would take pity of him: But I love my own Quiet better, and in the present Posture of my Affairs, I must not give my Husband the least Ground to mistrust me. As young as I was, I could infer from thence, That I must expect the same Fate, if her Husband came to suspect me. However, I kept my Thoughts to myself, and seemed to applaud what my Heart could not but disapprove.  
This Lover of hers knowing that my Visits were freely admitted of, had found the Means to be acquainted with me, that he might have the Pleasure to discourse of her, and I could scarce forbear undeceiving him, when I saw him persuaded that his Mistress' Disdain proceeded from an excessive Virtue. At last I took so much Compassion on him, and that Woman seemed to me so undeserving his passionate Affection, that I resolved to free him from his Error. I wrote a Letter to him, as unknown, and in a Counterfeited Hand, whereby I gave him Notice, That the Duchess was not the Woman she appeared to be, and that if he would watch her at such Time as a young Abbot used to visit her, he might be convinced of her Falsehood. Being myself the Abbot, I was indeed very inconsiderate, to make that Discovery which might have proved of a fatal Consequence to me▪ but I was young and conceited, and I found a secret Pleasure in showing him that I was more happy than himself; So that, in Truth my Vanity had more share in that Action than either my Generosity or the Pity I took of him.  
My Letter came safe to his Hands, and tho' he gave little Credit to it, yet he resolved to make use of the Advice. He took his Opportunity to get into the Apartment where I used to see the Duchess, and hid himself behind the Tapestry, in a Corner, where he had room enough to stand unseen, and whence he might easily hear all we said. Neither the Duchess nor I knew any thing of his being there, and it was about Three in the Afternoon, the Hour we usually met at: Scarce had we been a quarter of an Hour together but we heard some Noise behind the Hangings. The Duchess ran to see what it was, and found him in a Swoon, and almost breathless; so great had been his Amazement at what had passed.  
I admired the Resolution and Presence of Mind she showed on that occasion. Get you gone, said she, and let me alone to manage this Business. I did not give her the Trouble of repeating it a second Time, but was very glad to get out of a place where I thought it not safe for me to remain.  
I was no sooner gone but the Duchess called one of her Women to her, and showing her the Man behind the Hangings, bid her, Turn him out of the House: Adding, He was a Madman, and that Love had turned his Brain. Her Husband came in that very Minute; and asked, What was the Matter; It is, answered she, without the least concern, that fool— who was come to see me, and had the good Nature to drop down because I would not hear his Impertinence. Come, my Dear, it is not so proper for you to stay here, let's walk off, and leave to her the Care of sending him home.  
The Duke led off his Spouse, fond caressing her, and praising her unparallelled Virtue; while our Lover came to himself, and went out without speaking a Word. I did not doubt but he would be revenged on the Duchess and myself, and repent at Leisure for the Pains I had taken to undeceive him, but I soon perceived his Resentment was not at all prejudicial to me. He resolved to despise her as much as he had ever loved her, and in that he showed more Wisdom and Discretion than I have since done in the like occasion. Being a very generous Person, he took no notice of this Adventure, and always spoke well of the Duchess. I took great Care not to be in his Way, and seldom saw him since, for he died a few Months after, of a Wound he received at the Taking of the City of Salses.  
This was not the only Hint I had of the Duchess' good Nature, she gave her Husband another Instance of it, and that in a manner yet more cruel than what we last mentioned, and which made me begin to fear in earnest. Before she had received my Addresses she had pitched upon a Gallant, not quite so young as I was, who was Son to her Nurse, and had persuaded the Duke to prefer him to be her Page, for in those Days they made Pages of riper Years than now. That young Man was still in her Family, when she took a Fancy to me. He was very rash and addleheaded, which made her Son see there was not much to be expected from him; and it was to that Consideration I owed my good Fortune. She judging the Complacency she had for me might make him jealous, resolved to put it out of his Reach to hurt her, if he should resent it. To effect this, she made him suspicious to her Husband; telling him, He was so audacious as to make a Declaration of Love to her. The Duke immediately took Fire, and without any further Examination, called the Page, threatening to cut his Throat for his Impudence, if he did not immediately quit his Service. The Youth, without being frighted thereat, answered, That if he had made Love to his Lady, she made the first Advances; and, as a Proof of it, produced a Note of here's, he had yet in his Possession. The Husband having showed it to his Lady, she told him with the greatest Confidence, That it was her Hand, but she knew not how he came by it, for it was a Note she had sent to a Lady of her Acquaintance: And indeed unfortunately for the Page, the Note was wrote in such a manner that it was hard to discover whether it was to a Man or to a Woman. The Duke was easily persuaded the business was as his Lady had represented it, and the poor young Man appeared to be guilty of a double Insolence, his Crime seeming much height'ned by that aggravating Circumstance. This was not all, the Duchess had presented him with several rich Jewels, which she knew he had kept; so she accused him to her Husband, not only of that Arrogancy but also of Thievery, saying, She miss a thousand things of Value, which she could tax no body else with. The poor young Man's Trunk was searched, and the Jewels found in it; whereupon the Duke would have prosecuted him, but his Lady, a mild, goodnatured thing, interceded with her Husband, That he would only discharge him his Service. The Page, presently after, got a Commission, but was unfortunately killed in the first Engagement he was in.  
It may well be guessed I was very uneasy at my being so far engaged with a Woman, who, I saw, was so ready to sacrifice her Lovers to her Husband's Jealousy; but I knew not how to break with her; and besides, my Ambition fastened me to her, whom my Reason inclined me to abhor. In the mean while, I applied myself to my Studies, and began to be in some Reputation among my Fellow-students, tho' I had as yet no Preferment in the Church, neither, indeed, did I look on the Profession I had undertaken as a lasting one, since I well foresaw the Duchess' Kindness would come to an End in a short Time, and then my Reverence would end with it.  
A Woman came to me one Morning, to acquaint me, That there was a Person who had a Fat Benefice in his Disposal, that would gladly bestow it upon me, and that through her Means I might, when I would, come to the Speech of him. I presently imagined she was used to make such Bargains, and she frankly owned, that she had put it into that Person's Head, in Hopes I would not forget her Kindness. I hearkened to her Proposal, more out of Curiosity than for any Fondness I had for the Benefice, and she appointed me at S. Martin's Gate, the next Day. I came thither, and was carried into an ill-looked House, where being climbed up to the second Story, I found a Girl of about Twenty, very ugly, but extraordinary well dressed; who addressing herself to me in a familiar way, said, Her Mother was coming, who would inform me further of the Benefice I had been told of, and that in the mean time she was glad to have an occasion to converse with an old Acquaintance. Never was I more puzzled in my Life, for I could not call to mind that I ever had seen her before, tho' she would have persuaded me that I knew her very well. It came in my Head to tell her, That I supposed she designed to try me by that Civility, and that she knew wellenough that a Churchman ought not to be acquainted with Ladies. She appeared to be satisfied with this Answer, saying, She was very glad to see she was not mistaken in me, and that her Mother had indeed looked upon me as a Man whose extraordinary Sanctity might entitle me to Church-preferments. With that she made me a long Sermon, at which I was amazed, to hear a Girl talk so well of Piety, who by the beginning of her Discourse seemed rather to have been inclined to speak to another purpose. By that time the Mother came in, who began with embracing me, and then told me a long Story, the burden of which was, That I should, before a Month were over, see myself, through her means, one of the richest Clergymen in France. I thanked her for her good Will, and was going to take my Leave, when a Lady came in with a Purse, saying, She made a Gathering for a Person of Quality, who was fallen under an extreme Necessity. Ah! my Dear, said the Mother, we must remember the Poor; and put Three Pistols into the Purse: The Daughter gave Two, admonishing me that I should be charitable; and I pulled out a Crown, saying, When I should enjoy the Benefice I might afford more liberal Alms. I grew Jealous at these Proceedings, and feared I had Sharpers to deal withal: However, I dissembled my Thoughts, and told them, I should be very glad to hear from them as soon as possible. I did not tarry long, for the Mother having, in the Discourse we had together, told me, That she had another Daughter in a Nunnery, I was surprised to see her at my Lodging the next Day, with that pretended Daughter of hers, who might be about Fifteen or Sixteen Years old, and seemed very Melancholy. The Sight of that pretty Maid engaged me to feign an Agreement to the Proposal about the Benefice, that I might have a Pretence to see her, in visiting the Mother; which I did Two Days after. I was received by that young Woman, who appeared yet more sad than when she was at my Lodgings; and I could not forbear ask her the Cause of her Grief. She looked first about her, and seeing no person near, told me with Tears in her Eyes, That the Woman of the House was no Mother of hers, but had stole her from her Friends while she was a Child, so that she knew not whom to call Father. These Words were attended with a Shower of Tears; which so moved me with Compassion that I promised her I would take her out of that House. She seemed revived at this Answer, and said, If I had that Charity for her, I should take her away immediately. I am ordered, said she, to entertain you alone, in hopes you may be rude to me; which if you were, there are Rogues ready to hector you, with a Design to bubble you out of your Mony. I found then what Danger I was exposed to in remaining there, and began indeed to fear, lest I should not go out as brisk as I came in: So I rose, intending to be gone, and telling her, She should not trouble herself, and that I would not suffer her to remain long in such a House: But she, not content therewith, would needs follow me out, fearing, if I went without her, I should forget my Promise. While I was making fresh Protestations, That I would be true to my Word, in came Two Men with drawn Swords in their Hands, who accosted me in a very rude manner, crying, So, so Monsieur l'Abbe; what! you love the Ladies, it seems. I answered them as civilly as I could, telling them, more than once, I was their humble Servant. The Mother, without more ado, said, She must send for a Commissary, and that she would have Satisfaction for the Wrong I would have done her Daughter. I protested to her, That I had no ill Design, desiring her to inquire of her Daughter. The Girl cried and spoke not a Word: As for me, I was at a great Loss what to do; however, I resolved to brazen it out, saying, I was not unwilling the Commissary should be sent for. In that very Minute there was great Knocking at the Chamber Door, and the young Woman, under Pretence of seeing who it was, opened the Door, and rushing out, signed to me, that I should follow her. The new Visitors, whose coming was very seasonable to me, were two other Bullies, who drawing upon those that had assaulted me, cried out, Are you there, you Rascals, we are glad we have met with you. I did not stay to see how those would answer the Compliment, but got away as fast as I could, left my Company should have been Troublesome to the Gentlemen, who, I saw were upon Business, and got down Stairs; where I found the Maid, who taking me by the Arm, hurried me into the Street. So I went out with the poor Girl, who was all in Tears, while the Mother was at her Window, crying out, Help, Thieves, Murder. The Neighbours got together, and I was in a moment surrounded with above One hundred Persons, who were questioning me what was the Matter. My Companion prayed me, for God's sake, to get away: I was so giddy, and out of Countenance, that I could not tell what to do; but, she being more resolute, made Way through the Crowd, and along we went, attended by a numerous but troublesome Train, till we got to a Broker's, who harboured us and sent away the Mob. I had lost my Hat and my short Cloak and Band were all to pieces, and the young Woman was in as bad a pickle. The Broker could not tell what to make of us, nor I what account to give him, so he concluded it must be some Fortune I had stole, and very civilly offered me his Service, which I readily accepted, and we remained in that House the rest of that Day. She expressed a great Joy, to see herself out of that Woman's Hands, at whose House I had found her, and calling me her Deliverer, earnestly begged of me that I would not forsake her. I sent the Man of the House to the Duchess, with a Letter; wherein I gave her Notice of my Adventure, desiring her to send me a Coach: She came by herself at Night, and would take me away with her. Then I made her a full Relation of what had passed, and how I found myself entrusted with the young Woman. Her Beauty moved the Duchess' Compassion, and she carried her home, assuring me that she would keep her, till she could find a Nunnery wherein to place her. This being done, I went to my Lodging, where I was told it was noised about, That I was fallen in Love with a young Woman, and had run away with her. This Report was so strong that it was impossible for me to overcome it, and without being guilty of any other Crime, than of having ventured into a strange House, and of taking a young Woman from the ill People she was with, I went under the Scandal of a Rape, and was looked on as a Debauchee; so little Credit is to be given to outward Appearances, for all the Circumstances made against me, insomuch that had any one undertook to vindicate my Reputation, he would have made himself ridiculous. What I then experienced, to my cost, has ever since prevented my giving too speedy a Credit to the Aspersions cast on other People, and whenever I had heard any one ill spoken of, I have thought there might be as little Ground for it as for those laid upon myself.  
This Accident made me determine to throw off the Narrow Band, foreseeing, that after the Noise it had made, it would be hard for me to thrive in a Condition, wherein a Man can never be easy whose Reputation is once tainted. Besides, my Inclination still turned the Scale, and tho' I was but very young, yet I apprehended how Troublesome that State must needs be, which obliging Men to be of a more rigid and austere Life, exposes them to be scorned and ridiculed for that which is an Accomplishment in other People. I was too brisk for an Hypocrite, my Conversation was sprightly, and I had a natural Tendency to the fair Sex. This often procured me sharp Reprimands from my Superiors, and I thought, that to set myself off to the best Advantage I must quit a Habit which prescribed me too narrow Bounds. For, indeed, true Merit lies in knowing how to place one's self aright, and I have seen a thousand Persons, who by taking a Profession upon them, which they were not fit for, could never attain to the Esteem which might have been paid them, if they had applied themselves to what was most proper for them.  
I acquainted the Duchess with my Resolution, who gave her Consent thereto, the more freely, because she began to grow weary of me. I took notice of it, but what surprised me was, that she should make use of the Adventure I had had, as a Pretence for her Indifferency. No Body knew better than she did, that I no ways deserved the Scandal I went under. I had at first told her all the Truth; yet through a sudden Alteration of her Mind, she said, that after what had happened, it were imprudent in her to suffer me to visit her often, since she could not persuade the World I was a sober Man, whilst it was so strongly bend to believe the contrary. This made me take Notice of what I have since had a Thousand Instances of, that their number is but small who are generous enough to justify an absent Friend.  
I was very easy at the Duchess' change; but the Maid's Ungratefulness, whom I had saved from certain Ruin, gave me no small Trouble. The Duke was at first Sight so taken with her, that he grew stark mad for her, and expressed so much Passion that the Damsel, who was not so great a Child as she appeared to be, resolved to make her Advantage of it. She seemed to resist him, which so increased his Passion that every Body took Notice of it. The Duchess was, or pretended to be jealous thereat; and being desirous to send her away as speedily as possible, made use of me to persuade her to suffer her self to be carried into a Nunnery, unknown to the Duke. I not doubting in the least but she had a great Respect for me, after the important Service I had done her, proposed the thing to her, telling her, of how great a concern it was to her, to keep in Favour with her Lady. She asked me why I troubled myself? Which, indeed, put me into a great Passion: I could not forbear taxing her with Ingratitude; which she answered by affronting me: And desired me, Not to concern myself with her Business, denying, with the utmost Confidence, that I had ever laid any Obligation upon her. Good Gods! how was I amazed at her Impudence? and how often did I cry out, What Creatures Women are? Having left her, I went and desired the Duchess to dispose of her as she pleased, giving her an account of the Discourse we had had. The Duchess found she had a cunning Jilt to deal withal, and resolved to send her back to the Place whence I had brought her. Enquiry was made for the Woman, who went for her Mother, but she was not to be found; and we understood the pretended Mother, the other Daughter, and the Bullies, that had affronted me, were all packed off.  
The Duchess, not knowing what to do with her, and being resolved to get rid of her, did not stick to put her out of Doors; and one Night that wretched Creature was forced from her Chamber and carried into an Hospital without the Suburbs, to the Directors of which she was recommended as a poor friendless Maid, whom they would do a Deed of Charity to receive into that House.  
The Duke was in the Country, and I knew nothing of all this; but it was not long ere I understood it: For the Duke came Home, and not finding her there, asked what was become of her? The Duchess answered, She had not heard of her since one Morning, that she went out unknown to any Body, and that she supposed he best knew where she was. The Duke fretted, swore and threatened, and came presently to me, thinking I might inform him; which it were strange if I should, being ignorant of the matter. While I protested to him, That I could give him no account of the Girl, a Servant came to tell me, That there was a Gown-man that wanted to speak with me. I answered, I could not leave my Lord Duke, and that I desired him to call another Time. But he was urgent to speak with me, and, with the Duke's Leave he was called in; then taking me aside, Sir, said he, it is unconscionable in you, after you have debauched a poor Girl, to send her into an Hospital; I must tell you we can keep her no longer, and that we desire you to take her away. I prayed him to explain his meaning, and understood he was one of the Directors of the Hospital, and that the Slut had informed them, I had sent her thither. The Duke took notice that we spoke with a great deal of Heat, and asked, What was the Matter? whereupon the Priest told him what we were discoursing about. The Duke grew extreme angry, and calling me a Rogue and a Rascal, said, He would take Care of her; and leaving me, took the Clergyman into the Coach with him, ordering him to direct his Coachman to the Hospital. I vowed to him, I had no Hand in the Business, earnestly begged I might go with him, and offered to convince him out of the Girl's own Mouth, That I had no Share in what passed. But the Duke would by no means permit me, and was accompanied by none but the Clergyman, swearing he would be revenged on me. Away they went, and I ran to the Duchess', to give her an account how matters stood, at which she was much surprised; but taking the Hint from the Opinion she understood her Husband was prepossessed with, That I had sent the Girl into the Hospital, she secretly resolved not to undeceive him, but to let the Weight of the Duke's Anger fall upon me: So all the ill of this second Adventure fell to my Share. The Duke took his Mistress home again, and has never since had any Kindness for me; the Duchess, on the other Hand, protested to him, she was ignorant where the Maid was gone, and, to regain his Favour, winked at the Kindness he had for her, which lasted three or Four Years; after which he married her to a Captain, who has since raised her to a considerable Fortune, insomuch that she was reckoned one of the richest Ladies at Court, and was in no small Esteem: It is not long since she died.  
Being fixed in my Design, of leaving the Clergy, I wrote to my eldest Brother about it; who very well approved of my Resolution, and sent me some Money, that I might come to him. He was then in the Roussillon, but ordered me to wait for him at Lions, where he intended suddenly to be; in Hopes of seeing Monsieur de Cinq Mars, who had been so good to him; and was to be brought there, after his Condemnation, in order, as it was reported, to suffer a shameful Death.  
I then clapped on a Sword, and taking my Leave of my Brethren, Abbots (some of whom have since attained to considerable preferments in the Church; which has often made me repent that I did not stay among them) I arrived at Lions, where I met my Brother, who had disguised himself, that he might the easier find an Opportunity to see his dear Friend, and receive his last Orders.  
I had hitherto met with Instances of the Female Sex's Inconstancy, but I now found stronger Proofs of the little Trust that is to be reposed 〈…〉 of the Great, and on 〈…〉, in the unhappy Death of poor 〈◊〉 de Cinq Mars, who was brought to Lions the next day after my arrival. My Brother and I went, dressed like Servingmen, near to the Town-Hall-Gate, that he might see us, as he came out of his Coach. He took Notice of us, and judging from our Habit that we were there incognito, desired he might be permitted to speak with us, alleging we had been Servants of his. It was pretty hard for him to obtain that Favour, but we acting our parts wellenough, and neither our clothes nor our Behaviour betraying us, were, a Moment after, admitted into his Chamber. We could not forbear breaking out into Floods of Tears, as we embraced him, but he, smiling on us, What, my dear Friends, said he, could you then think all this were real, and that the King would ever suffer me to be put to Death? My Brother, who was better informed than I that his Condition was hopeless, redoubled his Grief, seeing him so confident, and embracing him with a more fervent Zeal, expressed so deep a Sorrow, that Monsieur de Cinq Mars changed Colour, and starting back, What then, cried he, are they in earnest? My Brother continued embracing him, and shedding abundance of Tears, but had not Power to speak a Word; and Monsieur de Cinq Wars, seeing he could not get any Answer from him, turns to me, saying, What is the meaning of all this? He had no sooner spoke, but I saw so great an Alteration in his Face that I thought he would have swooned, and my Brother, throwing his Arms about his Friend's Neck; Ah! dear Sir, said he, your Misfortune is but too certain. Here he remained speechless, and Monsieur de Cinq Mars falling on a sudden from deep Sadness into an extravagant Passion: What, said he, must I be tricked thus! This was followed by a torrent of Oaths and Imprecations, which my Brother stopped, by saying, That he thought it his Duty, as his real Friend and Servant, to advise him to forgive his Enemies, and prepare for Death. Ah! As for Death, replied Monsieur de Cinq Mars, it is not that troubles me, but I never can forgive the Procurers of it: And then he told us, How the King had formerly given him frequent Assurances, That he would die rather than forsake him. My Brother heard them without Interruptions, and when he had done, informed him, in a few Words, How there was no Favour to be expected from his Majesty. Monsieur de Cinq Mars continued his Discourse, sometimes cursing the Court, sometimes contriving his Escape, and then desired my Brother to lend him a Dagger, to stab himself withal; and having no Answer, he fell down in his Chair, saying, I see, dear Friend, that I am lost: What shall I do? Then growing a little more sedate; 'Tis true, said he, I find I must prepare for a Future State: Well, I am resolved to do it, and since I have been so cruelly deceived in this World, I must prevent my being so in the next. He wept while he spoke these last Words; and my Brother exhorted him not to dwell upon the Thoughts of what had passed, but to prepare himself for his ensuing Death. This Conversation lasted about Two Hours, and we had the Consolation to behold him very calm, tho' without any Hope or Thoughts of a Pardon. He begged we would excuse his Weakness and want of Moderation, and gave some Commissions for my Brother to execute; desiring him not to quit Lions till he had seen what would become of him. We departed, glad to leave him in so good a Disposition. There was no possibility for us to see him any more, for his Execution came on presently after, at which we were present, getting as near to the Scaffold as we could, where he appeared with an undaunted Courage, and was as resolute as when we left him. When first he mounted the Scaffold, he looked about him, with a Design (as we thought) to spy us out; and I know not whether he did or no, but he bowed towards us. Indeed, I could not bear that doleful Sight, but cast down my Eyes, which I lifted not up, till I had heard the fatal Blow. Then I saw his Trunk, out of which issued a Stream of Blood; Upon which my Brother said, Let us be gone, the Business is over. We, rather dead than living, were no sooner at home but we got to Bed, where my Brother remained a longer Time than I did, being really fallen sick upon it. I had all the Reason imaginable to love my dear Brother, who had been so kind to me, but the Instance he then gave me of his good Nature, increased the Affection I bore him. He often told me, Monsieur de Cinq Mars' Misfortune proceeded from the Passion he had for some Women, who were the cause of his ill Conduct. This and the Experience I had of the Falsehood of that Sex, while at Paris, made me firmly resolve never to engage myself any more with them. But, alas, there is little heed to be given to such kind of Resoutions; the Love of Women is a dangerous Rock, on which, tho' warned by numberless Shipwrecks, yet the Springtide of our Inclination will still hurry us. But, if I had no reason to speak well of them in my younger Days, it grew ten times worse when a riper Age gave Place to a more refined and constant Passion.  
I followed my Brother into Catalonia, where my first Campaign made me an Eye-witness of the taking of Perpignan, and the Conquest of all the Roussillon. I served then in his Regiment, and in some occasions convinced him I was no Coward, for I was more daring than usual in the first Engagements; a Military Life began to please me, and being well read in History, I fancied myself to tread in the Steps of Cesar or Alexander, which animated my Soul with an Heroic Courage.  
About the latter End of October we returned to Paris, after the Battle of Lerida, gained by the Marshal de la Mothe. He presented me to the Cardinal de Richelieu, giving me all the Praise that can well be bestowed on a young Man. The Cardinal, who knew my Brother, and was not ignorant of his Intimacy with Monsieur de Cinq Mars, told me, (which I understood not in what Sense to take) That I had a very discreet Brother, and that I should do well to follow his Example. My Brother, who was present, making no reply, he repeated over-again, That I had a very discreet Brother; adding, That he knew him to be so: And promised us all possible Favour, provided we would stick to our Duty.  
This Visit being ended, I asked my Brother, Why the Cardinal had insisted so much on his Discretion; and he informed me, That the Cardinal had, two Days before, sent for him, to discourse with him about Monsieur de Cinq Mars: That he seemed to him to be very much concerned on his account, and had asked him several Questions, especially For what Reason Monsieur de Cinq Mars had such an Aversion for him. To which, he told me, he had answered, That he had no knowledge of the Designs or secret Inclinations of Monsieur de Cinq Mars; and the Cardinal not having appeared satisfied with this Reply, he supposed what he had said was by way of Reflection. This made us think the Cardinal would rather be an Enemy than a Friend to us: But the Death of that Prelate, which happened the Fourth Day of December following, soon rid us of those Fears.  
I was then Eighteen Years old, we lived with my Mother, who allowed us Meat, Drink and Lodging; but we could not oblige her to do more for us, by reason she had made a Shift, what by her Settlement and other Pretensions, to get from us the little Estate my Father had left. My Brother, the Count, was also with us, and she had taken home my Sister, who was near Thirty, and had constantly refused to remain in the Convent as a Nun. My Mother had a Design to marry her to a young Officer, whom she had the entire Management of. It was an ill Match for her Daughter, but she, who had no greater Desire than to get rid of her, thought it good enough, provided he would but agree to it. Fearing, however, it might sound ill that she should consent to so unequal a Marriage, she endeavoured to vindicate herself, by bringing things about in such a Manner, as that she might seem to have been forced to it; and there I had an Instance how basely Parents seek rather their own Satisfaction than their Child's Happiness, may act to their Prejudice. The Way she made use of was, to make People believe he had debauched her; and to compass her Design, she left them alone as long as they pleased. By this means the Officer fell in Love with my Sister, and endeavoured all he could to do what my Mother intended; but she resisted him, either out of Virtue or a want of Kindness for him. Her Coyness added fresh Fuel to the Fire, for he grew more Passionate, and through my Mother's secret Assistance (tho' not appearing in the Matter) easily got into my Sister's Chamber, while she was asleep. My Mother having quickly Intelligence, made us all be called up, to surprise them together; whereupon we went into the Room, when my Mother, without admitting any Excuses, made the Officer promise, He would marry her the next Day: Which was done, tho' my Sister swore there had nothing passed between them that might any way prejudice her Honour. But she was forced to comply, and fearing, lest a Mother, who was so unworthy as to expose her thus, should punish her worse some other way, she consented to marry a Man whom she had never any Respect for; but all my Mother got by their Wedding was, that she coupled two Persons together, who soon became a Charge to her.  
My Brother, tho' he had no Estate besides his Commission, had long since thought of getting him a Wife; he loved and was beloved by a Person of the first Quality. The Match would have been very equal, had her Parents given their Consent; for tho' my Brother bore not so high a Title, yet his Family was more Ancient, and his own personal Merit, with the honourable Post he had in the Army, made him be not a little respected; but he had not as yet attained to the pitch of Preferment he arrived to afterward, and they judged of him then but by the smallness of his Estate. That Lady was denied him, and he resolving to be married, espoused a rich Partizan's Daughter, who brought him near Four hundred thousand Livers. This Marriage was the making of him, and he was in the Right, to consider, that how great soever his Desert might be, he could never put himself forward, without an Estate to support it.  
The Lady whom he had courted, was enraged at it, tho' he had taken no little Pains to make her sensible, That it was a Folly in him to persist in loving her. She was not satisfied with his Arguments, for she was obstinate and opinionated, and affected to contemn Wealth and Honour as much as my Brother seemed to respect both. In a Word, she would have made a fine Character in a Novel.  
My Brother, who had a great Affection for me, kept nothing of all this from my Knowledge, and I was informed by him how he had disobliged her. My Head being full of Romances, I admired his Mistress' Humour, and blamed my Brother for having married against her Will; nay, I found myself inclined to affect so Romantic a Person, and would gladly have been in her Favour: But the Count, my Brother, had prevented me, having already engaged her. I do not know whether she loved him, or whether it was to spite my eldest Brother, that she seemed to admit of his Addresses, but I perceived they were pretty familiar, when I designed to make my Applications to her. My Brother, being a Brute, who kept no Measures with any one, I thought fit to put off my Courtship to another Time. All I did was to tell my eldest Brother of it; who foreseeing what might follow, and having yet some Respect for the Lady, seriously advised my Brother to desist. He presently acquainted his Mistress with it; who, thinking my eldest Brother had done it out of Jealousy, and resolving to provoke him as far as she could, proposed his running away with her: Which, suiting with his Temper, he readily embraced, for he was vain and rash enough to have attempted the stealing of a Princess.  
They put all things in readiness to effect their Purpose, but a Person whom the Lady entrusted with it, and who dreaded the Event, acquainted her Father with it; who sent her immediately into a Nunnery, forbidding my Brother ever to come near her. The Fool sent him a Challenge, which the other slighting, obtained an express Order for his Imprisonment, and he remained Two Years in the Bastile, wherein the Lady's Father caused him to be confined.  
We were not sorry for our being rid of him, seeing he was always full of Encumbrances, which occasioned no small Trouble to us; besides, I had still a Secret Inclination for the Young Lady, and all she had done on that Score did but enhance my Desires. I was heartily vexed that she should not have pitched upon me sooner than on that giddy Coxcomb. My Vanity was offended at it, and I wished for an Opportunity of gaining her heart; so unaccountable are the means whereby the several Passions creep into our Breast; for, to speak the Truth, the Motive of my Love should rather have been a Reason for my Contempt. My Thoughts ran wholly upon that beautiful Person, and I longed to see her in the Convent where she was For which end, I represented to my Brother, That what she had done, being but through a fit of Anger, he ought not to desert her; this I did so effectually, that he resolved to make her a Visit, and carried me with him. He would not appear in it at first, but sent me to her in a Foot-mans' Disguise, as tho' I had come from her Father. She came to me, and having known me, expressed no little Joy; and I forgetting that my Errand was but to give her Notice of my Brother's coming, I mentioned not a Word of him, but spoke only of myself. I upbraided her with her Intriegue with my Brother, the Count, as an Injustice she had done me, who was her most passionate Adorer. This Declaration was answered in a very obliging manner, for she desired me to write to her daily, and see her often, and assured me she would be wholly at my Devotion. Our Conversation lasted so long, that my Brother growing impatient, came in to see what stayed me there all that while, and desired me to withdraw. I was not over-well satisfied at it, but fearing to disoblige him, I went out, and stood close to the Door, listening to their Discourse.  
I heard, that after the shedding of several Tears, she said, She was unhappy in having settled her Love on that Brother of the three who had the least Affection for her, and thereupon she gave him an account of all I had said to her. I could scarce forbear interrupting her in her Treachery; however, I did not, but heard my Brother admonish her not to hearken to young Men, who only sought her Ruin, but by a sober and modest behaviour to regain her Father's Good Will, and then to think of a Husband that might deserve her; as for him, he would remain her sure and constant Friend. She answered these wholesome Admonitions by a fresh Shower of Tears and new Reproaches, swearing his Inconstancy should not be unpunished, but that herself would revenge it by his Blood. My Brother having endeavoured, in vain, to appease her, left her, and we came back. He told me, by the way, That he was happy not to have married her, and that she was of a dangerous violent Temper, and one who would not stick at any thing to compass her Ends; an Instance of which was, That she had pretended to him that I had courted her. I cried out, Oh, the jilt! I had not Power to say any more, but the Tears came in my Eyes. My Brother fell a laughing, and by the Exhortations he made me, To be very wary in my Addresses, and take Care what Women I had to deal withal, made me suspect he did believe her. I was vexed to the Heart, at what had happened, and charmed at the same Time with my Brother's Goodness and Moderation, who did not express any Dissatisfaction with me, but only advised me, for my own sake, not to concern myself with her. I followed his Counsel, tho' something unwillingly, and, I think, I should have went on my own way, had not two things happened; one, that she married a Person of Quality in the Country, and the other, that my Brother being ordered away to the Army, I was obliged to accompany him thither.  
We went into Champagne, which was that Year become the Seat of the War, and my Brother's Regiment, with some other Troops of Reserves, were ordered to stay under the Walls of Charleville. My Brother, who had been made a Brigadier General, followed the Duke d'Anguin, leaving me to look after his Regiment, during the Battle at Rocroy. I was not a little troubled that I could not be there, and tho' I had that Year obtained a Company in my Brother's Regiment, and that all the Officers paid me a great Respect, yet I should have been inconsolable, had I not met with a handsome Maid, who employed my Thoughts another way. She was Daughter to a Citizen of that Town; but besides her Beauty, her Carriage raised her above her Birth, and both together kindled a Passion in me, which she answered with an equal Flame: She was going to marry a young Man of that Town, when I first grew acquainted with her, but her Aversion to a Citizen's Life was so great that she owned, She had rather be my Mistress all her Life, than to be married to that Man. For, said she, I cannot pretend that you should marry me; I weigh too well the Difference between your Quality and mine, and should never require it of you: But I will trust to your Honour, and leave myself to your Disposal, too happy in enjoying your Love and Conversation.  
Indeed I was so transported to hear her talk thus, that I thought I had never loved till then; so great was the Difference between what I felt for her, and what I had felt for others. I answered, Her Heart was all I could covet; and that if I might contribute to her Bliss, I would marry her that very moment. No, no, said she, do not think of that, only contrive to place me where we may freely give and receive Tokens of each other's Love. We agreed, that after the Campaign was over, I should send for her to Paris, and that she would, the whilst, make her Friends believe she had a mind to enter into a Religious House. She was wholly guided by me; but I, at last, overcome with a strong Desire of enjoying her, resolved to marry; and having made a Contract and got a Priest and some Witnesses, we went into the Country, where we made a Wedding; to which the most essential Formalities were wanting, and which seemed as good as any to us Two, who understood not what was requisite for its Validity. No Body knew of it but such Persons as must needs be entrusted with it, and, about a Fortnight after, finding a Necessity for me to be gone, she went into a Nunnery, declaring to her Friends, That she had renounced all Thoughts of a Husband, and had made a Vow to lead a Holy Life. They, who had already begun to be jealous at my frequent Visits, were glad to see her so well disposed, and readily consented to what she had a mind to impose on their Belief; and she, the better to cover her Design, took a Nun's Habit. I also gave over visiting her, as soon as she had taken it, but I was present at that Ceremony, wherein I just got a Minute to bid her adieu; for towards the latter end of july our Regiment was ordered for the Siege of Thionville. Her Noviciat being to last a Year, I pro●●ised her, That before that Time were 〈◊〉 I would take her from that Nunnery, and carry her to Paris. She told me, She thought herself with Child, and begged I would not let her stay too long there. I swore with all possible Sincerity, That I would be as good as my Word, so soon as the Forces should be in their Winter-Quarters, and left her, being possessed with all the Love and Grief my Heart was capable of. We had taken our Measures for Writing to each other, but our Letters were intercepted, and she did not hear from me all the while the Campaign lasted. There was no possibility of my leaving the Army to fetch her out of that Convent, or of being informed of the Cause of her Silence; for after the taking of Thionville, we were sent into Germany, to reinforce the Marshal de Guebrant's Army. I never could obtain Leave to be absent, but remained most part of the Winter there; all I could do was to order some Soldiers, that went for France, to call at Charleville, but I never heard from them since. About the latter end of March I came to Paris, and the very next Day rid Post for Charleville, for I was almost distracted through the Impatience and Anguish I had, not to have heard, for Ten Months together, from a Person, whom I was so tender of, and for whom my Flame was increased by my Uneasiness at the Ignorance I remained in of her Condition.  
Being arrived at Charleville about Three in the Afternoon, I saw a Multitude of People got together; and having asked what was the matter, I was informed that they were going to hang a young Woman, who had murdered her unlawful Issue. I presently saw the Prisoner coming along, attended by a Confessor and a Hangman; but, good Gods! How great was my Amazement, when fixing my Eyes on that unfortunate Person, I found her to be the same I had so great a Desire to see! There was such an Alteration in her Face, that none but a Lover could have known her; and as often as I think on the sad Estate she was in, I cannot forbear weeping at the melancholy Reflection.  
I adored her, with the utmost Passion, my Esteem for her was not inferior to my Love, and I never had known any thing of her but what deserved my Admiration; then let it be judged how these Impressions could affect my Soul at such a Sight: I was ready to drop down with Grief and astonishment; but having some Presence of Mind, I made way through the Crowd, crying out, as loud as I could, Grace, Grace. The People hearing that, thought I really brought a Reprieve, and began to flock about me. I saw the Signs of a general Joy appear in every Countenance, and was thereby encouraged to cry out louder yet, that every one should assist me in saving her. With this, part of them began to pull down the Gallows, while the boldest followed me, and having routed the Officers of Justice, she was left to our Management. They took her, and gave her into my Arms, as I sat on Horseback; and I, embracing her, spurred on, and got without the Walls. The Catchpoles made a show of following me, but my kind Confederates shut the City-Gates upon me, and I found myself in one of the Suburbs, where I met with no Opposition; far from that, a Man, who let Horses out to hire, seeing mine could scarce gallop, gave me a fresh one; on which I mounted, without abandoning my Prey. And more than all this, Four Horsemen, well equipped, came, of their own good Will, to offer me their Service; so easily is the People moved to save from Punishment, such as are convicted of certain Crimes, occasioned by Despair. I got out then, with my Four Companions, and having galloped for about a League, went into a Wood to take a little Breath, and endeavouring to set my Mistress up behind me, being not able to hold her in my Arms any longer: She was in a Swoon, and had so little Breath, that having laid her down, I thought she had been really dead. One of the Men that were with me, who was stronger and less tired than myself, told me, It was not safe staying where we were, and that he would undertake to carry her thus till Night. We got up on Horseback, and at Two the next Morning arrived at a Town Twelve League distant from Charleville; so great was the Speed we had made. There we rested Two Hours, and the first thing we did was to put the poor Gentlewoman into a very hot Bed, where she began to give some Signs of Life. I was near her all the while, and the Joy I conceived at her Deliverance was not great enough to stifle the Vexation I was in, at the Thoughts of what she had endured, and of her present Condition. At length she opened her Eyes, and having fixed them on me, without expressing any Knowledge of me, I grasped her very tenderly, and with Tears in my Eyes; Ah! said I, do you not then know me? She changed Colour, and raising herself up, asked me, in a Fright, What, Sir, are you dead? I answered, No. I was living; and, at length, by often telling her who I was, she came to herself again, and I had the Comfort of seeing her Fit had left no dangerous Symptoms.  
Who can express the Ecstasy I was in, when I saw her alive again; and the Joy, the Tenderness and Love I was possessed with, when her Eyes discovered, that she was as sensible to the Pleasure of seeing me, as I to that, of once more possessing her! Those (if any) are happy Moment's. We embraced each other, without uttering one Word, for our Tears and Sighs would have stopped our Speech, had the Transport we were in permitted us to talk. But our Joys were disturbed by the necessity of pursuing our Journey; and, by good Fortune, we found there a kind of Horselitter, wherein we placed her; and thus we came to Reims by break of Day. We hid ourselves in a private House, where my obliging Company remained with me all Day, and then taking their Leave they promised me they would not betray us, but would pretend they had pursued us, and could not overtake us.  
I remained alone with that charming Person, who informed me how she had been involved in the fatal Danger I had relieved her from. Seeing, said she, that I could not hear from you, I doubted not but you had proved false to me, and that made me resolve to turn Nun, in earnest; but I was in an extraordinary Trouble, when I felt too certain Signs of my being with Child, and my Care increased as my Time drew near. I know not what kept me from destroying myself, for Death was the only thing I wished for, being depressed with the sorrow I was in, to see you had deceived me; and, with the Extremity of my Circumstances, I revealed my condition to an old Maid, which belonged to the Convent, wherein she had served a long time, and she was the only one who had any Knowledge of my being delivered, for I had the Courage not to cry out. This wicked Woman took the Child, without saying anything to me, save That she would dispose of it, and going out, before it was Day, threw it into a Rivulet that runs through the Nunnery. By a Mischance, or rather by the Direction of Divine justice, the Child being carried down the Stream, stuck to a Grate, which divided part of the Convent from a Street that is very much frequented. It was seen, and the justices sent for; who came to the Nunnery, very much scandalised. Information being given to the Abbess, she easily found out I was the Mother; and I took little Pains to justify myself, so great was the Desire I had to be rid of a Life that was grown irksome and tedious to me. So, I accused not her who had done the Fact, and every body thought me the only Criminal. None of the Nuns took any Pity of me, but all, on the contrary, did, with the utmost Severity, say, There was no Punishment bad enough for me. Thus was I delivered into the Hands of Secular justice, and all my Friend's Interest could not obtain the putting a Stop to my Sentence. I was removed to Paris, where my dreadful Doom was confirmed: And, while I was there, I wrote a Letter to you (which you will perhaps find in the Hands of your Mother's Porter) wherein I bade you farewel, and told you what Thoughts I retained for you, and that I died entirely yours.  
Here, inclining her Head in my Bosom, a Flood of Tears hindered her farther Discourse. As for me, I could not forbear weeping, during the sad Relation; which at last she ended, telling me, That when I came in, crying out Grace, she knew me; but that since that Moment she had been wholly deprived of that little Sense, which the Dread of impending Death had left her. This Disaster pierced me to the Quick, that I should have been the occasion of her Misery.  
Having recovered her Health, I asked her, What she thought of going to Paris with me? She had no reason to doubt of the Sincerity of my Affection, nevertheless, through a Generosity, which showed her Soul greater yet than I could have thought it. No, said she, my Dear, I cannot flatter myself with the Thoughts that you love me still: The Crime I have appeared guilty of, and the shameful Sentence I lie under make me for ever unworthy your Esteem; all I expect from you is, That you would have so much Compassion on me as to procure me a Confinement, where I may spend the residue of my Life in an unfeigned and austere Penance. Ah! replied I, for God's sake, do not cherish such Fancies, I am the Criminal, you are Innocent. Nothing of this redounds to your Shame, but will rather enhance my Love and Admiration. All Arguments were fruitless, and she being persuaded that our Marriage could not stand good, was obstinately bend to turn Nun, which I promised I would not oppose, so soon as we should arrive at Paris. She suffered me to carry her thither, and I took a Lodging for her near to the Father's Recollets, in S. Laurence's Suburbs, where I left, and returned Home. There I found the Letter she had spoken of, which I have ever since kept by me, and will insert here, in confirmation of her Generosity.  
I Date my Letter from a doleful Prison, being condemned to die, for a Crime that proceeded but from the too great Affection I bore you; for the melancholy occasion of my journey hither was, to hear the Confirmation of the dreadful Sentence I lie under. Who would have thought, alas! that I should have seen Paris, on this account, when it was there I once proposed to have been made for ever happy, by enjoying you! You will abhor the Thoughts of me, when you know through what kind of Death my Days are at an end: Nevertheless, I assure you, That how shameful soever it be, I embrace it with Pleasure, as ridding me of a Life grown tiresome to me, since you have forgot me. If you go to Charleville you will there be informed of my Gild, without your being suspected to be any ways concerned; for I have never mentioned your Name, desiring to preserve your Honour and Reputation, which I value above my own Safety. The only Favour I beg of you is, That you would cause some Masses to be said for my Soul; and that you would believe, if Heaven has Mercy on me, I shall continually interceded for your Prosperity.  
Farewell, I die wholly yours.  
I cannot express how I was moved at the Reading of this Letter: I ran to her Lodging, more determined than ever not to suffer her to part from me; there I found her not, and understood that a Father Recollet had been with her. I went to him to inquire what was become of that lovely Creature, but he would not satisfy me; and, after a Week's Search I understood she was at the Hotel Dieu, with a design to embrace a Religious Life. Thither I ran, and with much Difficulty got Leave to see her. I never was so transported; I fell at her Feet, and swore I would stab myself, if she would not hearken to me. My Despair moved her Compassion, and she said, with Tears in her Eyes; What would you do Sir? You cannot marry me and keep your Reputation, and it would be an eternal Shame to you to espouse a Woman whom you have taken from the Gallows. That is not the business, answered I, I will not marry you, since you thus refuse me, but if you must be a Nun, pray choose some other House. O! Sir, replied that charming Person, I will not be a Charge to you; I came hither because my Admittance would cost me nothing, and I cannot enter into another Convent, without putting you to an Expense, which I know you cannot well bear, Ah! said I, my Life and Fortune are devoted to you, and whatsoever it cost, I will certainly place you, where you shall not be liable to such Austerities. To this I added a thousand more endearing Expressions, but could obtain nothing from her; then she left me, with an Adieu, so moving, it wounded my very Soul. Not prevailing with her, I asked for the Prioress, and opposed her entertaining that young Woman, acquainting her, She was my Wife, and that I demanded her as such. She thereupon, sending for her, told her, She could not receive her, and so I had her again; but overcome, by her pressing Entreaties, I carried her to a little Convent, the Superior of which was my very good Friend, to whom I recommended her, as being a Woman of near concern to me.  
In the mean while, what I had done at Charleville, made no small Noise in the World, and I heard Informations were preferred against me. All my Friends had heard the Story, and I found by public Discourse, that indeed I could not marry her with Honour. I shall not relate all the several Designs that came into my Head, for I thought it very hard that I should be so great a Slave to other Men's Opinions, as not to have the Liberty of spending my Life with a Person, whose Reputation was only tainted by the Misfortune of loving me. If she would have consented to it, my Resolution was to go into England, but she was still persuaded, that I ought, for my own Credit, to let her take a Nun's Habit. My eldest Brother, to whom I related the Particulars of this Accident, told me, He pitied me, but that I was happy, however, to have met with a Person, who was of herself inclined to do what I should have persuaded her to. This he confirmed with so many good Reasons, that I saw it was necessary for me to comply with her Desires. I obtained her Pardon and my own, and then we placed her into a Nunnery of the Carmelites. My eldest Brother generously presented her with Two thousand Crowns; and I obliged her to accept of a small Annuity, which I freely gave to the Convent. We changed her Name, and concealing what had happened to her, she was admitted with a great deal of Respect, and no body has ever known who she was. She has since led a very Holy Life, and my Brother and I have for ever after had in her a sincere and assured Friend, to whom we had always recourse, when we wanted Advice or Consolation. It was with all imaginable Difficulty that I brought myself to consider her as a Person secluded from the World, and had not my Brother ever afforded me a kind Assistance, I should, no doubt, have lost my Wits. Indeed I never had so violent a Passion for any one; so that by the odd Contrivance of Fate, that only Woman, who deserved my Esteem, was one whom my Honour obliged me not to marry.  
This Adventure put me very much backwards in the World, for it was a whole Year before I would see any Body, having taken a retired Lodging, near the Carmelites, whence I never stirred, and where I lived privately; for I went under the Notion of a Man that had withdrawn himself from Conversation, and minded nothing but the way to Heaven. My Brother, however, kept my Company indisposed of, having given out that I was ill, and obliged to drink the Waters of Bourbon, which were absolutely necessary for the Recovery of my Health.  
I shall forbear giving an account of the Life I led in that kind of Hermitage, and how agreeable it was to me to discern my Carmelite's Voice from that of her Companions, while they were singing Mass. For that was the only Bliss I enjoyed, since she had, during that time, denied me her Sight; only she wrote to me sometimes, advising me to think of her no longer, and either wholly to forsake the World, or follow a Life more suitable to my Birth.  
My Brother's Desires, joined with her Admonitions, prevailed with me to return to the Army; which I did in the Year 1645. I was then but Twenty; but I thought that after the Experience I had had, it would be impossible for any Woman to delude me again. I made the Art of War my only Study, and found that the Trouble which the loss of a Woman, I loved so dearly, had given me, did not a little contribute to raise my Name; by occasioning me to seek for an Opportunity of dying with Honour, since I could no longer live with Pleasure. I fought in the Battle at Northingues, and thence went into the Marshal de Turenne's Army, where I was at the taking of Dunkespink; I may without Vanity say, That none was more bold than myself in either of these Occasions. Let men be naturally never so brave, they must be carried on by some external Motives, to attain a certain Pitch of Valour; and that which provoked me to act as I did, was rather Despair than Ambition.  
I returned not to Paris till Landaw had surrendered to Monsieur de Turenne; and there I found that my Nun's Neighbourhood increased my Melancholy Humour, for I could not forbear going to Prayers at the Carmelites. This Weakness of mine I disclosed to my Brother; who being persuaded that nothing but a long absence could perfectly cure me, proposed to me a Voyage, which I had an Opportunity to make, into Poland. The Princess Mary was to go thither about the beginning of November, and the Relation she knew we had to a Prince, whom she had loved till Death, made her desire that I would accompany her.  
I accepted of this Offer, and (to my Shame be it spoken) found in me a secret desire of pleasing the Princess, endeavouring to gain her Affection. I never reflected on what I was going to undertake; but as soon as I found I was to make that Journey, and that I should have an Opportunity of freely Conversing with her, I began to forget my Nun, and was obliged to acknowledge, That a new Mistress is a better Consolation for the Loss of an old one than either Ambition or War.  
The Princess was, on the account of her Love to the deceased Prince, much in the same Condition as I had been on that of my Carmelite. His Death was an eternal Grief to her, and she made him the Subject of our daily Discourse. ay, on the other hand, related to her what had happened to me at Charleville; and she was glad to hear I was capable of as tender and constant an Affection as herself, and we would often dispute which of us was the most unhappy, she in her Lover's Death or I in my Mistress' Confinement.  
If this was a Romance, I might here bring in the Conversations we had on that Theme, which, I dare say would equal those in Clelia or the Grand Cyrus. But, I omit all such Digressions, to stick only to my Purpose; which is, To expose, as much as I can, in these MEMOIRS, the Characters of some Women, and the dismal Consequences of engaging with them.  
Finis Lib. I.   

MEMOIRS OF THE Count de— Compiled by Monsieur SAINT E. BOOK II.  
THE Princess, at length, seemed to be resolved to find an Antidote against the Grief she conceived at the Loss of her dear Lover, in the Honours which waited for her in Poland, and it was in vain that I would persuade her to drive out that Passion by another, her Mind being wholly taken up with her Ambition, and the Grandeur she expected; she perceived, however, that I spoke through Self-Interest, and would often tell me, That had she had an Inclination for me, she would not have encouraged my Falsehood to so lovely a Person as to my Nun; but I was grown weary of that nice Fidelity, and the Princess' Discourse on that Subject was uneasy to me. At last, I told her plainly, That I loved her, which she seemed to disbelieve; but seeing I was in earnest, she grew serious upon the Matter, and said, If I talked any more so presumptuously she would send me back to France: Which Words were uttered with so scornful an Accent, that I highly resented it, and resolved not only to forbear speaking for the future, but entertaining any Thoughts of Passion for her; so I continued silent the greatest part of the Voyage. This displeased her, and she advised me, That, since I could not be in a good Humour without an Amour, I should make my Addresses to one of her Maids, which was not unhandsome; adding, That she would take care the Jest should not be carried on too far, only to make the Journey more diverting. I was not well pleased at this raillery, and resolved to court, not the young Woman she mentioned, but the first Polander I should like. This Intention, which I did not inform her with, made me as gay as ever, and the Princess, who had been dissatisfied at my being chagrine, seemed not over-well contented with my Mirth. I took all possible Care not to speak the least Word she might interpret as an Expression of my Love to her, which I the more easily effected, because I really had none. How great soever she might be, her Pride and disobliging Reflections still stuck in my Mind, and I had Sense enough to consider, That it was impossible for me to prevail with a Princess, who besides much Ambition and Haughtiness, had also a great Stock of Virtue.  
Our Journey at last grew towards an end, and we arrived in Poland. King Ladislaus came to receive his new espoused Queen, who presented me to him in a very obliging manner: Among the Retinue his Majesty gave the Queen, there was a Lady who pleased me well enough, to make me think she was the Person whose Chains I was resolved to wear. She was about Eighteen or nineteen, and Daughter to one of the greatest Lords of that Kingdom: I happened to be near her when she was presented to the Queen, who, whether she took notice of it or not, smiled, as I thought, to see me view her with great Attention, and I perceived since, that of all those which had been placed about her, she had the first share of her Majesty's Favour. The Queen's Kindness for her gave me frequent Opportunities of seeing her, and I grew very passionate, which I soon informed her of; that Lady understanding French well enough to converse in that Tongue. I was something surprised that she should be equally fond of me, but more to hear her express it in so frank a manner; but she carried her Ingenuity something too far, for the Queen having asked her, What Discourse we had together? she not only told her what I had said, but also what Answer she had returned; confessing freely, That she was very much inclined to love me The Queen made her sensible of the Inconveniencies such a Passion might be attended with, and ordered her never to speak to me in private. Her Majesty laid the same Commands also upon me, threatening to send me back into France if I disobeyed her. It was by no means my Interest to disoblige the Queen, and leave her on such an account, but I also loved that Maid, and the free and natural manner wherein she had expressed her Thoughts to me, made me dote the more on her. I found myself then in a great Dilemma, from which I was shortly after delivered, but it was to fall into a worse. I had for Eight or ten Days carefully avoided my Mistress' Company, according to the Queen's Order; when her Majesty took an Opportunity to tell me, I was easily discouraged; but, however, since I had been so obedient, she would have some Regard to my Passion, and that she gave me free Leave to visit the young Lady when I would.  
I could not imagine whence proceeded this sudden Change; the Reason of which was, That her Majesty had perceived the King had a Kindness for her, and whether through Policy or Jealousy, she intended to put him out of Conceit with her, by letting him see she admitted my Courtship. I was not willing to lose any time in making Reflections, but my chief Care was to seek for an Opportunity of speaking to my Mistress. Now she (which I thought stranger) avoided me, as I had before done her; and having asked her the Reason, she owned to me, with her usual Openness of Heart, That the King courted her, and that it was so great an Honour, she durst not receive any other Addresses; but when she was married she would return my Love. I understood then that the first thing the Grandees of Poland do, when they have a mind to debauch a Woman, is to get her a Husband; and, accordingly, there was much talk at Court, a few days after, of a Match between her and a great Lord in Lithuania. The Queen was not at all satisfied with it, since she knew that the King's Design in Marrying of her, was to make her his Mistress, and see her with more Liberty. So she would still be persuading me to marry her, not doubting but if that were done, I would certainly carry her away into France.  
I apprehended that a great many Inconveniences might accrue to me from this Marriage: For since (as her Majesty had told me) she was to be married but to facilitate the King's Amours, I thought it impossible for me to carry her away without his Consent; which, had he granted, I knew I had not wherewithal to maintain a Lady there, whose whole Estate remained in Poland. I represented to her Majesty, why I could not obey her Commands, and she seemed satisfied with the Arguments I gave her; and made me an open Confession, That being desirous to have the absolute Management of her Husband, it was her Interest to get her matched to one who would give her Majesty a good account of her; and she agreed with me, That I was very unfit for such an Employment. So we parted, without taking any other Measures.  
The Lithuanian Lord died in the mean while, and the King being obstinately bend to give her a Husband, desired her to name whom she would; who, swayed by her Love, she pitched upon me.  
The King readily yielded to it, and sending for me, made me that Proposal. I humbly told him, That I had no Estate, and being a younger Brother, expected but little, so that I was in very ill Circumstances to maintain a Wife. His Majesty answered, That she whom he designed me, was rich enough for us both; and that, besides, he would make me so considerable in Poland, that I should not miss the Little I had left in France. I would have accepted this Offer with no little Joy, had it been made on any other account; for I had an Opportunity of raising myself, by marrying a Woman whom I had a great Kindness for; but all my Philosophy would not persuade me to take her on such reproachful Terms. Not knowing what other Reasons to give, I told the King that his Majesty's Favour loaded me with Honour, but I was naturally very jealous, and should make a very severe Husband. The King smiled at this Excuse, and told me, If that was all, He would take care to prevent it, and would give me such Employments as would not permit me often to be with my Wife, and too narrowly to pry into her Behaviour.  
This I took as a great Affront, but concealing my Thoughts, I told his Majesty, That I could not renounce my Native Country, and that I would never consent to marry, but on Condition I might go thither immediately after. No, said the King, I will not yield to you in that Point, for your Spouse shall never leave Poland while I live. If it be so, Sir, I replied, I humbly thank your Majesty, and beg, as a farther Favour, That instead of marrying me you would be pleased to grant me Leave to return home. Upon this the King left me, telling me; I might be gone, and that I was a Madman.  
Then I presently waited on the Queen, to give her an Account of what had passed; who begged, with Tears in her Eyes, That I would comply with the King's Desires: And that, to satisfy my nice Jealousy, she would keep her so much in her presence, that the King should never find an Opportunity of being private with her; that she should be responsible to me for her Conduct, and that I might rest myself satisfied as to that.  
Her Majesty used so many convincing Arguments, that at last I desired her to tell the King, I was ready to obey his Commands. He was glad to hear it, but my Mistress transported at the Thoughts of becoming my Wife, and that in so violent a manner, as persuaded me she never had loved the King; which gave me Hopes, that being the only Possessor of her Heart, and seconded by the Queen's Vigilancy, I might easily avoid the Shame I dreaded. In a Word, I was so taken up with the Prospect of Advancing my Fortune, and satisfying my Desires, that I was deaf to all other Considerations, insomuch that I wondered how I had ever scrupled the Matter. So irresolute are our Minds, and so easily do we prefer what may promote our Interest and Pleasure, to what secures our Honour.  
I married that Lady, and therefore changed my Name, for being thereby grown the owner of a Considerable County, I was for ever after called by that Title.  
The Queen was as good as her Word, and her Jealousy and Virtue, with the Care I took, kept my Wife under such a Constraint, that it was impossible for the King to be alone with her. He was at last tired with Fruitless Endeavours, and began to Court a Lady who was more her own Mistress. I was overjoyed at his Change, hoping I might now, without Disturbance, possess my own Right; but that, alas! was prevented by a Hand I lest expected it from. My Wife was enraged that the King should quit her for another, and the great Affection she had expressed for me, turned to an implacable Hatred. Being averse to all Dissimulation, she openly told me, I was the occasion that she had lost her Lover. It was to no purpose that I endeavoured to make her sensible of her Extravagancy, all the Arguments I brought proved but greater Provocations; and whether she had a Mind to be rid of me, or that she tho' moving the King's Compassion was the best way to regain him, she complained to his Majesty that I treated her very ill. This false Accusation the King the sooner believed, because he remembered I told him, That I was inclined to be extreme Jealous. My good natured Spouse's Malice went farther, for she gave the King to understand that I was in Love with the Queen; and he susceptible of both these Impressions, did, without farther Examination, resolve I should be murdered, which he saw might be the easier effected, because my Preferment had excited the Envy of most of the Polish Nobility. The King wanted not Persons who would readily have taken that Opportunity to express their Zeal to him and their Malice to me.  
The Queen's Intelligence was quicker than mine, and seeing her Honour was concerned, she did not think fit to acquaint me with it, concluding I would have absconded myself, which might confirm the King in his Jealousy. Her first Care was to undeceive the King, to which end she took no notice of the Advice she had received, but counterfeiting some Letters from France, wherein she was acquainted, That my Brother was dead; she showed them to his Majesty, telling him, that it would much prejudice me to be kept in Poland. The Unconcernedness she spoke with on my account, and her Proposal, to have me sent back, made him think her falsely accused. He owned to her the Suspicions he had had of an Intrigue between us, and begging her Pardon a thousand times for entertaining an Opinion so injurious to her Virtue, he confessed, Those Thoughts, joined with my Wife's Complaints, made him resolve I should die; and that he knew not whether I was then alive, some Persons being appointed to assassinate me that Day. Her Majesty having blamed his Rashness, entreated him, without Delay, to recall his Orders, lest his Mercy came too late.  
A Fruitless Enquiry was made after me, for I had Notice of my Danger; and the Person who had done me that Courtesy had also found me a Place of Refuge. She was one of the best reputed Ladies at Court, who had often professed herself my Friend, but I did not imagine her Kindness extended so far. She made use of that Opportunity to give me at once a Declaration and convincing Proof of her Love; being a Widow, and consequently Mistress of her own Actions: She did not stick to conceal me in her own House, which I thought was an Obligation highly to be valued, since I saw my Ruin was unavoidable if I appeared abroad. During a Week, that I lay hid, she proposed to me the several Means which her Passion inspired her with, to provide for my Safety. That which she insisted on, as the most infallible, was, to poison my Wife, the Performance of which she offered to take upon herself. I entertained not her Proposal with that Horror which I should have done at another Time, believing her to love me, had drowned both Religion and Reason; only representing to her the ill Consequences it might produce. She would never let me write to the Queen, to inform her where I was; and that Princess concluding that I was either fled or murdered, it made her very uneasy: But, to prevent the ill Constructions People might frame of my Absence, she caused it to be reported, That, upon the News of my Brother's Death, I was returned into France.  
At last I heard of it, and believing that my Brother was really dead, I grew impatient to know the Truth of it, and positively told the Lady, That I would attend the Queen, to be better informed. She upbraided me with allowing my Brother a Share in that Affection which she would have engrossed wholly to herself. From these Reproaches she came to Affronts, and those led her to Indifferency. She threatened to betray me to my Murderers; nay, and could not forbear telling me, that since I was so firmly resolved to leave her, she would take Care to prevent it, and would poison me first. What she had proposed to me on my Wife's account, made me the more fearful as to myself, and this Apprehension kept me from eating. Never did any Couple pass so suddenly from the warmest Love to the most inveterate Hatred as we did, for we were already grown intolerable to each other; wherefore I plainly told her, She was become my Adversary, and entreated her to let me retire.  
Yes, you shall go, said she, but it shall be out of this World: On saying which, she flew at me with a Dagger. I strove to wrest it from her, but (by I know not what Accident) she received a Wound in her Breast. I well foresaw my Danger, and that I could not escape should any of her Servants know what had happened; which made me leave her with the Dagger by her. By good Fortune I found all the Doors open, and went out unseen by any. Having gone through a Street or two, I came to the House of a Polander of my Acquaintance, and beged his Assistance, telling him some earnest Business, occasioned by my Brother's Death, obliged me to go to France, which I must do incognito, because my Wife was averse to my Journey. This Man Offered to serve me to the utmost of his Power, and the very next Night procured me some Horses, which carried me to Dantzick; where I was no sooner arrived, but I wrote to the Queen a Relation of my Adventure.  
She received my Letter, in a Time when every one was crying out against me, for being so base as to murder a Lady who had been so obliging to me. She had indeed been found all Bloody by her Servants, and taxed me with the Villainy: And though her Wound proved but very slight, she still persisted to say, I had a Design to have killed her. No Body questioned the Truth of what she spoke, and great Search was making for me, when the Queen received my Letter. She presently carried it to the King; who prayed her to command me, That if I were Innocent, I should not delay coming to confront my Accusers.  
It was not so much a Principle of doing Justice moved this Prince to have me recalled, as the Trouble which my Wife created him, who was become a continual Plague to him▪ and he wished for my Return, to rid him of so violent a Woman. The Queen wrote to me, That my Brother's Death was a Fiction, and that I must return to Warsaw, to clear myself from the Assassination which was laid to my Charge. Her Letter came safe to my Hands, and the Joy I conceived at the News of my Brother's being alive so transported me, that I willingly obeyed her Commands, tho' I was not unsensible of the Hazard I exposed myself to.  
As soon as I was arrived, I did, through the Queen's Advice, surrender myself, and was carried to Prison. The Lady that accused me was in a great Surprise at my Return; but affecting a Generosity which she was wholly a Stranger to, she was the most earnest in suing for my Pardon. For my part, I had rather she would have let her Intercession alone, that the Truth might have appeared, upon a fair Trial: But seeing this was generally looked upon but as a Quarrel between two Lovers, I did not insist on a fuller Enquiry into the Matter, but accepted of my Grace, and was set at Liberty. The King also obliged me to return Thanks to the Lady, my Adversary; which I did, tho' much against my Will.  
The Business wholly ruined her Reputation; for in Poland they do not easily relish Gallantry of so deep a dye as that seemed to be. There was no other way for her to clear her Honour than Marrying me, and that has fully persuaded me, that she poisoned my Wife, who died suddenly some time after.  
My Spouse was a little before delivered of Two Children, a Boy and a Girl, and I heard at once of her Sickness and Death; for her Conduct had so highly disobliged me, that we seldom saw each other. However, I was sorry for her, not so much remembering the Reasons I had to hate her, as those whereby she once had gained my Love.  
She was no sooner dead, but the King himself told me, That I was under an indispensable Obligation to marry the Lady, who had preserved my Life, at the Loss of her own Honour. I begged of his Majesty not to precipitate this Marriage, but to allow me a little Time to mourn for the Loss of my late Wife, which deeply afflicted me, hoping by this Delay to find some means of breaking the intended Match, without disobliging the King, tho' I was resolved to hazard all rather than comply.  
The Lady was neither Handsome nor Young; and, on the other Hand, her familiar Acquaintance with Daggers and Poisons made me look upon her with great Detestation: But I dissembled my Thoughts, and carried myself to her as a Woman I was shortly to espouse.  
Imagining she had made sure of me, she took no Care to pleasure me, treating me rather with an affected Scorn, and openly professing a Kindness for others. ay, who desired nothing more than to break with her, taxed her with Coquetry; she laughed at me, saying, she would not constrain herself for my Humour, since I must marry her whether I would or no. I thought, if I could surprise her in some Gallantry, it would free me from this pretended Obligation; which I easily did, for she carried on her Intrigues so openly that none need be ignorant of them; and one Day I was informed she was in private with a Palatine.  
Thereupon I made my Complaint to the King, saying withal, That I now thought myself fairly discharged. His Majesty replied, It must first be known whether or no that Lord would marry her, because if he refused it she still fell to my Lot, as having the first Claim to her. This Answer I took for a Jest, and could not forbear smiling, till the King very seriously told me, it was the Custom of the Land.  
I did not much trouble myself with consulting the Polish Lawyers about it, for from that very Minute I resolved for France, and took all the necessary Measures for a speedy Departure; being weary of living in a strange Country, wherein I had met with a Chain of Misfortunes, and stood in daily Expectation of worse.  
I acquainted the Queen with my Intentions, beseeching her to take my Children under her Care and Protection; and having privately sold all the Estate I had there which I might dispose of, I stole away with one only Servant. The great Fortune I expected to make by my Journey, was reduced to poor Twenty thousand Crowns, for which I took some Bills of Exchange, and went, leaving my Children rich enough with their Mother's Estate. Then was the latter End of the Year 1647. I had lived Two Years in Poland, and was about Twenty Three Years of Age▪ but appeared as Thirty, being naturally tall and grown something corpulent, which made me seem older than I really was.  
Once more I thought it impossible for any Woman to deceive me. My Journey affording me Leisure enough to reflect on the Disasters they had procured me, I considered it was on their Account that I had left Franee, in a Season when I might have made my Fortune there, and that they also had occasioned my coming from Poland, when I seemed to be well settled in that Country. On these Reflections I resolved to make the best Use of my Experience, and to court Mars instead of Venus. I had wrote to my Brother, to let him know of my Return from Poland, who was not well satisfied with my having Married in that Kingdom, and was glad I had a Pretence to forsake it. The Letters I received from him, obliged me to take Venice in my Way, where he wrote I should find a particular Friend of his, who, having fought a Duel, had been forced to fly for it, and was then in that City.  
I arrived at Venice in December, and they were then preparing for the ensuing Carnival. I met with my Brother's Friend, who prevailed with me to tarry there for a Time; during which, I forgot all my fine Resolutions against the Female Sex, notwithstanding the fresh Items I had to remember them; for I was no sooner at Venice but the first News I heard was, that I had been obliged to fly out of Poland, for having poisoned my Wife and stabbed my Mistress. I too well knew the occasion of that Report, and took no little Pains to undeceive those who seemed to credit it, but I found it difficult, and have several Years since met with some Persons, who were prepossessed with this Opinion, which has done me no small Injury.  
How earnest soever my Friends Instances might be, to persuade my tasting the Diversions of the Carnaval, I should scarce have complied with them, had it not been my Misfortune again to fall up to the Ears in Love. 'Tis true, I had felt but weak impressions of that Passion while in Poland; which made me the easier engage in a new Amour with a Person, who, I thought, would not be over cruel.  
She was Daughter to a Venetian Nobleman, at whose House, I, on my first arrival, grew very well acquainted, through the means of my Brother's Friend, who having known this Nobleman's Son at Paris, had there renewed his Acquaintance, and increased it to a great Intimacy. I often saw the Father and Son, but it was long before I had a view of the Daughter, only in a Picture. This Piece seemed to me so charming, that I could not forbear crying out in an Ecstasy, I never had seen such Beauty before. The Lady was then in an adjoining Room, where, unknown to me, she saw and heard me. I was no sooner in the Street but a Man followed me, who, without saying one Word, put an unsealed Note in my Hand, which was wrote in Italian to this purpose.  
THE Person whose Picture you so much Admired, has as high an Esteem for you. If it be true that the Sight of Painting has afforded you some Pleasure, you shall enjoy that of the Original. Be discreet and leave the rest to me.  
I read the Note above twenty times over; and tho' I could scarce imagine that it really came from the Person whose Picture I had seen; yet I thought my safest Way was to use the Discretion which was enjoined me.  
It may easily be guessed how impatient I was to return to the Venetian Nobleman's Palace: The very next Day I made him a Visit, and took my Opportunity, by way of Discourse, to express the great Desire I had to see the Person whom that Picture represented, but no Body offered to give me that Satisfaction; only a Mask was proposed and the Habits agreed on.  
I was scarce got home, but the same Man came into my Chamber, who had given me the Note I just mentioned, and observing a deep Silence, presented me with a Box, and immediately withdrew. I pressed him to stay, and he answered me but in dumb Show, and went off. Then, opening the Box, I found it full of rich Jewels, and, under them, this Note, which was written in the same Hand as the former.  
YOur Reputation being of a near concern to me, I was willing to contribute to your Magnificence. Make use of these jewels to appear like yourself in the intended Mask, and when you have done with them, you may return them to the Bearer, whom I shall send for them.  
Then, I thought I had no reason to doubt of the Reality of this Adventure, which gave me at once a great Pleasure and no little Disquiet.  
I put on the Jewels she sent me, which were so rich and fair none made a better Figure than myself.  
Several asked me, Where I had got them? And having answered, That I hired them; the Lady's Brother whispered in my Ear, He knew the Person had lent them, and what the Hire of them came to. This made me think he was his Sister's Confident; at which I blushed, and made no Reply.  
As I was returning home from the Mask, I was attacked by Six armed Men, who having driven off my Companions, in spite of all the Resistance I could make, disarmed and robbed me.  
This Accident gave me no little Trouble; but my Comfort was, that I had yet a Bill of Exchange for Twelve thousand Crowns, which I thought would procure the same number of fine Jewels.  
When the Man, who had brought them me, came for them again, I informed him of my Misfortune, and offered the Bill of Exchange in lieu thereof; but he refused it by Signs (which made me believe he was dumb) and the next Day came to me very early, with this following Note.  
BE not concerned at the Loss of the jewels. When I lent them, I willingly exposed myself to all the Inconveniences that might follow; the Blame lies wholly on me, therefore it is my part to pay for them. I wish I might, by more considerable Losses convince you your Heart is the only Riches I covet. Do not dispose of it, till you may judge whether I deserve it or no.  
Whether she deserves it! cried I, Can there be a Woman more deserving? Thus charmed, with her Generosity, I abandoned myself to the Transports I was in, at my seeming good Fortune. I earnestly entreated the Dumb Messenger to carry her the Bill of Exchange, or at least an Answer to her obliging Billet; but he would do neither, and so left me.  
The next Day her Brother told me, She had hired them of a Jeweller, whom he dealt with; informing me withal, That his Sister had revealed to him the great Passion she had for me, wherein he served her willingly, because she had laid the like Obligation upon him, in an Amour he had with a young Lady of her Acquaintance; and he also assured me, That it should be my Fault, if I was not as happy in his Sister as he in his Mistress.  
The Reader will, no doubt, be astonished to understand, That all this was only an Artifice to chouse me of my Money; yet so it was, for this Brother of hers had caused me to be robbed, and had the Jewels in his Possession. The Rascal made me believe, That his Sister's Generosity had brought her into a great Trouble, for she knew not how to pay for them; and that if she still refused to accept my Bill of Exchange, the whole business might break out, and come to her Father's Knowledge; to prevent which, he offered to carry me to the Merchants who had lent them. I was overjoyed at this Opportunity, of showing my Gratitude, in saving her Honour, and paid the Jeweller Eight thousand Crowns, with more pleasure than I ever discharged any other Debt. This Man, who was Confederate with my pretended Friend, received some small part of the Purchase, and the Brother and Sister shared the rest between them.  
I suspected not the Cheat, but still flattered with the vain Thought of being beloved by a Person whom I was so charmed with, I considered not the Loss of my Money, which was at its last ebb; and my only Desire was that of seeing the beautiful Unknown.  
I often solicited the Brother, That he would procure me the so much longed for Interview, which he as often promised me, but still found an Excuse for his Delay. I only sometimes received a Letter from the fair Deceiver, which was no more delivered by the dumb Man, but by himself, and he also undertook to be the Bearer of my Answers. Our Billets were all very passionate, and the continual Theme was, deploring our hard Fate, which kept us thus asunder.  
This continued till about the middle of February, when I received Letters from my Brother, who much blamed me for staying so long at Venice, saying, I endangered my losing the Employment he had procured me in the Prince's Army, which was to take the Field and besiege Ypres in March.  
I little regarded my Brother's kind Admonitions, nor the Injury I did myself in tarrying there any longer; but full of Longings to see my Mistress, I sent him Word I was Sick, and that as soon as my Health should permit, I would ride Post for France. But he, being better informed of my Condition than I imagined, renewed his Instances for my return, which I was so mad as to refuse, for I would sooner have parted with my Life than left Venice, till I had at least seen the Lady.  
His Letters had this only effect, That I was more urgent with her Brother, not to keep me in Pain any longer; and at last, seeing I threatened to be gone, if he did not give me that Satisfaction, he promised to comply with my Request. I was ordered to put on a Spanish Habit, and to take with me as many Jewels, and as much Money as I could, his Sister having pretended to the Person, at whose House we were to meet, that her Lover was a rich Spanish Lord. I made no Reflections upon the Matter, but yielded a blind Obedience to his Directions, and being accoutred as a Castillan (not forgetting the Money and Jewels,) I was introduced into the Lo●dgings of a most notorious Courtesan. Indeed I was somewhat scandalised at my being carried to such a Place (for I both knew the House and her who kept it) yet my Impatience to see my Mistress soon stifled that Scruple.  
At my first Entrance I was locked up in a Room, into which, after some Minutes waiting, the Object of my Wishes was admitted. She did not seem to me so handsome as her flattering Picture represented her, tho' it was so like, that I had not the least reason to think myself imposed on. This Disappointment something cooled my Passion, when the Lady, who observed it, used such Means to reflame me, as made me imagine this was not the first Rendezvous she had had. This gave me a Disturbance which I could not conceal, and being unwilling to discover the true Occasion, I pretended it was at her coming into such a House. She told me, She should not have expected such a Reprimand from me; however, she seemed not to take it ill at first; but seeing I continued preaching to her, she left me, saying, The next Time I met her I might make an end of my Sermon.  
Then I fully experienced the Weakness of my Heart: For tho' I had all the Reason in the World to be convinced of her Dishonesty, yet she was no sooner retired but I longed more than ever to see her again. All my Scruples vanished, and I heartily repented the ill use I had made of that Opportunity. Her Brother, thereupon, coming in with an Angry Look, drew his Sword, telling me, I was a Base Man; that my Sister had complained to him of my rude Treatment, and that he would have Satisfaction. Said I, Can I affront your Sister! For Heaven's sake, dear Friend, procure me one Meeting more, and you shall see what Esteem I have for her. He seemed more calm at these Words; and withdrew, promising he would endeavour to persuade her to return; I waited Two Hours, but instead of either, in came the Courtesan; who asked me in Italian, How now, Signior Don John, what ails you to Day, that your Mistress is not so well satisfied with you as she uses to be? With this she looked earnestly at me, and seemed very much surprised. I enquired into the Reason of it, and why she called me Don john? She would not satisfy me then, but told me, The next Time I came thither I should know farther. This was all I could get from her, so I left her.  
My first Care, when I came home, was, to lay up my Money and Jewels, but I found neither. The only Person I could tax with stealing them, was the Lady I had been with, for no Body else had come near enough to me, to pick my Pocket; and this gave me very ill Thoughts of her. I remembered there was one Don john, a Spaniard, who lived then in Venice, and I concluded the Courtesan had mistaken me for him, and that my Mistress used to entertain him in that Place. The very next Morning I went to the Curtezan's to be resolved; who told me more than I was willing to hear: For, I understood, this Lady, for whose sake I had so highly disobliged my Brother and myself, was used to this pretty Trade, and had for Six months' Time kept a Correspondence with this young Spaniard.  
While I was meditating on my Revenge, I received a Letter from my Brother, wherein he acquainted me, That he had notice what Life I led at Venice, and how I had been made a Cully both by the Brother and Sister; but he advised me to pass it over, and leave that City as speedily as possible.  
Imagining his Friend was the only Person that could have sent this Intelligence, I went to him, telling him, It had been much kinder to have given me Warning of my dangerous Acquaintance than to have informed my Brother. He was loath to own it, but, at last, embracing me, What could I have done, dear Friend? said he, You was so bewitched, that if I had attempted to undeceive you, I should not have been credited. It was with much difficulty that I forgave him, but, seeing there was no Remedy, I told him, That I was resolved to have my Money again, or to cut the Villain's Throat who had thus bubbled me.  
Tho' this Gentleman was exiled from his Native Country for a Duel, yet that Misfortune did not deter him from venturing on another, but he freely offered me his Service; So I sent the Rogue a Challenge, which he slighted. Mad at such Cowardice, I resolved to provoke him to Fight whether he would or no; and having pitched on a Day to attack him, I put on my former Spanish Disguise, and caused my Second and all our Attendance to be equipped in the same Fashion.  
Thus we waited for him, in a certain Street through which he was to pass: When he came I bid him Draw, but he refusing it, I gave him Two or Three Blows over the Face with the flat side of my Sword, by which, being obliged to defend himself, he did it, but so faintly, that he received a home Thrust, and dropped down. We had the good luck, tho' this was done in the open Street, to escape to a Gondalo, which lay ready for us, and carried us to a Vessel we had prepared.  
To complete my Revenge, I left a Letter for the Lady's Father, pretending myself a Friend of Don John's, and that, on my arrival at Venice I had discovered an Intriegue between that young Lord and his Daughter, which was chiefly promoted by her Brother, and gave him a full Narrative of the Proceeding; concluding, that Don john having been affronted by his Son, I was resolved to maintain my Friend's Quarrel, so that if any thing happened amiss in his Family, he need look no farther for the procurer of his Misfortune.  
The Nobleman having received this Advice, Informations were preferred against Don john; for all those who had been Witnesses of the Rencounter, agreed the Assaulter was a Spaniard, who had immediately made his Escape, with several Persons of the same Nation; which confirmed the Contents of my Letter.  
We heard at Milan the good Success of our Enterprise; for the Lady's Brother died without being able to speak; Don john, afraid of the Informations exhibited against him, was fled for it, and every one was fully persuaded that he had killed him.  
The Pleasure this News afforded me, was some Consolation for the Loss of my Money, and the Tricks which they had put upon me, but I now resolved more firmly than ever, to avoid Womankind.  
My Brother's Friend, who had accompanied me to Milan, not daring to return into France, nor thinking it safe for him to go back to Venice, asked my Advice about a Journey, he designed for Poland; which I encouraged, for my own Advantage, in having a Friend there, who might inform me of my Child's Condition, and the Posture of Affairs in that Kingdom. I knew that King Ladislaus was desperately ill. It was the current Report, That he was dead, and that the Queen would espouse Prince Casimir, Brother to the deceased King, and I doubted not but her Majesty would show my Friend all possible Favour.  
It being then the latter End of May, and the Campaign something advanced in Flanders, I thought I should get no credit by going there so late, and therefore resolved to get into Naples, in hopes to find Opportunities of signalizing myself, under the Command of the Duke de Guise, who had rendered himself Master of that City, which made no little Noise in Italy. I wrote to my Brother, to acquaint him with my Intentions, and keeping my Spanish Habit, I set forwards for Naples, thinking that Disguise might facilitate my Entrance; but I arrived there a Month after the Duke's Imprisonment, so ill had I been informed of those Transactions.  
I heard he was confined at Gayetta, in order to be transported to Spain; and thought it my Duty to offer him my Service, in consideration of the Interest all our Family had with him, especially my Brother.  
It was certainly my ill Genius led me thither, for this occasioned my engaging into a fresh Amour, which proved as Troublesome and vexatious to me as my last at Venice.  
The Duke took my Visit very kindly, and when I told him the occasion of my Journey to Naples, he said, I might do him a more signal Service there, and with less Danger to myself; whereupon he showed me a Letter from a Neapolitan Lady, who had been his Mistress while he remained in the City: She expressed a great Despair for the Duke's Imprisonment, and threatened to stab her herself, if he would not yield to her following him to Spain. She is stark mad, said he, and will do some extravagant Action or other, if not prevented. Oblige me so far, as to return to Naples, and carry a Letter from me, which cannot be sent by a better Hand. I promised an exact Performance of his Commands, and having attended him till his Removal thence, I immediately set forward to execute his Orders.  
I could not, during the Journey, but reflect on my fantastical Destiny, for while I endeavoured to forget the Female Sex, and think of nothing but War, it engaged me into a necessary Occasion of Conversing with them, and made me the Confident of an Amour. However, I very willingly obeyed the Duke, moved by a secret Inclination for a Woman, who was capable of so much Passion and Wit as her Letters expressed. Here my cursed Propensity to Love again confounded my Reason, which would have led me to France much rather than Naples; whereby I was convinced, that let a Heart be never so covetous of Glory, it soon degenerates from that Heroic Temper, when once it yields itself up to Effeminacy.  
I still wore my Spanish Habit, that I might the better conceal my Country; and being arrived at Pozzolo Castello, while it was Day, I stayed there a little, not designing to enter Naples till Night. To divert myself in the mean while, I walked abroad in a very agreeable and solitary Place, where I thought I should not be observed: But I had not gone far ere I spied a Gentleman with a Lady, and another at a little distance from them, which seemed to have withdrawn only to leave them more at Liberty.  
This looking like an Assignation, I crept as near as I could, and having hid myself behind some Trees, overheard part of their Conversation. All I could make of it was, That the Cavalier complained of her former Affection to another; and that she assured him, he was the only Man she had ever loved. Having remained there about half an Hour, I thought of retiring; which I maliciously did, with Noise enough to make them take notice of me. The Lady, who was speaking to her Gallant, no sooner perceived me, but she changed Colour, crying out, Ah! what do I see? 'Tis himself. She seemed to me very handsome, and imagining she might take me for her Husband, or some other Troublesome Person, whom she had no mind to entrust with her Amour; I made her a very low Bow, and walked slowly off. Looking back sometimes, I saw the other Lady followed me, upon which I stopped, that she might overtake me. She did, and having viewed me attentively, told me in Spanish, I looked so like the Duke de Guise, that I had been taken for him. I smiling at the Fancy (for besides the Shape, Colour of Hair and Skin, I had not one Feature resembling his) replied, they were mistaken, and asked, What Relation the Duke had to them. She said, That each true Neapolitan ought to fear, lest the Duke should still be plotting to render himself Master of that City, which was happily reduced under the Obedience of her lawful Sovereign. I easily guessed she spoke after that manner, taking me for a Spaniard, for I knew the Duke de Guise was very well beloved in Naples. However, I did not discover myself, tho' I had an itching Desire to know the Company, being already charmed with the other Lady: But not thinking it proper to ask any more Questions, I came back to Pozzolo Castello, and went to Naples, the Sky being already darkened.  
I applied myself, next Morning, to a Person the Duke had directed me to, in order to my waiting on the Lady, for whom I had his Letter; but I was informed she was in the Country: And having asked whether that Country was so far off that I could not go to see her? It was answered me, That I had best be cautious, since her Intimacy with the Duke de Guise had rendered her suspicious, especially to the Spaniards, who mistrusted the Correspondency they held together was more for Affairs of State than Gallantry.  
I remained then a whole Week at Naples, which grew very Tiresome to me, for I scarce durst appear, because the Spaniards were very strict in seizing any of the French Nation, whose Misfortune it was to fall into their Hands. That Time being expired, I understood the Lady was returned, and was, by the Duke's Correspondent, introduced into her Presence. I presently knew her to be the same I had seen at Pozzolo Castello, and she also knew me again: So I delivered my Message, but spoke not a Word of her stabbing herself or going into Spain, since, by what I had seen, I judged she was pretty well recovered of those Melancholy Fits. But I found she had need of more than one Comforter; for before we parted she told me very intelligibly, I had so much of the Duke de Guise's Air, that she felt the same Inclination for me as she formerly had for him.  
It will, no doubt, appear a Wonder that I should trust to these Advances, which I must needs imagine were not sincere, or that I would betray the Confidence the Duke had reposed in me; but our Reason is easily stifled by the Vanity of being beloved by a fine Woman. Not the Thoughts of the Treason I was going to commit against my Friend, nor of that she had already been guilty of to him, by favouring the Gentleman I had surprised her with, could deter me from being passionately in Love with her. I protested my Affection for her was greater than the Kindness she had expressed for me; and made her sensible I was concerned at her being engaged with more than the Duke and myself. She answered, The Man I had seen at Pozzolo Castello, was the Object of her Hatred, and that I should not have any occasion to be jealous on his score. I believed her, or at least I pretended so, and made it my Business to free myself from any thing that might have hindered my relishing the Pleasure of a new Amour.  
I wrote to the Duke, That his Mistress was inconstant; and tho' she had blinded me to that degree, yet I could set her forth to him in her true Colours. It had been happy for me if I had made use of the Advice I gave him, Not to think of her any more: But I could not fancy her under the Shape I had represented her in, which, I knew was so like her, it being the common Fate of Lovers to overlook those Faults in their Mistresses, which themselves can make others take notice of.  
My present Rival soon perceived our new Commerce, and was very much displeased, so was I, to find, that instead of Breaking with him she entertained us both.  
This Jilt had acquainted him, That I was no Spaniard, but a Frenchman, whom the Duke de Guise had sent to her: Which Secret was no sooner revealed to him, but he thought of a quick Remedy for his Jealousy, for he discovered me to the Magistrates, and I was immediately clapped into a Jail. My only recourse was, to write to the Lady, desiring her to use her Interest in procuring my Liberty, but I understood, that far from that, she boasted herself to be the Author of my Confinement, giving as a Reason, That I was come from the Duke to make her a Proposal of going into France. From this she expected a double Advantage; first, to persuade her other Lover, That she had not been intimate with me, and besides, to regain the Favour of the Spanish Party, who (as I have said) were no good Friends of hers.  
When I understood the Trick she played me, I awaked as out of a Lethargy, and acknowledged that I had but my Desert. Good Gods! What Imprecations I made against Women! What Desires I had to be revenged! But I was obliged to quell my Fury, and apply my Thoughts only to endeavour the regaining of my Freedom. I durst not venture to own myself, for fear of a closer Imprisonment, but pretended I was a Servant of the Duke de Guise, whom he had sent with some Letters to his Mistress. I was believed, and about a Week after released, with some poor Frenchmen, who had been my Companions in this Habitation, and were not thought strong enough for the Galleys; where I should have been sent, had I not fallen sick in the Prison.  
As soon as I was at Liberty, I went to the Lady, to whom I was so much obliged, expecting she would, at least, procure me the means to return Home, for I had but an old ragged Coat on, and not a Farthing of Money, all being rifled from me when I was seized on. She could not forbear laughing to see me in that Pickle, and when I would have taxed her with her Perfidiousness, she interrupted me, saying; What would you have, poor Fellow? All I can do is to bestow some Alms on you, to help you in your journey. Here, continued she, addressing her self to one of her Women, Give him Three Pistols and send him away.  
O Heavens! How is it possible for a Man to bear up under such Afflictions? However, I took Patience, in good Hopes one Day or other to revenge myself; and refusing her Money, went to the Duke de Guise's Correspondent, expecting he would procure me enough to bear my Charges to France; but he denied himself to me, and my Servant that came thither with me, who was a Polander, being run away (as soon as he saw me arrested) with all the Officers of Justice had not robbed me of, I was left to the wide World, without Friends, without Money, and in a strange Country.  
I judged it my best way, (if possible) to get to Rome, hoping to find there some Polish or French Acquaintance, who would treat me better than they had done at Naples. I made a shift to reach Terracina, where I fortunately met with the Duchess of— bound for Rome, whom I informed of my Circumstances, telling her, I had fallen among the Banditties; and she did me the Favour to take me with her. I was not long at Rome, ere I met with a Friend, who furnished me with the Money I wanted; and presently after I took Post. The Speed I made was such, that I arrived in Flanders the 18th of August, Two Days before the Battle of Lens.  
I apprehended the best Way for me to get into Favour again with my Brother, and to regain my lost Credit, was to begin with some generous Action, which might efface all the ill Reports spread of me, during my Absence. That was the Motive which induced me to go directly for Flanders, where I heard they were preparing for an Engagement. I was unwilling to appear before my Brother, who was there, and had the Reputation of being one of the best Commanders in the Army; and only discovered myself to another General Officer, who was my Relation, with whom I remained concealed till the Day of Battle, in which I desired him to put me into a Post of Honour.  
My Caution, in writing these Memoirs, of keeping myself undiscovered, shall excuse me, if I do not give the Reader a particular Relation of an Action I performed, which raised my Fame even above my Wishes. That Engagement has been so often described, that did I here make a Narrative of the Share I had in it, I should betray myself to every one's Knowledge; and I think it enough for my purpose, to let the Reader understand, that the Prince d'Anguien gave out, he stood indebted to me for the Victory, having had the good Fortune to to hinder a considerable Body from being routed, whose Flight would have occasioned that of the whole Army. This Exploit procured me a Regiment, having obtained a Colonel's Commission, by my General's Recommendation. I found my Brother as kind as ever; and was informed by him, That the Count my other Brother, was fled to Poland, a Duel having put him to the Choice of undergoing either a Voluntary Banishment or an Involuntary Death; and that my Sister was separated from her Husband, and lived with my Mother.  
The Reputation I had gained in the Fight at Lens, had so animated me, that I did a Work of Supererogation, in desiring I might stay with the Marshal de Rantzan, in whose Army I served, in the Siege of Furnes; and, the Campaign ended, I returned to Paris, about the latter end of October: And there found all things in a great Disorder, occasioned by the Hatred which the Parisians bore to the Cardinal Mazarine.  
The more I reflected on what had happened to me (especially the Two Years last passed) the more I fancied my Life to be Romantic: And, in spite of so many odd Adventures, I yet trusted with so much Confidence to my good Stars, that I neglected the Pursuit of my further Preferment, and arming myself against the Snares of Beauty. But I visited the Ladies with the less Fear, because I thought my Heart secured from their Allurements, and I was resolved to pretend a Passion to all, but fix on none. The ridiculous manner wherein my Mother exposed herself might have confirmed me in those Intentions, since it was an undeniable Proof that neither Age nor Reason can oblige a Coquet to Modesty.  
My Mother, who had lived without considering either Children or Estate, took care, however, never to want a Lover. She had been courted a long Time by a Widower, much about her Age, who was so assiduous in his Visits, that there was no other Argument against the Aspersions which might be thrown upon her for it, but that they were as good as married. All the Family was persuaded that he was her Husband, and that Match not being too agreeable to us, we expressed our Discontent by a very cold behaviour to her, though without coming to an open Breach.  
This Gentleman had a Son newly come from the University, whom my Mother received into her House, she having given out, That he was to continue there, but till such Time as they might send him to the Academy. My eldst Brother did not seem to take notice of it, nor so much as complain of the extravagant Expenses she put herself to on his account; but the Servants soon acquainted us, That her kindness for him went farther yet, and that something had passed between them which they knew not how to interpret to her Advantage. His Father was informed of it also; and his Displeasure was so great, that forcing his Son from her, he sent him to S. Lazarus. But, to complete his Vexation and ours, my Mother showed him a Contract, and the Certificate of a Marriage, made above a Month before. So, what the Father had courted during Fifteen or Sixteen Years, with the most engaging Complacencies and endearing Tokens of Love, his Son, though yet a Schoolboy, obtained in less than Three Months Time. This Business, which became at once the public Discourse and Jest of the Town, gave us no little Mortication. His Father would have had us prosecute in order to annul the Marriage, and produced a former Engagement from her to himself; but we being indifferent as to the Person, since she was resolved to have a Husband, thought it not worth our while to meddle with it, and left him to manage the Affair alone; which proved his Ruin: For after losing several Law-Suits, and his Reputation into the Bargain, his Trouble was so great that he sickened upon it, and died; having first disinherited his Son, whom my Mother took out of the unpleasant Lodging he was in, having proved her Marriage good: But People never would be so complaisant as to call her by her New Husband's Name.  
I thought all these Experiments had wholly withdrawn me from that perfidious Sex: But even those induced me to seek for new Amours. I had an earnest Desire to discover a Discreet Virtuous Woman; and it may well be imagined that it was impossible for my Heart to remain free, when I thought I had found her.  
I often visited my poor Carmelite, I cannot say I saw her (for she was very exact in observing the Rules of her Order, one of which is not to unveil themselves) but I spoke with her, and her Friendship made her concerned in all my Adventures, especially in my last (I mean what happened to me in the Battle at Lens;) I was beholding to her good Counsels, for my avoiding the Snares which the Coquets at Court laid to entrap me: Women are not taken with any thing so much as with the Reputation of a Warlike and Gallant Man, and I had the Name of being both. But I contented myself with bare Conversation, without any particular Engagement, laughing at those Friends who were caught in the Mousetrap, sharing in their Pleasures and Debauches, and turning all to my own Diversion.  
Thus I lived, when my dear Carmelite told me, That since I had wholly forsaken Poland, I must think of getting a Wife in France; and that she would help me to one, whom she named; adding, The Lady was an intimate Friend of hers, and, to her Knowledge, had a good Opinion of me. I had seen her, and liked her well, but the flattering Thoughts, that she was charmed with me, gave her Accomplishments such a Lustre, that I fell desperately in Love from that very Minute. I asked my Nun, Whether she could swear that so well-deserving a Lady were not given to Coquetry? Oh! replied she, She is a Model of Modesty and Virtue, and the only Fault that can be found with her is, That she runs into an Excess of Preciseness. I desired her to bring us acquainted immediately; and accordingly we appointed a Day, when we should meet in the Parlour, as by chance. I was punctual, so was she, and after a Conversation on indifferent Matters, I waited on the Lady home. We were no sooner arrived there, but she said, in a very free and open manner: Sir, I will not detain you with Expectation, my Design being, once more, to marry, I look for a Man that may make me happy, and the good Character I have heard of you gives me Hopes you will procure me that Felicity. I answered her with the most convincing Expressions of Love and Gratitude I could invent: Then she gave me a List of my Rivals, who were all Men of Quality and Merit; and concluded with an Assurance, that I should ever have the Preference.  
This engaged me more than I ever had been in my whole Life-time; insomuch, that transported with the Prospect of possessing a Lady of so high a Rank and Fortune, I wholly abandoned myself to the deepest Passion, and was not one Day without visiting her. Some Disputes, which arose about her Estate, were the usual Themes of her Discourse, and I saw she designed me the Office of Solicitor, before that of a Husband. Tho' I had an Aversion to Business, yet for her sake, I gladly undertook to manage those Concerns, and the earnestness wherewith I applied myself to it, soon made me a good Lawyer. Her entrusting me in all her Affairs, and our being constantly together, occasioned a Report that we were already married: This I acquainted her with, hoping it might oblige her to hasten the Consummation of my Happiness; but she, on the contrary, replied, That since my frequent Visits were so much taken notice of, I must not see her so often: That her Circumstances would not permit her to marry so soon, but by waiting her Leisure, I should give her an undeniable Proof of my Affection. I was mad at this Delay, yet to show how much I loved, I told her; That tho' it was a great piece of Self-denial, I would submit to her Directions. She seemed overjoyed to find me so tractable, and having settled our Meetings at thrice a Week, I never missed one, and, in the Intervals plied her with Billets Deux. Her Answers were very obliging, giving fresh Proofs of her Affection, and renewed Assurances she would marry none but me. In the mean while the Campaign drew near, and consequently the Time approached when I must leave my Mistress. She vowed to me, that she would espouse me at my Return; and, indeed, I had not, during my Absence, any reason to doubt of her Sincerity, her Letters, which I never failed of every Post, being an evident Argument of it.  
We did little Execution that Summer, the Enemy retook Ipres, and we balanced our Fortune by taking Conde. Winter approaching, I returned to Paris, where I found my Mistress in the same Sentiments I had left her.  
My Duty often called me to S. Germains, where the Court was then. One Day being obliged to attend his Majesty at his Couchees; I waited first on that Lady. Having paid my Devoirs to her, I was going, when calling me back from the Stair-Head; Hark ye, said she, What do you with all the Letters you receive from me? Would you oblige me so far, as to return them me? I assured her, That I kept them with all imaginable Care, as a Treasure I valued more than all the World besides. However, continued she, Let me have them again, for my own Satisfaction; pray send them me before you go for S. Germains. I very unwilling complied; but, fearing to disoblige her, I obeyed. Two Days after my arrival at S. Germains, it was said in the Queen's Presence, That a Prince of the Blood was going to marry, and that the Match was wholly concluded. My Curiosity led me to inquire who the Lady was, and heard, with no little Surprise, that it was my intended Spouse. My Astonishment was yet greater, when they would have persuaded me, That I had been the Promoter of it; I confess there was some seeming Ground, the Prince being my intimate Friend, and every one imagining the Lady never did any thing without consulting me.  
I could not be persuaded at first of the reality of the Report; but calling to mind the Assiduity wherewith the Prince had lately visited her, and how earnestly she had demanded a Return of her Letters, I began to believe it too true.  
That Prince was then at S. Germains, and I thought the only way to know the Truth was to wait on him, without taking any Notice of what I had heard. I did so, and he no sooner saw me, but he came and embraced me, saying; There is the dear Friend to whom I owe my Happiness, since my Mistress yields only upon his Recommendations. My Blood boiled at these Words, and I whispered him softly, That his Marriage was not so sure but he might meet with Opposition. I told him, a Person waited for him in a Garden without the Palace, who had something of Moment to impart; whither I entreated him to walk immediately. He wondered at the manner of my Delivery, for the Fury I was in had strangely altered my Countenance: However, he had the Complaisance to go with me, still ask me, What was the Matter, and what had happened.  
I replied not a Word till we were at the Place; then I asked him very seriously, If he was really to marry the Lady he spoke of. Why do you ask such a Question, said he, since you know it as well as myself? I assured him he was mightily mistaken, for she was engaged to me. The Prince looked on me with a Smile, and seeing I still maintained my Gravity; Are you mad, my poor Count? said he, How long have you lost your Wits? Did not you make the Match? I am sure the Lady told me so; I am your real Friend, and the Devil take me if I ever thought of her while I imagined you pretended to her. But, prithee, What Ties are between you? I answered, They are such, that it is but Three Days since she swore solemnly, She would marry none but me; and I have brought you hither to dispute my Right. Not so, continued he, I'll yield her, if what you say be true. Then I proposed to adjourn the Controversy till she could decide it.  
I had not Patience till my Time of Waiting was over, but pretending some Business, asked Leave to return to Paris, which was granted me. At my Arrival I presently ran to the Carmelites, to acquaint my Nun with what had happened at S. Germains; but she had Notice of it already, the Lady having wrote to her the Day before, telling her, That my frequent Visits had raised a Scandal, reflecting upon her Honour, which she would not confirm by marrying me, therefore she had entertained the Prince's Proposals. Her Letter was much to this Purpose, but her Arguments were not satisfactory, since it but too plainly appeared, That Inconstancy and Interest were the only Motives of her Change.  
My Carmelite advised me, finding her of so fickle a Temper, not to pursue my Claim, assuring me, such Qualifications would be worse in a Wife than a Mistress; but I would not hearken to her Reasons, and was resolved not to be baffled.  
From the Nunnery I went to the Lady's, and taking no notice of what had passed, I asked her, When she would complete our Marriage? She asked me, If I had heard any thing at S. Germains? And having answered No: Then, continued she, your Friend at the Carmelites will acquaint you with what I dare not tell you myself. Seeing, then, that there was no more dissembling, I confessed to her, That I had understood she was to be married to the Prince de— Well, said she, and why do you deny it? I hate a Liar, and for that very reason would discard you. I was enraged at this Reply, especially to see her do it with such Assurance and Indifferency. Proteus' never put on his various Shapes more suddenly than I did mine, for I Swore, Threatened, Cried and Prayed all in a Breath, and all to no purpose: So I left her, protesting I would use my utmost Industry, to confirm the ill Reports which had been spread of her on my account.  
It was, indeed, my first Resolution, by that means to ruin her in the Prince's Esteem; but since, after all, it would have been a base Slander, for our Conversation had been very innocent, I only gave him a Relation of all the Promises she had made: Whether the Prince disliked her for her Inconstancy, or suspected her Virtue, he assured me, That he would never think of her any more; and in performance of his Word, did presently disengage himself.  
The Lady finding I forbore my visits also, three Days after sent for me, and having upbraided me with what she supposed I had given out against her Honour, to occasion the breaking off of the Prince's Match: She, in the conclusion, told me, She was now reduced to a Necessity of Marrying of me, which she would perform as soon as I pleased.  
I never had so little inclination to it as when I saw the thing so near being finished, for her Coquetry had something abated my Esteem; however, the real Opinion I had of her Chastity made me consent; for at least, I concluded, I should be sure of a good Fortune and a virtuous Wife.  
Yet I was not so well resolved but my Heart failed me, and that made me yield to a Delay for a Fortnight or Three Weeks, upon the Lady's Request; she having pretended some Indisposition. Tho I saw no Simptoms of any, I told her she might take her own Time, and looked upon my Wedding as a thing so certain, that I really made Preparation for it.  
Going to see her one Night, I was told she was in Bed; on which I offered to retire, when her Woman proffered to conceal me in a Closet, next to her Lady's Chamber, where I should discover strange things, yet necessary for me to know. I enquired, what it was? She answered me, Her Lady was with Child, and actually then in Labour. I was astonished, and she seemed in as great a Disorder, but added, If I would go with her, she would convince me of the Truth.  
This was of too great a concern to be neglected: I went with her, and in a short Time I heard the Lady's Groans. All the Servants were sent out of the Way, only the Midwife and that Woman remained at Home. Heavens! How great was my surprise! beyond what can be described. I slipped into her Bedchamber privately, hiding myself behind the Hangings, where I beheld all that passed. My Rage was like to have made me commit some Extravagance, when my Intelligencer approached, saying, Her Lady had perceived me, and desired to speak with me. This Message did (if possible) increase my Amazement. Is she, said I, in a condition to see me, and does she desire I should treat her according to her Deserts? However, a Curiosity of knowing what she could say for herself, made me draw near to her Bed: When she told me, in a languishing Tone; Sir, It was by my Order you came hither, to let you see, that had not your Obstinacy hindered my Marriage with the Prince, you had not received this Trouble. Now you find how despicable a Creature you have made your Applications to, and how little worthy of your Kindness. I remained dumb for a long time, after which, At least, Madam, said I, let me know the happy Father. That, she replied, will be no great Advantage to you: It is sufficient, you see, I am unwilling to deceive you; I had not been so scrupulous, had you been of another Character, but your Behaviour has been so honourable and respectful that I could never have the Heart to abuse you: Farewell, and consider now whether I am a fit Bride for you.  
The manner wherein she spoke moved my Compassion, which made me loath to leave her. However, I returned Home, and threw myself upon the Bed, scarcely believing the Adventure real, but that it was a Dream; for I had strictly observed that Lady's Carriage, and never had any ground for the least Suspicion. I was distracted with a thousand Thoughts, but with none so much as the Desire of knowing by whom she had that Child. To satisfy my Curiosity, I waited on her, as soon as I thought she might admit of my Visits, not doubting in the least, after what I was already acquainted with, she dared conceal any thing from me.  
She spoke first, telling me, I had a greater Share in her Misfortune than I imagined, and that the only occasion of it, was her too great Love for me. This appeared to me very odd, and I fancied the whole Story would be a Riddle. I desired her to proceed; then she informed me, She had loved me with the deepest Passion; and, to her Sorrow, my Respects had kept me at too great a Distance, since she earnestly wished I would have forced that Favour from her which she was but too inclinable to grant. That, one Day, being in this amorous Disposition, my Page brought her a Letter.  
There she stopped, and left it to me to guests the rest. Truly the Task was not very difficult, and I now began to find some Probability in the thing, especially when I called to mind, That I had observed my Page showed her an extraordinary Respect, which I had imputed to his Desire of pleasing me. I questioned not but he had enjoyed her often, for when once a Woman yields, she scruples not a Repetition.  
Now I began to have a very mean Opinion of her; and taking no notice of her pretended Kindness for me, I told her, She had extremely undervalued herself; and the best advice I could give her, was, To marry the Page. Which said, I left her.  
Two or Three Hours after, I received a Letter; wherein she made great Complaints, That I should use her so ill, who was myself the chief Cause of her Affliction: And, in the Conclusion, earnestly begged me never to discover her Folly. I returned no answer, but have faithfully kept the Secret. I discharged my Page, who was big enough to serve his Prince and Country, and resolved never to think of my Mistress more. Her Looseness was not so much the Cause of my Aversion, as her want of Conduct; for I could never pardon her Simplicity, in discovering to me a Secret, from whom, of all Men living, she ought to have concealed it. She, on the contrary, thought she had done an heroic Action, and had obliged me highly. I leave it to the Reader to determine which of us was in the Right, but, for my part, I shall never advise a Lady to own her Amours either to her Husband or Lover.  
When it was known that I forbore visiting her, the World imagined it to be a Consequence of the Dissatisfaction I had at her proposing to marry the Prince, and suffered that Opinion to prevail. I know not whether she continued her Intriegue with the Page, but, about a Twelve month after, a great Favourite made a Match between her and one of his Relations; who was eldest Son to a Noble and Ancient Family, from whom she has since been separated, and is grown the most lewd and infamous Woman at Court.  
It was certainly my evil Planet that governed in this last Amour, for instead of the Fortune I expected, it put me to great Expense and Trouble, which made me once more damn the Female Sex.  
I resolved to court them no more, but in raillery, and the first attempt I made of that kind, was with one, who had been Mistress to a great Lord at Court, wherein her Reputation had suffered, and whose Visits she was obliged to shun, to avoid a farther Censure. She endeavoured to persuade me, That she had wholly left him for my sake, which, I only pretended at first to believe. But who can resist the Artifices of a deceitful Woman? She seemed so indifferent not only as to that Lord, but to all the World besides myself, that I thought she had a sincere Affection for me. The Lady being extremely beautiful, and very ingenious, I was pleased at having fixed on a Person of that Character, and found, that inspite of all my Resolutions, I was running into a Relapse. My first Endeavour was to inspire her with a more nice and refined Passion than she had till then been sensible of; and she appeared so tractable, that I thought my Preaching had wrought an unfeigned Conversion in her.  
A neighbouring exiled Prince was then at the French Court, and being a great admirer of the fair Sex, it was thought he wanted not for Mistresses. I had a great Interest in him, having often been a Sharer in his Pleasures. One of my Friends, who also sometimes accompanied him, told me; That an unknown Woman had addressed herself to him, about a very pleasant Business; which was, That a great Lady at Court was willing to present any Person with Four hundred Pistols, that would procure her a private Meeting with that Prince. I replied, Four hundred Pistols were worth the looking after, and bid him assure the Woman, That I would speak to the King; which I did the next day, and he readily embraced the Proposal. My Friend followed my Directions, and it was agreed the interveiw should be in a House near Paris, where that Prince should go Incognito. She thereupon paid him down one half of the Money, promising he should have the rest, when the Business was over. The King accordingly came to the Rendezvous, attended by none but a Lord of his own Nation, my Friend, and myself. As soon as we were arrived, the Woman, who was entrusted with this Negotiation, entreated his Majesty to take no Body with him, because the Lady desired to conceal herself: He only permitted the Lord to follow him, and bid my Friend and I wait for him at some distance. A little while after the King came to us, and told us, That the Lady knowing we were there, would not be persuaded to stay, but was already gone, giving as a Reason, that she knew me to be the most talkative Man in the World, and that I could not keep a Secret. I wondered any Lady in France should have such a Thought of me, since my Character was quite otherwise; and therefore asked his Majesty, What manner of Person she was? To which he answered, He would show her me, for he knew she went often to Court, and that this was not the first time he had seen her Face.  
Three or four Days after, being at the Fair of S. Germains, with my Mistress, who I believed, loved me with all imaginable Fidelity; I met that King, who, smiling, whispered in my Ear, That the Lady I led was the aforesaid Party. Observing that she had taken notice of our whispering, I acquainted her with what that Prince had said; at which she seemed not much surprised, but asked me: Why? Did you not know it? I could not think of a more fit Revenge, for your baseness in selling your Mistress; I am very well satisfied, and so you ought to be, since the Money has been paid you punctually. Oh! Perfidious, I replied, who could have suspected you capable of such an Action? Take my Advice, said she, and be silent, we are even as to that Point; and if it was mean in me to prostitute myself to a Prince I loved, it is a greater Reproach to you, that you should have delivered up your Mistress for Four Hundred Pistols.  
I wondered at her Temper and Presence of Mind, while Passion almost provoked me to affront her in the open Street. But Women endure a Conviction of Falsehood with more Courage and less Shame than Men can do.  
I broke off wholly with her, and acquainted the King with her Treachery. He seemed to be concerned that I should lose my Mistress on his account; but, however he proceeded in his Amour, I looked on it with a great Unconcernedness, and this Indifferency persuaded me that I did not love her. While I used to visit her, I often saw one of her Friends with her, who had a Daughter about Sixteen or Seventeen Years old, whom she still boarded in a Nunnery, but sent for home some times. This Maid was really Handsome, and had a great Stock of Wit. I often conversed with her, but she was so young that I never ventured to tell her seriously of my Inclination for her: Neither did I guests at here's for me, till she discovered it in a Letter, wherein she expressed her concern most tenderly for a slight Indisposition I had. Hoping, that after all the Tricks Women had played me, I might now safely rely on a young Creature, who seemed to follow the Dictates of her Heart. I returned a Passionate and grateful Answer; and Two or Three Days after received a Reply; by which I was desired to stay at Home till Ten the next Morning. I could not imagine to what end she made me that Request, and did not in the least expect she would have come to see me. Yet she did, telling me, She had given the Slip to one of her Relations, who had fetched her from the Convent. It may well be imagined I was charmed with this Action, and that my Flame was not a little augmented by it; she tarried not long, that her Cousin, who was in a Church hard by, might not miss her. The next Morning I received a very endearing Letter from her, and for a Month afterwards I never failed of one every Day, in the same strain, and I answered them with all the Love I could express. Tho' I had great Reason to be fond of her, and believe she was so of me, yet I durst not visit her in her Nunnery, for she had enjoined the contrary, telling me, It would bring her into a great deal of Trouble; and that she was desirous our Correspondence should be a secret; so that sending and receiving Letters was all the Courtship I could make.  
This had lasted a Month when she wrote to me, That she was obliged to give it over, being persuaded that it was a great Sin. Her Letter almost distracted me, and fearing it was not sufficient for me to write, I owned my Love to an Acquaintance of here's and mine, whom I conjured to assist me.  
The Lady having been with her, told me the Scruple she seemed to have, was but a Pretence, and that the true Reason (as much as she could apprehend by her Discourse) was, That she had a new Gallant. I easily believed it; however, I entreated her to return once more, and endeavour to reclaim her; but the young Minx would not own any thing of it, only she wrote to me, That there had been a great Struggle between her Devotion and her Love, but that the former had prevailed: And, besides, she could no longer dote on a Man whom she could not see, and who, besides, had a Thousand more Mistress. The Style of this Letter was a greater Proof that she had forsaken me, than her telling me so; for let all possible Care be taken to make a Billet Doux soft and amorous, it is no longer so than while the Heart directs the Hand. This confirmed my Thoughts of her Falsehood: But how it humbled me, when I understood it was her Father's Valet de Chambre whom she had preferred before me!  
However, I was so great a Dotard, that I endeavoured to find Excuses for her Frailty; and imagining the free Access he had to her, as Parent's Messenger, was the occasion of her Change, I resolved to procure myself the Advantage of seeing her as often. I confess it was not over honourable to persist in loving one, whose sordid Soul could stoop to such a Man's Addresses; but I had no occasion to be very jealous, since his Visits could reach no farther than the Grate; nor did I think it so great a Wonder for a Maid of her Age to be wavering in her Lover's Absence, but rather blamed my own Negligence, since I might have found out a Thousand Ways of being admitted to her.  
Immediately I thought of one, and having disguised myself like a Footman, enquired for her, as if sent from her Mother. She presently knew me, and expressed so much Joy for having given her that Proof of my Affection, that I expected the Transport she was in, would have deprived her of her Senses. How often did she repeat, Alas! is it possible you should love me still? I could never have thought it. How happy am I! Well, I shall die with Pleasure.  
These Raptures, which seemed very natural, did so bewitch me, that I was no longer angry at her Falsehood, only tenderly mentioned it, and she acknowledged her Civility had encouraged that Man's Boldness, but vowed she would never have endured his Insolence, had she not been provoked to it by the Indifferency she fancied I had for her; and that, as a Confirmation of her Aversion to him, she would cause him to be killed, or stab him herself, if I desired it. I told her, I expected not so barbarous an Assurance, and that I should be satisfied with her avoiding his Conversation; on which she made me a Thousand Protestations of her future Fidelity.  
This gave me an unexpressible Pleasure, and I was ecstasied at the Thoughts of being the only Possessor of her Heart.  
Before I left her, I gave her a Lecture about Constant Love: But having spoke never a Word of Matrimony, she asked me, If I did not think her a Match good enough? I replied, I did not believe her Friends would marry her so young; and, besides, I feared her Fortune being much above mine, I should certainly be denied, if I pretended to ask their Consent. Well! and what need have we of Friends? said she, I'll get out of the Convent, and meet you when and where you please: Then they must comply. I represented to her, It was safer to wait a little, and in the mean while I would procure some Person to insinuate the Matter to her Mother, at a distance, in order to try her Pulse. She seemed better satisfied at these Words, but would not let me go till I had solemnly promised to make her my Wife.  
She was, indeed, so great a Fortune, that there was a Match concluding between her and one of the first Quality, and all the necessary Preparations being ready, she was taken out of the Nunnery, and it was generally reported, she was going to marry the Duke de— But she plainly told her Mother, that she would never have him, because she was engaged to me.  
This surprised her, for our Intriegue had been kept very secret: But the Match in Hand being already agreed on, by the Relations on both Sides, her Mother commanded her never to think more of me, which if she did, she should lead the remainder of her Life in a Cloister. This Threat was a great shock to her Resolution; but what more induced her to comply with her Parents Desires, was the Sight of her intended Husband; whom she fell desperately in Love withal at the first View, and married him the next Day.  
She had before informed me by a Letter of what her Mother had said, and that the only means I had left was to steal her, as she was going to Church, assigning me the Time and Place. It was not without some Reluctancy that I undertook it, but the Prospect of a good Fortune, and an affectionate Wife, made me wave all my Scruples, and having taken all necessary Measures, I came to the Church-Door in a Coach. Just as I arrived, the Ceremony was beginning, so that I took her Project of running away with me for a mere Banter, since I thought it impossible her Mind should alter so suddenly. This I so highly resented, that I was not sorry for losing her, and remained present during all the Service; which was taken as a great Affront by her Friends, who have ever since appeared my Enemies on all Occasions; for I could never come to a right Understanding with them, nor with my Unfaithful Mistress, who seemed not to have seen me; and indeed, I believe, did not, her whole Mind being possessed with her Bridegroom.  
Some will wonder, perhaps, that I should not seek to Revenge myself for her Treachery; but Love being, in my Opinion, the freest thing in the World, I never thought a Gentleman ought to resent those Injuries. I must confess, I have not always been so moderate on that account, as will be seen by the sequel of my Life.  
Being thus jilted by this last Mistress, I believed it now impossible for me to experience the Sweets of a real and sincere Amour, and that made me very morose to a Sex I began both to hate and despise. But what surprised me, was, the more I affronted them, the more complaisant and obliging they were to me.  
I did by this Carriage gain the Esteem of a Lady, my Acquaintance with whom was occasioned by a very odd Accident. This Lady had so henpecked her Husband, that she had reduced him to a mere Changeling, through her imperious Treatment. Being very handsome, and absolute Mistress of her Conduct, most young Courtiers had Intrigues with her, and she was famous for changing her Lovers every Quarter. I could not forbear letting fly a scurrilous Jest or two against her; which she hearing of, made great Complaints, insomuch that one Day, being by chance in her Company, she abused me in a most affronting manner, which I returned with Interest. This made a great Noise, and every one blamed my Rudeness, which indeed I could not excuse. I was advised to give her some Satisfaction, but my Resentment was too great, and, on the contrary, I used all the means I could to express my Contempt of her.  
The Issue was far from what I should have expected, for instead of her Hatred I gained her Friendship. A Lady, who knew us both, desired me to meet her at her House, assuring me I should not repent it. I could but expect a second Scene of Billingsgate, which made me unwillingly consent.  
She came there, and began to weep, saying, She was an unhappy Woman to be thus hated by the only Man she loved. This somewhat mollified me, and before we parted we were made such good Friends, that I became an assiduous Visitant. She discarded all her Lovers, but seeing she paid a blind Obedience to all I required of her, I began, to treat her with more Complacency. This was an occasion of her admitting more Admirers, and my Passion began at last to cool, especially when I understood she represented me as too good natured, and one whose easy Temper made me unhappy with my Mistresses.  
While I had this Intriegue, the Queen Mother imprisoned the Prince of Conde, and the Interest my Brother and I had in him, having raised a Suspicion of us, he advised me to retire to Poland, where my Children and Estate might need my Presence. I took his Counsel, leaving him at Paris, much puzzled how to discharge, at once, his Duty to the Queen and his Obligation to the Prince; and began my Journey, imagining I had too much Experience ever to be overreached by a Woman, but I was still the same Man, and more exposed than ever to their Treachery, as we shall see in the following part of these Memoirs.   

MEMOIRS OF THE Count de— Compiled by Monsieur SAINT E. BOOK III.  
I Passed through Germany, and arrived at Heidelberg, about the latter End of April. It was Two or Three Years after Prince Charles Lewis of Bavaria's having been restored to his Electorate. His Amours are so well known, that the Reader may easily judge, Gallantry was no Stranger to his Court; and that I could scarce avoid there the Dangers from which I designed to keep myself free. But indeed those I met with, were such as I could never have foreseen, and which I therefore escaped with the more Difficulty.  
Among her Electoral Highness' Retinue, was a very handsome Frenchwoman, who neither knew what part of France she was born in, nor who were her Parents. All the Account she could give of herself was, That one of her Country-women had brought her into Germany when she was yet but Ten Years old; who for a long Time was taken for her Mother, but on her Deathbed declared, that she had only been entrusted with her, and did not so much as know who she belonged to. For this Reason they called her the Lady Errand; a Name which she had indeed a good Title to, as we shall see anon.  
The great Character I had of her Wit and Beauty, made me desire to know her; whom, accordingly, I sought an Opportunity to see, and we presently grew acquainted. I perceived she stood much upon her Quality, for having the Liberty to choose what Friends she would, she had pitched on very considerable ones, and confidently assured, that she was Daughter to a Prince and Princess, who, for certain Reasons best known to herself, had concealed her in Germany. I thought it was in Jest that she pretended to so illustrious a Pedigree, but at my Third or Fourth Visit found she was in earnest; and she also informed me, That her Nativity had been calculated, and that the ginger had assured her, she should go into Poland, where she would meet with her Friends, and a Husband suitable to her Birth. In these Hopes she lived, expecting kind Heaven would give her an Opportunity of accomplishing her Destiny, by affording her the means to make a Voyage to Warsaw.  
Hearing I was bound thither, she fancied the happy Hour was come, and offered to accompany me. At first I thought she rallied, but seeing her very serious upon it, I represented to her, That the Electress treated her so kindly that it were Folly and Ingratitude to leave her; that I was obliged to ride Post, and therefore she could not keep Pace with me; and that both her Reputation and mine would suffer by such an Action: But she would not be dissuaded from it, and replied, She was resolved to follow me.  
Then I found my Error, in having too rashly engaged myself with that Woman; for I must confess, that enticed by the easy access I had to her, and the Beauty she was Mistress of, I had warmly courted her. She, thinking my Love real, had relied on the Addresses I made to her, only for my Diversion, and did not imagine I could have denied her any thing.  
How to get rid of her I knew not: At last I thought I might do it, by finding out some real Lover of hers, who would hardly bear her Absence. This was soon done, and I understood that a raw Germane Lord had a sincere Affection for her, and would have married her, had not the Electoress opposed his being matched to one so much below him. I resolved to make him jealous, and to that end seemed more assiduous than before; and fearing that was not enough for his dull Apprehension, I caused him to be warned by a Friend of mine, that I was as likely as any one to rob him of his Mistress, and he had best not only watch her himself, but also desire the Electoress to have her observed. I knew not whether this would take, for my Germane did not seem the more diligent for it, only he opened wide a pair of heavy gogling Eyes upon me, whenever it was our Fortune to be together. In the mean while it grew time for me to be gone, and having, as I thought, dissuaded her from it, I set forwards, for my intended Journey; but was scarce Two Leagues off, when being obliged to stay for the Shoeing of one of my Horses, I was overtaken by Two Horsemen. It was no little Surprise to me, to see that one of them was the Lady Errand in Man's clothes; but more, that the other should be her Germane Gallant. He said no more to me than he used to do, only stared at me with all his Might, while she told me, That upon my scrupling to take her with me, she had persuaded him to attend her, that she hoped I would not refuse them my Company during the rest of the Journey.  
I feared lest my having been one of her Adorers, while at Heidelberg, should make People think I had run away with her; and besides, I could not but foresee that she would have been a very troublesome Companion. I was, on the other Hand astonished to see her Lover, who was a Man of the first Quality, in such a Dress, and without Attendance, and (which increased my Wonder) ready to wait on her into so far distant a Country, while she would have the Company of a Man whom he must needs look on as a Rival. Growing impatient to know the meaning of it, I took him aside, and asked what was his Design, and how I might be serviceable to him. He made me a very low Bow, and answered me with great Respect, That my Highness did him too great an Honour, in choosing him for an Husband to the Princess my Sister. It may well be imagined I was struck with amazement at his Discourse; but it was soon over, for, by what I knew of his Mistress, I soon guessed at the Trick she put upon him.  
However, to be better informed, I desired him to unriddle himself, and understood she had made him believe, That I was her Brother, and Prince de—, who had been obliged to go under a wrong Name at Heidelberg, for the same Reasons as had also put her under a Necessity of concealing her Quality; and had promised, If she would come with me into Poland, to marry them together, and carry her into France, with an Attendance suitable to her Quality. One may easily guests by what I have said, that my Germane Lord was no Conjurer; However, when I had undeceived him, the Shame of having been such an Idiot, so animated him, that he acted like a Man of Sense tho' not like a Man of Honour, and brought me into farther Trouble.  
His Resentment got the better of his Love, and posting back to the City, he left me in Charge with the Lady Errand; who was more obstinate than ever to give me the Trouble of her Company, tho' I absolutely refused it; telling her, If she tarried there any longer, I would return to Heidelberg, and make her Folly known to all the World.  
She was not one that would easily quit her Hold, but seeing Entreaties could not prevail, she begged of me with Tears, That I would assist her in the fulfilling her Destiny. I hope the Reader will excuse my Weakness, considering the Force of those, when trickling down a beautiful Face. I confess, my Heart began to relent, and I should certainly have complied with her, had I not been prevented; which shows, that let a Woman be never so great a Fool, she still has Wit enough to make one of a Man.  
While this Dispute lasted, in which the Victory began to incline of her side, we saw a Company of Horsemen, who, coming up to us, seized on her, and told me, That his Electoral Highness would willingly have an account of the Reasons I had to run away with her. This was as much as to say, That they arrested me in his Name; so I went along with them, without putting them to the Trouble of a more rough Compliment, and came to Heydelberg; where every one looked on me as the Author of her Flight: For the German, ashamed of having given Credit to the Extravagancies she had told him, was the most forward in publishing, That I had persuaded her, thus disguised, to accompany me, thinking thereby to save his own Credit▪ for he was returned before his Absence had been taken Notice of.  
I sure had Reason to curse my ill Fortune, on this account, it being now the Third or Fourth Time in my Life, that I had been, tho' innocent, suspected of stealing Women. A Man must take great Care how he engages himself with Strangers, for it often happens that by being too officious to them he hazards his own Quiet and Safety.  
I gave the Elector a faithful account of what had passed, and he readily believed me, and laughing heartily at the Germane Lord's Simplicity, assured me, That he would do his Endeavours to help him to the Wife he had so great a Mind to.  
Then I had leave to depart, but fell sick by the way, and spent above Six Weeks in my Journey. I understood, before my arrival at Warsaw, That the only Person I feared, was dead some Days since. The Readers Memory may soon suggest to him, That it was the Poisoning and Daggering Lady that I stood in such awe of. She had, since my leaving her, married the Lord I had surprised her with, and (as it was commonly reported) being weary of her Husband, designed to have poisoned him, but he was too hard for her at her own Weapons, and prevented her.  
King Ladislaus had been dead ever since the Year 1648. and his Brother Prince Casimir, had succeeded him, as well in the Enjoyment of his Queen as in that of his Kingdom. I found her Majesty with Child, and ready to lie in; she told me, I came in a very good Time, for Two Reasons: One, to deliver my Brother out of the Trouble he had brought himself into, and then, to comfort a poor afflicted Gentlewoman, who had had recourse to her, and made great Complaints of me.  
I was acquainted in the whole, that my Brother had procured himself many Enemies, by his Rash and Inconsiderate Behaviour, especially in his Amours, insomuch that he was forbid coming to Court. And, as for the Lady, I understood, by the Description was given of her, that it was my Heidelberg Mistress, who was arrived into Poland almost a Fortnight before.  
The Queen informed me, That she had given out, I had promised to marry her, and having obtained my Desire, had ungratefully forsaken her. I satisfied her Majesty in that particular, and gave her a true account of all I knew of her; then her Majesty let me know further, That the King began to be in Love with her; at which I was glad, hoping so potent a Rival might deliver me from her Impertinence.  
The Story of her leaving Heydelberg runs thus. After her Return, the Elector endeavoured to marry her to her stupid Germane Lover; but having less Wit than he, and still fond persuaded that her Stars directed her to Poland, she refused so good an Offer. The Blockhead, eager in his Pursuit, and assisted by his Prince, caused her to be confined, thinking by that means to make her comply; but she found a way to escape, and, having put on Man's clothes, came to Warsaw, with a Woman whom she had persuaded to accompany her under the same Disguise. Being arrived there, she enquired for me, whom not finding, she thought of the fine Story she had told the Queen. But the King's Affection for her, gave her other Thoughts, and she looked upon it as the Forerunner to her future Glory.  
We chanced to meet not long after, but with the same Indifferency as tho' we had never seen one another, and the feigned Promise, nor the Adventures at Heydelberg were not once mentioned in our Conversation. I found her free from all those Extravagancies; she was now grown as sensible as she was fair, and I must confess I never saw a Woman more charming. She made me the Confident of her Intriegue with the King, which brought me into fresh Misfortunes.  
The Queen being as jealous of this, as she had been of her former Husband, would have had me acquaint her with all I knew of their Amour; but I, loath to be an Informer, and fearing to displease her, in refusing to obey her Commands, pretended I had an Intriegue with her myself, and that the King had wholly forsaken her. The Confidence her Majesty reposed in me, made her give more Credit to what I said, than to the Advices she had of the King's Falsehood; and she could not forbear acquainting him with this Report, saying, She wondered how People could have such mean Thoughts of him, as to imagine he could love a Woman I entertained.  
The effect of this was, that he suspecting me, ordered his Mistress to forbear seeing me. When the Queen understood that I durst not visit her, she was convinced I had deceived her, and resented it so highly that she began to hate me, as much as she did her Rival.  
My Brother's wild Conduct had, on the other Hand, made our Name odious to the Polanders. Having, as I have already said, been obliged to quit France, about a Year and a half before, he came to Warsaw, thinking to find me there, where he met with the Gentleman, who had been my Second at Venice, who was but just arrived. The Queen made them a very kind Reception, and Prince Cazimir's Election and Marriage, having given an occasion to all sorts of Pastimes, the Court was so much taken up with those Divertisements, that War had for some time been wholly laid a side; so they had not an occasion of serving his Polish Majesty against the Swedes, to which end they said they were come, and for want of other Employment wholly spent their time in the Lady's Conversation. All the Particulars I could hear were, That they had fought several Duels, and that their rude Behaviour to every Woman they liked, had at last obliged the Queen to command them to come no more to Court; so that they confirmed the Opinion Foreigners had then, That what the French are most famous for (I mean Politeness) is what they least practise in their Amours; which Prejudice, I do not see that those who have traveled since have effaced, for it is looked on as a Miracle to see a young French Gentleman behave himself with Discretion.  
Tho' I had highly disobliged the Queen, yet she made a great Distinction between my Brother and me; and if she seemed not to desire me Stay in Poland, it was because she did not think I could be serviceable to her there, being out of Favour with the King. So when I had settled my Affairs, I resolved to be gone, and first endeavoured to persuade my Brother and his Friend to a more decent Carriage; but thinking their Credit wholly lost there, they went into Swedeland, where they thought they might sooner meet with an Opportunity of showing their Valour, for they were already outlawed in France, whither they durst not return.  
I once more left Poland, much in the same Posture as I had done the Time before, out of Favour with the Court, and still for a Woman's sake; for my Heidelberg Lady was the Cause of all this, and had not that unlucky Accident fell out, I should have had a great Share in King Casimir's Affection. That Prince was much of the same Genius as his Brother, a Foe to Business, and a Friend, nay, I may say, a Slave to his Pleasures, but Master of infinitely more Bravery. He was not, naturally, daring enough for great Undertake, which had given the Queen an absolute Command over his Mind; but when once he had resolved upon a thing, he wanted not Courage to put it in execution. His predominant Vice was the Love of Women, and Constancy was what he was little guilty of. His natural Levity was encouraged by frequent Remorses and a Dread, lest God should bring some Punishment on him for his Lewdness: But it is observable, that his Devotion increased but as his Love-Fits began to decrease, and that he took Religion up but when he grew weary of an old Mistress, which he would as easily lay down again when a new one pleased him better; thus was his whole Life a mixture of Piety and Gallantry. As for his Conversation, he was frank and very Complaisant; his only Fault was too little a Thirst for Glory; and had not the King of Suedeland and 
A Polander, who excited a Rebellion which lasted Fifteen Years.  Lubomirski disturbed his quiet, he would have preferred the Ease of a Private Man to the Reputation of a great Monarch.  
The Queen had an absolute Power over him, tho' she was still mistrustful of her Authority; not that she wanted Wit, or thought herself a Fool, but she feared the King, being of so easy a Temper, might be wrought upon by others; and seeing he must have Mistresses, she took all possible Care to give him a distaste for those, who, she thought might be cunning enough to outwit and supplant her.  
Such was then the Posture of Affairs in Poland, which I had taken especial notice of; for being grown in Age, and consequently more serious, I began to observe the Characters and Intrigues of those I conversed with.  
Before I was quite out of that Country I met with a new Adventure, wherein I run great Hazard of my Life, and was a Witness of the most barbarous Sight Eyes ever beheld, the very Thought of which strikes my Soul with Horror. Although my Inclination for the fair Sex was the occasion of the share I had in it, yet I cannot herein condemn myself, since any one who had the least Humanity or Generosity would have acted as I did.  
I was about Two Days Journey from Warsaw, when resting in a little Town, while fresh Horses were providing for me, I spied a Woman in a great Disorder, who running towards me, made Signs that I should meet her, being almost spent, and not able to reach the Place where I was. Being gone to her, she threw herself into my Arms, and, before she could speak fainted away. She was little, as are most of the Polish Women, and, in spite of the Confusion she was in, it was easily perceived she was as handsome as any that Country affords. Her Beauty and Distress moved my Pity; I carried her into a little House, where my Servants waited, and having laid her down, she recovered.  
She told us, That she was born at Breslau, and that her Friends had married her to a Tartar, who was so rude to her, that not being able to bear any longer with his ill Treatments, she had left him, and was going to Warsaw, where she had some Relations, who would protect her against her severe Husband. That was all she told us at first; but at last she owned, that the Reason of her running away was, That she had given him an Occasion to suspect her Virtue; that her Lover had accompanied her in her Flight, and being fallen into an Ambuscade of Cossaks, they had murdered him before her Eyes, and that having made her escape from them also, she was still in great Fear of her Husband, who, to her Knowledge, was in pursuit of her.  
Indeed my Heart bled to see her in that wretched condition; but how to help her I knew not, unless I carried her to Warsaw, which would have been a considerable Stop to my Journey. However, I thought myself obliged in Honour and Conscience to do it, and accordigly ordered one of my Men to take her up behind him, and to follow me. But we had scarce rid half a Day, before we met with her Husband, who with Ten or Twelve Tartars more, was in Quest after her. He presently knew her again, and having drawn his Scymeter, came to him who had her up behind him, threatening to take away his Life. I ran to his Relief with my Pistol cocked, but the superior Number soon overpowered us, and we were robbed of our Charge. I know not whether in the Passion he was in, he took me for his Cuckold-maker, but having ordered his Men to seize me, I was forced into a Stable he had already caused her to be shut into, where I beheld his barbarous Revenge. He commanded Four of his Servants to grasp her tender Limbs, while himself began to flay her. The miserable Creature looked sometimes on me, and amidst the woeful Cries that dreadful Pain forced from her, did now and then put forth some Ejaculations, to implore the Divine Mercy. At last her inhuman Husband, seeing her dead, threw in my Face what he had of her Skin, whence I expected to have been used in the same manner; which to prevent, I told him in Polish, That I would have him take care of what he did; That I was a Stranger, wholly unacquainted with his Wife, and whom he could have no quarrel against. This made him look very earnestly on me; and, as I suppose, finding his Mistake, he did me the Favour, having set my Men and Baggage at Liberty, to turn me out of Doors.  
Indeed I never was seized with so much Dread and Horror; it was above Ten Days before I could destroy the frightful Idea of her Punishment; and I had so great an Execration for the Tartar, that I often had, duing that Time, a violent Desire, to seek out the Villain, and kill him with mine own Hand: But these Thoughts did at last wear off, and gave Way to the Reflections I made on the fatal Consequences which usually attend an unequal Match, and on the Misery Women procure themselves by their loose Behaviour.  
I arrived at Paris about the latter End of january, having spent near Ten Months in my Journey. About a Fortnight after my arrival, the Prince was set at Liberty, and my Brother and I thought we might express our Gratitude and Respects to him, without disobliging the Court: But we soon found it otherwise, and the very first Time we waited on him, perceived he was contrving a a Rebellion. He was of too great a Judgement not to discover the Queen designed to to recall the Cardinal, who was then, I think, at Sedan, and openly protested, That if he returned into France, he would send him out faster than he came in. We well foresaw what would be the Event, and waited not long for a Confirmation of our Fears. My Brother did not think fit to follow the Prince, but because I was more Master of my own Actions, he not only consented to my attending him out of the Kingdom, but also advised me to share in his Fortune; whether he saw it impossible for him to advance my Preferment with the Queen, or that being desirous to see the Prince in Favour with his Majesty, he was glad to have a Friend with his Royal Highness, who should give him good Advice.  
Whatever my Brother's Design might be, I am sure I would never have complied with his Desires, had I not been glad to leave Paris, that I might divert my Melancholy, occasioned by the Affliction I had, through the Perfidiousness of a new Mistress, I had already engaged with, since my Return from Poland. This was a troublesome Intriegue; and since that with my Carmelite, none had ever proved so vexatious to me. Indeed it afforded me an Opportunity of discovering new Characters in the Sex, which I had not till then been aware of, as may be judged from the following Story.  
Near my Lodgings there lived a Woman, whose Husband was lately dead, but who had been separated from him a few Years after her Marriage. Every one would have it that her Gallantry had been the only occasion of their Divorce, and I was for some Time of the same Opinion; but being grown better acquainted with her, I perceived there might other Reasons and very substantial ones, be given. She was the most fantastical Woman in the World; and I think that the ill Humour of a Wife is as insupportable as her want of Chastity; for tho' she does less expose her Husband in Public, she is a greater Plague to him in private.  
She had a Daughter, who shared the same Fate with her; for they had made it their Bargain at parting, That the Father should provide for the Boys, and the Daughter should be left to her Mother's Care. She was certainly the worst Tutor that young Maid could have, not only because of her bad Repute, but also for the unaccountable Sentiments she had on her Daughter's account, which till then it never had entered my Thoughts a Mother could have been guilty of. This Woman, who was, no doubt, well informed of the Aspersions that were cast upon her Honour, was jealous at the Praise her Daughter might have won, by not following her Example; and her greatest Care was to engage her into some Intriegue, which might expose her to a like Censure; but through another unaccountable Nicety, she was desirous that her Daughter might lie under the Scandal of Folly as well as Debauchery, and to that purpose was very diligent in keeping her from the Company of ingenious Men, whose Conversation might be a Credit to her, and in admitting Blockheads.  
Such was this Gentlewoman's Humour, which I did not at first discover, thinking her encouraging the Addresses some Fools made to her Daughter might be grounded on the Opinion, That they are less dangerous than others.  
The young Lady was very lovely, had a brisk flashy Wit, but very little Judgement, and was of a very violent Temper, and a great Indulger of her Passions.  
I was at first wholly unacquainted with either of their Characters, and only visited them, as being agreeable Neighbours, whose Conversation might prove diverting; but I had not seen the Daughter twice, ere I fell deep in Love. She received my Declaration in such a manner as increased my Flame, and we presently grew as Intimate as if we had known each other all our Life-Time.  
She told me, I must not give any Jealousy to her Mother; and that the old Gentlewoman should not suspect me, I thus excused the frequent Visits I made to her Daughter: First, That I did it, to increase her Knowledge, by giving her a Narration of my Travels, and then to make a Match between her and a Relation of mine, who was very rich, and was wholly guided by me. But this was just the Counterpart of what I should have done, for her Mother was unwilling she should have any Merit or be well matched; and her only wish was, That she might be thought to want both Sense and Modesty.  
I soon found I was not welcome, and the most disobliging Methods in the World were used to make me understand it: But while I was so ill treated, all possible Favour was shown to a Man who possessed, in a high degree, all the ill Qualities requisite to render his Acquaintance scandalous on all accounts, and was therefore sovereignly accomplished for what the Mother designed him.  
He was Five and Fifty, and had spent his Life under so universal a Contempt, that I never heard any one speak well of him. The only good Quality he was famous for, was, that he was a very peaceable and quiet Man, an Enemy to Quarrels, and willing to put up all manner of Affronts rather than draw his Sword, which had not hitherto seen the Light, tho' he was an Officer. Another valuable Qualification was, That he was an eternal Visitant, where he once grew acquainted, especially if it was a House of good Eating, and where it might be thought he had some Intriegue, for he unwillingly parted with his Money, and was very ambitious of being thought in Favour with the Ladies.  
Being an old Acquaintance of theirs, I wondered not at first to see him so assiduous; but the Daughter, who seemed to repose an entire Confidence in me, informed me, That he was vehemently in Love with her. ay, not in the least mistrusting, that one, I thought so deserving could ever stoop to have a Kindness for such a Fop, turned his Passion into ridicule, and only advised her to avoid being in private with him, lest she should thereby encourage the Vanity of that conceited Ass.  
I questioned not but her own Inclination would have made her hearken to my Advice; but was soon soon acquainted with the contrary, that she was with him Day and Night, and that when the old Woman was gone to Bed they sat up together till Two or Three in the Morning. I taxed her with it, which she denied in part, and vowed what she did was only out of Complaisance to her Mother. Then I found what Mettle the old Gentlewoman was made of, and by this and several other Passages easily guessed at the Character I have given of her. I imparted my Conjectures to her Daughter, whom I counselled, as well as I could, how she should behave herself under those grievous Circumstances: But my Admonitions came too late; for the Freedom she was allowed with my old Rival, had so increased their Intimacy that I was clean forgotten. Use makes all things familiar, and an amorous Woman, like an hungry Clown, greedily devours all she meets in her Dish.  
Tho' I was vexed beyond Measure to see how matters stood, I could not be heartily angry at my Mistress, and accused her Mother only, but I soon understood she was as much to blame.  
Being insensibly fallen in Love with the old Officer, she was afraid I might represent to her Mother the ill Consequences of their frequent Meetings, and by that means deprive her of the Pleasure of seeing him, with the same freedom as formerly. To prevent this she resolved to complain first, and accordingly told her Mother, That I continually persecuted her with Declarations of a Love she could not receive. I dare say my Affection for her did not so much displease her Mother, as the good Opinion that old Gentlewoman had of me, for she could not endure a Gentleman should court her Daughter, desiring, as I have already said, she should appear ridiculous in the Choice of her Gallants.  
The Mother, thereupon, affronted me downright, which I, not in the least suspecting my Mistress' Treachery, attributed to her usual Fantasticalness. In the mean while she obtained her Ends, for the old Officer's too frequent Visits afforded matter for every one's Discourse. The Servants spoke very ill things, and, in short, it occasioned a very great Scandal.  
I found my Case very hard for a Man that loved Sincerely. Tho' I did not think her as base as the Town-Talk represented her, yet I could not wholly disbelieve what was said; however, out of an incredible Fondness, I everywhere took her part, and strove to efface a Report, which I knew was but too well grounded.  
It was impossible she should be ignorant of the Zeal I expressed for her; yet whether she was ashamed of her Perfidiousness, or that she feared a troublesome Advice, she did not design to follow, she shunned me with so much Care, that I never could speak with her.  
I knew not what to think of it, for I could never imagine that she should be in Love with so disagreeable a Person as my Rival; and, besides, I had not Courage enough to hate her, were it true. In the mean while, the Scandal increased, and it was whispered about she was with Child. The Proofs of her Shame were but too convincing, and I found myself in a most intricate Dilemma, not knowing what to believe, and whether to love or hate her. At last, I thought it my best way to make no farther Enquiry into the Matter, but by Absence to seek a Cure for my Folly. By this Motive was I induced to follow my Brother's Counsels; and, I may say, this Intriegue gave me more piercing Griefs and more sensible Afflictions than I had till then received.  
In Obedience to my Brother's Commands, I attended the Prince, whom I found very chagreene, and much dissatisfied with the Spaniards. The Loss of Monrond was a great Vexation to him, and taking me aside, he asked me what People said of him at Paris, and whether my Brother would not follow my Example? I answered, that both the Court and City were wholly devoted to him, especially my Brother, who as a Token of his Respect for him, had sent me to serve him. He asked me further, Whether my Brother designed to stay? And how he could agree with the Cardinal. I replied, My Brother made his Court to the King only, and had nothing to do with that Minister in particular. Then write to him, said he, that I would have him be either White or Black, and that unless he can can be content to cringe to the Cardinal it is his best way to come hither. I told him, I thought he was fixed in his Resolution, and that he would keep where he was. I see, replied the Prince, that he designs for a Marshal's Staff. Indeed he is in the Right, and were I in his Place I should not stop in so fair a Course; but a Prince is certainly in an unhappy Station. Thereupon he unbosomed himself to me, and confessed, That he was sorry for having engaged into such a Business. I laid hold of this Opportunity to persuade him to make his Peace with the King: But, he answered, it was too late, and that now the Dice were cast he must be content with his Chance. We had afterwards several other Conferences, and whether he reposed more Trust in me than in the rest of those who were with him, or that having once unfolded his Secrets to me, it was become habitual to him, he made me the Confident of all the Mortifications he received from the Spaniards, and had each Day some new Discovery to impart to me, of the little Fidelity was to be expected from them. This occasioned his giving me a Commission I thought very disagreeable, being rather desirous to be employed in the Army. The Prince, who ever since the Battle at Lens knew me to be a good Soldier; would of himself have been inclined to give me that Satisfaction, but seeing nothing was acted in Flanders, without express Orders from the Council at Madrid, he thought it would not be amiss to send into Spain a Person he might trust to, who should manage his Affairs with Don Lewis de Haro, First Minister of that Court. He told me, He had at first pitched on the Abbot de— thinking I might have done him more Service, as an Officer, but that the Abbot was too rash and giddy, and, he feared, would spoil all; then he obligingly told me, My good Parts rendered me more fit than any one to ingratiate myself with the Spanish Ministers; that this Employment, which would not expose me to public View, would be more convenient for me than bearing Arms against France, where my Brother might perhaps be the Object of their malicious Revenge; that seeing my Brother adhered to the Cardinal's Party, he would, questionless, use his Endeavours to recall me, and that if my Mind altered, I might return with more Honour, not having appeared in the Rebellion.  
I yielded to these Reasons, and, besides, I found there was a good one he kept to himself, to wit, the Jealousy, which the Interest I had in him, gave to those who had some Share in his Favour: So I acquainted the Prince, That I was ready to obey his Commands, and having received my Instructions, went for Madrid, incognito, as a Stranger, who made that Journey on his own private Occasions; for the Prince had not thought fit to give me a Public Character, thinking my Negotiations, by being more private, would be more secure, and kept my Departure so very secret, that none knew but himself what was become of me.  
I spent near Two Years in Madrid, without doing him any other Piece of service than representing the Wrongs he received from the Spaniards in Flanders, and answering the Complaints which they made against him; for, as one might judge from their Letters, they never could agree: And I discovered better there than the Prince could do in Flanders, how wretched a Rebel's Condition is, who is forced to depend upon Strangers. They found him too extravagant in his Expenses, and too slow in his Progresses, for they would have had him conquer all France in a Quarter of a Year's Time, without putting them to a Farthing Expense. 'Tis true, they did all possible Justice to his Merit, but still the Money was wanting, and some thought Don Lewis de Haro was of Intelligence with Cardinal Mazarine, and had been bribed by the Queen-Mother, to leave the Prince destitute both of Men and Mony. Whatever the Reason might be, all my Instances prevailed little, and only procured him unperformed Promises and empty Praise,  
Having then but little to do, during the Two Years I remained at Madrid, it was no wonder if I spent some part of my Time in Gallantry, especially in a Country so fruitful in Adventures and Intrigues; and there I obtained a farther Insight into the Female Sex's Character, which I have made it my Business in these Memoirs to describe.  
I lodged at a Frenchman's House, who by his Pride and Self-Conceit might have been taken for a Spaniard, but there is little Difference between the Spaniards and the Natives of Gascony, at least I found it so by him. He bragged much of his Quality, but still did not disdain Trade, Pictures and Pieces of Tapestry.  
Here, tho' it is not much to our Purpose, I cannot forbear relating the manner wherein he bought some of them, which will perhaps seem odd and unlikely, but is notwithstanding very true.  
A Spaniard, whom he dealt with, carried him one Day into the King's Palace, and having led him into the finest Apartment, where they took a View of the Pictures and Tapestry, the Spaniard asked him, What he liked best of all the Furniture? and the other having told him, He fancied a certain Picture and Piece of Hangings he showed him; Well, quoth my Spaniard, and what will you give me, if I procure them? The Frenchman, not thinking they were at his disposal, took this as a Jest; but his Companion having assured him he was in earnest, and that this was not the first Time he had sold the King's Goods, they made a Bargain, and accordingly the Picture was sent, having been cut out of its Frame, and some Days after the Tapestry, which the Receiver speedily conveyed to Bayonne. Himself told me this Story, saying; It was a very usual thing at Madrid, where they would in that manner sell the Goods of most of the Palaces, having first agreed of the Price before they stole them.  
I did not much like the Company of a Man, who was capable of countenancing such a Villainy; but I meddled not with his Concerns, nor he with mine, and all the Discourse we had together was only concerning the Intrigues of the Town.  
The first I had at Madrid was with a Woman, whose Husband was a great Favourite of Don Lewis de Haro's. My Employment occasioned an Intimacy between us, for it was often through his means that I obtained Audience from his Patron. I never had seen his Lady, nor so much as heard that he was married, till one Day that she spoke to me, in a Church where we chanced to meet. I found she knew me, and was willing to improve an Acquaintance, which her Youth and Beauty made me but too desirous of. These Desires I expressed to her, to which she answered, If I was sincere, the Week should not be at an End before I should receive that Satisfaction.  
The Frenchman, at whose House I lodged, was then at the same Church, and had taken notice of our Conversation, tho' it had been but very short: We were no sooner at home but he asked me whether I knew that Lady, and had seen her before? I asked him the Reason of his Question. 'Tis, replied he, of some small concern to me, having been her Gallant for above this half Year; and, when you please I will show you some Twenty Letters of hers I have by me. Then he told me, That he was scarce arrived at Madrid, when he first contracted a Familiarity with her, having had an Opportunity at a Public Entertainment the King had given, and that ever since he met her thrice a Week, at a certain Place, where he offered to carry me.  
I was not a little nettled at his Discourse, being vexed to see that a Lady, whom I had a Kindness for, should be already engaged; and what was worse, that so undeserving a Man (for indeed his Merit was but small) should have the preference before me. However, I concealed my Thoughts, and pretending Curiosity, desired to see some of those Letters, which he promised me: But he delayed me Two Days, and then showed me Six or Seven anonimous Billets, which he assured me, came from her, and all expressed a great Passion, and very little Wit.  
This gave me such ill Thoughts of the Lady that I resolved never to think of her more; but having some Business with her Husband, I went to his House, where I was informed he was out of Town, and one of her Servants whispered me, That his Lady desired to speak with me. I could not tell at first what I had best to do: However, the Desire of knowing what she had to say, prevailed, and I went up to her, with a Resolution to tax her Baseness.  
I did, and she protested it was all false; vowing she knew no Frenchman but myself, and that no Man could ever boast of having received a Love-Letter from her. The Confidence with which she spoke to me, made me begin to suspect my Landlord, upon which I told the Lady, That I would produce some of them, by which she replied, I should oblige her; then I left her possessed with a Passion which nothing but a Confirmation of her Infamy could extinguish.  
I took no Notice to my Landlord that I had visited the Lady, but pretending I had found the Letters very ingenious, I desired him to let me see them once more; and he accordingly drew one out of his Pocket, he said he had but just received, which I read and put into mine, and he did not seem over-earnest to have it again.  
Then I presently waited on the Lady, whom I found ready to send me one, which, she told me, she had wrote, that by comparing the Characters I might be convinced of her Innocence. I was, and it plainly appeared that this was all a Contrivance of his, whether out of a Vain Glory of being thought to have had a good Fortune, or a Desire to perplex me, for he never had so much as spoke to her.  
Nothing could then have hindered my being seriously in Love with her, but the oddest Fancy, I think, any Woman could ever have. The scandalous Story he had made of her must naturally have have procured him her Scorn and Aversion. But how strange are a Woman's Appetites! His Lies had a quite contrary effect, and she desired me to bring him to her, saying, It was with a Design to be revenged on him, for having abused her thus; but it seems that Man had unawares gained her Favour, and indeed at the very first Sight they became very good Friends.  
Let the most accurate Moralists tell me now, What could be the Motive of her being charmed with that which would have made him Contemptible in any other Woman's Eyes? As for me, I can assign none, but the flattering Thoughts, that since he had pretended himself one of her Adorers, he must needs think her adorable: Perhaps too, did she find the Letters just such as she would have sent, and could not help admiring a Man who had so good a Guess.  
Whatever the Reason might be, they improved their Acquaintance, and my Landlord might since have shown me as many true Letters as he had done fictitious ones, but he grew discreet when his Intriegue became real. I should have disputed him the Conquest of a Heart he had so bad a Title to, had I not then met with a Lady whom I thought more worth my Care.  
The Duke de Guise was still at Madrid, having the City for a Prison. I waited on him, and gave him an account of what I had suffered at Naples for his Service, as also of his Mistress' Treachery, except that part of it wherein I was concerned. He said, He was sorry he should have occasioned me all that Trouble, and to make me some Amends, he would introduce me to a Lady who, he was sure, would not receive me ill, and was worth my Acquaintance, being as considerable for her Quality and Fortune as for her great Beauty.  
This was a strong Temptation, and being of myself very frail, I was easily won to make an Appointment, according to which he carried me Two Days after, into a House, where he promised me I should see her. From the Freedom with which the Duke entered, I judged he was no Stranger there: It was then about Five in the Evening, and not so dark but I perceived the Furniture was extraordinary rich, which confirmed part of what the Duke had said, and I began to have a strange Passion for the unknown Lady.  
I was left alone in a Closet, till very late at Night, while the Duke was gone, as he told me, to acquaint the Lady with my being there. I had all the Reason in the World to imagine that she was one of his Mistresses, and that being weary of her, he had a mind to make her over to me; yet my Weakness was such that I waved these Reflections, to dwell on the Thoughts of my future Happiness. But how great was my Astonishment, when the Lady coming into the Closet, I saw it was the same from whom I had received so ill Treatment at Naples. The Duke ushered her in, and told me, smiling, That she came to expiate her former Faults. I was possessed with Anger and Indignation at the unexpected Sight, but the Duke's Presence commanding my Respect, I put a good Face on the Matter, and seeing they both laughed heartily, I laughed too for Company, tho' I had little mind to it.  
I could not imagine whether his Design in surprising me, was only to make himself Sport, or to reconcile me to the Lady; but whatever his Intention might be, I thought I had Reason to be offended at it; and out of Revenge resolved once more to be his Rival. There indeed my Passion proved stronger than my Honour, which would have led me rather to abhor than court so perfidious a Woman. Besides, what Madness was it in me to think of depriving him of a Mistress, in whose Favour he seemed to be, and who having left her Native Country, was come as far as Spain to enjoy his Conversation. But I ventured through all, and, before I left her, whispered in her Ear, that I adored her more than ever, and was a dead Man if she did not answer my Love. She squeezed my Hand at these Words, which gave me Hopes I laboured not in vain. The very next Day she sent for me, and her Beauty and Conversation made me feel in earnest a Flame I designed but to pretend.  
She at first begged my Pardon for what had passed at Naples, alleging several bad Excuses, which being varnished over with a few Tears, I readily accepted. Then the Duke was the next Theme we went upon, and she made great Complaints of him, telling me, That tho' she had come so far from Home for his sake, and had made him very rich Presents, he cared little for her, and was in Love with one of the King of Spain's Mistresses.  
It will easily be thought that I did not endeavour to clear him, but made use of his Falsehood as an Argument to persuade her to pay him in his kind. But she told me, That she would bear with it a little longer, and that the Duke's Departure being so near, she would not fall out with him now, but would manage him so, that I should have no cause to be jealous. I took all this for Current Coin, and left her as full of Love as if she had been the chastest Woman in the World; but it was all a Plot she and the Duke had contrived, to make Sport with me, as will appear by the sequel of the Story.  
I had already heard that the King of Spain was a very amorous Prince, and his Intrigues were so many that all Madrid talked of nothing else. I was also informed that he kept a Strange Lady, whom he used to meet at the Count de—, and that to that Amour the Duke de Guise owed his Liberty. The Duke himself had also often mentioned her, in my Hearing, but without naming her, and I durst not ask him who she was. But the Frenchman, with whom I lived, who was a very inquisitive busy Fellow, said, He was acquainted at the House where the King used to visit his Mistress, whither, if I pleased, he would carry me, to see his Majesty, as he was going to her. I accepted of the Proposal, and we hid ourselves in a dark Passage, through which the King was to come, whom presently after we saw in a Civilians Habit; which so disguised him, that had I not been told beforehand it was himself, I should never have known him. He tarried there but half an Hour; and after he was retired, we were going down Stairs, when a Servant bid us make Room, and looking up I saw the Lady, to whom my Companion said the Visit had been made. Her Face was covered with a Veil, and passing by me, she pulled me by the Sleeve, and told me in Italian, she would gladly meet me in another Place, and walked by so fast that I had not the leisure to reply.  
I did not doubt but she was taken with my Phiz; and flattered with the Thoughts that she should fancy me above a Monarch, my next Care was to find out who she was, and how I might speak with her.  
I thought no Body could inform me better than the Neapolitan Lady, who had made me believe she was her Rival, and therefore waited on her, and asked her, Which of the King's Mistresses it was the Duke de Guise had an Inclination for? She smiled at my Question, and desired to know why I asked it. I replied it was only out of Curiosity; upon which she often renewed her Enquiry, and having still returned the same Answer; Come, said she, you do not deal ingenuously with me, I am better acquainted with your Thoughts than you imagine; the Lady whose Acquaintance you so much long for is the best Friend I have; I know that she loves, and has spoken to you, but if you are wise you will let her alone, and I dare hope, that as things stand between us, you would not be false to me. I at first denied she had ever spoke to me, but hearing her repeat the very Words, I confessed the Truth, promising I would not think of her any more.  
The Duke de Guise also told me of it, seeming as well informed as his Mistress, and advised me to improve the Opportunity, assuring me that he would not traverse my Designs, but, since he must shortly leave Spain, would freely resign her. I had indeed but too great an Inclination to follow the Duke's Counsel, but fearing to discover it to my Rival, I seemed to believe he rallied, and did not express any Desire of knowing her, fearing he would have told the Neapolitan Lady of it, whose Favour I was not willing to lose. So I remained in my Ignorance, and by the Chimeras I framed to myself of my Fair unknown, was deprived of the Sweets I might have enjoyed with my known Mistress, whose Charms I thought much inferior to hers.  
I never knew till then how fantastical a Passion Love is; for tho' I had never seen her Face, I doted on her more than I yet had done on any Woman I ever courted, and my Desire was so much the fiercer, because I knew not what it was I wished for. My own Experience convinced me then, That your Knight Errants running up and down the World after invisible Ladies, is not the most unlikely Part of Romances, since I myself little differed from those fabulous Heroes, being wholly taken up with a Lady whose Charms I was wholly a Stranger to.  
To make this a true Romantic Adventure, the unknown Object of my Wishes sent me some Letters, by which she promised in a short Time to rid me of my Doubts, and admonished me in the mean while to remain constant and discreet. It was very difficult for me to obey her, for whenever I had received a Billet Doux, my Mistress told me of it, and seemed not to be ignorant of the Contents. I remained a quarter of a Year in this uncertainty, when at last a Note was delivered to me, to let me know that the Lady now designed to disclose herself, and that she would be that Day at the Neapolitan Lady's.  
Tho' I was heartily vexed at her choosing that House for our Interview, yet I was punctual to a Minute, and then understood, that the King's Mistress, who had spoken to me, was no other Person than my old Acquaintance. Having left Naples to follow the Duke de Guise into Spain, she no sooner appeared at Court but the King fell deep in Love with her; the Duke de Guise, who was not overnice in that Point, had promoted their Amour, and the Service he had done his Majesty therein, was recompensed with his Liberty.  
I was ashamed to own myself deceived, but pretended I had discovered the Design long ago, and only connived at it, to see how far they would carry on the Jest. But tho' the Lady had believed me, the Increase of my Fondness would have undeceived her; for adding to the Charms she really possessed, those I had attributed to my unknown Mistress, I grew more passionate than ever I had been. This shows that Love must still have Fancy to support it, and is at the same Time a Proof, that our Hearts are strangely deluded, when once they yield themselves up to it.  
I began to adore my Neapolitan afresh, as if I had never courted her before; and the Duke de Guise's sudden Departure delivered me from a dangerous Rival. I was surprised at the Indifferency with which they parted. The Joy of returning to his native Country drowned the Grief he should have felt at leaving a Woman, who had given him such Demonstrations of her Love; and she, on the other hand, was not sorry for the Loss of him, being wholly taken up with the Glory of the illustrious Conquest she had made. But what I most wondered at, was to see how unconcernedly they talked of this Separation; for the Duke plainly told her, That being obliged to quit her, he could not yield up his Pretences to a more worthy Person than myself, who had besides an unquestionable Title to her Affection, from what I had suffered for her sake, which she heard with a Temper I never thought Parting Lovers could have been Masters of. It is, no doubt, a great Felicity to enjoy such a Tranquillity of Mind: But my Sincerity has always rendered my Amours unfortunate, and I should certainly have been happy, had I lived in those blessed Times, when in Love there was more Truth and less Artifice.  
The little good Nature she expressed in that Occasion, joined to the Memory of my having been so often choosed by her, should certainly have cured me of my Dotage; but, on the other Hand, the Spanish Women live very much retired, and I had a free Access to her; besides, I was very idle at Madrid, and wanted Occupation: But, as for the great Leisure I had, she soon procured me Employment, by the Troubles she brought me into.  
The Duke de Guise was scarce gone, when she began to Grieve for his Absence. While this Humour lasted I never had a good Word from her, for she accused me as the Cause of his going, and of her Consenting to it.  
When I saw this, I began to be angry too, and made the Intriegue she had with the King, a Pretext to my Displeasure, saying, I would have all her Heart or none. So we were continually quarrelling for Three Weeks together, after which she became more complaisant, and gave over speaking of the absent Duke, as I also did teazing her about the King.  
But this Truce lasted not long, for visiting her one Evening, I found her in a great Fury, and having enquired into the Reason, she replied, She was jealous at one of her Rivals, whom the King affected better than herself. It was a Surprise to me to see this Fit on her, for she had hitherto seemed very well contented on that account; so I asked her, What new Accident had happened? she told me, She had no fresh Reason to hate her, but that, upon several Considerations, she had concluded it was a Shame to her to have but a Share in the King's Favour. Tho this Scruple came, me thoughts, a little too late, I would not let slip so fair an Opportunity of persuading her not to settle her Affection on a Prince who was so general a Lover, since she was rich enough not to need his Assistance. She did not relish this Doctrine, but told me, That, on the contrary, she would use her utmost Endeavours to drive her from a Post she could suffer no Body in but herself, and to grow the sole Possessor of his Heart; upon which I represented to her, that it was impossible, seeing he was of so fickle a Temper, that he each Day added a new Mistress to the many old ones he had already: But was answered, That she would not desist, and that I must help her in it too.  
I was willing to know how I could assist her in her Design? She told me, I must court her Rival; that she would make the King take notice of it, who would doubtless grow jealous, and that her Plot was so contrived that her Antagonist must bear alone the Weight of the King's Anger, and I should receive no Damage. I did not like her Proposal, and answered, I durst not venture upon it; to which she replied angrily, That if I did not, she would acquaint the King with my Love to herself, and undo me that way.  
I was extremely perplexed, not knowing which to do; but at last I chose to comply with her, thinking that would be the safest, because it required more Time, during which her Mind might alter, whereas by denial I exposed myself to sudden Ruin. So I told her, I was ready to obey, if she would but put me in the Way. She answered, That was not Difficult, and she would bring me acquainted with her Enemy, who often visited her.  
She was as good as her Word, and the Project was executed as she had laid it, only I did not pretend Courtship to her Rival, but fell in Love with her in good earnest. Here the Reader will give me leave to call Eleonor, who was a young Maid, between Eighteen and Twenty; she could not boast of her Quality, having been brought to Court during the Rebellion in Catalonia, by a Lady, whose Husband being Governor of that Province, had been murdered by the Rebels. But what she wanted that way was recompensed by an incomparable Beauty, the best Nature in the World and the strictest Virtue, which had won the King's Esteem, who had a real Passion for no other but her, he only knew her to be chaste, for every Body else thought nothing could be refused a Monarch.  
Being the most beautiful of the King's Mistresses, she was therefore the chief Object of the Neapolitan Lady's Jealousy; and one Day, as she reproached the King with his Kindness for Eleonor, he confessed to her, That he never could obtain the least Favour from her, and that he began to be tired with Fruitless Endeavours. This it was that put her so out of Humour, and fearing her Modesty might gain her his Respect, she resolved to ruin her, by making him believe she was chaste only to him: For that is the Way of such Women, to cry down and hate those whose Virtues make their Vices more conspicuous.  
I was charmed with her Beauty, at the first Sight, and being weary of my Mistresses insupportable Humours, my Heart readily embraced a Change. I declared my Love to Eleonor, who answered, That if I were sincere she would return it. Then we appointed a Meeting in the same Place the next day, when the Neapolitan Lady, whose Interest it was to promote our Amour, made some Excuse and withdrew. Eleonor, seeing we were alone, unbosomed herself to me, and having protested that she never had granted the King any Favour Modesty would not allow, assured me she would behave herself in the same manner to any Man who should court her, unless it were with a Design to marry.  
These Principles increased my Passion, and I answered, That I could wish myself worthy that Honour, but must own to her my Estate in France was but small, and what I had in Poland belonged to my Children, so that my being her Husband would prove her Ruin. She replied, Riches was not what she desired, and that she could be content with Necessaries. I told her, She must have more aspiring Thoughts, and that all I could do for her Service was, to advise her to match herself to Advantage. She said, It was only with that Design she had entertained the King's Addresses, tho' she knew her Reputation suffered by it, but being Friendless, and being not conscious of any Gild she had committed, she hoped Heaven would forgive, and not forsake her.  
This made me call my Carmelite to mind, and I found their Sentiments so conformable, that I wept at the sad Remembrance of that unfortunate Amour.  
Eleonor was surprised at it, and having asked the Reason, I told her, It was a consequence of Esteem I had for her, and the Trouble I was in, to see myself uncapable of possessing so Generous and Virtuous a Wife. This Reply pleased her, and she told me, That since I was willing to counsel her, she would accept my Offer, provided I would advise her how she should obtain of the King of Spain, that he would make her rich enough to espouse me, without being a Charge to me; For, said she, I must confess I fancy you more than any Man I know; I have a great Desire to live in France, and wish for no greater Satisfaction than to spend my Life there with you. I answered, I saw little likelihood of our being married; which I repeated so often, that she was offended at it. Do not think, said she, my being so willing to have you proceeds from a want of Lovers, I might find enough who would not deny me, and one, among the rest, whose Quality would dazzle the Eyes of any one but myself. Then she informed me, That the eldest Son to the Duke de— laid close Siege to her, and, had she consented, would have stole her, but that she had still refused it.  
By the concern I was in at hearing this, I found I had but too great an Inclination for her; yet I was Master of myself to that degree, as to tell her, That such an Offer was not to be slighted, and that I would use my Endeavours to promote the Match.  
There, I think, this Visit and Conversation ended; and the Neapolitan Lady having asked me, How Matters went? I replied; there was nothing to be done with her. This increased her Rage, and confirmed her in the Resolution she had taken to undo her; to which end she went, and told the King, That Maid, who was so proud to him, could stoop to other People, and that I boasted of some Favours I had obtained from her.  
The King, who had a real Esteem for Eleonor, informed her of what he had heard, and she, believing I had done her that Injury, vowed it was all false, and begged his Majesty to avenge her; which he promised. Not thinking she had done enough, she excited the Lover, she had told me of, against me: Who promised he would make me recant, or would cut out my Tongue. ay, the while, did not in the least suspect my Danger, and was filled with Love and Admiration for a Lady, who was then contriving my Ruin.  
One Night, as I was retiring homewards, I was set upon by Six Men, who, having struck up my Heels, bound me, and carried me into a House; where the first Person I saw was Eleonor, who coming to me in an unexpressible Rage, bid me, Repair her Honour, or expect to be hewn in pieces. Upon that, in came the Duke de— 's Son, with a Dagger in his Hand, who seemed unwilling to hear me speak, and desirous to have dispatched me immediately. All I could do in the Danger I was in, was to cast a languishing Eye upon Eleonor; and I know not whether my Looks moved her Compassion, but holding my Adversary's Arm; Speak then, Wretch, said she, How have I deserved that Slander from you? This brought me to myself again, and judging some Body must have misrepresented me to her, I began not to be so much afraid, but looking tenderly on her; Who I, Madam! answered I, that I should have injured your Reputation! For Heaven's sake forbear such Thoughts. All the Crime I am conscious of, is having a greater Esteem for you than some People will, perhaps, allow; and having been too free in speaking your Praise.  
I spoken these Words with such an honest Assurance as inclined Eleonor to believe me. But I forgot I was in his presence who designed to marry her, and I continued my Discourse with so much Passion, that by clearing myself in the Lady's Opinion, I grew guilty in that of her Lover, who would still be interrupting me, saying; I must die. She answered, It was fit I should be heard, and acquainted me with what the Neapolitan Lady had told the King; and I vowed to her, That it was an Invention of her own, occasioned by her Malice and Jealousy. This undeceived her quite, and being asked by her; Whether I would maintain what I said before the King? I replied, I would stand to my Words, not only in his Majesty's Presence, but before all the the World.  
All this confirmed her Lover's Suspicion, who looking spitefully on her, What then, Madam, said he, you have sent for this Man hither, only to let me know that he is my happy Rival? Why, replied she, do you not see he is besides himself, and that he caresses me only in Hopes I would save his Life? I perceived not my Imprudence, and reflecting only on the Affront was given me, in saying, I was afraid of Death, No, no, answered I, I am not afraid of dying; I know what I say, and were I unbound, addressing myself to my Rival, we should soon see which of us had the better Heart. At these Words the Coward ran at me, to stabbed me, and would certainly have done it, had not the generous Eleonor stopped him, and placed herself between us. The Spaniard, seeing she took my Part, went away threatening her, and carried with him those who had seized me. She did what she could to call him back, but in vain, and so we were left alone. Then she untied me, and blamed me very much for having declared my Love in so unfit a Season.  
I comforted her as well as I could, and desired her to excuse my Error, since the Vexation I was in, to think she should have thought me guilty of so great a Baseness, had quite distracted me. I promised her I would let the King know the whole Truth, and would revenge her Quarrel with the Neapolitan Lady. But she said, We must let that alone for the present, and only think of Means to sacrifice her Suitor. I assured her, I would obey all her Commands: The first of which, she told me, should be, Not to see her any more. It was indeed the hardest she could have laid upon me, yet I submitted to it, promising to observe her Orders, though with the Forfeit of my Life.  
In the mean while, the Duke de— 's Son had quitted her in such a Passion (because she had not suffered him to stab me) that he gave out, He had undeniable Proofs that what I had bragged was true. The King came to hear of it, and this having confirmed my Neapolitan Mistress' Slander, he easily believed her guilty. So she was every where defamed, and I became the innocent Cause of the Wrong she suffered. I was sore afflicted at it, and tho' I had promised never to see her more, yet I made several vain Attempts to do it, designing, if I could, to have offered my Service to her, in vindicating her Honour, or taking Vengeance of her Enemies.  
The King being fully persuaded I had enjoyed her, thought, that having had that Weakness she was not impossible to be gained, and redoubled his Applications to her. Thus it is that a vicious Love is increased by that which would extinguish an honourable Flame. Whether his Majesty prevailed or not I cannot tell, but she was married a Fortnight or Three Weeks after, to a Spanish Lord, and the Wedding was scarce over, when the King gave him the Government of M—, ordering him to his Post, while his Lady remained at Court.  
I had then broke off with my Neapolitan Mistress, and vowed never to see her more; but she used such means to entice me back again, that I was once more wrought upon, and renewed my old Acquaintance with her.  
The King having of late been very cold to her, she told me, She was resolved to refuse his Pension, and return to Naples. The first of these I confirmed her in, but dissuaded her from the last; for I could not quit Madrid, and feared that she being gone I should want an Amusement, and it was impossible to me to live without an Amour, so great is a Man's Misfortune who has contracted these ill Habits, which I would advise every one to avoid, who has any Respect for his Ease and Quiet.  
She yielded to stay at Madrid, but I soon repented my being the occasion of it: For she renewed her Jealousies against Eleonor, and told me, I must lend a helping Hand to her undoing. It was in vain that I represented to her, How Odious and Unjust was her Design. The more I would persuade her, the more obstinate she grew, so we fell out again, for I would never comply with her Desires.  
Seeing I had left her, she found means to charm the young Lord, who would have killed me. His Love to his former Mistress turned to an implacable Hatred, upon her preventing his murdering me, which was improved, by her being married, and the Complacency she had for the King, all which rendered him the fittest Person in the World, to promote the Neapolitan Lady's Designs.  
Being both of a mean Spirit and cruel Temper, they resolved on no less than stabbing her. I was informed of this by one of her Servants, who having been the Confident of our former Amours, had still retained a Kindness for me, and thought it my Duty to oppose it; first, because I stood indebted for my life to her, then on the account of the Esteem I still retained for that generous Lady: And besides, I was of myself enough a Gentleman, to have hazarded my Person for the Prevention of an ill Design, had I been led to it, by neither of the foremention'd Motives.  
The first thing I did in order to it, was to acquaint Eleonor with the Plot, and to counsel her to give the King immediate Notice. She did, but having owned to his Majesty whence she had it, he fancied I continued visiting her, and this Jealousy made him believe I had done it only to make her value me the more, and therefore gave no great heed to the Advice. However, he spoke of it to the Duke de—, who having told his Son, I had discovered his Conspiracy; that young Lord assured him, it was a groundless Imagination, adding, He hoped, he had not so ill an Opinion of him, as to think he could be guilty of so base an Action as murdering a Woman.  
Thus my Honesty had no other Reward than Hatred on all Hands; the one believing me guilty of Slander, and the others resolving, through my Death, to make a Way to that of Eleonor. She sent me a Messenger, to bid me take Care of myself, because his Majesty had given Orders to have me apprehended, but I concealed myself so well, that I avoided both those who were commanded to seize me, and those who watched to take away my Life.  
Any one but myself would have made his Escape, but being persuaded I was the only Person that could prevent the intended Assassination; the Desire of preserving a Lady I loved, prevailed more with me than the Care of my own Safety. I remained at Madrid, having caused a Report that I was fled; so the Duke de— 's Son and his Mistress, seeing no body stood in their Way, resolved afresh on the Execution of their Project.  
It will, perhaps be wondered at, that they should be so strongly bend on it, since the Advices I had given, must needs have discovered them to be the Authors, had it succeeded; but their Passion so blinded them, that they did not foresee their Danger.  
In the mean while, I was deprived of the means to avert the Fatal Blow, for not daring to be seen, I could not hear from the Neapolitan Lady's Servant. I thought at last of disguising myself like an Algerine-Slave, and accordingly put on a false Beard, and blacked my Face, which, with my clothes, so altered my Countenance, that I scarce knew myself again. In that Dress I went to Eleonor, to whom I said, I could not abandon her in the Peril she was in; that I desired her never to go abroad without good Company, and to conceal me in her House, for I knew her Life was aimed at, and would either save her or die in the Attempt. She did not doubt but her Danger was real, and pretended herself ill, to have a Pretext for staying at Home; she also told her Servants that I was a Slave, who had brought her a Message from her Husband; and before a Week was over she felt the good Effect of her Precaution.  
Some armed Men, in the Evening, assaulted her Servants, and pursued them into the very Doors, of which having made themselves Masters, they soon were so of the whole House. The first thing they did, was to come up to the Room where she lay; and I alone opposed their Violence, which I did with so much Vigour, that the rest of the Family, animated thereby, seconded me, and after a sharp Dispute, in which Two of the Villains were killed, the rest run away. We made after them into the Street, where the first I met was the Duke de— 's Son, who waited for his Companions, being himself their Leader in this honourable Enterprise. At that Sight, I confess, I was no longer my own Master, but with one Blow of my Scimitar laid him down at my Feet. The Watch hearing the Noise, came immediately to us, and taking me and one of the Lady's Servants, carried us to Prison. We were presently examined, and I had the good Fortune not to be known. All the Witnesses justified what I had done, and I was set at Liberty, to the great Affliction of the Duke de— who was desirous to revenge his Son's Death; but he was advised not to make the Story public, which was so Injurious to his Son's Memory. I the while had the Pleasure to hear those blamed who had neglected my Advice, and myself pitied, as having been forced to fly, for being too honest. As for the Neapolitan Lady, she had disappeared as soon as she heard her Lover was killed, and was, I suppose, returned to Naples.  
The Algerine-Slave's Bravery was become Town-Talk, and I was taken no more Notice of than if I had been in France, where every Body thought me to be, so well was I disguised. Eleonor, who alone knew me, could not tell how to express her Gratitude. She forced me to accept of a Golden Cabinet, wherein she had put a great Quantity of Gold and Jewels, which amounted to a considerable Sum, and not content therewith, she said, She would acquaint the King with it, that he might Recompense me according to my Deserts; but I bid her have a Care what she did, since that Prince would certainly be extreme jealous, should he hear what I had done for her, and thus she would ruin me, by endeavouring to do me Service. She took my Advice, and hearing me talk of returning to France, she conjured me not to leave her, alleging, That the Danger was over, and that I might now, without any Hazard leave off my Disguise, and appear as I had done before. I complied with her, only desiring she would permit me sometimes to put it on, that I might with more Safety wait on her, to which she readily consented, my important Services having procured me her Love. So I remained at Madrid, under Two different Shapes, which exposed me to several new Adventures.   

MEMOIRS OF THE Count de— Compiled by Monsieur SAINT E. BOOK IU.  
THE Recital of my Adventures may have given more than one Instance, that Men sometimes really have as strange ones, as the most fantastical Authors can have invented: But this has not as yet appeared so visibly, as it will do in the sequel of my History, especially in the Accidents that befell me, while at Madrid, I played the double part, of a Gentleman and an Algerine-Slave. The Reader will, no doubt, be apt to take it all for an agreeable Fiction, but having promised to give him a sincere Relation of all my Amours, I must write as well those which do not exceed his Belief, as those which may seem less probable, and I must beg of him to give an equal Faith to all, being all equally true.  
Being resolved, or rather forced, to remain at Madrid, because I had not yet acquitted myself of the Prince's Commission, the Business about the Duke de— 's Son was no sooner ended, but I appeared in public; and having obtained Audience from Don Lewis de Haro, and then from the King himself, I told his Majesty I had been forced to abscond, to avoid the dangerous Effects of his Anger, at the Advices I had formerly given. The King made me a very good Reception, and, out of a pretended Kindness, counselled me not to have any thing more to do with Eleonor, whose Acquaintance had involved me into so many Misfortunes; Besides, continued he, the Conversation of that Woman will soon or late prove fatal, her Husband, though absent, being extreme jealous of her. I knew well enough whence proceeded the King's Care of my Safety, and assured his Majesty, I would never see her any more; I meant, while I remained in that Dress.  
I appeared all Day in French Habit, and and sometimes at Night put on my Algerine Disguise when I would see Eleonor. That lasted some time, but the King hearing of it grew jealous, and told her, he wondered the Slave should tarry so long at Madrid, since his Liberty had been the first Reward he had received. She said, the occasion of his Stay was a little Traffic he made with the Money her Gratitude had induced her to give him. The King resolved to be rid of his supposed Rival, told her, He would send her Two thousand Ducats more, to present him with, and that he desired her to send him away. The next Time, I saw her, she gave me the Two thousand Ducats, and acquainting me with what the King had said, begged me not to visit her, nor put on my Algerine Habit any more, which I promised, and she made the King believe the Slave was gone.  
Indeed it was with no little Sorrow, that I saw myself wholly deprived of her Conversation. She shared in my Grief; however, since I still remained at Madrid, we were comforted with the Hopes of another Meeting: But she made me swear, That as long as the King should forbid it, I would not bring her into Trouble, by endeavouring to speak with her.  
Thus did I again relapse into an Idleness, which had been the occasion of all my former Engagements, but soon found fresh Employment in a new Amour. I had contracted some Familiarity with a Spaniard, whose Quality I shall conceal, and call him Don Anthonio Manrique, that these Memoirs, merely designed for the Public Good, may not give Offence to any one. He was willing I should see his Wife, whom we shall name Dona Isabel, and frequently conversed with her, but never in Private, her Husband or some Servant being always present. Among other things, she talked much of the Algerine Slave, saying, She had seen him once, and that his Air and Presence, as well as the glorious Action he had done, showed him to be no mean Person.  
I imagined by this, that she knew of my having been thus disguised; and, the better to clear my Doubt, replied, I had been very intimate with him, while he was at Madrid. What then, said she, is he gone? She spoke these Words with some Concern, which (still supposing she was not ignorant who he was) I took to be affected. I answered, He was gone, and would never be seen in Spain any more, at which she felt a visible Grief, and told me, she would gladly have had the Conversation of so extraordinary a Man. I knew not what to think of the Sorrow she was in, at the Slave's Departure, but having still the same Thoughts as before, believed she had a Mind to be better acquainted with me, and designed, by that Faint, to inform me of her Intentions. But I soon found out my Mistake, for having taken an Opportunity, as I was taking my leave, to tell her, That I was obliged to her on my Friend's Score, and if she would appoint the Time and Place, would send him to her, she pulled me back, ask me whether he really was still at Madrid. This Action was so natural, that I was now convinced she had taken a Fancy to the Slave, having no Knowledge that I was the Person, who had appeared under that Disguise. I was confirmed in these second Thoughts, when having told her, That I knew where he lived, and would bring him to her when she pleased; she answered, I might spare myself that Trouble, by letting her know his Lodging. I replied, he lived at a Merchant's, whom I named to her; to whom I presently went, and prayed him, If any one came to inquire for an Algerine, to answer he was not at Home, and bid them come again the next Night, when he would certainly be within.  
Two Days after I visited my Merchant, who told me, No Body had come as yet. This made me once more think, that she meant to myself the Passion she expressed for the Slave; and I waited on her, in hopes of a fuller Discovery. It fell out there was no Body by, and to make Use of that Opportunity, I took no notice of what she had said concerning the Algerine, but declared my Passion to her. She entertained my Love with an unsupportable Pride, assuring me, She would acquaint her Husband with my Insolence; and that if ever I presumed to set my Foot within her Doors, I should repent it. Then, without giving me the Leisure to reply, she rose up, and pushed me out of the Room, as tho' I would have done her Violence. Her Husband entering in that very Moment, she told him, That I would have debauched her; on which he swore, That were it not in respect to the Prince I served, he would have my Throat cut. I replied, my Gild was not so great as he imagined; that what I had said to his Lady was only such Compliments as used in France to be bestowed on all Women, and had no Relation at all to what she spoke of; and as a Proof that I meant honestly, I would never return to his House. Manrique seemed satisfied with these Excuses, and I took my Leave of him, enraged at his Wife's Behaviour, and resolved to be more wary for the future, being in a Country where Love-Intriegues are very perilous. Yet, methought, I was the more charmed with her for it; I had fancied her that Day fairer than she used to seem, and I found that Love is increased by nothing so much as Opposition.  
Thus was I wracked with Love and Despair, when the aforesaid Merchant gave me notice, That a Woman was come to speak with the Algerine, and, according to my Orders, he had desired her to call again the next Evening. I could not doubt but Isabel had sent this Message, and went the next Day to the Merchants, where I remained under my Disguise, waiting for the Messenger's Return, and accordingly a Duena came, and assured me, That if I pleased she would carry me to a beautiful Lady, who had an earnest Desire to see me. I answered I would readily submit to her Directions; and she, without replying, becked to me that I should follow her. I did, and having gone through many By-Alleys, we stopped under a low Balcony, out of which, the Duena having coughed once or twice, a Rope-Ladder was thrown down; I was bid to get up, and obeyed hastily, being spurred on by the impatience I had to know if it really was Isabel.  
I entered into the Room, and by the means of a dim Light knew her to be the same. She told me, That tho' she had never seen me but once, as I passed along the Street, she had been extremely taken with my good Mien, and that the Heroic Action I had done, persuaded her she might entrust me with her Reputation. I could scarce be persuaded but she knew me; yet speaking in a feigned Voice, as I had always done while I wore that Habit, I replied I was very much obliged to her, for the good Opinion she had of me, but yet I could not but resent the Injury she had done to the dearest Friend I had, nameing myself. What then, answered she, did he tell you of it? Yes, Madam, replied I, and that has something abated the Esteem I had for you. Ha! said she, do you then know me? I told her, I did, and that my Friend had showed her to me, one Day, as she was coming out of Church. And where were you then, cried she, that I did not see you? I replied, she went by in such haste, that she took no notice of her Admirers. But, continued she, I was told you was gone. It is true, answered I, that it is thought so, some Reasons having obliged me to abscond, but through the Desire of knowing the Woman who had disobliged my Friend, I ventured abroad under a Disguise. She asked me, If I had found her so despicable a Person. I assured her, I had done Justice to her Beauty, and was very sorry that so handsome a Lady should be so cruel. Accuse me not of Cruelty, said she, you see what Hazard I run for your sake, and I were undone, did you inform your Friend of all this. Never mistrust me, Madam, replied I, but if you would oblige me, let me know what reason you had to use him so ill. She answered, I was myself the Occasion of it, and that ever since she had seen me, she had taken an Aversion for all other Men, and having no Inclination for my Friend, had been glad, at once to get rid of him, and give her Husband a good Opinion of her Virtue. I enquired into the Cause of her Hatred to him, and she replied, She could not fancy him, that she could not tell why, but she hated him as much as she loved me.  
This Discourse indeed surprised me, to see that the same Woman, who found me so unworthy of her Esteem, while I was habited like a Gentleman, should have such a Fondness for me, under the nasty Garb of a despicable Slave. But our Passions are wholly unaccountable, especially those of Women. My Displeasure was so great to hear myself thus despised, that I was tempted to discover who I was, and tho' I forbore it at the present, I could not keep from contradicting her bad Opinion of me, being as jealous of the Slave's Happiness, as if it had been another. This hindered me from answering Isabella's Passion as I should have done, and she soon perceived that my chiefest Care was to give her better Thoughts of my Friend. She was so dissatisfied at it, that she told me, I did not deserve the Honour she did me, since my Zeal was greater for my Friend than for her. I perceived my Error, and endeavoured to repair my Fault; but she said, She dared not trust me, and if I desired to regain her Favour, I must conceal this Adventure from my Friend, and not once name him in her Presence. I promised I would obey her, and she said, We must put off our farther Conversation to another Time, and that I should hear from her the next Day. It was very unwillingly that I parted, but being forced to comply, I returned to my Merchant's.  
The Reader will wonder at what I am going to relate, if he considers not that Self-love and Self-conceit, are still our predominant Passions. I was ashamed of standing indebted to my Disguise for the Enjoyment of my Mistress, and resolved, if I was sent for any more, to return in my own clothes. In this Humour I remained all Day at the Merchants, and the Duena being come at Night, I put on my false Beard and a Vest, which covered my other clothes, and thus habited, I followed her, but before I got up the Ladder I left them in the Street. Isabel came with eagerness to receive me, and knowing me again, screamed out, saying, she was undone and betrayed. I conjured her not to make any Noise, and she came to herself again. I see, said she then, that the Villain has a greater Kindness for you than me, since he has revealed this secret to you; but if you love me you will assist me in being revenged of that perfidious Wretch, and that is the only way for you to gain my Esteem. I will, answered I, when ever you please. I love you above all that can be dear to me, and had he a thousand Lives I would sacrifice them all to your Resentment; only let me know how so base a Man can have merited a Heart you refuse me. Go, replied she, and fetch me his Head, and you shall see what I will do for you.  
I smiled at her Mistake, which I thought it now Time to bring to a Conclusion, and assured her, I could not bring his Head otherwise than on my own Shoulders, that I was the same who came to her the Night before, and who alone deserved her Kindness. At which she was so astonished that she scarce heard what I said. Her Surprise being at last over, she told me, It was impossible, and that before she could believe me, she must see me in the same Habit I had then. I answered, It was no very hard Task, and that I had left it under the Balcony. She desired me to fetch it, but I was scarce down, ere she pulled up the Ladder, and withdrew. I was surprised at it, and believed she still continued in the Opinion that the Slave and I were two different Persons, and that I had made use of the Passion she had for him, to deceive her.  
It was so dark I could not tell where I was, and being desirous to know the House, I resolved to remain there till it was Day, having first put on my false Beard and Vest; but I had not waited long before I heard a Noise, and saw some Men with drawn Swords in their Hands, just upon me. I threw off my Disguise, which was troublesome to me, and drawing my Sword, run at the foremost of them, and before the rest could come about me, made the best of my Way home.  
Manrique was the Man I had wounded; for I was no sooner down, but his Wife, enraged to be thus imposed on, went to him, saying, I had attempted to climb into the Balcony; and was, she believed, still in the Street, with the same Design. He immediately took Fire, and attended by some of his Servants, was come out to murder me; but the Care they took of their wounded Master, had favoured my Escape.  
They took up the Beard and Vest, which they carried to Isabel, who remembering that was the very Habit she had seen her Algerine in, and comparing his Shape and Features with mine, began to believe what I had said might be true.  
Manrique, through what Design I know not, concealed my being concerned in that Accident, and it was soon reported, That the same Algerine who had killed the Duke de— 's Son at Eleonor's, had wounded him. But every Body thinking him gone, took all this to be a Fancy of Manrique's, who was content with owing me a secret Grudge, tho' his Wound had proved but very slight. Fearing the fatal Consequences of a Spaniard's Resentment, I still kept on my Guard; but I was freed from that Care, by a Person I should least have expected it from, where I had another Instance of the capaciousness of a Woman's Temper.  
Isabel, in the mean while, being now convinced I was the same with the Slave she doted on, felt for me the raging Passion she formerly had for him, and heartily grieved at having rendered her Husband jealous of me. She than thought of several Ways to correct her Error, and at last pitched upon a very strange one; which being resolved on, her next Care was how she should see me, and acquaint me at once with her Plot, and the Love she had for me.  
She easily obtained her Desire, and having understood I was at the Merchants, came there, to my great Wonder, habited like a Duegna. She began by protesting she was unacquainted with her Husband's Intentions to murder me; but being better informed, I would not let her go on, till she had confessed the Truth, which at last she did, as I have just related it; and then continued her Discourse in this manner.  
It is true, I took a Fancy to that Slave, not knowing it was you; but forgive that one Fault, and you shall henceforth be the only Object of my Love. I have rendered you suspicious to my Husband, but I know a certain Means whereby you may regain his Confidence, if you will but follow my Advice. You must endeavour to meet him at some of your common Acquaintances. There you shall wholly disown to him that you ever had any Design upon my Honour, and protest that it is a false Accusation I charged you with, finding you were acquainted with an Intriegue I had with the Algerine. You may desire him, for his greater Satisfaction, to examine the Duena, whose Name is Beatrix, and I will instruct her how she shall answer him and justify you.  
The Project seemed to me something Dangerous, and I asked her, Whether she had well weighed all the ill Consequences that might attend it. She desired me to do what she would have me, and assured me I should not receive any Injury by it▪ I told her I would consider of it, but could not take my Resolution so suddenly, and so we parted.  
This gave my thinking Faculty no little Exercise, for I could not comprehend how this Woman could be willing that her Husband should think her false to him, as he must naturally do if her Design took effect; and besides, I feared, that did I succeed, it would but make him the more jealous, and thus I should be deprived of the Advantage I expected by it. But after all, I thought I might trust her, since she ought to know her Husband better than I did, and I judged it worth my while to venture something in order to free myself from the continual Apprehensions I lay under. But, to speak the Truth, my Love was the chief Motive that induced me to it, and flattered with the Esteem she had for me, while she took me for an Algerine, I was impatient of confirming it under my true Shape.  
I sought for an Opportunity of entertaining Manrique, which having found, I told him, I had something of Moment to impart to him. Then, seeing he was willing to hear me, I did, according to his Wife's Directions, assure him, That, as for my part, I never had any Engagement with her, but being the only Man who was acquainted with her Intriegue with the Algerine, the Slave having owned it to me, she had charged me with this false Accusation, on purpose that he should not give any Credit to the Notice I might have given him of her ill Conduct. Manrique, upon hearing this, embraced me with all imaginable Kindness, saying, he was now no longer at a loss, to know why he who had wounded him, had let fall a Vest; but that besides, a false Beard had been found, which made him mistrust that some Body else was come to see his Wife under that Disguise. Then he asked me, How long it was since the Slave had absented himself? I answered, He had left Madrid the next Day after his being wounded, and that as for the false Beard, he must not wonder at that, the Algerine using them sometimes when he desired not to be known. Manrique seemed now to be fully satisfied, but said, If I would oblige him throughly, I must contrive the Slave's Return to Madrid, that he might be revenged of him. I promised to use my Endeavours, and he begged me to remain his Friend, and visit him with the same Freedom I formerly had done, assuring me he would not speak of this to his Wife, till he could produce the Slave to confront her.  
The easiness with which he seemed to credit what I said, made me suspect his Sincerity, and it was some time before I dared trust either him or his Spouse; but my eager Love did at last overcome my Jealousies. I continued my Visits, being free from Suspicion, had the Liberty of conversing with his Wife, and thus we enjoyed for some time the Fruits of our Artifice. But Manrique at length grew impatient of the Slave's Absence: I told him, I could not help it, and that let me write to Algiers never so often, I had no answer, which made me believe he was dead. But this did not content him, and he told me, That since I could not hear from him, I must help him to get rid of his Wife; that he would tax her with what I had informed him of, and that I must stand to what I had said.  
I conjured him not to carry things to that Extremity; but he was inexorable, and all I could do was to acquaint Isabel with it. She heard me without the least Concern, her Plot being so contrived, that I was to be the Object of her Husband's Revenge. Her Answer was, That she neither feared me nor her Husband, and knew well enough how to disappoint our Designs. I was astonished at this Reply, and thinking she had mistaken me, repeated over-again what I had been saying to her, vowing I would rather die than assist her Husband to her Prejudice. She seemed well pleased at it, and answered, If I did not bear Witness against her, she had nothing to fear. I replied, I wondered how she could suppose I should ever think of doing her any Injury; and thus we parted.  
But this Woman was more mischievous than I could ever have imagined. I was no sooner gone ere she went to her Husband, and told him, shedding abundance of Tears, she found herself bound in Duty and Conscience to acquaint him, That he entertained a Man whose whole Study was to contrive his Shame. I know, continued she, what he has made you believe, to gain your good Opinion; he has owned it to me himself, thinking me so mad as to love him. He was the only Algerine that ever came to me, for it was under that Disguise that he would have got up into my Chamber. From his Hand you received your Wound. All this I knew, and if I have since endured his Company, the Reason was, because you were so infatuated with him, that I could do no otherwise; but his Impudence is at length grown to such a Pitch, that I can bear with it no longer.  
All the Lies she imposed on his Belief, seemed to him so probable, that he wondered how he ever had suspected her Virtue, seeing she ever had given him notice of my endeavouring to cuckold him; and being now fully persuaded of what she said, he tenderly embraced her, vowing he would be revenged on me. ay, in the mean while, suspected nothing of all this; yet fearing Manrique would execute the Design he had made me acquainted with, I kept from his House; and it was above a Week since the last Visit I paid him, when I received a Note from Eleonor, to give me Notice, That my Death was decreed, and that I had best quit Spain with all possible Diligence.  
Tho' it was very Pressing, I could not trust to it, but resolved to speak with the Person that sent it me. I had not seen her since the Promise I had made not to visit her; but upon the Receipt of her Letter, I put on my Algerine Habit, and waited on her, pretending I came from her Husband. Hearing I was there, she ran down to me, and informed me in a few Words, That Manrique had given out, I was the Person who under the Disguise of an Algerine Slave had killed the Duke de— 's Son; that the King was acquainted with it, and grew extreme jealous thereupon; that he had quarrelled with her, accusing her of having harboured me under that Disguise, and had not seen her since, so that she thought herself wholly out of Favour; and that as for me, the King, the Duke de— and Manrique, had agreed I should be murdered, so that my Ruin was unavoidable if I did not immediately fly out of the Kingdom.  
By the manner of her Delivery, I judged I had no Time to lose, and that it was my best way to take her Counsel and be gone; but my Sorrow at leaving her, and at my being the innocent Cause of all the Trouble she had received, made me very loath to part, which she perceiving grew angry with me; telling me, She saw I did not care what became of her, since I would remain there, tho' I knew she were lost if it reached the King's Ears that she had spoke with me; which said, she retired, ordering me to be gone.  
I was vexed at heart to see myself thus severed from a Person, for whom I still retained an unfeigned Passion, and from whom I had some Reason to expect an equal return; and the Desire of seeing her once more, and bidding her a more tender Adieu, prevailed with me above the Dread of my Danger. I had not the Power to go out of Town, and my Love blinded me to that degree, that I endeavoured to find out some plausible Excuse for my Stay.  
The Prince's Business were a Pretext sufficient to satisfy myself; and however useless I might be to him, yet my fond Imagination made me fancy he could not be without me, whenever my Dotage would not suffer me to think of a Retreat. Here I again experienced, That Love soon grows stronger than all our other Passions, when we yield ourselves up to it; and those who once suffer it to gain Ground, must expect it will make them deaf to all other Considerations.  
But tho' the Hope of giving Eleonor another Visit were the chief Motive of my remaining there; yet that of being revenged on Isabel did not a little conduce to it, and, after all, that was my greatest Care; so unsteady was I in my Wishes and Resolutions. I had indeed several substantial Reasons to hate that Woman, yet I resented nothing so much as her preferring the Algerine before me.  
Thinking she was not fully satisfied that the Algerine and I were the same Person, I attempted, by deceiving her once more, to work my Ends, and to that purpose sent her the following Letter.  
Madam,  
YOU will perhaps be surprised at receiving this. But tho' the Hand may be unknown, the Person I hope is not; I am Acma-Hamet, once happy in your Love, and who have been obliged to abscond through the Perfidiousness of one, I, (though undeservedly) called my Friend. However, I have now put it out of his Power to injure me, since he is ignorant of my being here; which I have taken all possible Care to conceal from every one, save the Person for whose sake I have ventured hither. I lodge with Alonso Riberos, and (if you can still love me) expect shortly to hear from you. My Landlord thinks I come from Morocco, and am called Muley Asan. Under that Name it is I must be enquired for.  
This being safely delivered, I went and lay at Alonso Riberos, whom I made believe that I was a Morocco Merchant, and was come to Madrid, about some Business relating to my Trade. Thus under this new Disguise, I was safe from my Persecutors; I satisfied the Fancy I had to remain there, and fed the Hopes of compassing my Designs.  
When I reflect on my Madness, I am convinced that any one Passion is sufficient to make a young Man venture on the most desperate Undertake; for the more perilous my Projects were, the more eager was I to put them in Execution; and certainly Age and Wisdom can alone reclaim a Man from this ridiculous Romantic undauntedness.  
I was not long at Riberos' before I had an Answer to my Letter. It came safe to Isabella's Hands, and it is not to be wondered at, if having formerly thought the Algerine Slave and I to be two different Persons, she was confirmed in that Opinion by the Receipt of this Letter. She rejoiced doubly that her Plot against me had so well succeeded, since her Husband being now fully persuaded I was the Algerine who had been so much talked on, would never suspect her Intriegue, and that she might quietly enjoy the Man, for whom alone she ever had a real Love.  
The Duena Beatrix was sent to Alonzo Riberos, and I was carried, as at other Times, to the low Balcony. Isabel, taking me for the Slave she had formerly seen, received me with all possible Demonstrations of Kindness, and related to me all that had happened during my Absence, and how she would have procured the French Count's Death, by making her Husband believe that it was he who had disguised himself under the Habit of an Algerine Slave. Then she blamed me for my Indiscretion, in having acquainted that French Lord with our first Interview, and thus given him the means to come to the Rendezvous she had designed to none but myself.  
My Love was so well extinguished that her Discourse proved but a Diversion to me, and being no longer jealous of myself, I resolved to see how far her Blindness and Impudence would go. I begged a thousand Pardons for having been so talkative. But after all, Madam, continued I, you have no great Reason to be angry with me, for having improved your Acquaintance with that Frenchman; since, as I have been told, he did not wholly displease you, and you have been pretty intimate together,  
She denied she ever had loved him, assuring me, her admitting him, was only with a Design to undo him, of which she had at last found an Opportunity. I grew very uneasy at hearing her tell so many Lies, and so openly confess her Perfidiousness, yet I did not discover myself, but at last took my Leave, she not in the least suspecting me.  
I thought things were now in a fair way for my intended Revenge, and began to consider how I should make use of my Advantage. Alonzo Riberos traded much in Foreign Countries, so that several Strangers usually resorted thither, which had made me choose his House, the better to deceive Isabel. Among others, a certain Algerine visited him frequently, whose dull Look made me judge him most fit for my Purpose.  
I had a very understanding Man to my Valet de Chambre, whom I wholly confided in. Him I informed of my Intentions, and accordingly he fell into Discourse with the Algerine, telling him; That one of the greatest Beauties in Spain looked for a Man of Algiers, having a great Appetite for a Gallant of that Country. This Proposition was not so great a Temptation to him, as a small Present my Man made him, with a Promise of as much more, if he would do what should be desired of him, and be discreet.  
The African promised an exact Performance, and my Man ordered him to wait at Alonzo Riberos', having first told him what he should do. Then he acquainted me with the Success of his Negotiation, and Beatrix being come at her usual Hour, which was always in the Dusk of the Evening, I sent the true Algerine in my stead; who was carried to the House, and, as he had been directed, climbed up the Rope-Ladder into the Balcony, and thence went into Isabella's Chamber.  
My Servant, who had dogged him, no sooner saw him safe, but he carried a Note I had given him for Manrique; by which I gave him advice, That the famous Algerine Slave was then actually with his Wife. The Cuckold was in Bed, but my Man, having told his Servants that it was about Matters of great concern, they waked him and delivered it. The Hopes he had of surprising me rendered him more diligent. He ordered part of his Servants to wait under the Balcony, while himself, with Two or Three of them, went into his Lady's Chamber.  
While things were in that Posture on his side, let us see a little what happened on Isabella's. She did not at first suspect the Cheat, but finding that Man was neither in Shape nor Voice like her dear Slave, she fetched a Candle, and at first Sight discovered his Mistake. Her Surprisal was not so great as it would have been, had she been less accustomed to these kind of Intrigues. She asked him how he came there? And he confessed that one Muley-Asan, an Inhabitant of Morocco, had, through the means of one of his Servants, engaged him in that Enterprise.  
What a Grief was it to Isabel, that the only Man she doted on, should be so ungrateful as to expose her thus! But she concealed her Affliction from the Algerine, and telling him, That those who had persuaded him to what he did, only sought his Ruin, ordered him to be gone. His Danger made him more quick of Apprehension than he had before appeared to be, and without giving her the Trouble of repeating it a second Time, he soon found the Way down the Rope-Ladder, which Isabel immediately drew up.  
He was just setting his Foot on the Ground, and she shutting her Balcony-Door, when Manrique's Men seized on him, and their Master entered into her Chamber. He found her in a Disorder which confirmed his Jealousies, and was going to examine her, when his Men brought up him they had seized in the Street. It is not possible to express the Surprise he was in, to see it was not I: He doubted not but those who had assured him, the Algerine Slave was no other than myself under that Disguise, had imposed on his Belief, and this aggravating Circumstance increased his Wife's Gild more than he had thought her. He resolved to carry his Revenge to the utmost, and having fastened her Chamber-Door upon her, kept the Algerine closely confined.  
The next Day it was reported, That the noted Algerine Slave, who had killed the Duke de— 's Son, had been caught in Bed with Manrique's Wife, and was then in Custody at his House. This made a great Noise, and Eleonor, who heard of it, concluded it to be me, who not having followed her Advice, had embroiled myself into fresh Troubles. It came also to the King, and gave him new Suspicions against Eleonor, who, he fancied, still concealed me in her House.  
The Duke de— no sooner heard of it, but desirous to vent his Spleen against his Son's Murderer, he came to Manrique, and having both examined the Innocent Prisoner, they discovered their Error. As for Isabel, she was under a continual Fear, lest he should have declared who had sent him, and her false Lover, being seized, should have confessed the whole Truth.  
What she dreaded came to pass, but having foreseen it, I had removed my Lodging; and soon after was informed, It was the public Discourse, That I had personated one Muley-Asan, and had taken a Lodging at Riberos, on purpose to act this Tragedy. By this I judged it high Time for me to be gone, and having sent my Servants before, I left Madrid the next Day, accompanied only by my Valet de Chambre.  
I arrived at Bayonne, designing thence to go for Guienna, where I expected to meet with the Prince, who, with his Army made Head against the Duke de Vendosme. Berg was then besieged, which was in july 1653. But I was forced to continue there some Time, being fallen ill, and wrote to the Prince to represent to him part of the Reasons which had obliged me to quit Madrid. The Answer I had from him was, That I might either go to Paris or the Duke de Vendosme's Army, and that he would not be the occasion of my being of a different Party from my Brother; whence I judged he was not over-wel satisfied with my Negotiation.  
It may well be thought I was vexed that I should have displeased him, and often cursed those Adventures which had occasioned my Negligence. Then I resolved to use my utmost endeavours to regain his Favour: And in order to it, to return to Madrid, where, by a great Application to Business, I might make some Amends for my former Errors. But, to my Shame be it spoken, my Love for Eleonor was indeed the true Motive which induced me to it. The Care she had taken of my Safety, obliged me to a grateful Return, and the dangerous Circumstances I had left her in, did, (I imagined) require my Assistance. I fancied that the King having forsaken her, her Husband's Jealousy and Resentment might provoke him to a Fatal Revenge, and accused myself of Baseness, in leaving her as I had done.  
How wretched is their Condition who enslave themselves to the most unruly Passion! It not only blinds them, but also puffs them up, with a Conceit that none are so quicksighted as themselves; for had all the World told me I was mad, to dream of returning to Madrid, I should have thought myself wiser than all the World, so clear and convincing did those Reasons seem, which induced me to it. Not but I, sometimes, made slight Reflections on the Temerity of my Design, but the more rash it seemed to me, the more desirous I was to go about it, fancying it a Heroic Action, thus to venture my Life for the sake of my Mistress. I hope none of my Readers will be of the same Opinion I was then of, in commending an Amorous Generosity, which would have exposed me to greater Hazards than any I had yet run, had not Sickness prevented my unaccountable Folly.  
Being fully bend on it, I sent the Prince a Letter, to acquaint him, That preferring his Service before any other Considerations, I was returning into Spain, and hoped he would do me the Honour, by writing more obligingly, to let me know, I had regained his Favour; which being sent, I set out for Madrid, in spite of my Indisposition; but the very first Day's Journey spent me quite, so that I was forced to stop at Fontarabia, where I kept my Bed near Six Weeks, under so violent a Disease that my Life was often despaired of.  
I had, upon my falling sick, sent a Letter to Eleonor, to acquaint her, That it was impossible for me to leave her, and that I designed to see her, as soon as my Health would permit, to offer her my Service and Assistance, in a Time when I feared she had need of them. I had also ordered the Messenger to inquire what People said of me there; and especially concerning Manrique and his Wife.  
He delivered my Letter to Eleonor, who replied by Word of Mouth, That I had best keep away, and that she had no other Answer to give him. As for Manrique, he was told, That Lord made strict Search after me, that his Wife had informed him, I was Muley-Asan, who after several unsuccessful Attempts upon her Chastity, had out of Revenge, contrived what had happened; that the Algerine had been set at Liberty, after a sharp Reprimand; and that I must never think of returning to Madrid any more. He brought me this Answer at a Time when I began to grow better, and I think that had my Recovery been more perfect, I would have ventured through all these Dangers, so much was I displeased at Eleonor's not writing to me, and so great was my Desire of seeing her. But, happily for me, I was too weak to undertake such a Journey, and found I had nothing else to do but to forget her, and use all possible means to regain my Health.  
Thus I quite laid aside the Thoughts of Returning. But before I proceed any farther, it will not, I hope, be unacceptable to my Reader, if I inform him of what happened at Madrid since my being gone, which tho' I heard it but long since, does, I think, naturally belong to this Place, having some Relation to what I have lately been speaking of.  
I left there my two Mistresses, Eleonor and Isabel, having loved them both, tho' in a very different manner; for I esteemed the former, and the latter I feared. The one had charmed me through her seeming Virtue and Generosity; and the other, on the contrary, by her Forwardness and the Undauntedness with which she satisfied her unruly Passions; but we shall find their Characters to be much alike, when their Circumstances were the same: And from what I am going to relate, the Reader may know what an Opinion he ought to have of those Women whose greatest Care is to get many Lovers, not being contented with one Husband or Gallant.  
It being Isabella's Temper ever to give way to her Inclinations, she showed herself in all her Intrigues as Fantastical, as when being enamoured with me, while under the Slave's Disguise, she could not suffer me, when in my own Habit. So most of the Men she was concerned with, were but of an ordinary Condition and such as she might easily sacrifice to her Husband's Jealousy: Not but that she often met with Admirers of a higher Rank, as the following Story will testify.  
Scarce was she married and had appeared at Court, when her Beauty ensnared most young Lords there; but the most sincere and passionate of her Lovers was the Prince de— the handsomest Man certainly in all Spain, and of the best Presence. He was just upon marrying the Marquis de— 's Daughter, who was reckoned the greatest Fortune in that Kingdom, and by whom he was tenderly beloved, when he grew acquainted with Isabel.  
He was certainly rather bewitched than in Love, for his Dotage was such, that to break off, or at least defer his Marriage, he pretended a Desire of entering into Orders, and offered to resign his Birthright and his Spouse to his younger Brother; his Father was almost persuaded to it, and the thing would have been done, had he not been cured of his Folly.  
Isabel returned his Passion with an unsufferable Pride, and according to her usual Custom, informed her Husband of it, who was as kind to him, on that Score, as he had been to me: So that the Prince, what through her Scorn, and the impossibility of seeing her, fell sick with Despair.  
He had a very cunning Fellow to his Valet de Chambre, whom he had sometimes sent with Letters to Isabel. This Man knowing the Cause of his Distemper, told him, He pitied him, and the more because his Mistress was chaste only to him, having, to his Knowledge, an Intriegue with one of her Servants; which he could have told him before, had he not feared his Displeasure.  
The Prince was like to have killed him for talking so injuriously of his Mistress; and he, seeing his Lord's Blindness was so great, resolved to open his Eyes. He got acquainted with Manrique's Man, and by the Promise of a considerable Sum, enticed him to make the Prince a Confession of the whole Business. His Highness gave as little Credit to Manrique's Servant as he had done to his own, and would scarce hear them, till they had offered to procure him a Sight of what he doubted. Accordingly they took their Measures, which having succeeded, the Prince was an Eye-Witness to her Lewdness.  
But his Flame could not be extinguished by so convincing a Proof of her Infamy, and he resolved to let her know what he had seen, with a Design (so mean and weak was he in that occasion) not to shame her by taxing her with so base an Action, but by his mild passing it over, to engage her Gratitude.  
He was so simple as to tell her, He knew of her Intimacy with that Man, but did not love her the less for it, since he could impute it but to an Enchantment, and did not imagine that a Lady of her Sense could have stooped to one so much below her, had not some Infernal Power interposed in his behalf. Nay, and he offered by his Death to free her from the Wizard, and restore her to the Liberty of granting her Favours to those who should use no other Charm but their Love. The Lady, who was no Fool, taking the Hint from what he had said, pretended to believe her Servant dealt with the Devil, but persuaded him that his Art had not been employed to make the thing real, but only to impose on his Senses. The Story adds, He was so credulous as to disbelieve his Eyes, and to take what he had seen for a Diabolical Illusion. However, Manrique's Servant was murdered, and, as it was supposed, by the Prince's Order; who being thus delivered from the Magician, persisted in loving Isabel, and being slighted by her.  
The Spaniards being naturally very superstitious, he imagined that his Mistress' Cruelty proceeded from a continued Witchcraft, and caused Masses to be said, to drive away the envious Fiend; and what would have been any where else esteemed the greatest Impiety, was there looked upon as an effect of his Devotion, which made him use the highest Mysteries of our Religion, to obtain his vicious Ends. But, at last he came to himself again, and concluded his Marriage, which he would not have put off so long, had he not loathed all other Women, while he was charmed with the ungrateful Isabel. I had no Knowledge of this ridiculous Story, when I courted her, else I should have believed her liable to the same Enchantment, when she could not suffer me under my own Shape, while she was distracted for me under that of an Algerine.  
Manrique seeing I had left Spain, and thus secured myself from his Resentment, gave out that it was I who had personated the Slave, and thus deceived the King and all the World. The King, who had ever mistrusted Eleonor's Kindness for me, doubted not but it was for her sake I had thus disguised myself; which increasing his Jealousies, he enquired of Manrique how he came to know it? who having replied, It was through his Wife's good Conduct and Virtue, he was desirous of seeing her, to be farther resolved. I had never told her of my Amour with Eleonor, so that she could not discover any thing to that Prince which might confirm his Suspicion. On the contrary, her Vanity made her so careful to persuade his Majesty, that the great Love she had inspired me with, was the only occasion of my Disguise, that he could not believe it possible for a Man, whose Passion for her was so great, to be at the same Time in love with another. But it succeeded as ill for Eleonor as if the King had still questioned her Fidelity, for that Prince being ever best pleased with the newest Faces, found Isabel handsome enough to deserve his Affection.  
The Knowledge Eleonor had of it, did her a great Injury; for she was then in very good Repute, and every one was convinced that she suffered the King's Addresses out of mere Complaisance, and was the only one of all his Mistresses that had withstood his importunate Desires, and by her Virtue deserved his Esteem: But she then destroyed that Opinion, for she no sooner saw the King inclining to a Change, but used all possible means to reclaim him, and be revenged of her Rival. Having some small Acquaintance with Manrique, she sent for him, and informing him of his Majesty's new Passion, advised him to send his Wife into the Country. The Success was otherwise than she had designed, for she not only inspired him with a jealousy capable of hurrying him into the most dangerous Erterprises (such as was that of crossing an amorous Prince's Inclinations) but also with a Love more daring yet than his Jealousy could be. He willingly followed her Directions, and having taken his Measures accordingly, sent Isabel to a House he had, on the farthermost Confines of Spain. Having thus rid her of his Wife, he hoped Eleonor would have requited the Obligation; but the King having lost Isabel, and not thinking fit to use his Authority in recalling her, renewed his Assiduity to Eleonor, so that Manrique found himself under a Necessity to forbear visiting his Mistress, or to recall his Spouse.  
These were very hard Circumstances for a jealous Husband and a passionate Lover to be in, and I believe his Love would have got the better of his Jealousy, had he not feared by sending for the one to have disobliged the other. He therefore left his Lady in the Country, and carefully watched the King's Absence, to visit Eleonor; but whether she really had no Inclination for him, or that the King caused her to be narrowly observed, he reaped no other Profit from his Wife's Absence but the King's Displeasure: However, he resolved Eleonor should not enjoy all the Benefit of it, and to that effect endeavoured what he could to persuade her Husband to send for her; but he who had more respect for his Fortune than his Honour, was little moved with his Arguments, and thus Manrique could neither gain his Mistress' Love, nor be revenged for her Scorn.  
Isabel, in the mean while, bore her Confinement impatiently, and hearing Eleonor had, since her departure, grown more than ever in the King's Favour, it redoubled her Grief. She was also informed, How she rivalled her as well in her Husband's Affection as in the King's, and hoped, by giving his Majesty Notice of it, to work a double Revenge. She did, and the Issue was, That Manrique was made Governor of a Town far distant from Madrid.  
I have not heard any more of their Intrigues, but when I was acquainted that Eleonor, for whom I had so great an Esteem, had yielded to Manrique's Desires, I thanked kind Heaven that had put a stop to my Journey. It would have vexed me that a Lady, of whom I had so noble an Idea, should have sacrificed her Honour to the Vanity of being Mistress to a Monarch, who (tho' very worthy of the Rank he bore) was no ways accomplished for a Lover; but that a Man of so mean Parts as Manrique should have won her Love, put me to a Non Plus.  
I had, during my Sickness, the Leisure to reflect on my former Follies, and tho' I was but Eight and twenty, my Experience of Female Falsehood was such, that I began to lament the Time they had made me lose, and to curse them for being the Occasion of the little Progress I had made in the Art Military; for I found my Skill less than even in my first Campaigns, and I well foresaw that while I could not resist that Temptation, I must never think of advancing my Fortune. But how, alas! should I withstand it, I found my Inclination still stronger than my Reason, and that I should never be myself, while I remained in the World. This made me think of withdrawing from it, to which the Vexation my Sickness and bad Success gave me, did not a little invite me.  
While I was meditating on it, and taking a Walk, prescribed me for the Recovery of my Strength, I met a Man who having perceived me, was retiring: But his Habit agreeing with my Thoughts, I had a Desire to converse with him, and, won by my Instances, tarried with me. We at first discoursed on indifferent Matters, and then I asked him, Whether he was not an Hermit, and how he relished a solitary Life? He answered, That he knew not whether he ought to assume the Holy Name of Hermit, tho' he had lived retired for above Twelve or Thirteen Years; since he must own it to his Shame, That he had still been too much affected with the Things of this World, and was then actually endeavouring to return into it; being persuaded that for a true Retreat, a greater Call was necessary than any he had yet had. I asked him, If the fair Sex had not some Share in the Motives that had led him to what he had done? To which he answered with a Sigh, That they were the only Cause of his Misfortunes. I told him, That, for my part, they had so perplexed me, that I was inclined to do as he had done; Then, said he, I would advise you to go about it with more Consideration than I did, else▪ it will be difficult for you to be more resolute than myself. I thereupon desired him to give me an Account of his Adventures, which he seemed unwilling to do, but at last my Entreaties prevailed, and he made me the following Relation of his Life.  
I was born in Portugal, and tho' my Habit and Looks may not, perhaps, speak me such, I can assure you, That I am near related to King Don john, who has these Thirteen Years since found the means to ascend on his Ancestors Throne. I was bred up with him, while he was yet but Duke of Braganca, and should have shared in his Prosperity, had I not had nearer Friends than he, who engaged me in the contrary Party; or rather had not Love turned my Brain.  
Never was any one, at once, so charming and so perfidious, as the Person I adored. She was much about my Age, but of an unsatisfied Ambition; and had a Kindness for me no longer than till she could fix on one, who might satisfy her Pride. She had been placed with the Duchess of Mantua, than Vice-Queen of Portugal; was born of an Illustrious Family, but much inferior to mine; and tho' my Estate was but small, her Fortune was not answerable to it. I was possessed with an unexpressible Passion, which she did, or at least pretended to return; and tho' we did not at first talk of Marrying, (because the Duke of Braganca would never have suffered me to match myself so much to my Disadvantage) yet I swore to her, That I would never have any other Woman to my Wife, and I lived in Hopes of enjoying her, expecting that Duke's Restauration would so much better my Condition, that I should not need to marry for a Portion.  
The Conspiracy, which placed him on his Throne, was then contriving. I was one of the first that was entrusted with that Secret, and I was so strangely bewitched to my Mistress, that I could not keep it from her. It was the highest Imprudency in me, since living with the Vice-Queen, I had cause to fear she would discover it to her; but that was not the only Reason I had to complain of her Indiscretion.  
The Vice-Queen had one Vasconcellos to her Secretary, who, tho' a Portugueze by Birth, was grown the Tyrant of his own Country, through the Imperiousness wherewith he exercised the Power, which the Vice-Queen had Placed in him. He was pleased to be in Love with my Mistress, but what you will perhaps wonder at is, That she harkened to, and encouraged his Addresses, so highly was she charmed with the Passion of a Man, who only managed all the Affairs of the Kingdom.  
She at first doubted not but he meant honourably; but soon found his Design was but to rank her with the many Misses his Fortune had procured him.  
Her Virtue seemed to be too great to comply with such Desires, as tended only to her Dishonour; and she told me one Day, That she now hated Vasconcellos as much as she had appeared complaisant to him, while she had Hopes of becoming his Wife. His Wife! cried I, in a great Surprise, How could you ever have such a Thought? Why, replied she, is it not a strong Enticement to be his Mistress, who commands the whole Kingdom? I reproached her for being guilty of that Baseness; and she said, I must forgive her, since even in that, to be in a Capacity of doing me some good, had been her chiefest Aim. This Compliment appeased me, and I doubted not but that the Scorn she expressed for my unworthy Rival was as sincere as it ought to be, after the Discovery she had made of the injurious Opinion he had of her. Yet I heard from several Hands, that it was affected, and that she still kindly entertained his Visits and his Presents. Indeed she grew more expensive than usually, and having asked her, How her Stock had increased, she assured me it was out of the Vice-Queen's Bounty. I was deaf to all the Proofs that were given me of the Reality of her Intriegue with Vasconcellos, and I persisted in adoring her, with a Respect equal to my Love.  
In the mean while the Conspiracy broke out, as every one knows; the Conspirators having made themselves Masters of the City of Lisbon, seized the Vice-Queen and Archbishop of Braga. Vasconcellos was stabbed and thrown headlong out of a Window, and the Duke of Braganca was Four Days after proclaimed King of Portugal. My Hatred to Vasconcellos moved me to assist those who were ordered to murder him; we went up into his Chamber, where one of his Clerks having opposed us, I killed him at one Blow, and was the first that entered. We could not find him, and while my Comrades were looking for him, I espied a little Closet, half open, wherein were some Letters, which I took, and, unperceived, disposed into my Pockets. At length, after much seeking, we heard he was hid in a Corner of the Room; we pulled him out thence, and knowing me again, he conjured me, for my Mistress' sake, to save his Life; assuring me, I should oblige her highly in doing it. I thought he had lost his Wits, to make me a Compliment, he must needs imagine, I would take as an Affront, and was going to force a Declaration out of his own Mouth, to clear her Innocency. But I had not that Leisure, for he had scarce spoke to me when they threw him down into the Street.  
The Tumult being appeased, and the City quiet, my next Care was to read the Letters I had found. They were most subscribed by my unfaithful Mistress, and but too plain Arguments of her Infamy. Some of them contained an account of the Plot, and I blessed my kind Stars, that had directed those Letters to me, which were they fallen into other Hands would certainly have proved my undoing. I kept them, with a Design to confound her, by letting her know, I had those convincing Proofs of her Shame; but I knew not what was become of her, and thought she might have been confined with the Vice-Queen: At last I heard, That being a Portugueze, she was permitted to retire to one of her Relations. The News of Vasconcellos cruel Death put her into such a Fury that she exclaimed against those who had killed him, and against the new King, with such Passion, that she was secured as a Disaffected Person.  
I was informed of all this, and certainly none aught to have been more indifferent than myself on that account: Yet I wished with earnestness to see her, that I might tax her with her Baseness and Ingratitude. I fancied the Hopes of being revenged were the only occasion of that Desire, and little considered, alas! that my Love was the chief Motive, and that I was only willing to reproach her, because I could not forget her.  
I went to visit her in her Prison, and she asked me scornfully, Whether it was by my Order that she was used so ill? I answered, Had it been so, I should but have discharged my Obligations to her, since she was guilty of a higher Crime to me, than any the Government could charge her with; in saying which, I produced the Letters I have spoke of, ask her, If she knew that Hand. She answered, without the least Surprise, That she was not ashamed to own them, since whether I knew it or no, Vasconcellos was her Husband; and that she would acknowledge none for her Friends or Lovers, but such as would assist her, in revenging his Death. How great soever my Vexation might be, to hear her talk thus, I had the Force to conceal it, and continued showing her the Letters wherein she had so basely betrayed the Secret I had revealed to her. She told me, It was for my sake she had done it, and that she never would forgive the Secretary, who instead of making use of the Advices she had given him, relied upon the Duke de Olivares, whose temporising had ruined the King of Spain's Interests. I interrupted her, desiring to know how that Discovery could be advantageous to me; to which she replied, I must have but very little Skill in State-Affairs, not to see that the Duke of Braganca's Election could never stand, because of the Discontent of the other Princes of the Blood, who could not expect such Gratifications from him, as they might receive from the King of Spain.  
Her Discourse should have moved me with Indignation, and I ought, above all, to have resented her marrying my Rival. But even that helped to justify her; for I had rather hear she had made a Match so much beneath herself, than suspect her of being guilty of a shameful Amour; and I found, that as she spoke to me, my Heart willingly yielded to her Arguments, and took her Part against myself.  
I carried on my Blindness so far that I found some Probability in what she said, of the ill Bottom which the new Government stood on, and grew inclinable to a Revolt. But I did not then Discover it to her, and continued that Conversation in the same Strain I had begun. But it is impossible for a Lover to conceal his Weakness, and, in spite of my Dissimulation, she perceived the Effect of her deluding Words.  
I imagined the Sight of her had occasioned my Folly, but her Absence could not cure it; for the Thoughts of her Misery moved my Compassion, and I judged it not impossible for me to obtain her Liberty. I sued for it, representing, That what she had said was spoke in a Heat of Passion, which had put her besides herself, and that she was now grown very penitent. My Request was easily granted, and it was not thought dangerous to release a Maid, too weak to act what her Passion or Grief might prompt her to.  
No better Token can be given of the Strength of my blinded Love, than the Transport I was in. I ran to the Prison, and having kindly reproached her, told her, That the better to let him know what a Lover she had been ungrateful to, I was come to acquaint her, That through my means she was free. She was less careful to thank me, than to repeat what she had already said about the present Government, and to persuade me, That my Fortune had been more splendid, had Portugal remained under the Spanish Dominion. Neither would I then let her know how far her Arguments prevailed with me; but having taken her out thence, carried her to that Relation, at whose House she had been arrested.  
I visited her often, and persisted in loving her with as much Zeal, as if I never had had any occasion to complain of her. She seemed also to have forgot her former Lover, and I dared not make too strict an Enquiry into the Nature of the Engagement she had had with him, lest I should thence have a Reason to hate her, I was resolved to adore. Another would not make so open a Confession, but I freely own it to you, who seem not to be unacquainted with the Enchanting Power of Love.  
She had not been long out of her Confinement, when I perceived the Duke of Caminha, whose Name I shall not conceal, since his Misfortune is so publicly known, visited her assiduously enough, to make me fear him as a Rival. The Marquis de Villa Real, Father to that Duke, was nearly related to me, as we were all Three to the new King.  
I did not at first express my Jealousy to my Mistress, but his Visits became so frequent, and they took such care to be in Private, that I could no longer be silent. She answered me, That by disclosing a Secret to me, she would discharge the Obligation she owed me, for that I had formerly discovered to her; adding, She did not do it so much to satisfy my Jealousy, as to inspire me with Thoughts worthy of my Birth, and to let me have a Share in a glorious Design then on foot, which concerned me as much as any one. Then she told me, The Duke of Caminha courted her, and that she had found in him the Noble Sentiments she had in vain expected from me. In a Word, continued she, he does not, like you, sit tamely while Don John enjoys a Crown he has no better Title to than any of you, and we shall shortly behold our Country under the Dominion of its lawful Sovereign. Having spoke these Words, she informed me of a Conspiracy, which was then contriving, to assassinate Don john and his Queen, and re-establish the Spanish Government. That the Archbishop of Braga was the Head of it, and the Marquis of Villa Real, the Duke of Caminha, with several other Persons of the First Quality, his Complices; adding, I might, if I pleased, be admitted into Society.  
I asked her, Whether she had been ordered to tell me of it? She said, No; but that she loved me well enough to wish I should not be the only one of all my Family, who had no Hand in so Noble and Heroic an Enterprise. Then I desired her not to let them know she had; saying, It was not that I refused being concerned, but resented their having done it without my Knowledge. She replied, It was not too late, and that she would persuade the Duke of Caminha to discover it to me.  
Being returned home, I considered what I had best do. My Love would soon have determined it, had not the Duke of Caminha's prevented it; for the manner wherein she had acquainted me with his Passion, made me apprehensive, lest if the Design succeeded, she would have preferred him before me, and I should thus have contributed to my own Unhappiness.  
But I perplexed myself to no purpose; for Two Days after we had this Discourse, the Plot was discovered by the Archbishop's unadvis'dness, who was so rash as to send a Packet to Spain, wherein was a very particular Account of it, and a List of the Conspirators. They were all arrested, and my Name not being mentioned, I was left at Liberty, tho' the near Relation I had to the Marquis de Villa Real and the Instances I had made to procure my Mistress' Liberty, gave Grounds for Suspicion. She was seized with the rest, and the Accusations against her were so weighty and evident, that she was condemned to lose her Life; but the Queen, out of a particular Favour, changed the Punishment she was liable to, into a perpetual Imprisonment. The Marquis of Villa Real, and Duke of Caminha were beheaded, and the Archbishop of Braga died for Grief in his Prison; the rest of the Accomplices suffered, and thus the whole Design was frustrated.  
Although I was not in Custody, I soon saw that I was strictly observed, and fearing to be secured, resolved to absent myself. Here you will have an Instance of my Weakness, and of my false Mistress' Perfidiousness. I had not the Courage to leave my Native Country, before I had used my Endeavours to deliver her out of her Confinement, tho' the Favours she had granted to Vasconcellos, and her later Engagement with the Duke of Caminha ought to have procured her my Scorn and Hatred. But I thought by so convincing a Proof of my Affection, to have obliged her to return it; and besides, my Passion was indeed so strong that I expected no Happiness out of her Company; and therefore took more care to find out means of favouring her escape than to secure my own.  
It was in a Convent that she was kept Prisoner; and I caused a Note to be delivered to her, wherein I gave her notice, That at a certain Time it should be set on Fire, in the Corner next to her Chamber, and that she might, during the Bustle, come to a Wall I described, on the other side of which I should be with a Ladder, ready to throw it over when she should call for it.  
I was as good as my Word, and my Project having been put in Execution, I came to the Place appointed, where having tarried some Time, I got up, and saw no Body on the other Side; however, I stayed there till the Fire was over, when I went away heartily vexed at my ill Success. But my Grief had been much greater, had I known how I was prevented. The Ungrateful Lady, for whose sake I had ventured on this desperate Attempt, had no sooner received my Note, but she sent it to the Queen, thinking by that seeming Generosity to have gained the Queen's Esteem, and the easier procured her own Liberty. The Queen gave little Heed to it, but, upon Advice that the Convent was on Fire, she sent some Guards to secure me. He who commanded them, on purpose, avoided me, for besides that he had a great Kindness for me, he feared lest my Death, joined to that of all my Kindred, should have occasioned new Discontents, and considering the Government was not yet well established, thought he ought, for that Time to wave his Obedience, since he might thereby at once oblige his Friend, and serve his Prince more effectually.  
The next Morning he sent me an Account of what had happened, and that all the Reward which my Mistress had gained was, that the Queen had permitted her to take a Nun's Habit, if she had an Inclination that way. Her Treachery sorely afflicted me, and I was at last convinced of my Folly, in being thus obstinately bend to love a Woman so unworthy of my Kindness.  
In the mean while the aforesaid Note was a Presumption strong enough to render me guilty; several concurring Circumstances were brought in, to prove me a Traitor, and upon the whole I was Outlawed, and my Estate Confiscated. I have always believed, that they were not desirous of having me apprehended; for had any Search been made, I should soon have been found out; but it is very likely, that my Absence was rather wished for than my Death.  
I was so depressed with Grief, that I took no care to seek for a Refuge; and hearing my Mistress had accepted the Queen's Favour, and taken the Veil, I chose to imitate her. I have since endeavoured to enter into several Monasteries, under a fictitious Name, but none would receive me. I was at Rome and at Paris, (where I continued some Time) with the same Design, but seeing I could not succeed, I at last came hither, where I have led this Life above these Six Years.  
The Portugueze having ended his Story, I made him some Objections, which I had forbore for fear of Interrupting him, for, indeed, I could scarce believe what he said, and concluded, That if it was true, he must certainly have been mad. He answered them; And I had the Comfort to meet with a Man whose Follies exceeded mine. I afterwards saw him very often, and understood, That wearied with his Condition, he was soliciting for a Pardon, and to be once more possessed of his Estate; but that he was afraid one thing would hinder it, which was, That having not been heard of, since his leaving Portugal every one there thought him dead, and his Sufferings having made a great Alteration in him, he might be taken for an Impostor. But I endeavoured to rid him of that Scruple, and to encourage him in his Design.  
I was much more sensible in his Company than alone; for then reflecting on my former Adventures, I thought my Misfortunes at least equal to his. What he would have made me fear, that tho' I had Courage enough to renounce the World, I should soon be tired with that Station, had but a small Influence over me; and I doubted not but being once engaged into the Austerities of a Monachal Life, I should have Resolution enough to go through them; so great is the Presumption of vain, ignorant Men, who rely on their own Strength, for what they can expect, but from God's especial Mercy. With the like Arrogance did I fancy my Constancy could be greater than that of the Portugueze, whose Irresolution I pitied. But indeed my Hour was not yet come; and the Desire I had of a Retreat, was only grounded on Laziness and Discouragement, the natural Consequences of a tiresome unfortunate and unquiet Life; which, no doubt, was the Reason why I was not more steadfast in my Purposes. God grant, I may now with more Firmness effect, in my latter Age, what I had resolved on in my blooming Years. The Truth is, I would have built a House before I had laid any Foundation; for without any Knowledge of the chief Points of my Religion, or the foregoing Practice of a virtuous Life, I would on a sudden have turned Saint; and being wholly taken up with this Design, I took my Leave of the Hermit, and took Post for Paris; desiring, before I entered into a Religious State, to consult my Carmelite, or rather that she should applaud my Intentions, which my Vanity made me conceive as very Praiseworthy.  
That generous Maid, who was well acquainted with the Life I designed to embrace, advised me not to enter too slightly into it; but before I did, to submit, for some Time, to the Directions of a Holy Father, who might judge better than myself, whether I was really fit for it. I was fright'ned with the long Preparations which she, told me, were necessary, before I openly declared my Intentions, and loath to defer so long the Pleasure my Vanity expected, from hearing every one commend my Heroic Courage, in depriving myself, at that Age, of the Pleasures of this Life. Tho' I was ashamed to own my Thoughts, she easily perceived I was not such as God requires for his more immediate Service; and told me plainly, That I must not think of it, unless I had Resolution enough to retire into some private Place, and spend half a Year at least in the most severe Austerities and sincere Repentance.  
It was one of the most prudent Actions that ever I did, to consult a Woman of so piercing and sound a Judgement; for how many would there have been, who instead of duly weighing all these Considerations, would rather have hurried me into what they would have fancied a glorious Enterprise; and thus my unstedfastness would have exposed me to Derision. But seeing I could not submit to those Examinations, which she thought absolutely necessary, she told me, I must look upon this Maggot but as a Temptation of my Laziness and Idleness; that it was not what God required of me, only she wished I would take more Care of my Conscience, consider what I was born to, and, by fixing in the Army, put an End to my Knight-Errant's Adventures. She added, I had a fair Opportunity to lead a virtuous Life, in that having been some Time from Paris, and being thus grown out of People's Knowledge, I might easily forsake my Rakehell Acquaintance, and by beginning well, avoid the Censure of a sudden and unexpected Change.  
But being, by her Advice, entered into a Religious House for a few Days, that I might the more undisturbed employ myself in repenting me of my former Errors, and in an unfeigned Devotion, I found in their Library a Volume of Abaillard's Letters. I had the Curiosity to read it, having seen some of them in Spain; for tho' I had in that manner been tossed from Place to Place, and wholly busied in an Active Life, yet I had not forgot my old Acquaintance with the Muses. I found, in reading them, so great a Resemblance between Aloisia's Character and my Carmelite's, and his Passion and mine, that it kindled afresh, and I loved my Nun with more fervency than I had ever done.  
I had but a Glimpse of her Face since my Return from Spain, and she had then appeared so handsome, that the Idea of her Beauty, inflamed my Desires, which were more strong than in the greatest Heat of our former Engagement. I dwelled wholly on these Thoughts, and my only Pleasure was, to view my Heart in the Description Abaillard made of his own. I imagined the ill success of all my former Amours, was a Judgement on me, for leaving the only Person I had ever really loved. I often reflected that she was my Wife, and that all the Law in the World freed her from an Obligation she could not lawfully have taken upon herself.  
Thus was I taken up with these frivolous Thoughts; and certainly never was a Passion at once more violent and unhappy than mine, for tho' I were married to her, yet I judged it impossible to persuade her to leave the Nunnery; and the less was my Hope, the greater was my Misfortune.  
How often did I repent me of my Complaisance, in suffering her to take that Habit! and cursed the unfortunate Minute of our Parting. I doubted not but my former Flames were never well extinguished, and that the Kindness I had for several others, had never reached my Heart. But now Love displayed its whole Force in me, and had I a thousand Lives, I would have given them all to be in the same state with her as formerly, when her Virtue was all the Opposition I met with.  
It's Violence robbed me of Ease and Rest. I spent whole Nights in writing Letters to her, which I burned in the Morning; not daring to acquaint her with my Sentiments. However, I at last resolved to tell her of my Sufferings, and made her a Visit with that Design. Oh! how the charming Accent of her Voice ravished my Soul! My Transport was so great it took away my Speech; when perceiving my Disorder, she asked me, What I ailed? I fell upon my Knees and conjured her to hear, and not to hate me. Then I disclosed the Fierceness of my raging Love, begging she would at least afford her Pity. She yielded her Attention, and only interrupted me with Sighs. Although I could not see her, yet I heard her Weep. Ah! cried I then, May I hope you're moved with my Sufferings? She could not curb her Tears impetuous Stream, and was some Time without replying to me; but at last did thus express herself. I must confess, with Shame, That I am moved, and give too much Way to the pleasing News, That you can love me still; 'tis true that since the Moment I have known you, my Thoughts of you have ever been the same; not Absence nor my Vows could e'er destroy, nor Time Deface that Charming, Dear Idea; with jealousy and Grief I have seen you engaged to other Women, and do still dote on you with the Tenderness I ever did. She stopped, and I was seized with unspeakable Raptures, but the dreadful Thought of the Condition she was in, and the invincible Impediments which opposed my Bliss, soon dampt my forward Joy. Ah then, said I, since we e'er loved each other, why did we thus deprive us of those Sweets we might together have enjoyed! What is there then no Hope? Oh! were you half as willing as myself, there are no Ties which can keep as asunder.  
There she stopped my Discourse, begging me not to entertain these idle Thoughts, but to sacrifice to the Almighty, as she had done a Passion contrary to his Commands; she told me too, She found her Death drew near, and by a secret Warning, was admonished to prepare for it.  
My Sadness at these Words was such, as I cannot express, and I desired her to interceded with Heaven, That since we might not live together, I should at least die soon after her. This Conversation lasted some Hours, and was the last I had with her; for tho' in a seeming good Health, she had no sooner left me, but was taken with a violent Fever, and a short while after departed this Life: I endeavoured all I could to visit her once more, and often entreated a Nun she loved to speak to her for me; but my Carmelite prayed her, to suffer her to forget me, and all the World, that she might think of God alone. Then she desired her to assure me, That she died with the same Affection for me she ever had; and never mentioned me any more, only sometimes reflecting on the Gifts of Divine Providence to her, she implored Heaven to be as merciful to me; and I doubt not but it is to her Prayers I stand indebted for having lived to an Age, when I may reflect on my former Wander.  
I shall undertake to describe my Affliction. The Reader may well imagine it was not small, for she died when my love was raised to it's highest Pitch.  
I resolved to follow the good Counsels she had given me; and at once informed my Brother with my Return, and design to lead a better Life. I was filled with the best Desires in the World; but the sequel of my History will show, that I kept not my Resolutions, and will afford as odd Adventures as those I have already related; which will, I believe, be read with a greater Pleasure, since I shall have occasion to give an account of the most remarkable Transactions during those Times, wherein myself was often concerned.  
FINIS.