_Antonio_ was all Rapture with the Thoughts of the approaching Day; which tho’ it brought Don _Henrique_ and his dear _Ardelia_ to him, about five o’Clock in the Evening, yet at the same Time brought his last and greatest Misfortune. He saw her then at a She Relation’s of his, above three Miles from _Seville_, which was the Place assigned for their fatal Interview. He saw her, I say; but ah! how strange! how altered from the dear, kind _Ardelia_ she was when last he left her! ’Tis true, he flew to her with Arms expanded, and with so swift and eager a Motion, that she could not avoid, nor get loose from his Embrace, till he had kissed, and sighed, and dropt some Tears, which all the Strength of his Mind could not restrain; whether they were the Effects of Joy, or whether (which rather may be feared) they were the Heat-drops which preceded and threaten’d the Thunder and Tempest that should fall on his Head, I cannot positively say; yet all this she was then forced to endure, e’er she had Liberty to speak, or indeed to breathe. But as soon as she had freed herself from the loving Circle that should have been the dear and lov’d Confinement or Centre of a Faithful Heart, she began to dart whole Showers of Tortures on him from her Eyes; which that Mouth that he had just before so tenderly and sacredly kiss’d, seconded with whole Volleys of Deaths crammed in every Sentence, pointed with the keenest Affliction that ever pierc’d a Soul. _Antonio_, (she began) you have treated me now as if you were never like to see me more: and would to Heaven you were not!--Ha! (cry’d he, starting and staring wildly on her;) What said you, Madam? What said you, my _Ardelia_? If you like the Repetition, take it? (reply’d she, unmoved) _Would to Heaven you were never like to see me more!_ Good! very Good! (cry’d he, with a Sigh that threw him trembling into a Chair behind him, and gave her the Opportunity of proceeding thus:)--Yet, _Antonio_, I must not have my Wish; I must continue with you, not out of Choice, but by Command, by the strictest and severest Obligation that ever bound Humanity; Don _Henrique_, your Friend, commands it; Don _Henrique_, the dearest Object of my Soul, enjoins it; Don _Henrique_, whose only Aversion I am, will have it so. Oh, do not wrong me, Madam! (cry’d Don _Henrique_.) Lead me, lead me a little more by the Light of your Discourse, I beseech you (said Don _Antonio_) that I may see your Meaning! for hitherto ’tis Darkness all to me. Attend therefore with your best Faculties (pursu’d _Ardelia_) and know, That I do most sincerely and most passionately love Don _Henrique_; and as a Proof of my Love to him, I have this Day consented to be delivered up to you by him; not for your Sake in the least, _Antonio_, but purely to sacrifice all the Quiet of my Life to his Satisfaction. And now, Sir (continued she, addressing her self to Don _Henrique_) now, Sir, if you can be so cruel, execute your own most