Aurelian seeing the Rapture he was in, thought it in vain to expect a
settled Relation of the Adventure, so was reaching to the Table for
some of the Papers, but Hippolito told him, If he would have a little
patience he would acquaint him with the whole Matter; and thereupon
told him Word for Word how he was mistaken for Lorenzo, and his
Management of himself. Aurelian commended his Prudence, in not
discovering himself; and told him, If he could spare so much time from
the Contemplation of his Mistress, he would inform him of an Adventure,
though not so Accidental, yet of as great Concern to his own future
Happiness. So related all that had happened to him with his Beautiful
Incognita.
Having ended the Story, they began to consider of the Means they were
to use toward a Review of their Mistresses. Aurelian was Confounded at
the Difficulty he conceived on his Part. He understood from Hippolito’s
Adventure, that his Father knew of his being in Town, whom he must
unavoidably Disoblige if he yet concealed himself, and Disobey if he
came into his Sight; for he had already entertain’d an Aversion for
Juliana, in apprehension of her being Imposed on him. His Incognita was
rooted in his Heart, yet could he not Comfort himself with any Hopes
when he should see her: He knew not where she lived, and she had made
him no Promise of a second Conference. Then did he repent his
inconsiderate Choice, in preferring the momentary Vision of her Face,
to a certain Intelligence of her Person. Every thought that succeeded
distracted him, and all the Hopes he could presume upon, were within
compass of the Two Days Merriment yet to come; for which Space he hop’d
he might excuse his remaining conceal’d to his Father.
Hippolito on the other side (though Aurelian thought him in a much
better Way) was no less afflicted for himself. The Difficulties which
he saw in his Friend’s Circumstances, put him upon finding out a great
many more in his own, than really there were. But what terrified him
most of all, was his being an utter Stranger to Leonora; she had not
the least knowledge of him but through mistake, and consequently could
form no Idea of him to his Advantage. He look’d upon it as an unlucky
thought in Aurelian to take upon him his Name, since possibly the Two
Ladies were acquainted, and should they communicate to each other their
Adventures; they might both reasonably suffer in their Opinions, and be
thought guilty of Falshood, since it would appear to them as One Person
pretending to Two. Aurelian told him, there was but one Remedy for
that, which was for Hippolito, in the same Manner that he had done, to
make use of his Name, when he writ to Leonora, and use what arguments
he could to perswade her to Secrecy, least his Father should know of
the Reason which kept him concealed in Town. And it was likely, though
perhaps she might not immediately entertain his Passion; yet she would
out of Generosity conceal, what was hidden only for her sake.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account