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 Generous Impostor.

'TWas on a fine Summers-day, at about Eight a Clock in the Morning, that three Citizens, who had been Merry-making with some Friends in the Country, were gallop∣ing

from Ware towards London, and happened to see a Lovely Young Wo∣men, in no mean Habit, sitting under the shadow of a spreading Tree, that grew on the Road-side, betwixt Enfield and Edmunton. The melancholy Po∣sture in which she was, incited the Curiosity of the hinmost of the three to stop his Career, that he might learn of the Lady, why she made choice of so dusty a place to Repose herself in; and yet this sight had not Influence enough on his two Companions, to make them halt, or to concern themselves for her; but calling, away, away, they spurr'd on and left him. He coming nearer, perceived her to be weeping, thô she strove as much as she could, to conceal it; which obliged him to change, the Merry Complement he had design'd to accost her with, into a more serious Address; desiring, with great earnest∣ness, to know if she had suffered any Misfortune, or that any one had offered her an Injury; protesting he would very zealously endeavour to serve her to the utmost of his power.

The Lady returning him Thanks for his Civility, assured him, that nothing of that had happened to her, in her Journey; and added, that no Inconve∣nience attending her, could be of so great moment as to make him lose his Company, for an Enquiry after it. Mr. Cooper, (for by that Name I shall call this Gentleman,) thinking to divert her, told her cheerfully, that he was a professed Knight Errant, and never thought himself so well imployed, as in the Service of distressed Ladies, and thô he was not willing to be too offici∣cious and impertinent, yet could he not forbear pressing to know the Cause of her Trouble. The Gentlewoman who was yet hardly able to restrain the Current of her Tears, endeavoured to perswade him not to be so inquisi∣tive after that which would give him very little Pleasure to know; but find∣ing she could not put him off with any Excuses, and that she was still urged, thô with great Civility by him, to satisfie his Curiosity, she confessed that it was chiefly her weariness, had

put her into that disorder, having in∣discreetly undertaken a tedious Jour∣ney, which she doubted, she was not able to perform.

By this time, Mr. Cooper had alight∣ed from his Horse, and sitting down by her, began to shew a Concern for her Trouble, with a Zeal to be assist∣ing to her; and desired to know the Places Name to which she was going. She satisfied him, and that it was a∣bout four or five Miles off Cambridge. This, he said, was but a small Journey, and needed not so much to discourage her; since she might very easily be set down there by Night; and asked where her Horses, or Coach staid for her? She renewing her Tears, owned that she was on foot, and had so come from London that Morning.

He could not comprehend the My∣stery of what he heard and saw; for after a careful survey of the Lady, he was amazed to think, why so fine a Young Woman, of such a genteel Ap∣pearance, and in that Condition she seem'd to be, which was big with

Child, should venture so far on Foot. But guessing that his Service to help her on her Journey, might be more acceptable, than to detain her longer in that Place with frivolous Questions; he put her in mind of the danger of sitting there on the cold Ground, and advised her to be walking forwards, offering her his Hand to conduct her as far as Enfield. This Kindness she would have refused, begging him to remem∣ber his Company gone the other way; But Mr. Cooper persisted to wait on her, leading her along the Road; and as thus they walk'd, could not but admire her discreet Answers to the several Que∣tions he made her, and the graceful Passion with which she expressed her∣self, which raised in him a greater de∣sire to understand more of her Con∣dition.

When they came to an Inn in the Town, Mr. Cooper left her a while to repose herself, and after discoursing the Master of it, ordered a handsome Pillion to be fix'd on his own Horse, which was a stout Gelding, and an easie Pacer;

Then stepping in to his distressed Lady; after they had taken a small Bait, he acquainted her with the sorry shift he had thought on, to convey her two or three Miles on her way, there being no better Convenience to be had for her in that place, which he entreated her to accept. Fain would the Gentlewoman have dissuaded him from giving so great trouble to himself, al∣ledging a thousand Reasons against it, and concluded with the danger of be∣ing so found by any of her Husband's Acquaintance, in a Stranger's Com∣pany: He assured her, that thô he was unknown to her, yet his Intentions were very Honourable, for all his end was but to do her this small Service, which he hoped could bring no manner of blemish to her Reputation; and as for his own part, he had no appre∣hensions of danger that could attend himself. And with such like Argu∣ments the Fair Lady was at last pre∣vailed with, to be lifted up behind him; so on they Rode for Waltham Cross.

This Gentleman, who was a Rich

Merchant, of admirable Parts, not long since returned out of Italy, and was somewhat under Thirty Years of Age; having this Opportunity of Talking to the Lady, strove by a plea∣sant Entertainment of Ingenious Dis∣course, to divert her Melancholy; and she also her self, endeavoured with her utmost Skill to dissemble it. But the many Sighs which at unawares escaped from her, did too plainly discover, it was no small Trouble, that was con∣tained within her Breast; which how industrious soever she was to conceal, our Generous Merchant was no less impatient to draw an Account of it from her; but yet by all the most plausi∣ble ways he could invent.

They quickly got to Hodsdon, and she renewing her Entreaty to be set down there, he spurred on the faster, protesting he would not for the World be guilty of so much Barbarity, to leave a Lady in her Condition, till he had brought her to her Father's House, whither she had acquainted him she was going. His great Civility in this

respect, and all the rest of his Carri∣age to her was so obliging, that after some further pressing; she was content∣ed, infandum renovare dolorem, to disco∣ver to him, the whole Story of her Misfortunes, which she related on this manner.

I do not doubt, kind Sir, but you will heartily repent the Charity you have bestowed on me, when you shall find that your Generous Temper, and your pressing Curiosity, had extort∣ed from me a Secret that will render me the most odious, and most con∣temptible Creature of all my Sex. And thô, to me, it be of the most dangerous Consequence imaginable, to give you this Account, yet since you have thus solemnly engaged never to divulge it, I shall believe you to be a Man of so much Honour, as faithfully to keep your Word with me.

Be pleased then to know, Sir, that I am an unfortunate Daughter of Do∣ctor N. a Reverend Divine, and Mi∣nister of that Parish, to which I am now going, who having not many

Children, gave us, as we grew up and were capable of it, such Education as his narrow Fortune of about Three Hundred Pounds a Year would allow, being careful to instil into us the best Rules of Vertue and Piety. I was sent to a Boarding School, to be instructed in the French Tongue, and those other Accomplishments of Mu∣sick, Dancing, and Fine Works, which Young Gentlewomen are Taught at such places. Which Breeding as I was then told, was to serve me for a Portion; my Father being able to add little more to my Fortune, when I should happen to Marry: or else, that it was to qua∣lifie me for the Service of some Lady, in case any such Opportunity were pre∣sented to me.

It was into the latter of these Con∣ditions, when I ventured into the World, that my ill Fortune guided me: For by the Recommendation of a Per∣son of Quality related to my Mother, I was entertained by a Baron's Lady to be her Woman. The Good Lady Treated me, being Young, with much

more Tenderness and Affection than I deserved at her Hand, as by the sequel of my Story you will find, causing me in those Accomplishments, which I had but rudely essayed to Learn at School, now to be improved, by the same Masters who Taught her own Daughter. Which Goodness of hers, I requited with the basest Ingratitude imaginable. For having the Misfor∣tune to be by some esteemed Hand∣som, or at least appearing so in the Eyes of my Lord, whose Vicious In∣clinations to Debauchery with Women, placed him much beneath the Chara∣cter, commonly given of him in the World, which cryed him up for his great Wisdom, Sobriety, and Good∣ness; By this reputed Saint, I say, was I often solicited to Lewdness, which I resisted, for several Months, with great Resolution.

At her coming to this Passage of her Story, the Young Woman's Tears brake out afresh, that she was not able, for some time, to proceed in it, till ma∣stering that Transport of her Passion,

and drying her Eyes, she thus went on.

My Lord's base Lust, seemed rather more inflamed, than any way abated, by my resolute Denials. For seeing I was not to be won by fair means, he strove by subtilty to obtain his Ends; watching many Opportunities to catch me alone, and in Places convenient for his Lewd Purpose; all which Strata∣gems I still evaded by my nimble slip∣ping from him, and running into Company, where I believed he durst not pursue me. Thus I endeavoured to keep my Vertue unblemished, till one unhappy Afternoon, when I knew my Lady was gone out to make her Visits, and thinking he had also been abroad, because I saw but few of his Servants within doors, who indeed, as I afterwards discovered, had been sent out by him on purpose; I was coming into my Lord's Dressing Room, in∣tending to entertain my self with some of the Books which usually lay there: But he, who was watching for such an Opportunity, suddainly rushing out of his Study, caught hold on me, and

thô I long resisted, crying, and strug∣ling, yet at last, he with Threats and Violence, mixt with fair Words and large Promises, of what generous Provision he would make for me, ob∣tained his Will, leaving me for ever, with the base Brand of a Strumpet.

Here was the current of her Discourse again interrupted, by another shower of Tears, accompanied with a storm of sighs and sobs, which had such In∣fluence on our compassionate Merchant, that he was extreamly touched with a Sense of her Condition. And that he might divert her Grief, he put her in mind of her Story, of which he was impatient to hear the Conclusion.

When afterwards, (continued she, striving to suppress her Sorrow,) I had well considered the black Deed that I had committed, and how ill I had stuck to those Excellent Methods of Govern∣ing my self, which had been given me by my good Father, I was almost di∣stracted, and had it several times in my Mind, to have made a way my self, could I have contrived an effectual

Means of doing it, especially too, when I found my Lord still pursuing the course of his Lusts; but I was deterred from such Thoughts, by reflecting, that to destroy my self, had been still to encrease my Crime, by my adding Self-Murther to it. And, my Lord, observing my constant Averseness to all his Offers, and that I was not by any Trick he could use, to be brought to a second Compliance with him, de∣sisted from any further Attempt.

It was not long before my Affliction, was infinitely encreased, for I was sen∣sible of that which I dreaded more than Death it self, and finding my Shame begin to be visible to the World, I could not think what would become of me. I acquainted my Lord with it, who to prevent the Scandal that was like to fall upon himself, got me pack'd out of doors, pretending to Marry me to a Citizen. And seeing I absolutely refused to be kept for his Miss, gave me Two Hundred broad Pieces of Gold, with which he hoped, I might either get me a Husband, or at least be

encouraged not to lay violent Hands on my self.

I took a private Lodging in the City to be brought to Bed in, but with so blind a Pretence, that they might easily (as I could perceive) guess at the Truth of the Matter: And out of doors I durst scarcely stir by Day-light, for fear of be∣ing met by any of my Acquaintance. Here I staid till such time as my own stock of Mony, which I had been able to lay up, was beginning to sink very low; and being continually tormented with the sting of a guilty Conscience, for the Wickedness I had committed; I was possessed with a strong belief, that to punish it, God would suffer me to be Murthered in that obscure Place, for the sake of my Gold; some of which I had been obliged to boast of, for the gaining me a Credit amongst those People, to whom I was a Stranger, for which reason they had been unwilling at first to receive me in amongst them.

And having now neither Friend nor Confident to trust with the Secret of my Misfortune; I, thô my first In∣tentions

had been to lay my great Belly in that House, durst not stick to that Resolution, lest dying in Travel, my Child might be deprived of the Two Hundred Pieces of Gold, which I had-been careful to preserve intire.

After I had revolved a Thousand Extra∣vagant Thoughts in my Mind, to con∣trive which way I should dispose of my self, without hazarding my own Life and my Childs, or publishing my Ignominy; I, at last concluded to go into Cambridg-shire, to my Father and Mother; who, I hoped would not be so Uncharitable to let me perish in that Condition, though they should refuse to entertain me in their House, having brought upon them so great a Scandal. For I could think on no better Expedi∣ent, than to make a plain Confession to them of my Misfortune, and after∣wards submit my self to their Discreti∣on, to dispose of me as they should think fit.

Now because I foresaw the Misery into which I was plunging my self, I contrived to manage my Affairs with

the greatest Frugality I could, and to that end sending down my Trunks by the Carrier, I resolved for the saving of Charges, to walk it after them on foot. So by break of day this Morn∣ing I set out, and was able to reach no further on my Journey, than the Place where you found me; and must have staid at Enfield for some Convenience of Coach or Waggon to have carried me Home, had not your Charity been thus ill employed on such an unde∣serving Wretch, which indeed is more Favour than I can expect from my own Parents: For I am in dread, they will have so great Abhorrence of my Wick∣edness, that they will scarce admit me into their Doors, or own me for their Child, in this reproachful Condition.

Here she made an end of her Melan∣choly Relation, but gave beginning to another stood of Tears, which very much excited Mr. Cooper's Compassion towards her, and a desire of assisting her in this distress. He used the best Rhetorick he was Master of, for ap∣peasing her Grief, and for convincing

her that it was now too late to remedy what was past, by an excess of Sorrow: but that without doubt▪ she might better expiate her Crime, by her future Good and Vertuous Course of Life. He like∣wise advised her, that since the Cir∣cumstances of the Thing were not yet known, she shou'd strive to keep them under disguise, from the knowledge of any Person whatsoever: And begged her that being so near Home, she would not seem to have been Crying, but appear to her Friends, with the most composed and cheerful Look, she could possibly frame.

After this, and a little further Con∣sultation how to put some fair Varnish on the Matter, they ended the Day and their Journey together, at her Fa∣ther's Door. Here they alighted, and were joyfully received by the good Doctor and by her Mother, who won∣dred at their unlook'd-for Visit, and blamed Mrs. Katharine, (which was her Name) for sending them no Notice of her coming; but they were more surprized, seeing Mr. Cooper on his

Knee, and asking their Blessing. What's this, Daughter, demanded the Doctor, have you also brought with you a Hus∣band without our Knowledge of it before-hand? Ay, by my Truth! said her Mother, and a Great Belly too, or I am much mistaken. Mr. Fisher, (for so Mr. Cooper had now thought fit to call himself) made a most Inge∣nious Apology and Excuse, for carry∣ing on his Courtship so secretly, with∣out taking their Approbation, and for concealing their Marriage for so long a time, alledging such plausible Rea∣sons for that, and for the quitting her Lady's Service, as very well satisfied both Father and Mother; who besides a kind Reception, often bestowed on them their hearty Blessing.

The rest of the Evening after Supper till Bed-time, was spent in much plea∣santer Discourse, and more agreeable Conversation, than the day before it had been. But it growing late, and the Mother reminding them of their weariness after so long a Journey, hastned away her Daughter to Bed,

whilst Mr. Fisher would needs stay below, till his Father should have Smoaked out his Pipe.

The Doctor was proud to find his Son-in-Law, so Ingenious and Well∣bred a Man, guessing him from thence, to be of Excellent Skill in his Prosessi∣on, which he told him was a Surgeon: And he commended him for his Indu∣strious Travelling into Foreign Coun∣tries, as he informed him he had done, for Improvement of his Skill in Chy∣••urgery. But it being high time to part, and for Mr. Fisher to go up to his Chamber, he did so. And now was the critical Part to be acted, on which depended the Credit of the whole En∣trigue: For Mr. Cooper, to clear the Young Gentlewoman of the Infamy that must have fallen upon her, was necessitated, as you have heard, to own her for his Wife, thô under the bor∣rowed Name of Fisher, and now he must Lye with her too, that is to say, in her Room, or else it might create a Suspicion hereafter, that this had been

but a Trick; and so this Generous Im∣posture might be detected.

She would fain have thought on some other Expedient, and have waved this; but he judged it most requisite, for keeping up the Reputation they had now gained; and protested a thousand times not to offer her the least Incivili∣ty; for that he would only roul him∣self in his Cloak, as many a time he had been forced to do in his Travels; would throw himself on the Chairs, and it being a warm Summers Night, he doubted not but to Sleep very sound∣ly. The Lady told him, that He who out of the Generosity of his Mind, could condescend to act so mean a Part as he had done that day, purely for the Charitable assisting of an Unhappy, Young Woman, in distress; could not possibly, she was confident, be guilty of breaking his Word with her, or of any thing else that was dishonourable; and that therefore she should only lye in pain to think, he must have so uneasie a Nights Lodging for her sake.

On this manner did Mr. Cooper lay

himself down, where the tiresomness of his days Journey, together with his sitting up late, gave him no Oppor∣tunity either to find fault with the hardness of his Bed, or to seek about the Room for an easier: For falling fast asleep, he awak'd not till Five a Clock the next Morning, thô he thought it to be much later; and fearing to be surprized as he thus lay rough, he got up and walked out into the Fields, where he met his Father with a Book in his Hand. The Doctor admired to see him stirring so early; and after va∣rious Discourses of News, and of the Parts abroad beyond the Seas which his Son Fisher had seen, the Doctor began to reckon up the several ways, which he had contrived for their Di∣vertisement, and what Visits they should make during their stay in the Country, particularly to a Widow Lady of a considerable Estate, who was his Wives Sister, and Godmother to his Daughter; also to some of their Relations in Cam∣bridge, and other Places.

But Mr. Fisher told him, he was ex∣treamly

sorry to let him know, that his Affairs would not permit him to enjoy those Favours designed him; for he was obliged to be back at London, by to Morrow Night. The Father at first supposed him in Jest; but finding him serious, was troubled to think he should so soon part with his Son and Daugh∣ter; and hearing him after Dinner fall upon the same Subject again, both Father and Mother were persuading him to put off his Journey, if possible, for some little time longer, and pressed to know the Necessity of such a hasty Return.

Sir, said he, I last Night acquainted you with some Circumstances of my present Condition, but not all, and must now add, that I had lately an advanta∣geous Proposal made me by an Emi∣nent Courtier, and my Honoured Friend, of going to Sea, as chief Sur∣geon to one of his Majesty's Frigats, called the Dreadnaught, ordered to Convoy a Fleet of Merchant Ships to the West-Indies, where for some time she is appointed to Cruise, for clear∣ing

the Coasts of our several Islands, and other Plantations there, of the Buccaniers, with whom they are very much infested. So that besides the benefit of a handsome Sallary, such considerable Advantages may be made by an industrious Traffick with the People of those Countries, as have en∣couraged me to accept the Offer▪ For should I have refused it, not a few Can∣didates of the most Eminent of our Fa∣culty, in the City, stood ready to have put in for the Employment. On this Occasion▪ Sir, I have brought down my Wife, and doubt not of my Mothers and your Care of her in my absence, and at my Return, I hope to be in a Condition of making a suffici∣ent Acknowledgment to you both, for the Favour you will do us.

At their hearing this, the Doctor and his Lady looked one upon another with great Concern, perceiving such a Charge as their Daughters Lying in to be thus unexpectedly coming upon them; together with the Maintenance of her, and her Child; and no future

Provision for them, more than the uncertain hopes of her Husband's Pro∣fitable Voyage, to satisfie for all. The Consideration of which, did so much perplex them, they knew not what Answer to make him.

Mr. Fisher (for so I must still call him) noting their Silence, and expect∣ing no less, at his starting the thing to them, took occasion to tell them, that he guessed at the Reason of their surprize; which was, that they ima∣gined, he would leave his Wise and Child destitute of a Subsistence, and throw the burthen wholly on them, which he said was the least of his In∣tentions. Then pulling out of his Pocket, a Purse with the Two Hundred Broad Pieces in it, he threw it into his Father's Lap, adding, that though as yet, he had entred into no Treaty con∣cerning her Portion, which he should at present wave; he would not go from thence without a Husband's Care of her; and acquainted them with the Summ contained in it, which they found to be so.

The glorious Brightness of the Gold soon dispell'd all Clouds of Doubt and Suspicion out of the Faces and Minds of the good Doctor, and of his Wife, and loosed the Organs of their Speech, making him now able to tell his Son, that since the necessity of his Affairs would not permit them to be so happy to keep him at present amongst them, they must be contented, to be deprived of him, till his Good Fortune should bring him safe back, which they hoped would not be very long. And they expressed great Fear of the many Dan∣gers, which they were sensible he must be exposed to, in the performance of such a Voyage. But the Doctor assured him of his daily Prayers for his Preser∣vation, his Health, and good Success in his Affairs; and further, made him not only a Soleman Promise of his ut∣most Care for his Wife and Child, but of Mustering up what Summ he pos∣sibly could for her Portion, against his Son's Return from Sea.

The next Morning, after many kind Endearments expressed on all sides.

Mr. Fisher bad farewell to all his Friends, and spurred away for London, because his Ship on which he was to go aboard, was ready to set Sail with the first fair Wind, as he said; but he lest his pre∣tended Wife in great Affliction, at her parting with so Generous a Friend; and her Father and Mother were in little less Trouble, to think of the long and dangerous Voyage he had under∣taken.

It was but a few Weeks after her Husband's departure, that Mrs. Fisher was brought to Bed of a Fine Boy, to the great Rejoycing of all her Relati∣ons; and now nothing was so much wished for, ás to hear good News of the Child's absent Father, who promised to write by the first Opportunity he should meet with. But instead of what they so earnestly expected, there came a Letter about three Months after, from Mr. Fisher, giving an Account of his dangerous Sickness, which Letter was inclosed in another, from the Surgeon's Mate of the Man of War, bringing the sorrowful Tidings of Mr. Fisher's Death,

who sell Sick on Shipboard of a violent Fever and a Flux, which in few days had carried him into another World, but not that which he was Travelling to have seen.

Our Young Widow's Grief for the pretended Death of her Husband, was so admirably well counterfeited, that none could doubt the Truth of it; nor was it possible for any one to imagine, that this Contrivance had been laid before-hand, to be after this manner carried on, as it was. Her Father also and Mother, who had an extraor∣dinary Fondness for both Son and Daughter, were real shearers of her feigned Sorrow, althô their Son's stay with them had been so short, and their knowledge of him so little. And that which added something to their Trouble, was to consider the impossi∣bility of recovering any part of his Effects left on Shipboard: But they comforted their Daughter the best they could, entreating her, that for her lit∣tle Son's sake, the would not lay this Affliction too much to Heart, left her

Parents should have Cause to lament two Deaths instead of one; and they made her large Promises of their future Kindness to her, in her Fortunes.

She formally put her self into deep Mourning; and most of her Relations and Friends, came to condole with her upon the Death of her Husband; a∣mongst whom was the Rich Aunt, her Godmother▪ who had great Compassi∣on on her Niece, by reason of this early Misfortune, being as yet but in the Nineteenth Year of her Age. 'Twas this Consideration, that induced the Chari∣table Lady, to take home to her House our Melancholy Widow, for some small time, till the violence of her Grief should be a little abated, which did not endure very long. And there her pleasant and discreet Conversation, was so charming to her Old Aunt, that she could not think of parting with her, but kept her for her Companion, above Two Years.

At this time, some extraordinary Occasions drew this Good Lady from her Country Retirement, where she

intended to have ended her days, and had continued during her Widow∣hood, which was about Four or Five Years, and brought her to London a∣gain. Amongst her Friends in the City, she took Handsome Lodgings, for her Self and her Fair Niece; who for her Beauty and rare Perfections was admired by all that saw her. And thô she appeared not often abroad, ex∣cept at the Church, which she under her Aunt's Wing diligently frequented, yet had she soon acquired the Title of the Charming Widow; for that Dress which she still wore, did most admira∣bly become her.

One Evening, her Aunt and She being Invited out by some Ladies of their Acquaintance, to an Eminent Ball, she there drew on her the Eyes of the young brisk Citizens, who were extreamly taken with her delicate Shape and Mien, as well as with the sweet Air of her Modest Countenance. And some of them would gladly have been making Courtship to her, had

they not been awed by the severe Regard of her Prudent Aunt.

Amongst the Croud of her Admi∣rers, was a Merchant of considerable Note, who from the first Moment of his coming into that Room, had fixt his Eyes on her, and from so fair on Ob∣ject, was not able to remove them, but continued in his Corner, as if Trans∣formed into a Statue. Yet was it not Love only, that had reduced him to this strange Condition, but withal a kind of Amazement, and Trouble, which he had within himself, by rea∣son of a strong Imagination, he was possessed with, of having seen that In∣comparable Person somewhere before, and an Endeavour to recollect to his Memory where it was; but to no pur∣pose, for all his Conjectures served but to puzzle him still the more.

In this perplexity he remained till towards the conclusion of the Ball; when his Impatience would not suffer him longer to rest, without endea∣vouring to be satisfied, who she was: But as he stood up, and was about to

inform himself by some of the Compa∣ny of her Name; the Lady casting her Eyes that way, happened to espy him. The first glimps she had of his Face, and the Curiosity which detained her Looks upon it, struck her into so great an astonishment, as is not to be expressed, and seem'd to have serch'd all the Blood of her Body into her Cheeks. For thô she, at the very in∣stant that she beheld him, knew him to be her Generous Friend Mr. Cooper, yet the Report of his Death, for which, she had as much lamented as if really true, under the Title of her Husbánd, and the pretended Name of Mr. Fisher, having been so generally spread abroad, and their Project been so formally carri∣ed on in all points, for almost the space of three Years. without her hearing any News of him, in all that time, it had so confounded her Reason, that for a while, she could hardly perswade herself, but that she saw his Ghost. And so great an Influence had this Fancy over her, that it quickly made the blushing Co∣lour retire from her Cheeks, leaving

so chil a paleness in its stead, that she immediately fainted, and dropt from her Chair on the Floor.

This sudden Accident put a stop to the Harmony of Musick and Dancing for the present, and gave some distur∣bance to most of the Company that had taken notice of her, as being concerned for her Illness, and particu∣larly to her Aunt, who after she had a little recover'd her from that Fit, had her carried down to her Coach.

Thô Mr. Cooper could not in all this time call her to his Remembrance, yet was he as much troubled for her as if he had known her, and was very officious to help her down the stairs: Nor was he at ease, 'till he had heard her tell her Aunt, that this was only a fainting Fit, occasion'd by the closeness of the Room, and her want of Air in the midst of so great a Crowd. By that time she got home, she was perfectly recover'd of her Indisposition, and walked from the Coach into her Lodgings; whither her Gallant had been careful to follow her undiscover'd; And there making

Enquiry concerning her, he learn'd of one of the Servants, that she was a Cambridge∣shire Gentlewoman, Neece to the Lady D. who had lately brought her to Town, and her Name Mrs. Fisher.

He then immediately knew her to be his once pretended Wife, and after∣wards his Widow; which increased his surprize, and raised in him more than an ordinary Curiosity, to find out some means of speaking to her. But be∣cause he was fearful lest his being re∣membred by any of their Family, might be of prejudice to her Reputa∣tion (for he knew not as yet, how things stood with her) he was contriving some safe way to be first informed from her own mouth how he must behave himself, in case she thought fit to allow him the liberty of Visiting her, for the renew∣ing their Acquaintance, so as to be out of danger of committing any Mistake in that respect. He knew 'twas in vain to think of effecting his purpose at that unseasonable time; and yet the ear∣nest Longing he had to see her, would not suffer him to afford his Eyes the

least wink of Sleep all the following Night: For now she seemed infinitly more Beautiful and more Charming than at first, when he found her sitting tired on the Road side near Enfield, weep∣ing, and great with Child.

His thus reflecting on things past, made him begin to Censure her for that ignominious Act, which to him she had owned her self guilty of, and must have rendred her Contemptible to all the World, had not her Reputa∣tion been salved up by his Industry, and Favour to her. And yet whilst he was thus blaming her, he could not forbear admiring her, as the most lovely Crea∣ture he had ever in all his Life time beheld: Which Admiration of her Per∣son begat in him, at the same time, a more favourable Opinion of her Mis∣carriage; for he considered that Errour to have been committed when she was but very young; that her Innocence had been betray'd by the subtilty and Violence of a lustful Man, who in strict∣ness of Justice more deserved to have been Arraigned for a Ravisher, than

she to have born the Infamy of the thing. And he was willing to believe, that the deep sense she had expressed of that sin, and her Detestation of the Fact, had made so full an Attonement for it, that in case she had lived with that Modesty and Reservedness which he hoped she had, he could not think but she must now be reckoned a most Vertuous Woman.

The next Morning he got up betimes, and as he was beating his Brains for a Contrivance how he might come to talk with her, he remembred that his Mille∣ners Shop was very near the Ladies Lodgings; to which he went, and by the Industry of the Millener's Wife, found means to have a Billet converyed thither, and delivered into Mrs. Fisher's Hand.

The Charming Widdow, who had not only a great sense of Her Obligations to Mr. Cooper, but had likewise a grate∣ful defire of acknowledging them to himself, was as much pleased at the Proposal of this Meeting, as he could possibly be that made it. But because

her Aunt had taken so great a liking to her for her plèasant Company, and her prudent Behaviour on all occasions, that she began to call her Daughter, and had often declared, that if the young Woman made choice of a second Hus∣band with her Friends Approbation, she would add considerably to her Fortune; Therefore was Mrs. Fisher cautious of giving her any Offence, or raising a suspition in her, that she entertained a Correspondence with any Person, of whom she gave her not a fair Account beforehand. So she was glad to make a Pretence of going out to buy Gloves, Ribbons, or some such knacks at the Milleners, by which she got an oppor∣tunity to see her Friend, who staid wait∣ing for her alone in the Parlour.

Altho' this Assignation had been thus fairly made by Consent of both Parties, yet was their Meeting the most surpri∣zing imaginable, for neither one nor the other had at first any power to speak; He for the Joy he had to see her, tho' he could hardly perswade himself that she was the same Person, being so

much alter'd to her greater Advantage; and She for the shame she had to think of the disgraceful Condition wherein he first found her, and from which he had so sucessfully relieved her. And this Thought made such an Impression in her Mind▪ as had like to have cost her a second fainting Fit. But she striving to recollect her Spirits, was beginning to make an Apology for her Ingratitude, in neglecting to return her due thanks for all his Favours; calling him the most generous of Men, and her good Angel. But Mr. Cooper quickly inter∣rupted her, to tell her how much he was rejoiced to see her again, whom he had not, by her own positive Com∣mands, the liberty to Write to, much less to have endeavoured to visit, left any Discovery should have been made of their Entrigue, to her Prejudice.

When their first Trasports of Joy were over, with some Enquiries made of each others Condition, since the time of his leaving her in Cambridge shire; he was glad to find her Credit had been so well supported by his Industry;

and to hear she had remained unmar∣ried ever since the Report of her sup∣posed Husband's pretended Death. He also let her know, that he still continu∣ed a Batchelour; but did not acquaint her, that he, not long before had re∣ceived an unkind Ba••k from a fine young Woman, whom he had Court∣ed above two Years; and that when they were just at the point of Con∣summating their Happiness together by Marriage; she had most unfaithful∣ly discarded him, for the sake of being a Lady; and the hopes of bearing Rule over her Husband; for she expected to be linked in Matrimony with a Rich, but very foolish knight, who it seems recanting his Bargain, threw her off at the very Church Door, and served her (if possibly it could be) a more dis∣graceful Trick, than she had done her Merchant.

It had been a hard matter for Mr. Cooper to master the violent Anger he had conceved against all Woman∣kind, so as ever to have a favourable Opinion of them, after such ill treat∣ment

ment from that Mistress; had it not been purely out of spight and Revenge to her, who was now striving again with all the Arts and subtil Delusions she could possibly invent, to retrieve the lost Affections of her slighted Lo∣ver. It was, I say, the resentment of this gross Affront, had carried him on purpose to that Ball, to try if there he could espy out amongst those Ladies, a more worthy Object for his Love; and by admitting a New Flame into his Breast, extinguish the old.

Our admired Widow chanced to be the happy she on whom he fixed his Eyes and Affections. 'Twas her Charm∣ing Face and modest Look, that repre∣sented to him a thousand more Beau∣ties and taking Graces, than he remem∣bred ever to have seen in his Uncon∣stant and Faithless Mistress: And so great a Conquest had this made of his Heart, almost before he could call her to his Remembrance, that now it was not in his Power, if he would have en∣deavoured it, to shake off her Yoak, and to regain his Liberty.

He had had, 'tis true, some Conflict in his Breast, that very Morning, when he was remembring, how Reproachful a thing it would be for him, who was a Gentleman of a good Family, and a Merchant; should he Marry one, who had acknowledged her self a Strumpet, and whose Beauty and Education, was all the Portion she was like to have: But on the other hand, he considered, that her Dishonour was scarcely known, but to himself; that her lovely Person and singular Qualifications, if she had kept up to those Vertuous Resolutions, which she had solemnly made, were a sufficient Dower for such a one as him∣self, who by his Industry had already acquired an Estate sufficient to make him live very happily in the World.

On this manner was he able, or at least willing, to solve all the Arguments that his more serious Fancy, or his Doubts could any way raise against her; that now there only remained this dif∣ficulty, which was, how to obtain her for his own; and how to be satisfied in the first place of the Fears and Ap∣prehensions

he had, lest she should be pre-engaged to some other Person, and so all his Hopes of winning her, by any Interest or Merit, which he could pre∣tend to for his former Services, be fru∣strated. Such Thoughts as these did so far embolden our Lover, that after some little further Scrutiny, into the Widows Affairs, of which he received an Account to his full Liking; he could no longer forbear declaring his Love to her, which he did with so much fer∣vency and Passion, that the Lady could not doubt but that it was real.

She had already sufficient Experience of his Ingenuity and his Uparallell'd Generosity, to create in her a high E∣steem of him for his admirable Tem∣per of Mind; and as for his Person, he might well be reckoned in the Eyes of an Impartial Judge, a very desirable Man for a Husband: For his stature being Middle sized, his shape well pro∣portioned, in most exact Symetry, and the airy Briskness of his Face and Mien, rendred him amongst the City Ladies, as Eminent in his Sex, as she for her Beau∣ty

and rare Accomplishments, was in hers. And besides all this, his Genius enclining him to thestudy of Painting and Musick; he, during his Factorship in Italy, while others of his Compani∣ons spent their vacant Hours from Bu∣siness in Drinking and Debauchery, took the opportunity to Employ his in the Practice of these two Ingenious Arts; wherein, with the assistance of the greatest Masters that the City of Florence afforded of both, he became no mean Proficient on the Lute, and a most exquisite Artist at Painting in Mig∣nature.

Althô nothing could have been more acceptable to the fair Widow than this Addess of Mr. Cooper's, for he was the only Person, that for a Husband she could have wish'd for; yet she receiv∣ed his Courtship with a Coldness, and seeming distrust of all he said; and told him, that he had made choice of an im∣proper Subject to divert himself with; for when she look'd back on her past Miscarriage, which had rendred her despisable even to the meanest of Men,

if her Infamy had been publickly known, she was too sensible that she must be far beneath his lowest Jests and Scorn: But as she had an abhorrence of that Fact, which had cost her so much Grief, and indeed ought rather to be charged on another than her self, and as she had also endeavoured to ex∣piate her Crime by her sober and ver∣tuous Deportment ever since, so she would always retain a Resolution to live without Scandal, all the remain∣der of her Life. And that since her Cre∣dit had been supported by his means, she could never take it unkindly at his Hands, if he to shew the Gayety of his Wit and Fancy should think fit, in Me∣riment, to make her the pretended Ob∣ject of his Love. He would not suffer her to go on, but affirming that the Crime she mention'd was her Lords, who well merited the Punishment, thô the Misfortune had fallen on her; and waving that Subject, strove with all his Rhetorick to perswade her, that his Courtship intended nothing less than what he suggested. Since all his future

Endeavours, should be to render him∣self worthy the Honour he aimed at, which was to be accepted for her Hus∣band.

In such Discourses as these, the time slipped away insensibly, and her long stay being taken notice of by her Aunt, a Messenger was sent to call her home, which brake off their Entertainment for that bout: But not 'till a conveni∣ent time and proper place was agreed on, for the keeping up this Correspon∣dence so fairly revived betwixt them.

In short, after some few Meetings, and Conferences had by our two Lo∣vers at their appointed Rendevous, there was so good an understanding on both sides, of the matter in Debate, that no∣thing was now wanting to conclude their happy Union together in the Holy state of Matrimony, but the Consent of her Father, and of her Aunt the Lady D. This proved no great Ob∣stacle; for the Doctor no sooner heard the high Character of Mr. Cooper his Daughter's Admirer, and had received a credible Account of his ample Estate

and Fortune, as also of the frank Offer he proposed of making his Mistress a considerable Jointure, without insisting on any Portion, but he readily gave his free Consent to the Match. And after the Aunt was made acquain∣ted with the thing, she having invited Mr. Cooper three or four times to her Lodgings, noted his Excellent Parts, and been extreamly delighted with his pleasant Conversation, was so well satified both with the Man, and his generous offer, that she declared she would also show what value she had for her God-Daughter; and to promote the Match between two such deserving Persons, was resolved to give her on their Wedding-Day Two Thousand Pounds for a Portion, and to settle the greatest part of her remaining Estate, which was considerable, so as to fall to them after her own Death.

'Tis not to be imagined but that Mr. Cooper, notwithstanding the Proposal which he so briskly made to his Mi∣stresses Father and Aunt, had some Ex∣pectation of a Portion to be raised for

her amongst them; but it was infi∣nitely short of this; which made him press to have the Wedding solemnized with all possible speed, lest the Aunt's Bounty might any way be diverted or grow cold. And to set all Wheels the nimbler a going, in order to a quick dispatch, it was requisite to Oil the Lawyers in the Fist, who were to draw up the Writings, in which he was not at all tardy; and so soon as those For∣malities of Signing and Sealing were fi∣nished, and the fine Cloaths ready a∣gainst the appointed Day, they saw the good Old Doctor appear amongst them, who had made a Journey to London, on purpose to see the Gentleman, so much cryed up for his rare Parts, who was on the Morrow to be his Son-in-Law, and to give them his Blessing. The Doctor often protested that he was very much rejoyced to find in him so great a resemblance of that worthy Man Mr. Fisher his Daughter's first Husband, whose Person and Qualifi∣cations he highly extolled: But nei∣ther the Doctor, his Lady, nor the

kind Aunt had ever any knowledge of the generous Impostor put on them by Mr. Cooper.

Well, the wished for Morning being come, the Solemnities of the Church were to be attended, which joined our happy Lovers Hands, as their Hearts had been before, and no sooner had the Parson done his part, but the good Old Lady performed hers, in delivering them a Note for two Thousand Pounds to be paid at sight, which was imme∣diately accepted by her Goldswith, who was there a Guest: And the Doctor ordered the same Person to make a handsom set of Dressing-plate to the value of two Hundred Pounds, to be presented to the Bride. And he made his Excuse to his Son and Daughter, for the smallness of his Present, but he let them know, that he would take care for the good Education of his little Son Fisher, and had already also improved for him, the two Hundred Broad Pieces, left by his Deceased Fa∣ther.

Don Feliz had a great Applause from

his Mistress for relating so pleasant a Novel, who Confessed she was extreme∣ly delighted with it, and did not much disprove the Intrigue; but desired him seriously to tell her, whether the Tale or chief substance of it, were true or no; for she doubted not, she said, but it received much of its Beauty from him. He was pleased to hear her commend it, and assured her that the Story had so much of Truth contained in it, that he could scarce allow it to be called a Novel, since the two chief Persons there∣in mentioned, were then in Being, and lived happily at that very time; having had several fine Children together; and he affirmed that he had often heard Mr. Cooper play with great Ma∣stery on the Lute; had seen divers of his Excellent Limnings; and that he had this Story from a great Confident of Mr. Cooper's, under these borrow'd Names. But Don Feliz cknowledged, that he had strove to set it off with the best Ornament he was able, and yet it very much needed her Excuse for his imperfect telling it.

With all the pleasantest Chat they could invent, and such like Tales, our two Lovers Don Feliz and his Mistress, passed away their spare Hours: And once she was very pressing to know whether his intentions, at his return home into England, were to Marry, or to live at Rovers, as she found by him he had hitherto done: For she fancyed, that after he had had so many Mistresses, he could hardly be at last confin'd within such narrow Limits, by a Mar∣riage Knot, as would tye him for ever to a Wife. To which he reply'd, that not having yet considered the Point, he could give her no direct Answer. This he said, not knowing whether she were Marryed or no; for he never yet durst ask her the Question, fearing to incur her Displeasure for his being in∣quisitive after that, which he thought she had no mind to discover. But she no∣ting his Hesitation, was the more pres∣sing to be satisfied in her Demand.

Madam, said he, seeing himself obli∣ged to answer, I am seldom Master of my own Resolutions for any long time,

and my return into England being so uncertain, I doubt I shall have great difficulty to keep 'till then in the same Mind I now am in; for I had former∣ly intended to have wedded my self only to my Books and Viols, but up∣on a more serious Debate with my self, I am convinc'd, that Marriage, as I have often been told, is a most honou∣rable Estate, and the most proper means to reduce a Man to Sobriety, who has been Extravagant; and to make him live happily, without interruption to his Studies, and his Innocent Recrea∣tions. Therefore have I resolved when I shall get home, to strive in the first place to reform my Manners, be∣come very sober, and then choose me a Wife with whom I may partake of all that Felicity which other Married Per∣sons enjoy. I am glad, Don Feliz, re∣ply'd his Mistress, to hear you have such an honourable Opinion of Matri∣mony; but I much doubt whether all those who have Experienced that state, will be ready to give the same Cha∣racter of it which you do: And I

would gladly know whence all this Current of Felicity is expected; is it from the good Conduct of the Lady, who shall be so happy to be your Wife? or rather from your own prudent Ma∣nagement? for I have very frequently heard you express your slight of our Sex, and am therefore afraid we shall lose the glory of it.

The Life of Man, Said Don Feliz, may not unfitly be compared to Mu∣sick; the delicate Harmony whereof is made by the Composition of several Sounds. For that mixture of grave Tones, with others more accute and small, makes the Musick perfect, and so delightful as it is to our Ears. And this admir'd frame of Man's Body, when enflamed with a Fever, or shiver∣ing with Cold, shows that we are sick and out of order; but when those two Qualities are aptly united, the Body is well and at Ease, to our unspeakable plea∣sure. The same thing may be observed of a well-govern'd Common-Wealth, which consists of different Orders of People: There the Nobility and Gen∣try

in Agreement with the Plebaeans, make up the true Harmony which renders them all happy. And so Na∣ture, the Mother of all things, framed Man to Wisdom, and to undertake weighty and serious Matters, which is plainly demonstrated by the grave deep Voice we Men speak with; where∣as, on the contrary, Woman appears the true Portraiture of Humane Frail∣ty and Folly; only designed to be em∣ployed in the most Childish and tri∣fling of our Affairs in this World; and that small Voice of theirs which they always retain, hardly distinguish∣able from Childrens, gives us sufficient Evidence, that they still partake of Childrens Defects. But when one and the other happen to make a proper mixture, wherein Man's Wisdom go∣verns their Folly, and that Childish Folly of theirs qualifies the Wisdom of Man; from thence proceeds that plea∣sant Life; from thence, I say, flows all that Current of Happiness. Which high pitch of Bliss cannot be fully at∣tained, nor this Coelestial Harmony

be ever truly made, if Man and Wo∣man be not solemnly joined together in Matrimony.

Don̄a Faustina, laughing, told him, she saw he was very well pleased with the Subject, because he took such pains to display his Rhetorick on it: and yet at the same time could not forbear his usual Reflections on Women. But proceeded she, for all your quaint No∣tions of Matrimony, unless the Air of England breath a much kinder influence on Married Persons, than this of Spain, 'tis ten to one but you will find some considerable difference between your Speculation and the real Practice of it; that your Coelestial Harmony is often interrupted by some such Terrestrial Discord as shall make both your Hearts ake. They ran briskly on, and were so zealous to maintain their Arguments; he for Marriage, and she in dispraise of it, that they would have continued the Dispute 'till Break of Day, had not Fadrique scratched at the Door and put them in mind of parting.

All the way Don Feliz went home,

he could not forbear thinking of the Discovery he had made, by this Dis∣course with her; for he concluded from thence, that she must either be a Widdow, or a Married Woman, and that her Hus∣band was not, or had not been to her liking, which made her so mueh in∣veigh against Matrimony; and that this dislike had put her at first upon mak∣ing him those Invitations to her House; and he was pleased with his own Wit, that had so industriously drawn this Secret from her. Another Night a∣mongst the various Subjects of their Discourse, they happen'd on that of Religion; and she would then express a great concern for those of his Country, Ay que lastima, would she often say. Ah what a pity it is, that a People so richly endued with all the Gifts of Nature, should be so wilfully blind to be hurried away in a course of Heresie and Atheism, refusing to be made sen∣sible of their Danger of Eternal Dam∣nation, and to be brought back into the Pale of the true Church, which she believed was that of Rome. And she

was full of those Sayings which the Priests teach them, to create in them an Abhorrence of the Herejes Yngleses, the English Hereticks, as they term us: She would also tell him, that Y••galatier∣r•• era tierra de Angeles, poro agora es tier∣ra de Demonios, which is, that England was once a Land of Angels, (alluding, as I conceive, to the many Saxon Saints formerly Canonized here) but that 'tis now become a Country of Devils, meaning since the Reformation. But she took a particular pleasure in rela∣ting the strange Miracles wrought by our Saints of old, which she had read of in the Flos Sanctorum; to all which she gave as much Credit, as to those re∣corded in Holy Writ; and was often ve∣ry angry with Don Feliz for endeavour∣ing to rectifie her Judgment in those matters, and for attempting to show her the Absurdity of their fabulous Legends.

Then would she Celebrate the Praise of the Irish Nation, who, she said, had ever kept close to the Ancient Catho∣lic Faith; she commended their dili∣gent frequenting the Churches, and the

Expressions of their Zeal and Devotion there; and she would heartily wish that the Eyes of the English were o∣pen to see their Errour, and follow the Example of that Excellent People. Yet after all, she said, she could not but acknowledge, she had observed some of the Irish in Spain, not to be so ac∣cute of Wit and quick of Apprehension, as the Spaniards, nor other Country∣men residing amongst them, but were rather inclined to a strange Blundering and Stupidity, not common to other People; which made her curious to know if this proceeded from a general Defect, naturally incident to all born under their Clime, or else happen'd to such only as came over thither. Don Feliz assured her, that Ireland daily produced very accomplished Gentle∣men, brave Souldiers, and Men excel∣lent in all Faculties: But that it was there, as in all other parts of the World, that many for want of good Education, proved very Dull and Ignorant; and that he had observed no other distin∣ction betwixt them and other Nations.

Their dwelling a little longer on this Subject, brought to Don Feliz's Me∣mory a Story, which falling pat to the purpose, and he knowing the Pleasure his Mistress took in hearing such, gave her a hint of it, which made the Lady press him to tell it. He obeyed, and began on this manner.