he told her he thought a Wound which was not throughly heal’d bled a
little, and that he had lost his Handkerchief. His design took; for she
immediately gave him hers: which indeed accordingly he apply’d to the
only wound he was then griev’d with; which though it went quite through
his Heart, yet thank God was not Mortal. He was not a little rejoyc’d
at his good Fortune in getting so early a Favour from his Mistress, and
notwithstanding the violence he did himself to personate a sick Man, he
could not forbear giving some Symptoms of an extraordinary content; and
telling her that he did not doubt to receive a considerable Proportion
of ease from the Application of what had so often kiss’d her fair Hand.
Leonora who did not suspect the Compliment, told him she should be
heartily glad if that or any thing in her power might contribute to his
recovery; and wishing him well home, went into her House, as much
troubled for her Cousin as he was joyful for his Mistress.
Hippolito as soon as she was gone in, began to make his Remarks about
the House, walking round the great Court, viewing the Gardens and all
the Passages leading to that side of the Piazza. Having sufficiently
informed himself, with a Heart full of Love, and a Head full of
Stratagem, he walked toward his Lodging, impatient till the arrival of
Aurelian that he might give himself vent. In which interim, let me take
the liberty to digress a little, and tell the Reader something which I
do not doubt he has apprehended himself long ago, if he be not the
dullest Reader in the World; yet only for orders sake, let me tell him
I say, That a young Gentleman (Cousin to the aforesaid Don Fabritio)
happened one night to have some words at a Gameing House with one
Lorenzo, which created a Quarrel of fatal Consequence to the former,
who was killed upon the Spot, and likely to be so to the latter, who
was very desperately wounded.
Fabritio being much concerned for his Kinsman, vow’d revenge (according
to the ancient and laudable custom of Italy) upon Lorenzo if he
surviv’d, or in case of his death (if it should happen to anticipate
that, much more swinging Death which he had in store for him) upon his
next of Kin, and so to descend Lineally like an English Estate, to all
the Heirs Males of this Family. This same Fabritio had indeed (as
Leonora told Hippolito) taken particular notice of him from his first
entrance into the Room, and was so far doubtful as to go out
immediately himself, and make enquiry concerning Lorenzo, but was
quickly inform’d of the greatness of his Error, in believing a Man to
be abroad, who was so ill of his Wounds, that they now despair’d of his
recovery; and thereupon return’d to the Ball very well satisfied, but
not before Leonora and Hippolito were departed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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