LEWIS of Montferrat was a Prince who with the qualities of a great Hero, so abounded with those of a gallant Man, that he was the Inclination of Ladies, as well [Page 10] as the esteem of brave Men. He was only heard spoken of in the World; and never honour, nor vertue had a better Example. In the mean time with so many reasons that that Prince had to be content with himself, he was not, as People imagined. There wanted something to his felicity which rendred him as all other Men. He had Married a Wife of an Illustrious Birth, of a Merit as great as her Birth, and far more than can be expressed; But by whom after ten Years Marriage, he had not had a Child, and that displeasure alone infected all that there was agreeable in the Glorious State of his Life. Vows, Prayers and Alms were not spa­red, the Italians are much given to them: At last Heaven seemed to be moved, and sent him a Daughter as Fair and as Perfect, [Page 11] as if she had come from Heaven it self. This good Prince, sig­nalized his Joy by a Fortnights Feast, which he ordain'd through all his Territory; but which was cruelly interrupted by the Death of the Marchioness, that happen­ed a few days after her being brought to Bed. There was ne­ver seen in so little a time so much Joy and so much Grief as in the Heart of that Prince, who passio­nately loving his Wife, payed very dear by so sensible a loss, for the Present Heaven had just made him. He would have abandoned himself a thousand times to his despair, without the extream ten­derness he had already conceiv­ed for that Infant, whom he look­ed upon as a Succour that had been sent him from above, against the misfortune that was to hap­pen to him. It was without [Page 12] doubt the only thing that could render him capable of some rea­son, and make him survive the Death of so aimable a Prin­cess.

Briscida, it was thus, they cal­led that Child, who had promi­sed so much Beauty the first days of her Birth, made appear, with the succours of some Years, a thousand times more than could have been hoped. All seem'd to augment in her from moment to moment, and the Charms of her Person, that would not have been said, at the Age of ten or twelve Years, that they could have mounted to a higher point of perfection, encreased after in such a manner, that every day one found in her some new Sub­ject of Admiration. Her gate alone had at that age something so great and so agreable together, [Page 13] that she drew the Heart as well as the Eyes of all the World. I design not to draw her Picture, I could not, if I would, she had a thousand things which cannot be described, as her Eyes, her Com­plexion, her Neck, her Arms, her Hands; all in fine had in her an extraordinary perfection, and a Beauty very difficult to be ima­gined. Yet all these Charming visible qualities were nothing, when they were compared to those of her Soul, there was found in her a vivacity of Wit, and at the same time so solid a Judgment, that she surprized the clearest Wits. She was never seen to be deceived in any thing; and her Penetration proceeded to divine the greatest Secrets. In fine, if ever Soul appeared fair by the bright marks of Vertue, it was certainly that of that young [Page 14] Princess; the noise of her Beau­ty ran far, and near: Nothing was spoken of in Forreign Courts but Briscida, and all those who had seen her, and understood Beauty, did agree that there was not a finer Person, nor nothing so rare to be seen in all Italy; that fine Country, which has almost always been the first Pilgrimage of those who have the least loved travelling, became in the time of that Princess a common Road of People, who had the least Curi­osity: And Rome, that famous Ci­ty, never invited so many People by all its famous Antiquities, as Cassal, by the Beauty alone of Briscida. It was the place where she resided, as the ordinary resi­dence of the Marquess of Mont­ferrat. There was hardly a young Prince or Lord in Europe, who thought not himself obliged [Page 15] in Honour, to make thither a Voyage, as a necessary point to the reputation of a well-bred Per­son; and Monarchs, who could not so far dispence with them­selves, took care to send thither their Limners, to have the Pi­cture of that fair Princess. From thence it came, that the Court of Montferrat, which had been formerly one of the least of Italy, was one of the most numerous, as well as the most gallant of Eu­rope. The Marquess, a Prince who very well understood him­self in all things, entertained People there, with so much Sweetness and Generosity, that it was still a new Charm to invite Strangers thither.

So fair a Princess, Heiress of a State as that of Montferrat, was without doubt a brave Match for what Prince soever. Several [Page 16] had already aspired to her: but the Marquess, who extreamly loved her, or rather, who loved nothing in the World but that Daughter, was not able to part with her so soon.

Amongst all the Illustrious Pretenders, was seen Lewis of Bavaria, Count Palatine of the Rhine, eldest Son of the Elector of that Name. This Prince who might aspire to so fair a Con­quest, made appear in that Court an extraordinary magnificence in all things, and made his Love much talked of. He was hand­some, well made, and had Wit: But there was seen in him a kind of sufficiency and contempt of all others, which made him not much beloved, especially by the Princess, who could not hinder her self in the least Rancounters, from showing him how little In­clination [Page 17] she had for him. This Prince was not at all discouraged, he had more Ambition than Love, and that first Passion is not used to turn things to its disad­vantage: he dayly invented new Parties of Hunting, Dancing, Masquerading, Turnaments, and other the like Divertisements: wherein he always wone the Prize, as well of Gallantry as of bravery, spending at a rate that ruined all those who would imi­tate him. All these advantages, rendred him fierce and proud, he being likewise naturally so, inso­much that he made himself in­supportable to all the World. But Fortune, who sometimes pleases her self with reverses, to abate the pride of those who too much flatter themselves with their hap­py Successes, made him meet with a Gentleman more strong [Page 18] than himself, and who cruelly tra­versed him in all his Designs.

It was at a famous Turnament that this began, and of which the Princess was to give the Prize. The Count Palatine had already done all there that could be ex­pected from a Gentleman, so per­fect as he. There was no body more came to dispute with him the Prize, and the Princess was upon the point of delivering it him; when they saw a Man en­ter into the place, whose admi­rable Countenance, and the good Air he had on Horse-back, made all People at that instant judg he was no common Person. The Count stopped for sometime to behold him, and found, as well as all others, he had something extream Warlike. He had no other Train with him than a Gen­tleman of the Horse, and a Page; [Page 19] who carried his Lance. He was set out after a rich and superb manner. His Arms glittered, and had a marvellous effect in the Sun, who being upon the end of his Carreer, seemed only to spread his Rays for the better sparkling of the Jewels he had about him. The time pressed them to engage, and making only a half turn of the Lists, as a defiance to the Count, who prepared to receive him; he bowed his Lance, and let his Horse go, who came thundring upon his Enemies with an impetuosity that never had had the like. The Count Palatine did almost the same thing on his side: and being met with a check, which resembled something more furious than that of two Men, their Lances broke upon their Breasts, through the two terrible strokes they re­ceived [Page 20] there. But their Force, their Address, or their Fortune were not equal: for instead, that the Unknown did only shake a little in his Stirrups; the Count Pala­tine, after having wavered some time in the Saddle, could not keep himself there, but fell upon the Ground. An advantage so considerable over a Prince, who was already the Conquerour of all the others, cast the Assistants into so great an astonishment, that they all shouted. It was not known, who this valiant Man was, he came into the Lists with his Helmet down, and all People had a desire to see him. The Marquess de Montferrat, fancied that he was Philippo Mario Viscon­ti, a Prince much renowned for the fine Actions he had done, and who had already been seen in that Court: and in that Opinon, see­ing [Page 21] him approach to salute him; You only hide your self from us, My Lord, said he to him, to make your self more admired, and the more agreeably surprize us; But we are already so accustom­ed to all those glorious Actions you do every day, that how un­known soever you would appear, you would still be discovered by what you perform. This Gentle­man who never in his Life had been at Cassal, although he was pretty well known to the Prince, well perceived he was mistaken, and lifting up his Helmet, he let him see instead of the Son of the Duke of Milan; Gaspard de Sa­luces only Son of the Marquess of that Name; whom the Marquess having seen several times at the Army, was not in much trouble to know. He immediately em­braced him, he carressed him [Page 22] with the greatest tenderness in the World, and presented him to his Daughter, accompanying that honour with a thousand things he said to his advantage. Brisci­da gave him the Prize of the Turnament, with so much the more pleasure, that he had won it from a Prince, for whom she had naturally but little kindness; and to whom she had some regret of doing that honour, insomuch that there was then an agreeable change in her mind, which by the arrival of that Prince, passed all of a sudden from Vexation to the Joy she had of not being in that pain: And perhaps it was to that disposition of contrary Sen­timents, that Gaspard de Saluces owed all the good reception she made him; for it is true, that she received him, not after her usual manner, and with that severity, [Page 23] she was accustomed to receive all those of the like rank; but with a sweetness and ways so engaging and so generous, that it seemed, she would in some fashion ac­knowledge the kindness he had just done her.

That amiable Princess who had Charms enough, without producing new ones, at that in­stant so powerfully surprized the Eyes and the Soul of that young Hero, that he remained almost without Motion; his Courage a­bandoned him, and he lost his very Speech: But his silence, his Eyes and all the actions of his Person spoke for him, and made the Princess know a part of the Joy he had in seeing her. The Marquess, who began at first to speak very obligingly of him, gave him time to come to himself a little, and his Wit, as the Son [Page 24] breaking out from under some Clouds, taking new Forces, did flourish so many several ways, af­ter that small Eclipse, that they were as much charmed to hear him speak, as they had been asto­nished to see him fight. He gave his hand to the Princess to accom­pany her to her Apartment, whi­ther all the considerable Persons of that Court, having follow'd them, were ravished to consider him more nearly. The Marquess came afterwards; and seeing him sur­rounded in with all those fine people, he thought, armed as he was, that a longer entertainment might incommode him; and that it would do him a kindness, to disingage him. It is in a Doub­let, My Lord, said he to him ve­ry gallantly, and as a Gentleman at the Bed-side, that the Ladies would see you. You will there [Page 25] find perhaps more dangerous E­nemies than in the Lists, where­fore you had best prepare your self for it. It is true, My Lord, answered the Count of Saluces, those Enemies are to be feared you speak of; but since there is no honour to resist them, one may find a Comfort in being Con­quered. After these Words, which he expressed with a very passionate action, he took leave of the Princess and retired. The Marquess offered him an Apart­ment in his Palace, which he ci­villy refused; for that he well knew that they daily expected there the Queen of Sicily, and the Duke of Savoy, who were two persons of a Rank to leave little place left.

In the Evening there was a Ball; and the Count de Saluces, Who would not let slip so fair an [Page 26] occasion of seeing the Princess a­gain, who had charmed him, prepared to appear there one of the neatest. He succeeded there­in to a Wonder; for besides that he was naturally so in his Person, all that he had, and all that he put on, had an Air gallant and suitable. He came then to the Ball, where he was expected with much impatience, for all the World had a desire to see if he had as good a meen in his Cloaths, as in his Armour. There was a noise through all the Hall at the same time he appeared, that the Ball was something In­terrupted: They pressed one a­nother, some to see him, some to make him place, and made a sort of Confusion very agreeable for him. He was dressed after the French way, which is a Nation which gives Modes to all others, [Page 27] and that Dress perfectly well be­came him: But it was neither the Richness, nor the Novelty of the Trimming which most drew the Eyes of the People; it was the Grace and the Air of his Per­son, which Charmed the Hearts of those who looked upon him. Never was Man better made than he; he danced, and it was with that he quite Surprized those who had not yet been won with the Qualities that had al­ready been taken notice of in him; for it was impossible to ac­quit ones self better. The Ladies, and especially those who had the Reputation of Beauties, and pre­tended to Conquests, formed in admiring him a thousand De­signs upon his Liberty, but it was the Affair of Briscida; and a Fear reserv'd for her Charms. He was so much Transported [Page 28] with the Pleasure of seeing her, that he was hardly himself.

The Count Palatine, who had not yet appeared at the Ball, came there a little after him, in Mas­querade, accompanied with some Persons of the Court, who like him sparkled with the Gold and Jewels they had upon their Cloaths. This Count no sooner saw Gaspard de Saluces, than that he conceived a cruel Jealousie, which with the vexation he had already had, of being conquered by him, in the sight of Briscida, finished the rendring him one of his most Mortal Enemies. He had a Fierce and Impetuous Spi­rit, incapable of Suffering any thing that was above him, espe­cially from those he esteemed his Inferiours; Restless, Suspicious, troubling himself with all things, and in his actions more passionate [Page 29] than any Man: Otherwise, as I have already said, well made of his Person, and brave to very rashness. He quickly perceived the change there was for him in the Minds of the Ladies, that all was turned for the Count de Salu­ces, and that that New Comer would have the better of him in all things, and in effect it was yet more true than he believed it. No body was took notice of but Gaspard de Saluces; and they all disputed who should do him the most Honour.

These were cruel blows to the Count Palatine, to whom they had already rendred the like Complai­sancies; and who had flattered himself that any other than he could not merit so much. The Masque he had very convenient­ly taken, helped him to hide the effects that Sight produced in his [Page 30] jealous Mind; and not desiring to be long the Witness of the Glory of his Rival, he went from the Ball, leaving for some time the rest of the Company much in pain, who knew not what was become of him.

The Ball ended; and if there had been a Prize to have been gi­ven, without doubt the Count of Saluces would have won that of Dancing, as well as that of the Turnament. He went away loaded with the Prayses of those who could give them, and who knew how to give them. The Princess was one of the first who rendred him that justice; and she looked upon him so obligingly in seeing him depart, that that lit­tle favour did much help to­wards his passing, with more Tranquiliry, the rest of that Night, than he would have done. [Page 31] It is true, that it was not to be expected that he could pass it without disquiet, being full, as he was, of the Idea of Briseida, which however he would not have drove away for the most agreeable Sleep of the World; at least, if it had not represen­ted her to him in all his Dreams.

It is thus that Love is used to insinuate it self into hearts. It begins by a Flame of Joy, which spreads it self through all the Body, and with which a Lover i [...] so Enchanted, that he believe there is no greater felicity in Life than that of Loving. Those Excesses however give too much Pleasure to last long, with a Passi­on so violent, and which is sel­dome without trouble. Gaspard de Saluces had too clear a Wit to be long dazzeled with such Illu­sions: and coming by little and [Page 32] little to make Reflection upon what his Hopes were founded, so much joy he had felt in his Soul, to have seen Briscida, he perceived his Errour, and that he had no reason to rejoice; and as if he had from thence fore­seen a part of the Misfortunes, which were to happen to him from that fatal sight, he could not retain some Tears, which fell from his Eyes, and which made him take the Resolution, of Op­posing a budding Passion, which could not but render him very Unhappy. But it was not an Affair so easy as he imagined, to efface the Image of Briscida in a Heart, where it had already took Impression.

What can I pretend, said he in himself, from the Ardour I find my self transported with? What can I hope from a Princess, to [Page 33] whom so many other Princes, grea­ter than I, pretend? Who Love her, who Serve her; and who have not yet been able to obtain any thing from their Services, no more than from their Love? Though I should be, continued he, more happy than they have been, what proportion is there between the State of my Father, and that of Montferrat, that should make me be preferred before so many Rivals? and what appearance is there that a Princess, Severe and Ambitious, who regards no body, should dain to cast her Eyes upon me? No, no, my Heart, thou must undeceive thy self, though thou wer't made for Briscida, she was not made for thee; and it is in vain that—He could not make an end. His heart gave the Lie to all he had just thought, and he thus Repli­ed. What is Love so terrible, that [Page 34] it must be shunned with so much Weakness? Thou sayest that Bri­seida is above thy hopes, that thou canst not pretend any thing from her after so many other Princes; well then, content thy self with loving the most Amiable Prin­cess in the World. How many is there of those who are above thee, who are reduced to the same neces­sity? She can be but one Mans, and there will be still Unhappy ones enough to comfort thee for the same loss.

This was the discourse of a passionate heart, that argued not very right. Love is only nourished with hopes; and this only plea­sure of Loving is not capable to content a passion so full of De­sires. He would have comforted himself with the Misfortunes of others; but it is in Love that this happens, where all is regulated [Page 35] only according to ones self; where one would be always the posses­sor. The Count of Saluces▪ who was not ignorant of one of these Truths, although he had never yet been in Love, concluded from thence that he loved but weakly, since his heart gave him Coun­sels so little suitable to Love. I should be likewise surprized, said he, after a little Reflection, that having always been so difficult to engage my self, I should have ren­dred my self at the first sight of Briseida. Am not I at Cassal the same that I was in all the Courts I have been? and of so many fair Ladies I have seen, has there been one that has made me sigh, but as much as I pleased? I ought to know my self better, continu­ed he, still deceiving himself more, and not to take Sentiments of Esteem, which are perhaps [Page 36] something extraordinary, because the Object is so, for Sentiments of Love.

How different is a Lover from what he was wont to be, when he knows not himself how he is Embarassed in the middle of all those Winds which Fear and Desire raise? He argues accord­ing as the one or the other of those two Passions represents it self to his Imagination: Some­times it is Desire that Com­mands; and sometimes it is Fear. He takes their Counsel by turns: he Resolves, he Wills, he Re­pents, he Advances, he Retires, he Takes, he Leaves; In fine, ne­ver more Designs, and never less Execution.

Gaspard de Saluces, after ha­ving been thus almost all the Night, agitated with all these different Tempests, seeing the [Page 37] Day come, would rise to go seek some solitary place where he might dissipate them. Cassal is in the best Situation of the World, for places proper for Amorous Pensiveness. There is all round it a thousand agrea­ble Walks, whether along the Po, which washes it's Walls, or in the Fields, which are the finest that can be seen. But nothing is so Charming as the Park, which besides several Natural Beauties, has a Thousand Adomments of a vast Expence that the Marquess has made there, there are Green Arbours, Grotto's, Terraces, Walks, Fountains, and in fine all manner of Ornaments, which certainly render it one of the finest Parks in the World. The Count in going from his Lodg­ing passed by Chance before the Gate of that Park, and find­ing [Page 38] it open, without knowing what it was, the conveniency more than any thing else, invi­ted him to enter, and walk there. He went from Alley to Alley without stopping, nor almost taking notice of the Beauty of the place, so possessed was he with his Ideas; and he came at length to a Circle of Trees, which was one of the finest things in the place, and where all the great Allys met and end­ed. It is not without trouble one gets in: Because there is no Door but what is composed of a double Row of Trees, whose Bodies are interlaced with those kind of Shrubs which serve for Natural Walls. There is seen in the middle of this Circle a Fountain, out of which there comes many Water Spouts▪ which Sprinkle the Borders; and [Page 39] all round several Green Arbors, where you hardly see day. There was only this place that was ca­pable of making our new Lover something recollect himself from his profound pensiveness; and it was in one of those Arbours that he would go and sigh, without other Witness than Darkness and Silence. He was followed thi­ther by the Idea of Briseida, which so possessed his Mind, that overcome with the thoughts he had upon this Subject, as much as with the ill Night he had pas­sed, he fell asleep upon a Grass Couch, where he had seated himself. A little Repose was without doubt a great comfort to him, if in all that time his mind had not been disquieted with a thousand troublesome Dreams, which denounced him as many Misfortunes. It seemed to him, in [Page 40] in fine, that he saw the Princess, who reached to him her hand, to draw him from a Precipice, where he thought to have been lost, and told him with a clear and intelligible Voice, You pre­tend to my Heart, Count; I consent to it; you shall have it, but it will cost thee thy Life. She had hardly pronounced these words, when he saw the place where he was converted into a Sea of Blood, from which he en­deavoured in vain, as they do in Dreams, to get out; and swet with Labour. Thereupon he awaked, all afrighted with the Circumstances of this Dream, of which he had still so strong an Idea, that he seemed to see Bri­scida, that Precipice and that Blood after the same manner it had been represented to his Ima­gination. He would immediate­ly [Page 41] quit the place, that in making him see the most amiable Princess of the World, inspired him with so terrible Visions; but he was hardly at the Door, than that Briscida presented her self to his sight, only followed by one of her Women, and in an Undress, who walked in the space that there is between those Arbours and the Fountain. A rencoun­ter so unforeseen, with what he had just Dreamt, put him into a perfect Confusion. He remain­ed as in an Extasie, without Speech, without Action, with­out the least Motion, his Eyes fixed upon that Charming Prin­cess, but in a posture, which with the trouble and the change there was upon his Face, would have made one believe that he was going to expire. Briscida appeared no less surprized than [Page 42] he; and was some time with­out knowing what Resolution she should take; but the Rules of her Devoir, from which she was not used to swerve in the least, having made her know to what she exposed her self, obli­ged her to return, after having saluted the Prince; who as if his Senses recovered his first Forces, by the Degrees she went from him; Ah Destiny! cryed he, lift­ing up his Eyes and Hands to Heaven, since you have thus or­dained it, I defend my self no longer, I will die for the Love of her. These Words were pro­nounced with so much of tran­sport, and with a Voice so high, that the Princess who was not yet got out of the Circle of the Trees, heard them, and could not hinder her self from turning her Head towards him: And she [Page 43] saw him in the Posture I have just told. That Action was not remarqued by the Count, from which he might have drawn fa­vourable Conjectures for himself; but the consent he had just given his Heart to abandon himself wholly to the Love of Briseida, made his Mind a little more calm; and he returned home, less burdened with Grief than he went out.

He only employed himself all the rest of that Day, in thinking of the happiness of that Adven­ture. He knew not if it was the Princesses Custome, or Hazard, that had made him meet her there; but be it as it would, he still rejoiced at it as a piece of good Luck, and considered her Arri­val as that of the Sun, which was come to dissipate all those sad Clouds, with which those Horri­ble [Page 44] Dreams had obscured his Mind. Not but that, as the Sen­timents of Lovers have their Turns and Returns, he found he had Committed some Faults, which vexed him, as having let the Princess go away, without speaking to her, not to have been the first to have ceded the place, to have Interrupted her Solitude; and in fine a thousand other the like Subjects, of which he Ac­cused himself, as of great Crimes. Lovers are thus Ingenious to trouble themselves sometimes. Yet when he came to make Re­flection upon the manner she had beheld him, it seemed to him, that it was with an Air favoura­ble enough; and that her Eyes had nothing of a displeased Per­son: As in effect he had reason; and if he had not been strongly possessed at her first Appearance; [Page 45] and that he could have judged with his usual Penetration, he would have seen all that he could hope of the most happy Presages for his Love, for it is certain that that aimable Princess, having not been able to be the Mistress of her self in that Occasion, almost suf­fered to be seen, all that there was in her Mind of Trouble, Emotion of Joy and of Fear, and a hundred other different Moti­ons, which that sight excited in her Soul; and which made her change Colour two or three times; she had already passed a very cruel Night, full of Sighs and of Tears, that the Combats, Reflections and Reproaches had torn from her Heart. All this costs dear to a Soul, that never knew what was disorder of Rea­sons, nay nor disquiet of Mind.

[Page 46] The first time she had seen the Count de Saluces, she found some­thing so great and so particular in him, that she took an extream pleasure to consider him from one end to the other. Afterwards the Combat he had against the Count Palatin, the Victory he had gained over him, the Pleasure he had therein done her; All these things, I say, so Glorious, and so Favourable for him, had made some Impression upon her, or at least formed Admirable Disposi­tions to a particular esteem, which were quite Established the Evening he came to the Ball. Sentiments so new produced too extraordinary Effects in her mind, for her to be long time without perceiving them; but far from striving against them, she would Authorise them by reason. What, said she in her self, if there be a [Page 47] Man who is above all others by his Merit, can one hinder ones self from having something more for him? Do not I see, that all the considerable Persons that are here, follow that Maxime, that they all Commend him, they all Court him, they all Honour him, and treat him after a diffe­rent manner from all others? But her Mind, which was not capa­ble to suffer it self to be long abu­sed with such weak Enticements, taking Forces from her Reason, which still held firm; What is it that I do, replied she a moment after, with contrary Sentiments? I give him Arms to conquer me. Is it thus that one strives against a Passion that would render it self Mistress of my Soul? And thou, my Severity, what's be­come of thee? Thou basely a­bandonest me; but no, continu­ed [Page 48] she after a Moment of Refle­ction, what can I fear? I have perhaps an esteem for that Prince, but which will never come to Love. I am not a Fool: And all his Merit as great as it is, can­not blind me to that point, as to make me forget what I am, and what is my Duty. If I ren­der him Justice, I shall render it likewise to my self. There is some difference between the Count of Saluces and the Prin­cess of Montferrat; and my Heart, which hardly considers those who are it's Equals, will not easily stoop to him, whom it sees below it.

Briscida deceived her self, Ine­qualities do nothing in Love. A Heart mounts or descends, as it pleases that Passion, and it is not often known which will have the better. There needs only [Page 49] sometimes one simple Charm, or nothing, to serve it for Weight. But it was, that that severe Princess, (seeing her self hur­ried whether she would or no, whither her Inclination drew her) would have hid her Weak­ness from her self, not to be obli­ged to resist him.

A certain Joy seiz'd her as soon as she saw him come to the Ball, mingled with I know not what fear, that she would not that any other but her had felt the like; and she in some manner trembled at the Marks of Esteem the other Ladies gave him, and as if she was already affraid of losing him. But that which most lively touch­ed her, and which made her be­think, her self, was the displea­sure she felt when the Ball was ended, and that she saw him up­on the Point of Retiring. She [Page 50] then feared the Sequel, quitted the Company, lest the change there was in her Mind, might be discovered by her Counte­nance.

As soon as she came to her A­partment, she retired into her Cabinet, where a number of Sobs, of Sighs, and of Tears, overwhelmed her at the same time. She asked her self the reason, without being able to find it, and was so much the more afrighted, that she began to learn the custom of these tender Senti­ments. Her Woman, who knew not what she did thus long alone, and who saw that her Hour of going to Bed was long passed, went and knocked at the Door of her Cabinet, to ask her, if she would not be Undrest; that noise made her Recollect her self a lit­tle, to think of the Condition [Page 51] she was in, and not being willing to appear before them in that dis­order, she was there still some Moments before she went out, endeavouring to settle her self, and told them at her return to her Chamber, that she was not well. They put her to Bed, where she hoped to have at least the Liber­ty of thinking and labouring to cure her self of a Disease, which already pressed her so much, as to make her afraid of the Conse­quences. But herein, she decei­ved her self; for Night, Solitari­ness, and Thinking, are not good Remedies for such a Passion. Never so many sorts of Disqui­ets as assailed her in her Bed. Per­sons of that Character suffer ex­treamly in such like Conje­ctures.

[Page 52] Briseida had never been in Love: She knew nothing more of Love than what she had read in Books: But it is easy to become knowing in it, when one is once engaged. I had best imagine, said she to her self, that it is nothing but Esteem, what I feel for the Count de Saluces: I have esteemed several People in my Life, but never after this manner, and my Heart proceeds too far: from whence should pro­ceed the trouble that the sight of him alone gives me? Why al­ways thinking of him? And these Sighs and these Tears that I find stealing from my Heart, what do they not tell me! Ah! It would perfect my ruine to con­ceal it from me any longer. Thou Lovest, base Heart! Thou that didst so highly value thy self for being insensible! Thereupon she [Page 53] reproached her self, endeavour­ing to call back into her Mind all that was most capable to turn her from the Precipice she saw her self led to: but to no pur­pose; for all her Efforts did only discover more clearly to her her Weakness, and the more engage her.

Love makes more way in such great Souls, than in those that are weak, because it makes use of all, and neglects nothing to con­quer them entirely. Day came at length, after so terrible a Night; and not being able to stay in Bed, where far from getting rest, she was assailed by so many different Pains, she rose to go and take a little Air, and try to soften her ill Insolitude. She called Dorisa, one of her Women, in whom she most confided, and bid her dress her. Dorisa, much surprized at [Page 54] this Design, answered it was yet very early; and that there was no Body up in her Apartment; but see­ing that this did not change her Resolution, she did what she was Commanded, and gave her the Cloaths she would have; and without any other Attendance, they both descended the Balcony that had stairs into the Garden, and from thence they went to the Park, which was a Place more Retired, where the Princess, who at that Hour would not be seen by any body, had a Mind to walk. Dorisa followed her, much in pain, to know what Disease the Princess had, who was not used to do thus at the other times she was indisposed. This, I say, em­barrassed her; and she would gladly have been able to have penetrated into the secret; for to have imagined that her Disease [Page 55] lay in the Heart, and that there was Love in this Change of Hu­mour, she knew her too well to dare only to conceive the least suspicion. Nevertheless it was that. It was Love which having made Briseida lose her rest, led her to the Park, and Conducted her to the same place, where was the Count de Saluces. But with what Astonishment was she sei­zed, when she saw him come out of the Arbour. But a Moment before, she had said to her self, My God, what would become of me, if I should now meet him; and she no sooner saw him, than that she believed Heaven concerned it self in it, and that it would be to no purpose for her to defend her self.

She was some time without knowing effectively, what was become of her self, and if then, [Page 56] as I have already said, Gaspard de Saluces had had the Liberty of his Sences, and that he had ob­served her, he would have seen in her Face and in her Action the most sensible Marks he could have hoped of his Happiness. For in the first Moment she suffe­red her self to be transported with the Pleasure so charming a surprize gave her: And she was hardly come to her self, when re­membring what she was, and what Modesty required, she for­ced her self from a place so dan­gerous to her.

But at the Exclamation this Prince made, she could hardly restrain her self from stopping and answering him. That Day was less cruel to both Parties, than the Night.

[Page 57] The Count despaired of no­thing; and the Princess content with having comprehended by his Words, as well as by his Acti­on, that he Loved her passionate­ly, was much delighted, and it eased the pain that her Reason gave her of the too advantage­ous Sentiments which she had for that Prince.

In the Evening the Marquiss had advice by an Express Couri­er, that the Queen of Sicily was but fifteen Miles from Cazal, and that she hoped to make her En­try the Day following. All the Forreign Princes and Lords who were in that Court prepared themselves to accompany the Marquiss de Montferrat, who was to go meet that Illustrious Queen. They had all great and Magnificent Equipages, which they yet endeavoured to aug­ment [Page 58] in that Occasion, where there was only required Pomp and Show.

The Count de Saluces who had been at Cazal but one day, with a Train of a Knight Errant, was the only one of whom nothing extraordinary could be expected; and yet, in the little time he had, it may be said, that he sur­passed, not only all Expectation, but all that a greater Prince than he could have done in several Days. It is true, that it was not so much to do Honour to the Queen, as to please the Princess; and as he had the finest Meen of any Man in the World, there was no body made such a show as he.

Marguerite of Savoy, Wife of Lewis de Anjou King of Sicily, of Naples, &c. Being to go to the King her husband, who had newly took possession of those [Page 59] Kingdoms, designed in leaving Provence, where she retired, to see her Brother, Duke Lewis of Savoy, with whom she was to Confer about Affairs of Con­sequence; and Cazal was chosen for the place of their Interview. Not but that he would have wil­lingly had a place less out of his Sisters way, or some City in his own State; but she had thus de­sired it for Reasons, of which the most Important was, she had a desire to see Briscida, of whom she had heard so much talk. That Queen pretended much to Beau­ty, and she had already a long time desired with an Extream passion, to have some pretext to satisfy her Curiosity, that she might her self judge, if all that was said of that fair Princess was true.

[Page 60] Women do not usually do one another too much Justice upon that Chapter, and are the first who are deceived in what con­cerns themselves. This Queen was certainly one of the most per­fect Beauties; and there was none but Briseida who could dis­pute with her the first place. She had after her a great Train of People; and 'tis to be imagined her Equipage was something ve­ry Magnificent, she being to make therewith her first entry into those two Kingdoms; and haughty as she was, she had forgot nothing for the making it the most Glorious.

The Marquiss had no sooner met her with all those Princes, than that she alighted out of the Coach where she was, more to shew her self, than for any o­ther reason of Ceremony; and she [Page 61] mounted upon a fine Barb, which she managed with the best Grace imaginable: She had upon her Head a Coronet in form of a Hel­met, covered with Diamonds, and shaded with a number of Fea­thers, which had upon her a most Charming Effect: All peo­ple were ravished to see her; and those who had fancied there was only Briseida in the World, were ready to unsay it, and knew not who had the advan­tage. She, for her part, was no less charmed, to see with the Marquis so many young hand­some Lords, with Equipages and Trains so rich, so neat, and so pompous: She easily judged that they were persons of the first rank, the most part of whom were invited to Cazal by the Beauty of Briseida: She con­sidered them all, the one after [Page 62] the other, and asked their Names of the Marquess. Gaspard de Saluces was one of those, who was the least set off with Gold and Jewels; yet whose Grace­fulness immediately drew the Eyes of the Queen, and of whom she first informed her self; she took notice that he was extream thoughtful; but his discourse appeared not less agreeable.

When she was about two hundred paces from the City, Briseida met her, with all the Principal Ladies of the Court splendidly drest: That interview was fine, and had something very singular between two such Beauties as they were; for they caused admiration in one ano­ther, and without doubt jealou­sie. There was a Triumphant Chariot prepared for the Queen, which had followed Briseida. [Page 63] They both mounted into it, and enter'd the City with the sound of an infinite number of Trum­pets, and a terrible noise of Ca­non. But Gaspard de Saluces had neither Eyes, nor Ears, since he saw Briseida; and though the Queen looked on him, and spoke to him, his answers were not like what they had been, and had his Eyes still fixed upon that Di­vine Princess.

She came at length to the Pa­lace where she was regalled with a noble Collation, after which the Maquess conducted her to the Apartment he had prepared for her, being the neatest and richest that ever had been there. One part of the Night passed in Ceremonies and Compliments usual in such occasions, after which all retired to leave the Queen in the liberty to go [Page 64] to Bed. All people confessed she was one of the Fairest, and one of the most amiable Princes­ses that was under the Heavens; but there was none so well per­swaded as the Marquess de Mont­ferrat; and though in an age something advanced, Gallant as he was, his heart was not impe­netrable to such fair Charmes. The Count Palatin, in whose mind Ambition would have rais'd a revolt, did likewise agree to this truth. That engaging sweetness he found in the Queen, and which he called the true Charm of Souls, was in his Opi­nion capable of causing greater perfidies than he meditated. Bri­seidia was a haughty Princess, that treated with a coldness that proceeded to contempt. She had not favoured him with one ob­liging look in two months he [Page 65] had served her, and sighed for her; and he saw that a Queen full of Charmes, and of whom the Conquest would be the most glorious in the world, honoured him at the first sight with a thou­sand goodnesses; Vanity at least made him think so.

It is after this manner that these proud Minds treat Love: They appear in the beginning all full of ardour; but it is a fire which goes out at the lure of another that that passion which rules them counsels them to follow, in the hopes of a better Success. The Marquiss and this Count found themselves possessed with esteem for the Queen of Sicily; but with an esteem, which in so little time had advanced too far, not to be quickly converted into Love. Thus esteem ordinarily goes be­fore, [Page 66] or rather Love masks it self with the Figure of esteem, the better to seduce us. The fair Queen likewise on her side felt something new in her, which she knew not how to name; and which hindred her from sleeping: It was neither for the love of the Marquess, nor for the love of the Palatin, she hardly thought of them. So much honour she had received, so much pomp, so much magni­ficence that had been made for her, in some manner contented her proud mind; but in the heart, she felt I know not what, which troubled all the joy so glorious a day ought to have given her. Briseida, and the Count de Saluces, were as two Stars, which in entring Cazal, foretold her a thousand Cruel pains she was to suffer there. [Page 67] The Beauty of that Princess, which she found yet more per­fect than she could have imagi­ned, gave her troubles she had never tryed for any Woman; and so many Charming qualities she had observed in that young Prince, terribly allarmed her Heart, which she feared to lose and to lose to no purpose, near so fair a Princess. She had brought with her Julia, Daughter of Count Palamedes. Who she tenderly loved, and who lay or­dinarily with her. That Maid heard her often sigh and turn incessantly in the bed; yet durst not ask her what she ailed; but at length the disquiet she had get­ing the better of her Moderation: I know not, Madam (says she to her) whats the matter, but either you are not well, or some­thing vexes you, that is not to [Page 68] come to my knowledge. The Queen only answered her at first with a great sigh. She wisht, without doubt, that Julia would divine her Disease, without ob­liging her to declare it: But see­ing her self pressed more than once, and having all manner of Confidence in her, she could not conceal from her any long­er, that she had her mind some­thing embarassed. Have you well considerd, Julia, (said she to her) the Princess of Montferrat? How do you find her? Is she not the handsomest Person upon the Earth? It is true, Madam, (answered Julia, something surpriz'd at that Question) that she appeared to me pretty, as in effect she is: But I shall do her Beauty no in­justice, if I say, that I know as perfect, and which, without lying, is much more Charming: For [Page 69] you know, Madam, that to be pretty, and to please, are two things; and that one may possess the one, and want the other; and that misfortune is happened to the Princess of Montferrat; who being otherwise a perfect Beau­ty, has not, at least in my Opini­on, that which most touches Peoples hearts, which are particular Charms, which often have the better of the greatest Beauty. Would to God, Julia, said the Queen to her, embracing her very tenderly, as being pleased with what she had just said, that all the World were as thou art. I confess, Madam, replyed Julia, that the Princess would not touch me: But should she be to the Eyes of all others wholly different to what she is to mine, and to say more than is possible to say, that she had as many [Page 70] Charms as you have, that Repu­tation of Beauty does it at this present give you so much dis­quiet that you lose your rest; and though that Princess were as fair as you, should not you be still a­bove her, one of the greatest Queens upon the Earth? I ask your pardon, Madam, pursued she seeing the Queen gave her no answer, if I dare tell you, that this surprizes me from a Wit as reasonable as yours. If you knew your self well, you would judge better of your self; and would not trouble your mind about an advan­tage which no body dare dispute you. I avow, answered her the Queen, that I am extravagant, in having so ridiculous a suspicion: But what will you do if I cannot help it? Leave me as I am, or say nothing to me: For I should fear to fall perhaps into a [Page 71] worse Estate than that in which you see me. Julia replyed no more, and kept silence some time. She knew not what to compre­hend from the ill humour of the Queen, which was so unusual. She judged 'twas not the Beauty alone of Briseida, which caused so great a change; though it was a very nice point, for a pret­ty Woman: In so much, that she believed, and with Reason, that there was something more in her Mistresses mind, which she would have gladly known. I will not, Madam, said she to her some time after, enter further into your secrets, than you will permit me to dive; but if I was suffered to tell you what I think, I know you so well, for the Queen of the World, who gives the best Judgment of things, that I can­not [Page 72] believe, that it is only the Beauty of Briseida, that has so possessed you for these two or three hours, that you do nothing but sigh: Give me only the liber­ty to question your sighs, they will tell me perhaps the Truth of a disease you endeavour to disguise. I heard those sighs, continued she smiling; and if I understand them, they were not sighs of Envy. Julia was not deceived; and that which made her speak thus boldly, was, that she knew the fair Queens heart, which was not the most insensi­ble of the world: As she had an infinite deal of Wit, she had well foreseen, that of so many hand­some young Princes there was in that Court, there might be some one who better pleas'd her Mistress than the others. The Queen could not deny it in [Page 73] the end: But she at the same time assured her, it was no­thing but pure esteem, and not the least sentiment of Love. So pure an esteem, replyed the cunning Julia, would make me sigh, Madam, as you do. Per­haps, replyed the Queen, blush­ing a little, that there is some tenderness mingled; but do you believe that one cannot have tenderness without having Love? That is true, Madam, replyed Julia, who had no mind to con­tradict her therein; but that is very nice. After that she pressed her no more, well imagining, that the Queen, who could not sleep, would not fail to renew the discourse, to tell her her self all she desired to know.

How loth soever a Woman is to make an amorous Confessi­on, it must be allowed, it is a [Page 74] very great ease to the Heart, when one can find a Person in whom to put Confidence, and who is capable of such kind of secrets: One is so full of these beginnings of Love, that there is no greater pleasure, than to discharge ones self a little, upon some one who knows how to use Compliance. The Queen sigh'd more than ever, to the end Julia might return to the assault. That Maid knew it; and saw very well what she would have. But either out of malice or revenge she would not under­stand her; at length however, as out of pity, she renewed. Well! Madam, said she to her, you will not grant that it is Love. Alas! the Queen answered sighing, it shall be all that you will. Why then, said Julia, do you make so great a mystery of it to me? [Page 75] Do you esteem me, or rather do you love me so little, that I must needs force this secret from you? Do not wonder, Julia, replyed the Queen; I would not know it my self. Do you believe it so easie to confess ones weak­nesses, that there's no need of be­ing pressed to it? It is not re­quisite to have so much pride, as I have: And I know no body but thy self, to whom I would, though it were to save my Life, make the like Declaration. Julia heard her; but was not of those false pretenders to discreti­on; who to mend their own Reputation, would have endea­voured to have given her an ill discription of Love. She was too clear sighted, not to see that the Queen failed in her Conduct. But she was neither old enough, nor of a humour to make remon­strances [Page 76] to her; which besides would have been very useless, as all those are, that are made to Lovers: What she desired, was to know the name of that happy Conquerour: She fell to talk of all the Princes and principal Lords of that Court, to praise the merit and good meen of each one in particular, to begin from the Marquess down to those who made the least of Figure proper for a Lover: But the Queen did not seem to be touch­ed with the least sentiment of esteem for any of those she had named: Malicious Julia had cunningly and designedly forgot the Count de Saluces, of whom she had more suspicion than of a­ny other; not only because that Prince was made after a manner that it was hard for any sensible Woman to see him, without [Page 77] having for him advantageous sentiments; she had likewise re­marked, that the Queen had with her Eyes examined him more than once with a great deal of pleasure; she was not mi­staken, and what she expected hapned, for the Queen impatient, that after all she had said to the advantage of the one and the other, she spoke not of him whom she thought above all; but thou, said she to her, who are so knowing in Beauty and the good meen of people, from whence comes it, that you tell me no­thing of the Son of the Marquess of Saluces: Is it, continued she, with a little blush which flew into her face, that you have not observed, that there was not one of those you have named, who had so good an Air, nor was so well made, as he, and if thou hast heard part of those [Page 78] things, he said to me from the beginning, prithee tell me, if one can have more wit than he has. That is true, Madam, answer­ed Julia smiling, but I was wil­ling you should say that your self, hoping you would acquit your self better than I. Ah! Julia, cryed she, I knew what you would say, thou haste discover­ed all; I care not, I have told you too much not to let you know the whole. You must not, replyed Julia, make an Obliga­tion to me of what costs me all my Address: For you see, Ma­dam, I know nothing from you but what I am fain to divine. What will you do, replyed the Queen, laughing? It is not but that I had a desire to declare to you all; but as I have already said, When one is proud and pretends to glory, one has a great deal of pain to bring any thing [Page 79] to light, that accuses us of weak­ness. If you knew the pleasure you did me in sparing me a part, you would not take it ill that I make you languish after such a secret. A man as the Count de Saluces, said Julia, has me­thinks wherewith to justify a Woman, for having some incli­nation for him: For it is certain he is quite differently made from others; and I believe it very par­donable when one has some little weakness for Gentlemen of his fashion. But I find it no less dif­ficult, to be able to keep to the sentiments of esteem you speak of, when one is so well persuaded of the merrit of a man, in whom there is found so many qualities, which serve for excuse and for pretext, to pass further and to proceed to Love. The Queen an­swered her, that however she promised her self it, and that e­steeming [Page 80] that Prince, as she e­steemed him, she had made for him all the paces she could make, and that there would be nothing more. I now know, continued she, that there are men of a certain Character, who have a strange Authority over the minds of Women: For in fine, to have made me sigh from the first time I saw him, is what I never would have believed, though he had come from Heaven. I said how­ever, not long since, out of I know not what Spirit of Prophe­cy, that if for my misfortune I should ever meet a man, as I ima­gined him, made just as the Count de Saluces, all my Spirit could not hinder me from having a kindness for him. What fore­knowledge, Julia, and how we are made each one to have his weakness: However, added she [Page 81] seeing she was not interrupted, I will see I am faulty in not faul­ty in not defending my self bet­ter than I do. For in fine, what will all this come to? If I love, am I sure of being beloved? The Count of Saluces came not to Cazal for the love of me, and it will not be for me that he will stay there. He knows not the sentiments I have for him, nor shall he know them if I can help it as long as I live: What delight can I expect from this whimsey, and how unfortunate should I be if I should further engage my heart, and that his should al­ready be possessed by Briseida. It is true, I have been told, he has been but four days in this Court. But I have seen him so pensive, that I fear I am come too late by four days, or too soon, to have any thing but trouble. [Page 82] This, Julia, this is all my dis­quiet; and if thou comprehend­est it well, thou wilt find, that it is the greatest, with which a nice Soul, as mine, can be op­prest. Help me, if thou lovest me, my dear Julia, to get light into this affair: Let us observe both the one and the other, for I shall not be at rest, till I am well assured what there is in it. Bri­seida, perhaps will not distrust me, and that we may discover this mistery, I will seem to have so much Confidence in her, that she shall be forced to put some in me; and she will tell me, with­out doubt, the sentiments she has for that Prince.

Thus the Amorous Queen pas­sed the Night with Julia; she was not so much to be pitied as Bri­seida: A heart which can so ea­sily render it self, is not sensible [Page 83] of half those ills, that another which defends it self indures: She permitted her self all things; nay, and took delight, fair as she was, in imagining that the Count de Saluces was going to be her Lover. But the Princess of Montferrat, whose virtue a little more severe, did not suffer her to entertain her self after the Queens mode, had not the least sweetness to comfort her for the ills she suffered; by so much the more cruel, in that she was oblig­ed to conceal them; and yet could not Conquer them; they kept her Company Night and Day, and left her not a moment of repose. The Beauty of the Queen of Sicily did still produce new troubles, which gave her cruel allarms; and this in truth was that which then most disqui­eted her. She would not have [Page 84] been in so much pain perhaps without Gaspard de Saluces. It was for the love of him, above all, that she had a desire to have the better of the Queen of Sicily; and in that design, she was no sooner up, than that she took a thousand Cares, to re­pair the bad effect of the two Nights she had past so ill: But whether she found her self not so handsome as usual, or that it appeared to her thus out of the great desire she had to be more than ordinarily, she could never content her self; and went a­gain to bed, under pretext of some indisposition, an excuse always ready for Ladies, when they find not in themselves Beau­ty enough to appear in the light. The Queen on her side was busied to the same end; and to lay inevitable snares for the [Page 85] Counts Heart. She consulted sometimes her Glass, and some­times Julia; and saw no body enter her Chamber, of whom she did not ask, how they liked her that day. She was dressed like an Amazone, which was then the mode, and the most ad­vantageous for her, as the most dangerous to the Eyes of men; and if ever Woman shewed Beautys in that Habit, it was cer­tainly that charming Queen. The Marquess was the first who came to make a mortal Essay; and so many Charms, whose power he was already but too sensible of, brought him into that confusion that he had hard­ly the force to speak to the Queen some disordered words. She to whom the like Triumphs of her Beauty had already hapened, did only smile; and being wil­ling [Page 86] to encourage the Marquess by flattering him: It cannot be said, my Lord, said she to him after a very obliging mannner, that you are not very exact in doing the honours of your Court; for from the evening to the morn­ing, you forget nothing to ob­lige your Guests. Ah, Madam, answered the Marquess sighing, if there was nothing, but what you see, you would be but lit­tle obliged; and I should have but little to do. The Queen, who immediately comprehend­ed, by the passionate tone with which he spoke, what he meant, had no mind to make him ex­plain, for fear of engaging her self too far in a discourse of which she would not understand the least. Not but that at another time she would have made it her divertisement to have a Gallant [Page 87] as the Marquis; but in the be­ginning of a passion the least amusement is a burden, and does only help to incommode. Wherefore she fenced it off by making him a thousand questi­ons upon indifferent things, till that the Palatine came, who perplex'd her no less than the Marquess, who was as con­fus'd as she: For already spur­red on by his passion, and not knowing when he should find so fair an occasion of declaring it, he could not help the being vexed at the other for coming so unluckily to incommode him. But the Palatine, who had the same design with the Mar­quis, was no less disappointed and out of humour, than he. They both made several Com­pliments to the Queen, who suffered them with patience e­nough, [Page 88] yet would have been glad to have been rid of them, to the end the Count de Saluces coming, as she expected him, she might entertain him in par­ticular; that uneasiness made her turn her Head every mo­ment towards the Door, as any one entred the Chamber; still hoping that it would be him. At length, being overcome with impatience, or rather some mo­tion of Jealousie seizing her; being told the Princess was not well, she suspected the Count de Saluces might be with her; without ground however, those liberties not being permitted in those Countries, especially at the hour she fancyed. But of what suspicions is not an Amourous mind susceptible! in fine, she was not at rest, till she had prayed the Marquess to lead her [Page 89] to his Daughters Chamber, to learn from her the news of her health.

Briseida saw her enter as a Sun, that came to vie with her in Beauty and in Brightness. There past Compliments be­tween them which lasted some Moments; after which the Con­versation was general. At length came Gaspard de Saluces, who immediately drew the Eyes of all the Company: He had this in particular and usual to him, that wheresoever he came he made himself considered above all the others. The Princess blusht at her first seeing him, and if the Queen had took the pains to have observed her then, as she had re­solved to do in all Occasions, she would easily have discovered a truth, which she might have read in the Princesses Face; but [Page 90] perhaps it was better for her she did not. It is true she was so con­fused her self, with her own dis­order, that she had not time to think of examining that of others. It was she whom Gaspard de Salu­ces first saw at his entrance into the Chamber; and who so strange­ly amazed him with the Force of her Charms, that he would have been surprized without the suc­cours of Briseida. The Queen observed it with a great deal of Joy, but she did not long enjoy that pleasure; because he had no sooner turned his Eyes towards the Princess, than she saw her Charms defeated. Ah cruel ad­venture for so fair a Queen, who had dispised the Conquest of se­veral Kings: She was vexed to the very heart; yet she had so good Opinion of her self, as not to yield to any Other; and that [Page 91] a Woman always flatters her self very easily in what concerns her Beauty; she returned to the Charge; she Ey'd him, sigh'd at the same time, she cast her Eyes upon him, smil'd upon him, spoke to him very obligingly: So many advances ought to have produced some effect, but it was little or nothing. The regards of that happy Lover past over her as lightning, but fixt upon Briseida, and it was perceived they were not removed from thence without pain. Ah my God, what vexation! She would then, if she had been able, have cast away all the advantageous thoughts of him; but a heart cannot easily retire, it must march on with Love, and when once you have made the first step, it seldom suffers you to look back: She for some time kep [...] [Page 92] silence, entertaining her self with the unhappy state of her tender­ness. Heavens! What have I done? (said the poor Queen,) I have given my Heart for nothing: I have put it into the Hands of a Man, who is possessed by another, and what is most shameful for me, is, that I am not able to take it back: Yet perhaps I am deceived (added she a moment after) the too much Passion we have for things, makes us often mistake; and Love is always ingenious in giving us trouble, the Art knowing Hearts by the motions of of the Face, is not the most cer­tain in the World; and the most able have been sometimes therein deceived. She had time to make all these Reflections, although she was in Company; the mind goes much faster than the Sences; and there being a [Page 93] great many Persons concerned in the Conversation, it did not languish for some moments of thoughtfulness or absence of mind of the Queens. Ah Hea­vens! it is but too true, renew­ed she sometime after, having surprized the mutual looks of the P [...]incess, and of the Count, What do I here? I only serve for a Wit­ness of the happiness of their Hearts. Where upon she rose of a sudden, Saluting and taking leave of the Princess, she took the pretext of going to Mass; but in truth it was to carry with her the Count, to whom she gave her Hand to Conduct her, while that the Marquess and the Count Palatine were retired into a Cabinet to discourse in parti­cular about some affairs. It was a cruel Honour to Gas­pard de Saluces, that the Queen [Page 94] did him, because knowing how to make use of occasions better than any man, he would not have failed in that, to have en­tertained the Princess, whom he would have found almost alone, by the Queens Absence. He was however to dissemble that little displeasure, by so much the more sensible, that he left behind him the Count Palatine, whom he considered as the most dangerous of all his Rivals. Briseida was as little pleas'd as he with the Queen, whose A­ction, besides the jealousie it gave her, did not seem to her according to the Rules; be­cause it was for the Marquess her Father, to have rendred her that devoir, whom she might have waited for a moment. But the Impatient Queen had only fol­lowed the only motions of her [Page 95] Heart, which at that time did not permit her to regulate her self according to the forms of the World.

What good meen soever the Count de Saluces put on, she had at first took notice, she had made him no Compliment in drawing him from the Princess; I well see, My Lord, said she to him smiling, I do you a diskindness. In what, Madam, answered her the Count at the same time? much surprized she had divined so rightly what he had in his Soul: is it not, because the Grace you do me will make several jealous, and procure me Envy­ers? You do not esteem per­haps enough, replyed she, that Grace, to fear it will have that effect. The most Ambitious of all men, replyed the Count, would place it above all he [Page 96] could desire; and you would have a very ill opinion of me, Ma­dam, if you should believe—I will believe, interrupted she him, all that you will but tell me seriously, if it will make a­mends for the pleasure, I should have done you in leaving you with the Princess. I ask your Pardon, Madam, answered the Count, with a confused Air, if I say, I know not what you mean. Ah! Count, replyed she sighing, I perceive, I pro­ceed farther than you would have me; and that you do not judge me capable of being in that your Confident. You are in the right, pursued she, and I assure you, I am less fit for that with you, than with any per­son in the World: The Rank you hold in the World, Madam, answered the Count, does not [Page 97] suffer any one soever to treat you after that manner; but though you were a person as others, what Confidence could a man make you, that has been here but two days; and who had ne­ver any other passion, than what honour inspires. There needs so little time, replyed the Queen with a languishing tone, to change the affairs of a heart, that I know people who came since you to Cazal, and yet find them­selves perhaps worse. And for honour, continued she, I am certain it is of no force against Love. Gaspard de Saluces was going to repartee to this, and perhaps would have acquitted himself but ill; but to his good Fortune, the Marquess and the Count Palatine, who had had notice, that the Qeen was going to Mass, joyned her at the same [Page 98] time, and accompanied her to the Palace-Chappel; where du­ring the Devotion, Gaspard de Saluces did nothing but think of what the Queen had said to him. He was extreamly surpri­zed; and knew not after having examined all the discourse, what interest the Queen should take in his Sentiments, to oblige her to take the pains, as she had done, to discover them. He per­ceived there was more than cu­riosity in it; but he was not vain enough to believe, she had been thereto incited by any mo­tion of jealousie, or by any inte­rest of Love.

Those people who have the most merit, are usually those who flatter themselves the least. Not but that the Count was so clear sighted, as to observe that the Queen treated him a little [Page 99] better than the others; that she considered him, that she might have some particular esteem for him, which managed with a little care on his part, might one day procure kindness; but it was a perfidy he would not think of; having no design to take care, but only to merit the esteem of Briseida: Yet as it was something very glorious, the having some part in the mind and in the favour of so Great and of so Fair a Queen: He could not hinder his mind from being sometimes possest with those thoughts. What would there be in it contrary, said he then, to the Sentiments I owe the Princess, if the Qeen of Sici­ly had some little esteem for me, and I a great deal of respect for her: She is a person above all I can pretend to; My heart is [Page 100] wholly Briseida's, and there is no danger of the least Treachery. A more perfect Lover, or at least a Lover better instructed in the Maxims of Love, (for he al­ready loved the Princess, as much as one could love,) would have been scrupulous, only to wish that the Queen esteemed him; and would never have be thought himself to render her greater respects, than those that were due: But he was a Novice, who fancied that to be all in Flames for the object he loved, was all he had to do.

The Devotion ended: Yet the Queen being still accompa­nied by the Marquess and the Palatine, she was hindred from renewing the discourse she had begun with the Count de Salu­ces: They conducted her to her Apartment, where Dinner was [Page 101] brought up at the same time, and served after the most sump­tuous manner that is possible to be imagined; and where all the Principal Lords of that Court dined with her; as she had de­sired; to the end there might be the Count de Saluces, who could not dispense coming: She was to pass the After-noon in seeing the Palace, which was certainly a fine building; but of all the Curiosities the Pictures were of the greatest value. The Queen loved them much and un­derstood them perfectly: And therefore stayed a long time to consider them, and discoursed of them with the Princes after a very skillful manner, knowing at the very first of whose hands they were. The Marquis who could give a better reason than the others, as being better infor­med [Page 102] than any body in what con­cerned all those pieces, was he who maintaining the chief of the Conversation, and did not fail, when he met with some stroke of Love well represented, to make of it a particular appli­cation; at which the Queen did only laugh, as a Gallantry of old time. From the Gallery of these Pictures they went to the Garden which the Queen was desirous likewise to see; and in truth it very well deserved the being seen by so fair a Princess, for it was one of the finest Gardens of Italy. Thitherto the Conversation had been General, and less with the Count de Saluces, who was be­come pensive, than any body; but in the Allyes and Grottos she saw, she hoped Fortune would furnish her with occasions of fi­nishing the discourse she had be­gun [Page 103] with him in the morning: But then came Briseida, as if it had been to traverse that design. She was just got out of her Bed, and was glad, in keeping compa­ny with the Queen the rest of the day, to go walk with her: The Queen received her with that dissembled joy, in which Wo­men excell; and judged she should not have it in that Gar­den, all the pleasure she had pro­mised her self, or at least it would be attended with a great deal of vexation. The Marquis, who conducted the Troop, lead them towards a Fountain, that was in a very agreeable place; in which he had chosen to feast the Queen. He helped her to walk on one side, and the Count Pa­latine on the other; insomuch that the Princess fell to the Count de Saluces share, who did [Page 114] not receive that honour withou [...] trembling, though with the greatest joy imaginable. She was in an Undress, as a person who was something indisposed; but great and true Beauties ne­ver appear better than in their naturals, and when they borrow nothing from art; they are neg­lects which the Italian's call Ar­tifices,

There was seen in the person of the Queen a Love all glitter­ing with pomp, filled with Flames and Darts, with which he fir'd and wounded all those that durst regard him; and in Briseida a tender infant which toucht, but after a delicate man­ner; and the poyson was by so [Page 115] much the more dangerous, in that it seem'd sweet and innocent; and that it was not mistrusted: Not but in that negligence, there was found the Pomp and Majesty there is in the Infants of Kings. But it was not this that had the greatest effect.

The Count de Saluces, who fancyed to have viewed Briseida in her greatest Beauty the first time he had seen her, was much astonished with the new Charms of that day, nay his admiration passed astonishment, and I am not able to express the Joy with which he was transported. He lost his very sight; and sought for himself, as a man that knew not what was become of himself. There are few people, who can rightly comprehend these sorts of Extasies, at least without ha­ving been as much in Love as [Page 106] the Count de Saluces, and with a Beauty as that of Briseida's. He was sometime without speaking to her: She on her side, was much the same, and all their en­tertainment was made in looks, more eloquent a thousand times and more persuasive than the finest words imaginable. The Queen, who walked before, being uneasie and jealous of what passed behind her, between those two Lovers, gave very little at­tention to all the two Princes said to her, who had the honour to Conduct her. But it was to no purpose she listened, it was a mute Language, into which she could not penetrate: She was perceived to be in a continual a­gitation of mind, which made her turn her head every moment to observe them, and said in passing some words of raillery [Page 107] and of kindness to the Princess, to engage without doubt the Count de Saluces to answer her. The Palatine little contented with this procedure, would wil­lingly have been angry if he had durst; and suffered extreamly in the ill Figure he fancied he made. But the Marquess, who was a lit [...]le more in love than he, had likewise a little more com­playsance for the Queen.

They came at length to that Fountain, which was certainly a wonder of Art. There was seen a naked Man, who cast wa­ter from several parts of his bo­dy, and round him in a Basin there were Women, making se­veral postures, in getting off their Smocks. The entertain­ment was composed of Musick, of a Ballad, and of a Collation, but all so gallantly and so well [Page 108] ordered, that the Queen high­ly commended the Marquess, and would have been extreamly satisfied with him, if he had gi­ven her a little more liberty than he did, and have let her walk all alone, or at least with whom she pleased; for it was what she sought; but he followed her over all that Garden, with an ap­plication which fatigued her, she passionately desiring to dis­course with the Count de Saluces, and not being able to do it, as I have said, by reason of the Mar­quess, she would at least hinder the Princess from having that pleasure and advantage above her, and went still to interrupt them as she saw them toge­ther.

The Palatin, who observed by the Queens Face, that the Marquis acted a troublesome [Page 109] part, would not imitate him, but amused himself in laughing with Julia, believing it no time lost that was spent in gaining that Maid, which might be a means to come into the Queens favour. That Charming Prin­cess had an Air of Liberty and Gayness, that procur'd Pardon, for what would have been Cri­minal in others. Italy, is a Country of Formalities for the actions which pass in publick, but the most dissolute in the World, for those that pass in particular. The Queen, who thought her self above all peo­ples talks, would not take the trouble to constrain her self; she talked, laugh'd, flattered, some­times this, and sometimes that, and managed her self not in the least: But above all, she had a design upon the Count de Salu­ces, [Page 110] with whom she longed to speak in particular, if it was on­ly to make the Princess jealous. The inseparable Marquess had two or three times made her lose an occasion; but at length, a Labyrinth furnished her with the most favourable one imagi­nable. It is true, that it was requisite to be a Woman, and a Woman in Love, to find so good an one without premeditation. Come, said she, with a brisk Air, there is a Labyrinth, which ap­pears to me very proper for a Play I have imagined; I will go hide myself in it, and the first of you three, speaking to the three Prin­ces, who shall find me, I will give him the Scarf I wear on my Arm. Thereupon, without staying for their Answer, she ran to hide her self in the Laby­rinth, whither the Marquess [Page 111] followed her presently after; and bless'd a thousand times Love for a Play, which seemed to him, to have been only inven­ted to render him happy: For as he had frequented the place, he did not believe that that Scarf could fall into any other hand but his; and that he thus might, the occasion being so fair, dis­cover his passion to the Queen.

The Count Palatin, in whose Heart, the inequalities of the Queen had not wholly extingui­shed the flame of his new passi­on, found his hopes revive at the proposal of that Play, in which he hoped to make better use than any body of the jun­cture, if he was so happy as to gain the Scarf. The Count de Saluces, who was only of the Party, because they engaged him, was not very hasty to do [Page 112] as they did. He was not wil­ling to dispute with them that prize, having before his Eyes, all that he desired in the world, which he would not have quit­ted for a Scarf; nay, not for all the Queens of the Earth. The Princess made him several raille­ries, and told him two or three times, laughing, that if he delay­ed any longer, he would come too late; not but that she was extreamly ravished with the lit­tle earnestness he seemed to have; but she thought her self obliged to make upon him that little War; to which he answer­ed after a manner, that made her know the little part he took in that Play; and that he was not of it, but because he could not excuse himself from it.

The Queen expected him with the impatience of a Lover. [Page 113] That Labyrinth was made after a manner, that at each turn there was an Arbour so covered with boughs, that you could hardly see any light. She staid in the first she found, and had already seen the Marquis and the Count Palatin pass by, who run after her with an unparral­lelled Ardour. The Count de Saluces, whom she infinitely longed to see approach, came not. That Prince walked with a neglect, which ill answered the Queens desires. Must I, said she, looking through the branch­es which composed that Arbour, give my self to day so much pains to oblige a man who de­spises his own Fortune, after a manner so cruel and so shameful to me. Ah Heavens! continu­ed she sighing, I see what Brisci­da costs me: I left him with her [Page 114] and he cannot quit her; where­fore I must go and reproach him. But what a Fool am I, renewed she a moment after, I should give her wherewith to Laugh and Triumph over me; and if I can, I will only give her trou­ble and jealousie. I hate her al­ready as my greatest Enemy; and I know not what I should do, if I was perswaded he loved her: He will not come—In saying that, she saw him ad­vance, but with an Action so pensive and so indifferent, that she would then have rather chose that he had not come at all; and she begun seriously to repent of all she had done for him. Does he deserve, said she in considering that negligent Air with which he walked, not the heart which I have but too much given him, but the Scarf I prepare for him? [Page 115] Should not one say, that he would give time to his Rivals to carry it from him? How he goes! Is it Love that guides him? No, no, Cruel Conse­quences of the action of that Un­thankful! fear nothing! You are but too true; I will not suffer my self to be longer abused by my too great passion: I perceive that he has not the least senti­ment of tenderness for me; and that he thinks of nothing but Briseida, whom he has left a­gainst his will.

Notwithstanding she had all these reasons to be dissatisfied with the Prince, perceiving he pass'd without seeing her, though she had placed her self at the entrance of the Arbour, where she was yet she could not help calling of him. What advances for a Queen, and a [Page 116] heart must needs be strangely seiz'd by Love, to resist so much Confusion. Count de Saluces, said she to him blushing, Is it thus you seek me? What do you dream of? Ah, Madam, cryed the Count, much astonished to see her, you surprize me; and I did not think my self so happy. Yes very happy, without doubt, replyed the Queen; but to whom do you believe you owe this happiness? It is true, reply­ed the Count, that it is not to For­tune, at least without I call thus the Grace you do me; which is certainly very great; and your Goodness—Yes my Goodness, interrupted she, al­low one has a great deal for peo­ple that do not deserve it. I should easily, answered the Count, agree to what you say, Madam, at least in what con­cerns [Page 117] me: If I was to have de­served that goodness by my Cares and by my Services, the time having been so short since I had the honour to be known by you; but if a great desire of rend­ring you them by all the actions of my life, joyned with the extream respect I have already for you, might be considered as merito­rious: I should not dispair of one day rendring my self worthy. You might hope sooner, replyed the Queen, in whom the Counts last words had something sweetned the bitterness of heart; some peo­ple are more able, continued she, than others; I know not of which number you reckon your self; but I very well know that I have done to day for you, what I ne­ver did for any body. Nothing could be said more obliging, and words so advantagious from the [Page 118] mouth of so fair a Queen ought to make some impression upon the Spirit of the Count; but the time was too short, since he had quitted Briseida; yet his action had something so passionate, since he was fallen in Love with the Princess, that his least word seemed to be full of Love. Thus the Queen who could not so well penetrate into the bottom of his Heart, entertained some hopes, and was contented with this tender out-side. How easy it is to deceive our selves? when one loves, one gives a favourable in­terpretation to the least appea­rances, and one takes all for kindness. That Charming Queen contented with those of the Count, gave him her Scarf: but after the most gallant man­ner possible, and would needs tye it her self on his Arm. The [Page 119] Marquis and the Count Palatin, run at the noise there was made in the Arbour, and came both there almost at the same time, and found the Queen tying the Scarf on the happy Count de Saluces. The Marquis could not see the Fortune of his Ri­val without conceiving a cruel jealousie; but the Count Palatin, more malicious, and naturally more mistrustful, immediately guessed into the truth of the adventure, extreamly vexed to see that the Count de Saluces e­very where triumphed over him.

The Queen was not at all confu­sed at their sight, and preventing what they might say; you see, My Lords, said she to them, I am true to my promise, and that it is not to no purpose that one has taken pains to seek me. We see [Page 120] it very well, Madam, answer­ed the Palatin; and what is more, that one needs not, when you please, go very far to find you. They are the usual hits of Fortune, replyed the Queen, who quickly comprehended what he meant: and if made us buy what it gives us, we should be but little obliged to it for its presents. One attributes sometimes to Fortune, replyed the Count, favours which do not belong to it: Yet it is true, continued he with something of sweetness, that it would be more easie to comfort ones self for having failed on that side, than of the other which I ima­gine. The Queen who percei­ved whither these words tended, had no mind to answer him; but turning towards the Mar­quess, [Page 121] whom she saw pensive and melancholly, she gave him her hand▪ with a smile, which was some comfort to him in his mis­fortune; and they went all to­gether out of that Labyrinth.

Briseida amused her self du­ring that time with gathering Flowers in a plot, of which she made a Nosegay for the Count de Saluces. It was a gallantry, she thought her self indebted to him, after the trouble he had shewed to quit her to run after another; which obligation she was resolved to repay. But what a vexation and what a surprize was hers, to see him return with the Queens Scarf! She blushed, and her jealousie then excited so great a disorder in her Soul, that it almost ruin'd all that Love had there advan­ced. I am played upon, said [...]he, [Page 122] the Traytor abuses me by his A­ctions and by his looks; he had reason not to be in haste; the Queen had given him the Word; and he very well knew where she was, otherwise he would not have found her so soon.

Yet to render Justice to the Count, there was seen in his Face, and by the air with which he carried the Scarf, the joy he had. The Princess not­withstanding all her anger, ob­served it; and to tell the truth, that manner of indifference, too visible in the Count, was a great succour to her heart. But the Queen, who had that time prepared her self to observe he [...] had no sooner seen her change Colour, than that she was assu­red of her tender sentiments for that Prince; and therefore con­sidering her as her declared Ri­val, [Page 123] she took pleasure in aug­menting her trouble. You see, Madam, said she to her, with an air of raillery, that the Count de Saluces is a lucky man, he was the last that run after me to seek me; and yet is the most fortu­nate. That happens sometimes, the Princess answered her smi­ling; but I know not from whence it comes, that he ap­pears not very proud of so fair a Fortune; for he seems not to have the more joy. The Queen had remarked it as well as the Princess, for the Love of whom she believed the Count affected that Coldness. She would willingly have seen, what he would have answered to that himself, but finding he did not speak▪ not to [...]em in without an answer▪ I am, s [...]i [...] she, regar­ding him with an obliging [...]ir, [Page 124] so content, with what he said to me thereupon in particular, that I willingly pardon him the mode­ration he shews in publick. Dis­creet people, continued she, are used to do thus. It is to be very much, replyed the Prin­cess, and perhaps a little more than ought. Briseida in that little dispute she had with the Queen, doing the business of the two amorous and discon­tented Princes, they did not in­terrupt her; nay they desired that the discourse might have pro­ceeded; but I believe neither the one nor the other found plea­sure in it, and therefore had no desire to pursue it.

They went out of the Garden in the same order they walked thither; that is to say, the Marquis and the Count Palatin led the Queen, and Gaspard de [Page 125] Saluces the Princess; this last resolving to make better use of his happiness, than he had done in the beginning of the walk, e­specially seeing the occasion was going to escape him, asked the Princess, for whom she had pre­pared that fine Nosegay he saw in her hands? It was for your self, answered she him, if you had been less happy than you are. I am on the contrary, re­plyed the Count, the most un­happy of all men, not to have merited it, since you designed it me. Is it not enough▪ replyed she smiling, to have a Scar [...]? It would be too great a fortune in one day. That Fortune, Ma­dam, replyed the Court, has not been favourable to me, if in giving me a Scarf, it deprives me of a present which comes from you, What! said the [Page 126] Princess, prefer some silly flowers which wither in a day, before a favour, as that, which comes from the hand of a Queen; Count, you are not sincere. Or rather, replyed he, I am not in­teressed enough, to suffer my self to be tempted by the rich­ness of a present; and if things are only to be valued, as one esteems them; I am sure I lose in this occasion; and not to leave any thing for you to guess there­upon, added the Count blu­shing, I assure you, I would have given a thousand Scarfs, such as this, for one Flow­er of that Nosegay. It is too much, my Lord, said the Prin­cess to him, ravished with Joy to hear him speak after that man­ner, and one would gain well by you; if one would believe you; But continued she, giving him [Page 127] the Nosegay, one ought to be as generous, as you are disinte­ressed; and since you have so much kindness for Flowers, I will make you a present of these.

The Queen, who continually turned her head on their side, no sooner saw the Nose­gay pass into the hands of the Count de Saluces, but to re­venge her self on the Princess, Well, Madam, said she to her, had I not reason to say, that the Count de Saluces is a lucky man to day. I should perhaps have fancied so, Madam, answered Briseida, if I could have made him as rich a present as yours: But what passes in two or three hours cannot make the fortune of such a man as he. Whereup­on begun a new dispute, in which the Marquis and Count Palatin [Page 128] to oblige the Queen, were of her side, and the Count de Salu­ces, who was obliged by ho­nour, if he had not been by Love, to take the Princesses part, main­tained it so agreeably and with so much Wit, that they were the strongest. Julia, since the in­clination her Mistress had taken for that Prince, studying him in all his actions, was not put to much trouble to remark that he did not answer the tender senti­ments she had for him. She was extreamly vexed, and would have tore from him that heart, he so unjustly possessed; Yet she resolved not to say any thing to the Queen, because it would rather proved mortal, than cure her. We are never willing to be undecei­ved of the errours of our hearts; but she designed to disabuse her by little and little It was a return very [Page 129] difficult, and the Queen more passionate than ever, for that un­grateful man, would not so much as suffer, her to speak of him with­out it was to take his part Lovers must be always flatter'd in what they Love, otherwise they are not pleased.

The Charming Queen of Si­cily was desirous on the Contra­ry that Julia should be so Com­plaisant as to deceive her, as she deceived her self; and that she might make her believe, that she was beloved by the Count de Saluces as she loved him, in the recital she made her of what passed in the Labyrinth; she formed the most agreeable adventure imaginable, and made that Count say to her a thousand obliging things he had not said▪ Assurances and Oaths he had not thought [...] motions of [Page 130] Fear and Passion he had not had▪ All which only rais'd Julia's pi­ty, she knowing the Contrary of all the susceptible Queen told her, and that the Count might have had a great deal of respect, and that he might shew her as much of esteem, but that he was not sensible of the least in­clination for her. The day af­ter there was a great Ball, and the Count de Saluces, who be­gun to perceive, that the Mar­quess and Palatin were jealous of him, and in love with the Queen, had a mind to divert himself to their Costs, and to vapour that Evening with his fine Scarf. Ne­ver favour caused so many bu­stles as that: The Marquis was not able to see the Count de Sa­luces without being jealous; but his Daughter was much more cruelly troubled. She be­lieved [Page 131] that if the Count de Salu­ces had so little valued that Scarf, he would not have made a show with it that day. There was only the Palatin who floting between the inclination he had for the Princess, and that he be­gun to have for the Queen, that is to say loving nothing, was not extreamly troubled, only his presumption gave him some vex­ation at the vanity of his Rival; but having observed some alte­ration in the Eyes of the Mar­quis, he went to him and told him in his Ear, that they had been both foold by the Queen; that she had had a desire to fa­vour the Count de Saluces; and that they had served for a pre­text to her giving him the Scarf. If I could believe what you say, answered the Marquis, in whose Soul these words had destroyed, [Page 132] the little reason there was left, I believe the Gallant would not long enjoy his good Fortune in my sight. Take the pains, pursued the Palatin, to observe them, and you will see the Intelligence there is between them. Once more, added he, seeing what he had said made him pensive, that Scarf was destin'd before it was given, and it was to much purpose we run for it. The Marquis remained some time without speaking, and I believe the Reflections he then made, were cruel Reflections for his heart. He already lov'd the Queen more than one could love; and he thought himself played upon by a young man who appa­rently was his Rival. He was ready to shew his jealous resentment, but he could not without bringing upon himself all the trouble espe­cially with a Queen, who when necessary knew how to make her [Page 133] self considered as such; and who would have laught at him for it. In fine, after many thoughts and de­signs which passed about this in his mind, taking a resolution, he told the Count Palatin that he would hear the Queen upon it, and afterwards take such mea­sures as were requisite, and that he was going to mask himself to do it with the more liberty.

The Count let him go, being ravished in his Soul to have gi­ven an occasion of breaking be­tween his two Rivals, to have the better share on his side. With the Ardour the Marquis went from the Ball, he could not long delay his Return to accomplish his design. He appeared dressed after the Turkish Mode: His Shape made him immediately be known. He boarded the Queen, who fell a laughing, and ask'd him, what news from Constanti­nople? [Page 134] That the choice, Ma­dam, answered he softly in her Ear, you have made at Cazal is something unworthy of you, and that the Count as Saluces is all the care of the fair Queen of Sicily. That answer check­ed, and made her blush. What is that news, replyed she, after some effort, gone already so far? I had hoped, continued she, to have obliged the Marquis of Montferrat, in making use of him in so agreeable a confidence; but since it is no longer a secret, I shall not conceal it from any body: And to perfect the rail­lery, she called, without giving him time to answer, the Count de Saluces, who approaching: Speak to that Turk, Count, said she to him in quitting that place, he has news to tell you, which perhaps will surprize you, [Page 135] and you will see that you are not unhappy at Cazal. The Count fell a laughing. He knew not the business; but ap­proaching the Marquis, whom he had discovered as the others; Mask, said he, if it be true what I am just told, I shall be infinite­ly obliged to you: For there is no pleasure in being happy with­out knowing it. But the Mar­quis outraged to the very heart, at the Queens manner of treating him, retired without answering him, and went to unmask.

At his return he found the Ball was ended, and that the Queen was retired, as likwise the Princess. He was surpri­zed, for it was not yet late, but the Palatin came very conveni­ently to tell him the Reason. Well, My Lord, said the Count to him laughing, what do you [Page 136] think? The Queen—Ah! talk not to me of her, interrup­ted he, she's the blindest Prin­cess under the Heavens, and I am the most unhappy of all men. But tell me, continued he, how comes it they are retired from the Ball so soon? It was the Queen, my Lord, answered the Palatin; the cause of which you know better than I. She was the first that went away; and not to disguise any thing to you, I fancy it was for the love of the Count de Saluces, whom she, I do not say led but drew away with her, because in truth he seem'd to go against his will; you will find them still together in her Chamber. This was perfectly mortal to the poor Marquis; he sigh'd two or three times out of despair, he lifted up his Eyes to Heaven, and of a sudden quit­ting [Page 137] the Count, he run to the Queens Apartment.

They may say what they will of young people when they are in love, they are no extravagan­cies like those of an old man, who pretends to an art which passes his Age. That of loving is only made for Youth, and when Love engages those grizled Beards, he makes them act parts which appear by so much the more extraordinary in that they act contrary to the Wisdom that is expected from them. The Marquis was as different from himself since his being in Love, as he was before different from all men. There was no more of that moderation he had for all things, that staid and serious Air, that smiling meen to all the World; how Love changes peo­ple! He was become pensive, [Page 138] out of humour, melancholly, im­patient, having no joy, but when he was with the Queen, so prompt, so violent in all he or­dered that it was difficult to serve and content him. But to return to the Queen, who finding her self offended with what that Prince had said to her, to render the raillery the better on her side, would be the first to make it pub­lick, and turning towards the Princess, who longed extream­ly to know what pass'd between her and the Marquis her Father, and why the Count de Saluces had been called: By what I see, Madam, said she to her aloud, and laughing out of Contempt, we are here in a Court, where Consequences are drawn from all things; nay, and maliciously, for having given yesterday a Scarf to the Count de Saluces, [Page 139] they consider me to day as his Mistress: And you, Madam, added she, who gave him a Nosegay, will you be nothing to him? It is not for me, Madam, answered the Princess smiling, to pretend any thing after you. You quit him entirely to me then, replyed the Queen? I have so little part in him, said Briseida, that I may with ease tell you that I leave him to you entirely, It is enough, replyed the Queen, and turning towards the Count, who might have heard all they had said upon his Chapter: You are then wholly mine, said she to him, at least if you will not give the lye to people very pene­trating, and who believe they certainly know it. Come, con­tinued she, without giving him time to answer, bring me to my Chamber, and there we will see [Page 140] to agree on the Conditions.

All this raillery passed with so free and so gay an Air, which was particularly natural to that Charming Princess, that there was no body but believed it to be meer Drollery. But the Count de Salu­ces had like to have spoiled all; be­cause at the same time he was go­ing to obey her, Bris [...]ida lookt up­on him after a manner that made him know the Queens jesting did not please her, and rendered him almost unmoveable, without knowing what he should do. The Queen a little surprized in that he stop'd, saw that he had his Eyes fix'd upon the Princess, and that it was that which retain­ed him. What vexation! she trembled for fear the affront would fall upon her; and using her utmost effort, I find my self in­disposed, my Lord, said she to [Page 141] him blushing, take the pains to Conduct me to my Chamber. He had no way then to excuse himself. However the Princess was displeased with him, and retiring to her Apartment, she passed part of the night in com­plaining of him, and in crying, as if there had happened to her some great misfortune.

The too happy Count had hardly conducted the Queen in­to her Chamber, when making use of the same pre [...]ext she had done, would have retired for fear of incommoding her, since she found her self ill. She fell a laughing, which was enough to make him comprehend the Sub­ject of her illness; but Gaspard de Saluces not pretending to too much understanding in that oc­casion, and having only Briseida in his Head, to whom he longed [Page 142] to return pursued his first design; when the Queen, out of Counte­nance with a procedure so un­gallant, told him blushing, that her indisposition was over, that she had something to say to him, and that she would tell him when it was time to retire. Af­ter that silence reign'd some time between them, apparently both much perplexed, but the Queen was much more to be pitied, and those who can imagine what a Woman suffers that loves, and who has as much honour and glory as a Queen, and yet finds her self reduced to that Estate, would find it very difficult to de­scribe it well. She sp [...]ke at length but without looking on hi [...] I [...]m g [...]ing much to augment, said she to him, the reports which people, perhaps something inte­ressed, spread abroad of you [...]nd [Page 143] of me. As you are not, Madam, answered the Count de Saluces, to give an account to any body of what you do, I cannot believe there are people so bold as to dare to censure you. May one, replyed the Queen, rely thereon? One may certainly, replyed he, with a man who knows as well as I do what we owe, Ma­dam, to so great a Queen as you. It is true, said she, with a man so indifferent as you are, it is ill done to talk as one does. Ah! for indifferent, Madam, an­swered the Count, I can say that I am not: But—No, in­terrupted the Queen, You are only so for me; and I am sure one will never say of you, what they say of the Queen of Sicily. She blushed in finishing these words, and for fear her disorder should be observed by the Count, she rose, [Page 144] and retiring into her Cabinet, You may, continued she, go: I have said enough, and perhaps more than I ought to have said. What was now become of the Count de Saluces Wit, at other times so gallant and so proper for all thing? it appeared in this Conjuncture, when he had the most occasion for it, so new and so childish, that it was hardly to have been pardoned had it not been for the love of Briseida. That innocent Hero obeyed the Queen, who had no desire he should obey her, and returned to the Ball; where perfectly to confound him, and to make him desperate, he found not the Princess, who was the cause of that sad fault he had commit­ted.

Julia seeing him depart, en­tred the Chamber to know the [Page 145] news of that little enterview. She found the Queen in her Cabinet lying upon a Couch; Who [...]igh'd as soon as she saw her: Come, Julia, said she, come comfort me for the choice I have made of the poorest Gal­lant that ever was in the World. Wouldst thou have said it by his meen? One must say all to him, and likewise answer all for him. My God! how innocent he is, I fancy he has never been in Love. Perhaps, Madam, answered the Complaisant Julia, respect re­tains him; and that he's affraid: What is it thou sayest, interrup­ted the Queen, that he's afraid? Can the bravest of all men want heart, or at least Wit, near a pretty Woman? As they were entertaining themselves after that manner, they saw the Mar­quis approach. The Queen im­mediately [Page 146] bid Julia hide her self, to be witness of their Conversa­tion, because after what had pas­sed at the Ball, it could not but have something very rare. The Marquis, who at a distance had seen Julia's shaddow, and being prepossed with what the Count Palatin had just told him, fanci­ed, it was Gaspard de Saluces, whoby reason of him hid himself; and stopping at the Cabinet Door; Apparently, Madam, said he to her with a disordered Air, you took no great pleasure in the Ball? No, without doubt, my Lord, answered the Queen very coldly, I there found my self incommoded, and came to seek repose here. A man as I am, replyed the Marquis, may per­haps interrupt it. Any man would at this time, replyed the Queen, but being in your House, [Page 147] it is not for me to order any thing. You are Queen, Madam, and as much Mistress in my House, as if you were in the middle of your own Dominions: Wherefore that Reason ought not to make me excepted: But, Madam, pursued he, the Civil permission you give me, does it only regard you? I should retire without pain if I could persuade my self that; but as it is to fa­vour another, you will pardon me, if you please, if you must tell it me, more than once, if you will be obeyed. The Queen did not at first comprehend the sence of these words; but ha­ving made Reflection that the Marquis might have seen Julia, and have took her for another: She had a mind to make him ex­plain, to see which of the two were deceived; and still pursuing [Page 148] the same point; My Lord, said she to him, I know not what you mean, but once more I find my self ill; you are a Prince Gal­lant and discreet; and I must confess a longer discourse would incommode me. It is then a discourse, replyed the jealous Marquis, with a Prince gallant and discreet, as I am; but not with him who hid himself behind your Couch at my arrival. The Queen could not here hold from laughing, which made him quite desperate, and not know­ing what Countenance to hold in the rage his jealousie put him in, he was going to retire, but she who had too much interest to clear this mystery, and to draw him out of errour, prayed him to stay, and not yet changing the tone of her voice, is any one hid here, said she, who is so [Page 149] dear to me, as you? tell who—Yes, yes, Madam, interrupted He, I have Eyes, and the Count de Saluces is what you want, for any other than him you are incommoded. Here is more news from Constantinople, reply­ed the Queen: But do you know, my Lord, pursued she, with an Air a little more serious, that one is tired in the end, with all these news? Thereupon she made Julia come out, and put the poor Marquis into so great a Confusion▪ that notwithstan­ding all the disobliging things she said, to be revenged on him, he had not one word to Answer. It is true, he did not merrit to be better treated, and his passion had done him a very ill Service. The Conclusion of all that affair was, That the Queen being transported with her Resentment, [Page 150] told him that she would leave his Country, and depart the day af­ter from Cazal; not pretending to be come into a Court where she was to give an account of her Conduct to any body, or to be examined so strictly. She only pray'd him, for the Honour of both, that all things might be in order; to the end the cause of her retreat might not be percei­ved; and that her departure as well as her Arrival, might be in the Pomp, and with the Honours that are requisite.

The unhappy Marquis retired into his apartment, loaded with all the poysons that the like mi­stake was capable of making a man of his humour swallow, but the most Cruel of all was the Queens Resolution, it was that which was almost Fatal to him, and drew from him Tears, which [Page 151] he had not shed in more than thirty years. Yet when he came to make Reflection on the Scarf she had given to the Count de Saluces, and of the favourable manner with which she treated him in the Eyes of all his Court, he wanted little of being Com­forted for this departure: Nay, he almost desired it. Is it possi­ble, said he then, that so great and so fair a Queen forgets her self to that point, that she manages her self so little, that she favours a young Prince, who perhaps goes only to her, because she de­scends to him, and that on the contrary, she contemns those who esteem her most, and for whom it would be no stain to her Glory to have all that kind­ness. It is thus, those old Masters of the Art Dogmatize; and thus it is they Condemn their [Page 152] Mistresses, they look upon as Cri­minal all that is not for them, the Rule is only made for others. At the Age the Marquis was of he might give Lessons; but those came from too ill a Principle; and it was jealousie inspired him with them: Yet they so well fortified him in the design of let­ting the Queen depart, if she ab­solutely resolv'd on it, that be­ing the last thought he had, af­ter having had all the Night a thousand of several fashions, he rose, and in that Resolution he writ this Ticket to the Queen, which he sent to her by one of his Gentlemen.

The Queen was but just a­wake when they brought her this Note. It was not very much her design to depart: A thousand reasons of heart, as well as of the world opposed it. She had not given a Rendes­vouz to the Duke of Savoy, her Brother, who was daily expe­cted; to change so soon without reasons of Consequence, it [Page 154] would have caused reports; and the Italians, who are a peo­ple the most speculative of the World, and who reason upon all, would have given divers inter­pretations to this departure. In­somuch that she who wanted neither Wit nor Judgment, ha­ving considered the Consequen­ces of such a going away, had no mind to it, though the Mar­quis seem'd to prompt her to it. She easily guessed, that it was the effect of an amorous vexati­on, which would last no longer than she was willing; and that the least of her looks would change it into a very violent pas­sion. She would however still dissemble, and made answer to that Gentleman, that within three hours she would be ready to depart; and that in the mean time the Marquis his Master [Page 155] might come to see her, to whom she would tell whither she had a design to go.

As the motions of jealousie are the most violent, they like­wise pass away the soonest; and repentances which always follow them, come after, to torment a poor Lover; but it is some­times too late that one repents. The Marquis de Montferrat had hardly sent that Note to the Queen, than that he would have recalled his Gentleman to have made another. He could not wait, without trembling, for the answer she would make him; and he accused himself of precipi­tation which would cost him his Life. Lovers, in the Condition this found himself, are thus sub­ject to irresolutions, which cause them a thousand pains. They sometimes desire one thing, and [Page 156] then again another. Vexation and Jealousie inspire Designs into their minds, that Love de­stroys with a return of kindness; and yet it is Love which is the Author of that jealousie and of that vexation. Thus one may say, That it is he which does and undoes the same thing ac­cording as he pleases, or that he likes it. The mind which is usually more proud than Amo­rous, will sometimes push its I­dea to the end, especially when it concerns Glory; but the Heart more tender than the Mind, having more inclination for Love than for Noise, will not always follow it, and it is from thence those Combats a­rise, they have so often toge­ther.

At length the Gentleman came, and rendered an account [Page 157] to his Prince of the Commission he had given him, and of the Queens desire. What the Queen, cryed the frighted Marquis, is then resolved to depart; and with­out staying any longer to make useless questions, he ran to the Queens Apartment, where fal­ling upon his Knees by her Bed­side, in which she still was, He begged of her, after so transport­ed a manner, that she would yet stay some days in his Court, that she believed, that he was downright in Love with her; which made her pity him. She was a very good natur'd Princess, and who never knew how to hate any Body. She pardon­ed him: The Peace was made, in Confirmation of which she gave him her hand to kiss, which he took with an unparallelled Joy, so Charmed with that favour, [Page 158] that he could not express his sen­timents, but by transports.

In the mean time as all that preparation of Coaches and Horses had made a noise at the Court, and that every Body ex­pected to know, for whom it was; the Queen, not to give occasion to the talkers of News to reason thereupon, thought good, it being a fine day, to im­ploy it in Hunting: Insomuch, that the Marquis went to give Orders for what was yet necessa­ry. Julia, who went halfs in in all that hapned of good or ill to her Mistress, had quickly her part of the last Scene which passed with the Marquis, of which the Queen made her a pleasant History. After that she would prepare her self for hunting; but she confessed to Julia, as Chil­dish as the Count de Saluces was, [Page 159] she should have but little diversion if he was not there, as it was to be feared; because apparently the Marquis would not take care to give him notice. Julia took upon her self to en­gage him to be of the Party. One does a great many things to please a Mistress one loves ex­treamly.

The poor Count had not rest­ed all the night. That Nose­gay of Flowers he had received from the Princess, had not filled him with so much joy, as the regards she had glanced on him, when he conducted the Queen to her Chamber, had frozen his Soul with fear; and as he had hoped to settle all right by a quick re­turn; he was severely punish­ed in not finding her still at the Ball. He retired to his Lodg­ing mortally afflicted; and ca­sting [Page 160] himself upon the Bed, he passed the Night without suf­fering himself to be undrest, having Briseida always before his Eyes; and likewise sometimes the Queen. He could no longer doubt of the esteem the Queen had for him: So many goodnes­ses had shown it enough to him; and as it was not for a young man as he to be cruel to a Person of that Rank, and of that Beauty, he was in a deadly Confusion, when he thought of the manner so ungallant, with which he went from her that Evening. What will she say of me, said he to himself; for whom shall I pass? Will she excuse me for the love of Briseida? No, no, I do not merrit she should have so much indulgence for me; and I believe she now hates me, as much as she before esteemed me; is this bree­ding? [Page 161] She made it apparent that she had no mind I should quit her, and I have done ill in doing it; though she had commanded me. I ought to have followed her into her Cabinet, there to have entertained her some mo­ments, and have done what at [...] should for Women much [...], and of a much less Beauty, than that [...] that Char­ming Queen: Must the Love I have for Briseida render me the most ridiculous of all men? As it will render me perhaps the most unhappy. Ah too lovely Princess, cryed he thereupon, in making a stop by a kind of reflection, why cannot you love me, as I love you, or why cannot I love elsewhere, as perhaps I am be­loved?

With what passion soever a heart is engaged, there are cer­tain [Page 162] moments wherein one takes pleasure to think one is be­loved; especially when it is by some Subject that deserves think­ing on, as was the Queen of Si­cily, and if once a certain vani­ty thereon gets the upperhand of us, it is very difficult to be quit of it. It is almost as strong as an inclination, and causes as great effects. The Count de Sa­luces was wholly Briseida's. There was not in his Soul the least design of infidelity; but as one is not always Master of ones thoughts; he could not keep himself from some small return, when he thought of the Com­plaisances so fair a Queen had for him; and if that is called perfidy, it must be allowed me, that it is of those that the least repentance may procure to be pardoned; and which never de­serves [Page 163] Death. It extreamly im­ported him, that no body should perceive the passion he had for the Princess, which the Marquis, who begun to have but little kindness for him, would without doubt have opposed, not only because of the inequality of Parties; but because other Prin­ces pretended to it, who were much above him. Insomuch that that reason and several o­thers more, obliging him to keep his love secret, he thought that an amusement with the Queen, since she already offered it, might be of great use to him. But it was an affair very nice, and to which Briseida apparent­ly would not have agreed. The Queen of Sicily was not a per­son made after a manner to serve purely for a pretext, and the Mistress who had trusted to [Page 164] it, would have been abused without doubt: It was not a proposition to be made to a Maid of wit as Briseida. It is true that the Count was not yet come to that, he had hardly made her know by his actions and by his looks that he loved her. But in Italy, where they have not so many means of ex­plaining themselves as in other places, all speaks; and looks make more way than in any place of the World [...] sometimes conclude [...] ▪ Yet as one is often deceived in [...]heir truth, they do not always rely on them; and they have need to explain them­selves otherways to be well un­derstood. Gaspard de Saluces passio­nately longed to come to that, to be able afterwards to act in con­cert with the Princess, and to make use of the Queen, as she [Page 165] should judge it convenient. The beginnings of esteem he had al­ready received from the Princess, flattered him with some success; and fortifying himself thereupon the rest of the Night, by many amorous reasons; for it is easie to pesuade ones self what one desires; he got up in the morn­ing with the design of seeking an occasion to see her, and speak to her; when this Letter was brought him.

More Care is taken of you than you merrit; perhaps if you de­serv'd it, one should not be put to so much trouble. But with such as you nothing is of Consequence. All are going to hunt, prepare your self to be of the Party, for it is desired you be there; and with­out troubling your Head to divine from whom these Notices can come, [Page 166] content your self with knowing that it is from one of the most lovely Persons of the World, who would have a great deal of esteem for you, if you knew better how to value such an esteem as hers.

It was Julia who writ to him this Letter upon the Queens ac­count. He read it again and a­gain, several times; he sent for him, who had brought it, who was a Footman without Livery, to know to whom he belonged; but seeing that his pains were useless, he did not press him a­ny more; but made this answer to that Ticket.

I know not whether I have much merited the honour, or the reproaches that are made me; but I am full of Confusion; and [Page 167] there are but very few things I would not do, to repair▪ the one and to render my self worthy of the other. It is not to be doubted but that I will be of that party; and if there be means to justifie my self, of what I am accused, I shall be extreamly obliged to those, who will shew me the persons, to whom I have failed; and perhaps what shall be done for me in the future will take other Motives, than the little Consequences it may be of; I was never to my remembrance, reduced to that extremity: I hope to correct my self, and to give a better Opinion of me, than is had at present.

This shows that the Count answered well enough to the gallantry that was made him. He fancied it came by order of the Queen; for there was only [Page 168] she in that Court, who could cause him to be writ to after that manner, and he was wil­ling in some manner to repair the ill Figure he had made the night before, of which one had but too much reason to make him reproaches. In the mean time the Hunting seem'd to favour him, in the design he had to en­tertain the Princess with the af­fairs of his heart; but as he was mounting his Horse, he was told she would not be there, and that she was indisposed. What a despair for this Prince; he took this unfortunate dissap­pointment, as a deadly Omen to his Love; and that he should succeed in nothing; and with­out troubling himself with what he had writ, he returned to his Chamber, where he walked a long time, thinking what Reso­lution [Page 169] he should take; for he long'd to speak that day to the Princesse; his Gentleman of the Horse, who was an old French Domestick, growing impati­ent with expecting him, would go see what hindred him from following the Queen, who was departed with all the Court an hour before. He found him in the posture of a man, who ra­ved, all sad, all pensive, at which he was much astonished; for this was very new to the Count de Saluces. He knew not what to say to him, but the Count, who saw him troubled without doubt at the Condition in which he found him, and ha­ving occasion for him, knowing his experience of the affairs of the World, was willing to trust him with his secret, and to tell him the pain in which he was. [Page 170] Richard, thus was the Gentle­man of the Horse called, after having seriously listened to his Master, told him, that he did not find he had so much reason to be afflicted, though he should not speak that to the Princess; and that if he would write to her, he assured him that he would himself deliver the Letter. The Count believed, in the im­patience he was, that it was the shortest and easiest for him; and relying upon the address of Richard, in a time the Conjun­cture was so fair, that all the Court was abroad, he was wil­ling to hazzard a Declaration by Writeing; which he made in these terms.

This Letter finished, Richard took it, and prayed his Master to rely on him for the Success of that affair, and that he would [Page 172] quickly bring him good News. The Count mounted on his Horse to go to the Chase, and his Gentleman of the Horse went to labour on his side to succeed in the Commission he had took upon himself. It was an enter­prize something bold, in a Country where they are not pardoned; but the passion he had to serve his Prince, would have made him hazzard much greater.

The Queen impatiently ex­pected the Count de Saluces, who came not; and wearied with not seeing him, in the time she had been a hunting, she incessant­ly said to Julia; Well! Well, do you see how he comes? you did not write to him obligingly enough, or rather the Princess has made him change his design. Julia endeavoured to Comfort [Page 173] her, and told her that the time was not passed, and that some affair might have retained him, and that she believed him too well bred a man to fail to come, after having promised it. The Queen was not at all of a humour to divert her self with Hunting, so long as she was in that disquiet whether he would come or not; and that change of humour was so remarkable in her, who used to be in a Con­tinual mirth, that the most indifferent perceived it: The Marquis and the Palatin interes­sed in that affair, did all that was possible to dissipate that ex­traordinary melancholly; but they succeeded so ill, that on the contrary they augmented her ill humour by their importunity, especially the Marquis, who thought to do wonders. The [Page 174] Count de Saluces at length arri­ved to render her her former joy. She manag'd her self so little, that she quickly let all the world see the pleasure she took in his arrival, and there needed not very much penetration to di­vine the favourable sentiments she had for him; hitherto she seemed as if she could not open her mouth: but since the arri­val of that Prince, her wit spark­led in all kinds. She proposed a thousand sorts of Divertise­ments; of Courses, of tilting, of Shooting; and would always be, or speak for the Count de Saluces against all others, from whom indeed that happy Lo­ver always carried the Prize: It may be imagined with what Eye the Marquis and the Count Palatin saw all this: Into what despair they were brought by [Page 175] the empressments the Queen had for that young Rival; and into what rage to see him the Conquerour of all. I know very well, that that day perfe­cted the rendring them his most mortal Enemies; and the Mar­quis yet more than the Palatin: Because Jealousie had a greater influence over him. In the mean time that happy Rival seem'd to have but little joy in what caused the despair of o­thers; and at which the proud Count Palatin was the most outraged.

The Count de Saluces mind run all upon the Success the enterprize of Richard would have. How long are the mo­ments in those occasions, when one expects the sentence of Life or of Death! but of a Death by so much the more cruel, that [Page 176] the Life would be the most hap­py that can be imagined. The Gentleman of the Horse came not: He would have had him gone as fast as his mind. He had accompanied him with his Idea as far as the Palace, from thence he had made him enter into the Princesses Apartment; yet without being able to ima­gine how: He had seen him speak to her her self, and had made him say things the most touching and the most passionate for him in the World: After which the Princess had took his Letter, was moved, and had made him an answer, such as he could desire. By ill luck these imaginations lasted not long, for the Comedy changing Face, they found themselves quickly destroyed by contrary visions▪ which represented to him as if [Page 177] all were lost; that Richard had been discovered and seiz'd; and above all that, that the Princess had ill received his Letter, and that she made no answer to it. Of what tranquility was capable the Soul of that poor Prince, a­mongst so many different Winds, good and contrary, with which it was agitated, during the ex­pectation of Richard? He arri­ved at length to render it calm. His Prince, who continually turned his Head that way he was to come, had no sooner per­ceived him, than that a trouble, mixed with fear and joy, seized him, and did not quit him till he had learnt from his Servant all he was to tell him.

He stole insensibly from the Company, and gain'd the Po, near which they hunted, and whither his Gentleman of the [Page 178] Horse followed him. Well, Richard, said he to him, when they were in a place, where no body could either hear, or ob­serve them, tell me quickly what I am to hope? Hast thou succeeded? say, Must I live or dye? Conceal nothing from me. What are the Sentiments the Princess has for me? My Lord, answered the Gentleman of the Horse, you ought not to despair of any thing; but I believe you would be more happy without the Scarf you wear. Ah Hea­vens, cryed the Count, should this Scarf be the cause of my misfortune? It is at least all the reason, replyed Richard, which was made use of not to give an answer to your Letter. Learn me, replyed sighing the impati­ent Count, how all this is pas­sed? For I do not comprehend [Page 179] it, and if it is onely that Scarf which makes me unhappy, I shall have quickly reason to re­joyce for my good Fortune.

My Lord, you must know, continued Richard; that having seen you on Horseback to follow the Queen, I drest my self like a French Courrier, and made one of my Friends conduct me to the Palace, where I am not much known: I said I came from France, that I must speak with the Princess to deliver her Letters from the Dauphins Daughter; with whom all the World knows she has a Com­merce of Friendship; immediate­ly I was suffered to enter, and was conducted to her Chamber, where I found her very pensive, and very melancholly, lying upon a Couch. There was on­ly with her one of her Women, [Page 180] who likewise kept at a distance. I approached her, and presented her your Letter; she eyed me, and whether I appear'd troubled in entring, or that she had some foreknowledge, she seem'd not to take it without trembling, nay, and changed Colour in reading the superscription. With­out doubt the Character appear­ed to her New; and I saw her Ballance, if she should render it me, or if she should open it. I expected at least that she should ask me from whence the Letter came; but she con­tented her self with looking on me once again, without say­ing to me any thing, examining me seriously, as if she would have read in my Face what she should believe. In fine, Curiosi­ty, or perhaps something more strong, mastering so much irre­solution, [Page 181] she broke it open, and kept her Eyes on it above a quarter of an hour, with moti­ons, which, if I may guess at by those of the Face, were not disadvantageous to you. After that she went into her Cabinet, where she was more than an hour; I believed it was to make you an answer; but calling for me, and speaking softly to me, You are mistaken, said she to me, rendring me your Letter; this is not addressed to me. Hold, carry that Letter to the Queen of Sicily, for it is to her without doubt it is written. I am too old, Madam, answered I her, to commit such a fault; it is to you my Prince sent me: And in the Condition I left him, I should rather chuse to dye, than to carry him back that Letter: For the contempt he would see you [Page 182] make of it, Madam, would cast him into utter despair. Well then, leave it with me, said she, being hardly able to hold from sighing, and for an­swer tell him, that the Queen would take it ill, that wearing her Scarf he should write to me the things he does: and that for my part it is yet worse; and that I pray him it may be the last time. In finishing these words she dis­missed me, and shut her self up in the same Cabinet. This, my Lord, has been the success of my Voyage, which I do not find unhappy for a beginning; but if I durst take the liberty to give you advice, being old in the World as I am—It is done, interrupted the Count, as long as I live, I will never wear any Scarf, but from the hand of Briseida. Thereupon [Page 183] he fell to undo it from his Arm; when the Queen, who had not lost sight of him, since he was sepa­rated from the Company, tur­ned that way, and came just in time to see him unty it; but with an importment and a fu­ry, as seem'd to her, against that poor Scarf, that she was mortal­ly vexed: And upon the point, that Gaspard de Saluces was go­ing to give it to his Gentleman of the Horse, she advanced from under some trees, where she had stopped to see what he did: It is to me, said she to him, seizing it her self, that it must be restored: For in truth you are not worthy to wear it. The Count more surprized than he had ever been in his Life, to see and to hear the Queen, thought she had heard all the Conversa­tion he had had with Richard, [Page 184] and was upon the point to avow to her that passion he had for the Princess, to oblige her by that ingenuous Confession to pardon him the action she had seen him do upon her Scarf: But the Count Palatin arrived, who finding in the posture of the Count de Saluces something of a man much surprized, and in the Queens Face vexation and choler, holding the Scarf in her hands: The Palatin, I say, in­terpreting the thing quite o­therwise than it was, and ad­vancing to speak; because both surprized at his arrival said no­thing more. Certainly, Madam, said he, the Count de Saluces must have committed some great Crime against you, that you take from him a Scarf Fortune had so liberally given him. O­thers would have made better [Page 185] use of it. You take too soon, answered Gaspard de Saluces the Queens part, not to see that it is for your self you speak; but it is enough, pursued he, that you had it not, to believe at least you deserve it not so well: That is a thing disputable, the Palatin repartee'd with a smile full of haughtiness, and—No, no, interrupted the Queen, who saw whither these words tended, It is for me to decide. Hold Count, continued she, giving it to the Count Palatin, but do not presume any thing from this present. I make of them, as things only obtained by ha­zard; and those are not the good ones. Though this, Madam, answered the Count Palatin, was such a one, it would be e­nough for me, that I received it [Page 186] from your fair hands, to be infi­nitely proud. This discourse was again interrupted, by the arri­val of the Marquis, who with the gross of the Troop ranged himself by the Queen. She fore­seeing this would cause reports, and that it would be surprizing to see it in the hands of the Count Palatin, after having seen it on the Arm of the Count de Saluces, was willing to give some colour to this affair, and therefore to prevent rumours, I come, said she laughing, from punishing a deserter, who has separated himself from the Troop without leave. It seems to me continued she, with the same tone of raillery, that a man whom I had made my Knight, in gi­ving him my Scarf, ought to be more assiduous with me, or at least not to quit me without first [Page 187] letting me know. There were several Repartees upon this, which made a kind of Conversa­tion, in which several Lords of the Court were engaged for the Count de Saluces's part; he de­fended himself so weakly, and ap­peared so cold to all that raillery, that it was apparent he was but little concerned as his disgrace: On the contrary he appeared to be more and more of a better hu­mour, whether it proceeded from the kindness he believed the Queen had done him, in having acted thus; or that he did it, not to let his Rivals have the plea­sure to imagine he had any re­gret at what had hapned, as they did not fail to believe, though he laugh'd and raillyed as the others. The Queen alone was deadly vext. She knew not what reason could have [Page 188] moved that Prince to do what he had done to that Scarf, after having worn it two days in the Eyes of the all World. She easily fancied there was some mystery in it, into which she could not penetrate, and that all the ill came from that man with whom she had found him discoursing. The mind of a Woman goes ve­ry far when she is touched to the quick, especially of a jealous Woman: she had a thousand imaginations upon that affair: She made a hundred designs to discover the Intrigue, and took care to have him spied, whom she thought the cause of all that mis­fortune, to know whom he was, to whom he belonged, from whence he came, and what he would do, during the Chace. But as it was already Dinner time, the Marquis made towards that side [Page 169] where he had prepared a magni­ficent treat, where all the Com­pany came; and the Queen was there treated after an extraordi­nary manner, considering it was in the middle of a Field.

They had hardly took away, when one of those she had set to observe the Count de Saluces man, came and told her, that it was his Gentleman of the Horse, who was to return to Cazal to carry a Letter that his Master had just given him; but that he knew not for whom it was, and that he could draw nothing more from him. The fair Queen lost no time, her jealousie gave her not a mo­ment of truce, and calling for one of her Gentlemen, in whom she much relyed: She bid him take with him three or four of her Guards, to disguise them, and to go watch in the way to Cazal for [Page 190] a man, that he, speaking of her Spye, should shew him; to seize and search him, without doing him any hurt, and to take all the Papers and Letters that should be found about him. The Gentleman executed very punctually the Queens Order. He went and hid himself in a Wood, that was half a League from Cazal, through which Richard was to pass; who no sooner appeared than that four Horsemen, making shew of going towards the City, seiz'd him by surprize, demanded his Purse; and found not about him any other Paper than a Letter; the Gentleman immediately car­ried it to the Queen, while that the others drew poor Richard in­to the thickest of the Wood to keep him till new Order.