The revengeful mistress being an amorous adventure of an English gentleman in Spain : in which are also contain'd three other novels, viz. The wrong'd innocence clear'd, The generous imposter, and The unfortunate collonel / writ. by Ph. Ayres.

THE Wrong'd Innocence clear'd.

THE Publick Houses in which they sell Wine in Spain, are called Bodegones, and are of no greater Credit there, than our com∣mon Ale-Houses are in England. These have seldom more than one Room for the Entertainment of their Guests, where every one calling for his Quartillo of Wine, being about half a Pint, he mixes it with Wa∣ter, drinks it off standing, and goes his way: But when Acquaintance meet, they will fall into Discourse, for half an Hour or longer, of News, or some other Subject; not much unlike the Conversation in our Cof∣fee-Houses. It was in one of these Bodegones, near the King's Palace in

Madrid, that certain Persons were accidentally met together, at about Eight or Nine a Clock in the Morn∣ing, to take up their little Cup of Wine, and to chat a while, round a Brasero of Charcoal; for it was a sharp Morning at the beginning of March.

Amongst these, a Gentleman happening to commend a Lovely Young Woman, but unknown to him, whom he chanced to have seen in the Street, at his coming in thither: The Company fell into Discourse of Handsom Women, naming several, as well of the the Town, as the Court, that were celebrated for Admirable Beauties. Now there being present in the Room, one of the King's Yeomen of the Guard, of that they call the Band of Flemings; he told the Com∣pany, that there was not one of all those Ladies they had extoll'd, but must in Reason subscribe to a fine Woman he had the Honour to know, which was the Incomparable Señore

Iacynta de Quiñones; and described her with more Eagerness and Passi∣on, than was fit to be used, by any one in that Country, but much less a Stranger as he was. And before he made an end, gave his Tongue the liberty of boasting, as if he had received Favours from her. This Extravagance of his, did not a little amaze those that heard him, but principally a Merchant, who was a near Neighbour and Friend of that Woman's Husband; and he being desirous of a clearer Satisfaction con∣cerning this Matter: Sir, said he, you are a most happy Man, to have the Enjoyment of so fair a Creature; but, with your permission, may I ask if this be not the Wife of Señor Alouso de Quiñones, the Rich Mercer of Silks, who lives by the Church of the Incarnation? I must not des∣cend to such plain Particulars (an∣swered the vain-glorious Dutchman) after giving this Account of her, and yet I shall venture to say, she

lives not very remote from that Church you named.

His Folly and Impertinence would have transported him further, had not the Company been nauseated with it; and left him. But the Mer∣chant in his walk home, called on his Acquaintance the Mercer, and after a Preamble of the Trouble he had suffered, to hear his Friend so publickly dishonoured by a Stranger, he gave him the whole Account of what passed; and protested it was the least Mark of his Friendship he could possibly express to so worthy a Person as Señor Alonso, to have cut that hoasting Villain's Throat, had he not been surrounded by divers others of the King's Servants: And added▪ that he had nevertheless hewn his way through the midst of them, to do it, did he not in Conscience believe the Lady to be Innocent, having only had the Mis∣fortune to suffer that Blemish in her Honour, by the unbounded current

of a scandalous Tongue; and that he fear'd by such an Action, to give a greater Authority to the Report.

The Mercer dissembling his Passi∣on, seem'd to hearken to his Neigh∣bours Relation, with some slight, as not crediting the Fleming's boast; but so soon as his Friend was gone, though he loved his Wife dearly as his own Heart, and had never had the least cause of Suspicion of her before, yet was he now transported with Jealousie to the highest degree; and going up Stairs, in a great Rage, into her Bed-Chamber, he found her there sitting at her Table, before her Looking-Glass, and dressing her Head. The violent Fury he was in, gave him not leave at first, to utter one word, but walking to her, he with his left Hand laid fast hold of her curious braided Hair, whilst with his right, he drew out his Dagge••, which the Trades-Men there, as well as others, have alwaies hang∣ing at their Girdles, and was pulling

her back in her Chair, intending to have sheathed it in her Breast; But upon a loud shriek which the af∣frighted Gentlewoman gave, and her crying out to know the Cause, of this his barbarous Treatment, who was about to Murder her, with∣out acquainting her why he did it; he stopt his Hand, and told her, that thô the Crime she was guilty of, was of so black a Nature, that she Merited not to have the least Mo∣ments Respit allowed her, from the just and favourable Punishment he was about to infliction her for it; yet for her Souls ••ake, he would be so kind, to let her first ask God For∣giveness of the foul Sin she had com∣mitted against Him, and against so loving a Husband. And he charged her not to trifle away the little time she had to Live, but dispatch her Devotion quickly, since the Revenge due for so great an Injury, was no longer to be deferred. And as to her demanding a Reason for this

rigorous procedure; she needed but appeal to her own Conscience, which could furnish her with Reason e∣nough, to justifie what he was about to do. She then falling on her knees, with the Tears showring from her Eyes, told him, that, she perceived, some Malicious Person, envious of the Happiness she had enjoyed with him, had been insinu∣ating false Inventions into his Mind, for her destruction; and therefore conjured him, as he would answer the contrary, before the great Tri∣bunal, at the last and dreadful day, that he would explain himself, and not thus cruelly butcher an Innocent Person, who had never yet in any degree broke her Marriage Vows made to him, with which he seem∣ed to tax her, nor in any other respect had ever wronged him.

The Edge of the Husband's Rage being a little taken off, by this be∣ginning to expostulate, he proceed∣ed to tell her, that thô she had

managed her Amorous Designs with that admirable Conduct, so as to keep them all this while concealed from him, yet that her Galant had the Confidence to proclaim them to all the World. She still on her knees, putting a stop to the current of her Tears, pray'd him to tell what Villain had the Impudence to utter so great a Falshood? Do you ask, demanded he, which of your Lo∣vers has made this Confession? It was Hendrick the Flemming, to day, did it publickly in a Bodegon.

I cannot deny (answered his Wife, expressing the height of Indignation in her Looks) but I have seen that base Fellow, yet no otherwise than in your Company; and I must own, that you have reason enough to ju∣stifie the Revenge you are about to Execute on her, who would prefer so contemptible a Wretch, to such a Husband as you had I really done so. But since you are possessed with what has been maliciously suggested

against me, 'twill be a difficult Task to convince you of my Innocence, by any Apology I can make; yet I heartily beg, that before you pro∣ceed to take away my Life, you will give me leave for one. Hours time, to go abroad by my self, and if I bring not back most evident Proofs of my being wronged, and that your Honour, as also that of both our Families is secure from Scandal, I will without murmuring submit to the Death, which you threaten, and I shall justly deserve. And before you refuse me this Favour, Pray, call to your Remembrance the tender Affe∣ction you have so often expressed to me; also what Opportunities of dishonouring you, I have ever al∣lowed my self, during the two Years that I have been your Wife, and the little colour of Truth there is in this scandalous Accusation of abusing you.

These Motives, together with the real Love he had alwaies had for

her; the humble posture she was then in, and sweetness of her Coun∣tenance, which discovered not the least mark of Guilt in it, and withal, her never having had any blot or least stain in her Reputation before, had by this time quite disarmed her Husband's Rage.

You see, Sen̄ora, said he, very calmly stepping back, and sheathing his Dagger, you see what Influence you have over me; how easily I can comply with your Requests, and how scrupulous I am, lest I should happen, through an Error, to be Unjust to you, in not affording you a means, as I hope you may, of clearing your self. All which would but more aggravate your Crime, should you still prove guilty; and would raise my Resentment to so high a pitch, as would make me search, till I found you out in your closest Sanctuaries, and thence drag you, that I might Execute on you by a severer Method, that Exempla∣ry

Justice, which I have now but threatned.

After he had concluded this Parly with her, he went down Stairs, and left her to her self. She quickly fol∣lowed, so soon as she was dressed, and had prepared her self for her purpose; And when she had com∣posed her Looks, that she might not appear to have been Crying, she walk'd out, going directly to the King's Palace, and up the great Stairs, which divide the two princi∣pal Courts, and lead into the Guard Chamber. There she enquiring for Sen̄or Hendrick the Fleming, was told he was below in the Court, talking with some Merchants of his Country: And one of his Bre∣thren of the Guard, was so officious to serve the Fair Lady, as to go out to the Ballusters of the upper Cloyster, which is near the Queen's Apart∣ment, and from thence to shew where he stood beneath, in the Court; which was then, and is daily,

crouded with Merchants and others, at betwixt Eleven and Twelve of the Clock (for it was now about that Hour) so as the Royal Exchange in London, is, at Exchange-time; For there is the great resort of Per∣sons of all Conditions, as well for their dispatch of Business together, as for hearing of News.

The Lady having fixed her Eye on him, went down, and pressing forward till she came where he was, pulled him by the Cloak; He turn∣ing, and seeing at this Elbow a fine Woman, close veiled, left his Company, and began to imagine her some kind Creature, who fal∣ling in Love with his Person (of which he himself was not the least Admirer,) was come to give him an Invitation to some Amorous Enter∣tainment; He therefore looking sweetly on her, was about to accost her with wanton Phrases, suitable to such Occasions. But it was not long before she shewed, that her Business

was of a more serious Nature. For asking him first, if his Name were not Sen̄or Hendrick? And he satis∣fying her, it was so. She open'd her Veil, discovered her Face, and demanded if he knew her? He, as one transported with Joy, and con∣firmed in his first Thoughts of her, answered briskly, yes, Madam, I have often seen and admired you. But did you never speak to me be∣fore? Proceeded the Lady, raising her Voice, and yet calmly. No Madam, reply'd the Dutchman, I have never had that Honour, till this happy Minute. Then base Vil∣lain, pursued the, let this be the Reward of thy Lying, Scandalous Tongue: At which words, she drew out a small Pistol, which she had held ready cock'd under her Veil, and clapping it to his Breast, fired it, and shot him through the Body.

The report and smoake of the Pistol, fill'd the whole Court with Astonish∣ment; none being able to guess at

the Occasion of it, but those who had been present, and heard the Words which passed between them; and those very Persons were so a∣mazed, that thô they beheld the thing done, and the Man fall, yet had not the power to lay hands on the Actress; as scarce believing it could have been that fine young Lady, who had done so bloody a Deed; she lifting up her Eyes, which till then had been fixed on the dead Man, boldly told the Spectators; It was she that had thus revenged her self on that Infamous Wretch, who had without Cause defamed her, and done her so great Injury, that the Law it self was not capable enough to re∣pair it. And further added, that she had been careful to observe, whether or no the Work had been as well performed, as it was intend∣ed, for in case it had fallen short, she was prepared (shewing another Pocket-Pistol) to have done it more effectually. But that since she had

thus Executed on him, the Justice due to her wronged Innocence, she was ready to suffer with Pleasure, the most rigorous Punishment that could be inflicted on her.

The Alguazils or Serjeants belong∣ing to the Court, who are the pro∣per Officers to seize and carry Of∣fenders away to Prison, had, by this time, laid hands on her, and were about to drag her to the Carcel de Corte, which is the chief Prison of Madrid, (a Building, for its outward Beauty, more resembling a Stately Palace, than a Goal) but that the Queen, (for it was during the Regency of the present Queen Mother of Spain, and Minority of her Son, this King Charles the Second, that our Story happened) having heard the Pistol, and been told, that one of her Servants had been kill'd by a Lady, was curious to have a full Relation of the Matter: And because that none was able to give her Majesty any Satisfaction in

it; She commanded the Woman to be brought up into her Presence, to have it particularly from her own Mouth.

Sen̄ora Iacynta, with the Tears all the while trickling down her Cheeks, gave the Queen a large Account of what had passed that Morning, re∣lating to her and the Fleming; and thô she shewed to have an undaunted Courage as to the loss of her Life, for which she expected no Favour; and made appear the Satisfaction she had in her Revenge; yet did she Modestly express her self in such proper Terms, and with so becom∣ing a Grace, under all that Misfor∣tune, that not only the Queen, but every one there present, was ex∣treamly affected with a real Sorrow and Compassion for her. Insomuch, that her Majesty gave Order, that instead of being sent to Prison, she should only be detained in the Pa∣lace till the next Morning, and then appointed the whole Matter to be

heard, by an Alcalde de Corte▪ who is a Judge or Magistrate, be∣fore whom such like Processes do properly come.

On the Morrow, when the Hus∣band was brought into the Court; and he with the several Witnesses who had been Summoned, were all fully heard; it appearing that Hen∣rick the Fleming, was a Person No∣torious, for boasting a pretended Familiarity with divers Women of Eminent Virtue; and some also of considerable Quality: And that by his last Words, he had owned in pre∣sence of so many Men of good Repu∣tation, that he had never till then spoke to the Lady, she was there, by the Court declared Innocent of the Scandal that had been thrown upon her; And this Sentence was therefore pronounced in her Favour.

That notwithstanding, Sen̄ora Ia∣cynta de Quin̄ones, had been found Guilty of killing a Man; and with a Pocket Pistol, a Weapon (in that

Country) so unlawful, that whatso∣ever Persons are taken, carrying such about them, they are condemned to serve in the Galleys for the space of four Years; and thô this Act had been committed within the Verge of the Court, and even in the Royal Palace it self, where the striking but a Blow in a Quarrel, is a forfeiture of the Striker's Right Hand: Yet it was the Queen's Pleasure, the Wo∣man should be pardoned, in regard the Fleming had but justly suffered for the Mischief, which by his Scan∣dalous boasting, he had like to have brought on an Innocent Person.

And the Queen was further pleased to prosecute her Kindness to the Woman, in causing the Merchant her Husband to be made fully sensi∣ble, that since his Wive's Vertue and Innocence, were so conspicuous to all the World, he should hereafter esteem it so; and a kind Reconcilia∣tion, being proposed betwixt them, was readily entertained by both, so

that they were sent home very Loving Friends, with an Engage∣ment never more to upbraid one the other, with what had happened on this Occasion.

This Story of the Woman's Re∣venge on the Fleming at Madrid, coming thus fresh into Don Feliz his Memory, staggered his eager Reso∣lution of meeting his Friend, Sen̄or Fadrique, at the Calle de Carettees, at Ten a Clock, as had been agreed on, and it extreamly perplex'd him to think, that he was so unhappy as not to have any Confident whom he could entrust, or consult with, of what was best to be done in this Exigency. At length he reflected, how poor and dishonourable a thing it would be for him, out of a meer Faintheartedness, to decline the see∣ing his Mistress, and the fair hopes he had of regaining her Favour; espe∣cially when he had some cause to imagine, that his finding Fadrique

in the Plaçuela, looked rather like a thing designed than accidental; since in all this walks up and down the Streets of the City, he had never seen Fadrique, but at such times as he was to bring him notice of going the same Night to Don̄a Fau∣stina. And withal, he conceived that so violent a Love as she had al∣waies expressed to him, could not so quickly be converted into mortal hate, seeing his Crime was not to be compared with the Fleming's; which was a publick Boast in a Tavern, voluntarily made, and of Favours too, which, as it appeared, he had never received: Whereas this of his was only a discovery extorted from him, by an intimate Friend, who was no less concerned for his safety than his own, and consequently would ne∣ver reveal the Secret, neither indeed could he, since he knew it but im∣perfectly. Thus he ran on making a parallel of the Circumstances on both sides, and concluding the

whole matter in his own Favour: that the Lady could have no ground for taking away his Life, as Sen̄ora Iacynta had done the boasting Flemming's.

As he was entertaining himself with these Thoughts, he plucking out his Watch, saw it wanted not much of Ten a Clock; he there∣fore without allowing himself any further time of Debate, went in haste away to his old Station, where he walked almost three Quarters of an Hour, before he could see any appearance of his Conductors, which began to discourage him and make him despair of Success for that Night. But as he was giving his last Turn towards the Streets end by which they used to come, he met Fadrique almost out of breath for haste, look∣ing with a pleased Countenance, and demanding Albricias, as their Phrase is, meaning a Present or Re∣ward for the good Tidings he brought; and then acquainted him,

that the Lady being at last over∣come by the pressing Importunity he had made on Don Feliz his behalf, was contented to admit him to make the best Defence he could for him∣self.

Scarce had Don Feliz the patience either to answer, or to ask any Que∣stions of him, so overjoyed was he at the News; but getting nimbly into the Chair, which by this was come up, he was carried away with great speed to her House; and going up into the Room, saw her by and by enter, but in so furious a Passion, that he soon began to repent his coming thither. She upbraided him with the breach of all his Promises and Oaths, and with the poor weak∣ness of his Temper, that could so easily be wrought upon to reveal a Secret of that Importance, to a Person whom he should rather have called to account for his rude Imper∣tinence, than have endeavoured on that tame manner, to satisfie him in

every particular, and heedlesly to discourse it all the while with him in the Spanish Tongue, so loud, as to give Listners an opportunity of bringing her a Relation of it. Eve∣ry little Circumstance of the whole Matter she aggravated too, to the highest pitch, that a Woman's Anger and Malice could possibly suggest. And in thus venting her Passion, she her self, raised her Voice so loud, that one of her Duen̄as was obliged to look in at the door three or four times, and by signs to put her in mind of being more hush'd.

He thought it not convenient to heighten the Lady's Rage, by a quar∣relling Justification of himself, thô sufficiently provok'd to it, and yet attempted mildly several times to ex∣cuse his Fault, by the studied Argu∣ments he had brought along with him; which was all in vain, for she gave him not the hearing of them, neither regarded the Patience and Respect with which he bore all the

Indignities she put upon him. Which course usage was beginning to have kindled as great a flame of Passion in his Breast, as was raging in hers, had he not better considered the ill consequence of such a piece of Rash∣ness, and bethought himself of a more secure way to stop the current of her indefatigable Tongue. He raised up his Body from the humble posture in which he stood to sustain all the shock of her furious Repri∣mands, then stepping forwards, he seized her in his closest Embraces, and gave her such a shower of Kisses, as almost stifled her, with which he quickly silenc'd the Rattle of her shrill Voice. After this, he pushing her gently backwards to the Bed∣side, ceased not to prosecute his Amorous Victory, till he had quite dis∣armed her of all her conceived Anger; for he urged so many Argu∣ments of his Love to her, and pres∣sed them home with so much ser∣vency, as they were on the Bed to∣gether,

that she afterwards confess'd his Rhetoric was so powerful, and so very charming, she could no longer forbear giving him a general Act of Indemnity.

After this fair Adjustment of all differences betwixt them, our two Lovers thought fit to remove from the Bed to the Table, and the Lady giving her accustomed sign at the Door, to her Duen̄as, they brought in their Salvers of Biscuits, Sweet∣meats, and variety of delicate Li∣quors, with which Don Feliz and his Mistress having refreshed themselves, they were for a while contending in Words, which of them should utter the greatest Expressions of their Love and true Affection one to the other, wherein they did not scruple to protest solemnly, that they were ready to lay down their Lives, each for the other's safety, in case of Exi∣gency. And yet after all these En∣dearments, and Promise of a perpe∣rual Amnesty of all Faults on both

sides, Don̄a Faustina could not for∣bear hinting upon the old Topic a∣gain, by way of Advice to him, beg∣ging him to beware of running into the same Error again, and to avoid all other Occasions, that could af∣ford the least cause of suspicion, and particularly in case he should chance to see her in any Place whatsoever, that he should at the instant, turn away his Eyes, and post quickly from thence, lest his very Looks should betray the Thoughts of his Heart, and some curious Observer make from thence a discovery of their Loves.

She then discoursed to him, how remarkable the English Merchants, and the Flemencos, or Flemings, were in that Country, for their in∣discreet gazing on any Lady they liked, whether it were in Coach, Window, or elsewhere, and that they had shewn such seeming Plea∣sure and Delight, in staring in their Faces, as if they had some crafty In∣trigue

with them, which Folly of theirs, had created so violent a Jea∣lousie in the Husband or other Rela∣tion, as has proved of very fatal Consequence, and many times, to the Persons themselves, who gave the occasion for it.

This Night their Conversation was interrupted sooner than ordina∣ry, by one of the Duen̄as who came from the Post where she stood Cen∣tinel (for those two Women took that Duty nightly by turns) to observe what passed in the House, and to bring speedy Notice thereof, for preventing any surprize that might happen to them, so she packed him away in haste. But notwithstand∣ing all their Kindness, she seemed to retain some little displeasure still in her Heart, for she either omitted on purpose, or forgat his Fee of two or three Doblones, at parting, which she seldom failed to put into his Hand, on pretence of satisfying the Charge he was at, in gratifying her Ser∣vants

that waited on him, and his Landlord for sitting up to let him in at his return home, with other inci∣dent Expences on her account.

From that time forward, the Cor∣respondence of these Lovers, was car∣ried on with all the Success and mu∣tual Satisfaction, they could possibly desire, they still continuing their Nightly Meetings, at their proper and appointed Seasons. And after the Transports of their Love were over, it was their Custom for pas∣sing away the time, as they sat over their silver Brasero of Coals, to en∣tertain one the other with the plea∣santest Discourses or Stories, they could think of. She also took great delight in hearing how different the several Modes of his Country were from hers, and in making Compa∣risons of one with the other: The Beauty of their Women would some∣times happen to be their Theme, and then the Constancy and prudent wariness of their Lovers; The

Honour of the first of these, she, by a general Report, allowed to those of his Country; but the Credit of the latter she affirmed was to be attributed to the Spaniards; for she could not believe the English to have Contrivance enough for managing an Intrigue of Love, with that discreet Resolution as it ought to be, but she said, she was confident they would be apt to spoil all, by being too timerous on the one Hand, or too rash on the other. And added, that Lovers in England (as she had been told) were not put to such hard shifts for finding out Ways to court their Mi∣stresses, as in Spain they were always forced to, and often proved to the Ha∣zard of their Lives; since the English, she said, had all the Opportunities they could desire, of talking freely with Wo∣men, whether married or unmarried, and even in the Presence of their Fa∣thers, Husbands, or nearest Relations, without Jealousie, or the least Scruple whatsoever, which made them so care∣less of their Behaviour abroad.

Don Feliz told her, he was not willing

to enter into Argument with her for re∣ctifying the slight Opinion she had of those of his Country, as to their Skill in the managing of Intrigues; or to justifie the innocent Freedom there al∣lowed to Men and Women in their common Conversation: But if she pleased, for the avoiding such Disputes he would rather strive to divert her with an English Love-Story, of a very Modern Date; which contain'd some∣thing of Intrigue in it, and therefore he hoped would the better relish with her. And he assured her that the chief Persons therein mentioned were of his Acquaintance. The Lady gladly ac∣cepted his offer, and he thus began.