night to send a message to her husband, and actually despatched a servant to him, with the following letter:

CHAP. VII.

fortitude, which, with all her virtue, was barely sufficient to hinder her eyes from giving manifest indications of the amorous compassion that his tears and addresses had awakened in her breast. All this tenderness, which Lothario observed, inflamed his passion the more; and, thinking there was a necessity for shortening

nent Curiosity.

"It is a common observation, that an army without a general, and a garrison without a chief, make but a very indifferent appearance; but I say, that a young married woman with out a husband makes a worse, especially when his absence is not the effect of absolute necessity: for my own part, I find myself so uneasy, and unable to support our separation, that if you do not return immediately, I must go and pass my time at my father's house, though I should leave your's without a guard; for, I be lieve, he that you left, if he was designed for that purpose, hath more regard to his own pleasure than to your advantage; and since you are wise, I have nothing more to say, nor is it proper I should.'

"When Anselmo received this letter, he was convinced that Lothario had begun the enter prise, and that his wife had behaved according to his wish; rejoiced beyond measure at this information, he answered by a verbal message, that she should by no means leave the house; for he would return in a very little time. Camilla was astonished at this reply, which perplexed her more than ever, as she durst neither stay in her own house, nor go to her father's; for, in staying at home, she endangered her honour, and in going to her parents, she transgressed the commands of her husband. In fine, she resolved upon that which was worst of all; namely, to remain where she was, determined not to avoid Lothario, that the servants might not observe her situation; and she was already sorry for what she had written to Anselmo, being afraid he would imagine Lothario had perceived some levity in her conduct, which encouraged him to lay aside the decorum he ought to have preserved. Confident of her own virtue, she trusted to God and her conscious prudence, by the help of which she thought she could, in silence, resist all the solicitations of Lothario, without giving her husband any further information, lest it should involve him in some trouble or dangerous dispute; nay, she was even industrious in inventing some excuse for Lothario, in case Anselmo should ask the reason that induced her to write

such a letter.

"With these sentiments, which were more honourable than prudent and advantageous, she, next day, sat listening to Lothario, who exert ed himself in such a manner, as to shake her

absence lasted, he assaulted her pride with the praises of her beauty; for nothing sooner succeeds in overthrowing the embattled towers of female vanity, than vanity itself, employed by the tongue of adulation: in short, he so assiduously undermined the fortress of her virtue, and plied it with such irresistible engines, that though she had been made of brass, she must have surrendered at mercy: he wept, entreated, promised, flattered, feigned, and importuned, with such earnest expressions of love, as conquered all her reserve; at last he obtained a complete triumph, which, though what he least expected, was what of all things he most ardently desired: she yielded-the chaste Camilla yielded! But, what wonder? since even Lothario's friendship gave way,-a clear and incontestible proof, that love is to be conquered by flight alone, and that no person whatever ought to engage such a powerful adversary hand to hand, because nothing but force divine can subdue that human power.

"Leonela alone was privy to the weakness of her mistress, which the two new lovers and false friends could not possibly conceal from her knowledge: and Lothario did not choose to tell Camilla the contrivance of Anselmo, who had given him the opportunity of accomplishing his design, that she might not undervalue his love by supposing that he courted her by accident, without being at first really enamoured of her charms. Anselmo returning in a few days, did not perceive the loss of that which, though he preserved with the least care, he prized above all other possessions: but going in quest of Lothario, whom he found in his own lodgings, after a mutual embrace, he desired he would tell him the news that must determine his life or death. 'The news which I have to give you, my friend (said Lothario), are these: you have a wife who truly deserves to be the pattern and queen of all good women. The expressions I used to her were spent in the air, my promises were despised, my presents rejected, and some tears that I feigned, most heartily ridiculed: in short, Camilla is the sum of all beauty, and the casket in which are deposited honour, affability, modesty, and all the qualifications that dignify and adorn a woman of virtue. Here, take back your money, which I have had no occasion to use: the chastity of your wife is not to be shaken by such mean considerations as those of promises and presents: be satisfied, Anselmo, and make no more unprofitable trials; since you have dry-shod crossed

the sea of those doubts and suspicions, which are and may be entertained of women; seek not to plunge yourself anew into the dangerous gulf of fresh difficulties, by using another pilot to make a second trial of the strength and tightness of the vessel, which you have received from Heaven to perform the voyage of this life: but consider yourself as in a safe harbour, where you ought to secure yourself with the anchor of sound reflection, and remain until you are called upon to pay that tax from which no human rank can exempt you.'

"Anselmo was infinitely rejoiced at this information of Lothario, which he believed as implicitly as if it had been pronounced by an oracle: but, nevertheless, he besought him to continue his addresses, merely for curiosity and amusement, though not with the same eagerness and diligence which he had used before: he desired him to write verses in praise of Camilla, under the name of Chloris, promising to tell his wife, that he, Lothario, was in love with a lady whom he celebrated under that fictitious name, in order to preserve the decorum due to her character; and he assured him, that if Lothario did not choose to take the trouble of making verses, he himself would compose them for the occasion. 'You shall not need (said Lothario); the muses are not quite so averse, but they visit me sometimes; you may tell Camilla what you have mentioned concerning my pretended love; and as for the verses, if not adequate to the subject, they shall, at all events, be the best I can make.'

"This agreement being concerted between the impertinent husband and treacherous friend, Anselmo returned to his own house, and asked Camilla what she wondered he had not mentioned before; namely, the meaning of that let ter which she had despatched to him in the country. She answered, that she then fancied Lothario looked at her with more freedom than he used to take when Anselmo was at home; but now she was undeceived, and convinced of its being no more than mere imagination; for he had of late avoided all occasions of being alone with her. Anselmo said, she might make herself entirely easy from that quarter; for he knew that Lothario was in love with a lady of fashion in the city, whom he celebrated under the name of Chloris; and even, if he was free of any such engagements, there was nothing to be feared from the honour of Lothario and the friendship subsisting between them. If Camilla had not been previously advertised by her secret gallant of this supposed love of Chloris, with which he intended to hoodwink her hus band, that he might sometimes indulge himself in her own praise, under the cover of that name, she would, without doubt, have been distracted with jealousy, but, thus instructed, she heard him without surprise or concern.

"Next day, while they were at dinner, Anselmo

entreated his friend to repeat some of the verses he had composed in praise of Chloris, who being utterly unknown to Camilla, he might se curely say what he pleased: Though she were of her acquaintance (answered Lothario), I should not think myself bound to conceal my passion; for when a lover praises the beauty, and, at the same time, bewails the cruelty of his mistress, her reputation can suffer no prejudice; but, be that as it will, I own I yesterday wrote a song on the ingratitude of Chloris, which you shall hear :

When night extends her silent reign,

And sleep vouchsafes the world to bless To Heav'n and Chloris I complain Of dire and affluent distress.

When Phoebus, led by rosy morn,

At first his radiant visage shews,
With tears, and sighs, and groans forlorn,
My soul the bitter plaint renews.

When from his bright meridian throne,
The dazzling rays descend amain,
With aggravated grief I moan,

And night brings back the woful strain.
Thus, to my vows and pray'rs, I find

My Chloris deaf, and Heaven unkind.'

"This song was approved by Camilla, and much more so by her husband, who applauded it to the skies, and observed, that the lady must be excessively cruel who could resist such a true and pathetic complaint. What! (said Camilla), is every thing true that we are told by the poets when they are in love? What they rehearse as poets (answered Lothario), is not always truth; but what they affirm as lovers, is always from the heart. You are certainly in the right,' replied Anselmo, with a view of supporting and giving sanction to Lothario's sentiments in the opinion of Camilla, whose indifference about her husband's artifice was now equal to her love for his pretended friend. Pleased, therefore, with his performances, because she very well knew that his inclinations and compositions were inspired by, and addressed to her, who was the true Chloris, she desired him, if he had any more songs or verses, to repeat them. I have another (said Lothario), but, I believe, it is not so good, or rather, it is less tolerable than the last. However, you shall judge for yourself-here it is:

Yes, cruel maid! I welcome death,
And tho' I perish undeplored,
Thy beauty, with my latest breath,
Shall be applauded and adored.
Tho' lost in dark oblivion's shade,

Bereft of favour, life, and fame,
My faithful heart, when open laid,
Will shew thine image and thy name.

These relics I preserve with care,
My comfort in disastrous fate;
For, steel'd and whetted by despair,
My love new force acquires from hate.
Unhappy those! who, darkling, sail

Where stars, and ports, and pilots fail.

"This song was commended as much as the first, by Anselmo, who, in this manner, added link to link of the chain with which he enslav ed himself, and secured his own dishonour; for then Lothario disgraced him most, when he thought himself most honoured, and every step that Camilla descended towards the very centre of contempt, she, in the opinion of her husband, mounted to the very summit of virtuous reputation. About this time, happening to be alone with her maid, I am ashamed, dear Leonela (said she), when I consider how I have under valued myself; for I ought to have made Lothario employ a great deal of time in purchas ing the entire possession of my favours, which I so willingly surrendered at once: and I am afraid that he will look upon my sudden_yielding as the effect of levity, without reflecting upon the violence of his own addresses, which it was impossible to resist. Let not that give you the least disturbance, madam (answered Leonela); for there is no reason why a thing should lose its estimation by being freely given, if it is actually good in its kind and worthy of esteem; nay it is a common saying, that he who gives freely gives twice.'-There is also another common observation (replied Camilla), that which is easily got is little valued.'You are not at all affected by that observation (resumed Leonela); for love, they say, some times flies, sometimes walks, runs with one, creeps with another, warms a third, burns a fourth, wounding some, and slaying others. In one moment it begins, performs, and concludes its career; lays siege in the morning to a for tress, which is surrendered before night, there being no force that can withstand its power. This being the case, what cause have you to be alarmed or afraid? This was the power that assisted Lothario, by making use of my master's absence as the instrument of his success; and what love had determined, must of necessity have been concluded during that period, before Anselmo could, by his return, prevent the perfection of the work. Opportunity is the best minister for executing the designs of love; and is employed in all his undertakings, especially in the beginning of them. This I know to be true, more by experience than hearsay; and I shall one day tell you, madam, that I am a girl of flesh and blood as well as your ladyship. Be sides, your ladyship did not yield until you had discerned in the looks, sighs, protestations, pro

mises, and presents of Lothario, his whole soul undisguised, and adorned with such virtues as rendered him worthy of your love. Let not, therefore, these scrupulous and whining reflec tions harass your imagination; but assure yourself, that Lothario's love and your's are mutual; so that you may think yourself extremely happy, in being caught in the amorous snare by a man of worth and honour, who not only possesses the four qualities beginning with S,* which ought to be the case of all true lovers, but also a whole alphabet of accomplishments. Listen, and you shall hear how cleverly I will recount them. He is, in my simple opinion, amiable, benevolent, courageous, diverting, en amoured, firm, gay, honourable, illustrious, loyal, mettlesome, noble, obedient, princely, qualified, rich, and the S. S. as I have already observed. Then, he is trusty, vigilant, the X does not suit him, because it is a harsh letter; Y stands for youth, and Z for zeal, in his attachment to you.'

Ca

"Camilla laughed at the alphabet of her maid, whom she found more knowing in the affairs of love than she had pretended to be; and this knowledge indeed she confessed, disclosing to her mistress an intrigue that she carried on with a young man of a good family in town. milla was disturbed at this information, fearing that her honour ran some risk from their correspondence; and when she pressed her to confess, whether or not it had been brought to the last extremity, she, without the least symptom of shame, answered in the affirmative: for it is very certain, that the failings of mistresses divest their servants of all modesty; because, seeing their ladies trip, they think themselves entitled to halt, without being at the trouble to conceal their defect. Camilla, thus circumstanced, could fall upon no other expedient than that of cautioning her maid against betraying her to the person who was her gallant, and beseeching her to keep her own intrigue secret, that it might not fall under the observation of Anselmo and Lothario.

"Leonela promised to be upon her guard; but managed her affairs with so little discretion, that she confirmed Camilla in the apprehension of losing her reputation by the carelessness of her maid; for the bold and immodest Leonela, seeing that her lady's conduct was not the same as formerly, had the assurance to introduce and conceal her lover in the house, conscious, that although her mistress should perceive, she durst not detect him, in that situation. Among other disadvantages incurred by the slips of women of fashion, they become slaves to their own servants, and find themselves obliged to connive at their impudence and vice.

"This was the very case of Camilla, who, though

she more than once observed Leonela engaged with her gallant, in one of the chambers, far from reprimanding her on that score, she gave opportunities of concealing him, and did all she could to prevent his being seen by her husband. But all their caution could not screen him from the notice of Lothario, who, perceiving him come out of the house one morning at break of day, and not knowing who he was, at first mis took him for a phantom; but, seeing him run away, and seek to hide himself with care and concern, he soon changed that simple opinion for another, which would have ruined them all, had not Camilla found out an expedient to pre vent their destruction. He was so far from thinking that this man, whom he saw coming out of Anselmo's house, at such an unseasonable hour, had gone in on Leonela's account, that he did not even remember there was such a person in the world; on the contrary, he was firmly persuaded, that Camilla, who yielded so easily to his addresses, had acted in the same manner to some other person: for this additional misfortune attends a loose woman, that she loses her credit even with the man by whose impor tunities and entreaties her honour was subdued: nay, he believes that she will be more easily won by another than by him, and implicitly credits every suspicion that may arise from that unjust inference. On this occasion, Lothario's good sense failed, and all his caution seemed to vanish; since, regardless of every thing that was right or reasonable, without farther exami❤ nation, he hied him to Anselmo before he was up, where, impatient and blind with the jealous fury that preyed upon his entrails, and inflamed with the desire of being revenged upon Camilla, who had given him no offence, he expressed himself thus:

"You must know, Anselmo, that for some days past, I have had a continual struggle with myself, endeavouring to suppress that which I no longer either can or ought to conceal from your knowledge. The fortress of Camilla is at last surrendered, and submitted entirely to the dominion of my will. This I have delayed imparting to you, until I should be certain, whether her compliance was owing to some transient flash of affection, or to the desire of trying the sincerity of those addresses which, by your own direction, were carried on; and I likewise concluded, that if she was a woman of honour and virtue, as we both imagined, she would, ere now, have given you an account of my solicita tions. But, finding that still undone, I take it for granted, she means to keep her promise of giving me an interview in the wardrobe, the very next time you go to the country: (and here it was where Camilla actually used to entertain him), but I should not wish that you would run precipitately into any scheme of vengeance. However, as the crime is committed in thought only, before an opportunity offers of

performing that promise, Camilla may change her mind, and repent of her weakness. Wherefore, as you have hitherto, in whole or in part, followed my advice, I hope you will treasure up and observe one which I shall now offer, that you may, without the least possibility of being deceived, carefully and cautiously satisfy yourself, so as to take such measures as your prudence shall suggest. You may pretend that you are going, as usual, for two or three days, to the country, and, in the mean time, conceal yourself in the wardrobe, where you will find tapestry and plenty of other things for the purpose: from thence you, with your own eyes, as I with mine, will observe the conduct of Camilla, and if unhappily you should find more cause to fear than to hope, you may, in person, revenge your own wrongs, with silence, safety, and discretion.'

"Anselmo was thunderstruck at this declaration of Lothario, which came upon him when he least expected it; for he already looked upon Camilla as a conqueror in the fictitious assaults of his friend, and had actually begun to enjoy the glory of her triumph. After having stood silent for a long time, with his eyes fixed upon the ground, Lothario (said he), you have acted up to the expectation of my friendship: I will adhere to your advice in every thing; do what you please; I hope you will keep this unexpected affair as secret as the nature of it requires.'

"His false friend promised to observe the caution: but soon as he quitted the apartment, repented of every thing he had said, reflecting how foolishly he had proceeded, and that he might have punished Camilla by means less cruel and dishonourable. He cursed his own folly, condemned his precipitation, and endeavoured to find out some expedient to undo what he had done, or at least bring it to some favourable issue. At length, he resolved to disclose the whole to Camilla, as there wanted not opportunities of being with her alone; and that very day, being together, she made use of the first that happened, addressing herself to him in this manner: Know, my dear Lothario, that my heart is ready to burst with one affliction, which is so grievous, that it will be a wonder if I survive it: Leonela is arrived to such a pitch of impudence, that every night she introduces a gallant into the house, and remains with him till morning, very much at the expense of my reputation, as the field is left open for any malicious construction, upon seeing a man come out of my house at such unseasonable hours: and the misfortune is, I dare neither chide nor chastise her for her audacity; for her being privy to our correspondence puts a bridle in my mouth, obliging me to be silent on the subject of her folly, from which, I fear, some mischance will befall us.'

"When Camilla began this discourse, Lotha

rio imagined it was an artifice to deceive and persuade him, that the man he had seen coming out of the house had been there on Leonela's account only; but seeing his mistress weep, and in the utmost affliction entreat him to find out some remedy for this inconvenience, he was convinced of the truth, and covered with shame and remorse for what he had done: nevertheless, he desired Camilla to make herself easy, and promised to fall upon some method to curb Leonela's insolence. He then told her what, instigated by the rage of jealousy, he had disclosed to Anselmo, who, by his appointment, was to conceal himself in the wardrobe, that he might have an incontestible proof of her infidelity: he begged pardon for his madness, with advice how to remedy it, and to extricate him self from the labyrinth in which he was involved by his own imprudence. Camilla was astonished at the discourse of Lothario, whom she chid and reprimanded with great reason and resentment, for the groundless suspicion which had driven him to such a mad and mischievous resolution. But, women having naturally more invention than man can boast of, either for a good or bad occasion, though sometimes they fail in premeditated schemes, Camilla instantly thought of a cure for this seemingly incurable dilemma, and bade Lothario prevail upon her husband to conceal himself in the appointed place the very next day; for she hoped to reap such advantage from his concealment, as that, for the future, they should enjoy each other, without the least fear or interruption. She, therefore, without disclosing to her lover the whole of her plan, desired him to take care, when Anselmo was hid, to come at Leonela's call, and answer every question she should ask, in the same manner as he would reply, if he did not know that her husband was within hearing. Lothario insisted upon knowing the particulars of her scheme, that he might with more security and success perform his cue; but Camilla assured him, he had nothing to do but answer her questions with truth and sincerity; being unwilling to make him previously acquainted with her design, lest he should disapprove of that which to her seemed so necessary, and recommend another, which perhaps she might not think so effectual. Accordingly, Lothario took his leave; and next day, Anselmo, under pretence of going to his friend's country-house, set out, but soon returned to his hiding-place; Camilla and her maid having purposely given him an opportunity of getting in unseen. There he remained in a state of perturbation, which may be easily conceived to harass the breast of a man who expected to see, with his own eyes, the bowels of his honour dissected, and found himself on the brink of losing that supreme bliss which he thought he possessed in his be loved Camilla.

“She and her maid, by this time, certified of

his being there, went to the wardrobe, which Camilla no sooner entered, than heaving a profound sigh, Dear Leonela (said she), rather than execute the design which I conceal from your knowledge, that you may not endeavour to prevent it, would it not be better for you to take this poniard of Anselmo, and plunge it in my unfortunate bosom? Yet do not, Leonela; for it were unreasonable that I should be punished for another's crime; I want, first, to know what the daring and licentious eyes of Lothario have discerned in my conduct, that should encourage him to declare a passion so guilty as that which he hath owned, so much to my dishonour, and the prejudice of his friend. Go to that window, Leonela, and beckon to him, for, doubtless, he is now in the street, expecting to succeed in his wicked intention: but I shall first execute mine, which is equally honourable and severe.'-' Alas, madam! (answered the cunning and well-instructed Leonela), how do you intend to use that fatal poniard? are you determined to take away your own life, or that of Lothario? by sacrificing either the one or the other, you will entirely ruin your own reputation. You should rather stifle your wrongs, than give that wicked wretch an opportunity of finding us here alone: consider, madam, that we are but weak women, and he a determined man, who, blinded by his guilty passion, may by force deprive you of that which you value more than life, before you can execute your purpose upon him. A plague upon my master Anselmo, for allowing that impudent fellow to be so free in his house! Besides, madam, should you kill him, as I believe you intend to do, what shall we do with him after he is dead - Nothing, my friend (replied Camilla), but let Anselmo bury him; for he ought to take pleasure in the task of interring his own infamy. Go and beckon to him, I say, for every moment I delay, my just revenge seems to injure afresh that fidelity which I owe to my husband.'

"All this conversation was overheard by Anselmo, whose sentiments were entirely changed by what Camilla said: and when he understood that she intended to kill Lothario, he was inclined to come out and discover himself, in order to prevent the deed: but he was diverted from that resolution by the desire of seeing the issue of his wife's gallant and virtuous determination; purposing, however, to appear seasonably enough for the safety of his friend.

"About this time Camilla, throwing herself upon a couch, was seized with a violent fit, during which Leonela wept bitterly, exclaiming,

Ah, wo is me! must I then see expiring in these unfortunate arms the flower of human virtue, the queen of excellent wives, the pattern of chastity! with other epithets of the same kind, which nobody could have heard, without esteeming her the most faithful and afflicted