ANGELICA was one of those Unhappy Beauties, whose Amorous Youth by the Ridiculous Vanity of a Mother, who would needs seem Young at the Age of Fifty years, was Sacrificed to the horrors of a Cloy­ster, that she might only keep with her a younger Daughter of Ten years Old, whom she Idolized, and made pass for her Eldest. Lion one of the most Flourishing Cities in France, having seen her Born about a League from it's Walls, had no sooner discovered in her extraordi­nary [Page 2] Charms, than that it raised her Adorers. The Mother of this young Lady had hardly been a month in Second-Mourning, the year since the Death of her Husband being expired, when returning into the World, the great Riches again at­tracted her the Eyes of several Pre­tenders. One of those who Court­ed more her Estate than her Person, and whose Birth and Good-meen it became her to respect, having Flattered her one day with being still young, she Fancied she should become so in effect, if she put a­way from her a Daughter of Nine­teen years old, whose Age, belyed the Sentiments of that Interested Flatterer, and whose blooming Charms defaced the remains of a dawbed Beauty. This Mother had at first all the pain Imaginable to prevail with Angelica, to retire out of the World; that Fair One fre­quented Companies, and Lived [Page 3] since her Mother had chosen Lyon for the usual place of her Residence, wherein many Persons of Quality are brought up in France.

What advantagious promises soever this Lady could make her Daughter, she was not able to In­spire her with a Love for a Solitary Life. Angelica received the visits of a Cavaleir, with whom she had a very intimate acquaintance, who Suggested to her quite other Senti­ments, and knowing that her In­clinations were bent towards Marri­age, still Nourished her Flames, and repeated to her perpetually that he well enough knew her Com­plexion to believe that if she was so Mad as to comply with the desires of her Mother, she would become the Prey of a Fatal Dispair.

The more this passionate Mother found resistance in her Daughter, the more she stickled to perswade her to turn Nun, so far▪ as to Em­ploy [Page 4] for the bringing about this design, all the unjust ways which she thought might facilitate the Ex­ecution of it. She did not content her self one day with giving her a box of the Ear in presence of her Lover, upon the occasion of a Catt that had thrown down some Porce­lain Dishes of Value from off a Ca­binet, she treated her yet after a more unworthy manner, on the Morrow that she diverted a whole Illustrious Company, who Honour­ed a Collation she Invited them to, even to the making her rise from the Table with the highest Confusion; a hundred hardships of this Nature not being capable of changing Angelica's Heart, that un­reasonable Mother bethought her self of a last means, which was to go try her Confessor, whom she con­spir'd to engage her Daughter to obey her, by going into a Cloy­ster.

Tho' the Jesuite to whom she addressed her self for this purpose, called Father Stanislas, was one of those of that Society, whose Mo [...]als are very Commodious; The fear he had of loosing so pretty a Devo­ta, and an Ingenious Lady, whose Youthfulness agreeably Solicited him from time to time, did so far work with him, as that he did not at first Espouse that Widdows de­signs: True it is, that he did not absolutely deny her, and that he excused himself from Imploying the Credit he had over Angelica's mind, for the obtaining her consent, but he represented to her that this affair was of the highest consequence, that she could only receive from God alone the vocation to a Religi­ous Life, and that he should be the most Criminal of all Directors, if he forced her to determine her self to a choice which ought to be ever free, that never-theless he would do all [Page 6] that was possible to dispose her to Embrace that sort of Life.

The first time that Angelica went to give an account of the State of her Conscience to that prepossessed Director, he Insinuated to her the disposition of her Mother, and let her know with so much Eloquence that the Religious Life was the Cal­mest and surest way of going to God that he would have Staggered her Resolution, if the Blood of this Young Lady had been less boyling, and if the Age in Concert with Youth had not defaced out of her Mind the Pious Impressions it had received. All that he could obtain from her was that she would come every day to make him a Visit: And indeed she came every day to see that Good Father, and it was by the powerful Exhortations of that able Man, pyned to the ill Treatments she received from her Mother, that this Young Lady con­ceived [Page 7] an aversion for the World, and resolved to yield to the Perse­cution. Thus did Angelica Espouse a retir'd Life, and went into the Convent of the Ʋrsclines, where she was received into the number of the Novices, and made profession as soon as this year of her Novice­ship was expir'd.

She had no sooner uttered those Vows which the necessity made her make, than that she Repented 'em, so as she related to me her self in the Faithful account she gave me of her adventures; She became the Prey of an amazing Mellancholy Humour, which made her have in abhorrence all the Regular Execises, so as all the practises of the Cloyster became a punishment to her. Her Mother who had Notice of the pittious Condition that a profound Mellancholly had reduced her too, went and desired Father Stanislas to go give her all the necessary ad­vice [Page 8] for her repose; This Father Entertain'd her every day in the Parlor, Flattered all her desires, and promised to Facilitate her change, upon that she seem'd bent upon going into another Monastry. And indeed he powerfully Solicited the Arch-Bishop to consent to her going out, but as it would have been Scandalous, and would have been of ill consequence his Solicita­tions were without effect; But he was so Irritated by this resusal, that he fell into Sentiments of aversion for his Prelate, and of pitty upon the deplorable effect of the new professed Nun.

How upright soever his Intenti­ons were at first, and with what Motives of Charity he seemed then annimated, he was at length so melted by the fears of Angelica, that he resolved to free her out of her Slavery; Nevertheless it was no easie matter for her Father to second [Page 9] the Resolution which the young Lady had taken to free her self out of Servitude, and break her Fetters, true it is, that he had acquired to himself a Reputation of Sanctity: That the Parlors were open to him at all hours; but as the Walls of the Garden were not only very high it was daring very far and exposing his Life to Steal away a Young Lady, on whose Actions they had so strict an Eye. After much Medi­tation that Hypocrite found sure means to Execute his pernicious de­sign, the Love he conceived every day for that Lovely Religious, and which had took such fast possession of his Breast, Suggested him with the expedient I am going to Relate.

Angelica who was devoured by her Mellancholly humour fell so Sick as to keep her Bed. Our Jesuite was Introduced into her Chamber for to bring her all the necessary Succours in the extremity her Feave [...] [Page 10] had reduced her to. Then it was when the Community was retir'd to give place to their Secret Enter­tainments that Angelica had the Confidence to declare to her Di­rector, that he would answer before God, for the violence that had been done her, that she had never any real Vocation, that he was obliged in Conscience to procure her primi­tive Liberty. This discourse which she accompanyed with some tears, and a certain Languishment would have had Charms for our Jesuite, thô it had not been annimated by the exposing of certain Nudities capable of kindling Flames in the Heart of the most Insensible. I know not what he replyed to this pressing and downright Declaration: but certain it is that he Swore he was Sensibly moved by it, and that if the assurance of recovering her Liberty, had vertue enough to Recover her Health, that she ought [Page 11] to be assured, he would afford her all the Succours he was capable off, provided she would protest she would be Faithful to him, and fol­low him every where, where their good Fortune did Conduct them. Sister Angelica had no sooner made her Protestations of an Inviolable Fi­delity, but that the Father Jesuite fell to Hugging and Embracing her, and proceeded to some other Liberties, when that the Countenance of that Fair One, put on again its usual Sin­cerity, & she became better. Never­theless he thought convenient for the having a private Commerce with her in the Future that she should counterseit being Sick, which she performed with probability e­nough for the surprizing the Cre­dulity of her Sister Nuns.

It is somewhat a difficult matter for a Person in a perfect Dispositi­on to feign lying Sick. As soon as Angelica seem'd Recovering, they [Page 12] were deprived of the satisfaction of Entertaining one another upon their mutual projects, she pretend­ed a Relapse, and Counterfeited a Melancholly temper, which gave more than ever occasion to be in fear of her. The Director was recalled, and it was after having conferred for some space, of time that they concluded that they were to seek out a favourable opportunity for their escape.

During these occurrences the Arch­bishop having had notice by the means of some false Jealous Bro­thers, that Father Stanislas was al­ways at the Ears of a Religious, who was not so near Death, but who on the contrary was in reasonable good Health; let the Rector know that he disapproved of the frequent Visits of the Father, which was the cause that the entrance of the Cloyster was quite forbidden him. The Passi­onate Jesuite who was wholly pre­pared [Page 13] for the prohibitions which were made him, having prepossessed his Mistress, in that he foresaw what would befall him, and had assured her that she should know his true Disposition by a Letter from his Hand, which he would slip into a hollow Stick, which St. Pancras used in his Travels, which is a Re­lique very considerable among them, which they hold to have the Vertue of Freeing a Person out of the Lan­guishment which commonly follows a fit of Sickness: Angelica com­plaining only of this Languishment, that miraculous Stick-was sent her upon the Solicitation and by the hands of her Director, who put in this Letter, whereof I have taken a Coppy from the Original.

This Learned Director had rea­son to assert that the Fancy has more force than a Stick has vertue. It indeed performed Miracles; For Sister Angelica had no sooner Read this Letter than that she Recovered of her weakness, thô she feigned still a Languishment. She placed this Stick the worker of Prodigies, at her Beds-head, and spent that very Evening she received it, two hours time in Reading over, and o­ver the Letter, to which She made the following Answer.

Our Voluntary Sick Nun kept two days the Staff, which she put her self into the Hand of her Di­rector, who received it with the highest respect, and took out of it the foregoing Letter, which made him cast his Eys upon all that was in the Convent of good and easie prize. He was contriving for a fortnight to­gether the means of doing the Feat, during which he was deprived of the conversation of his Ingenious Nun; She was no less Impatient than he to hear tidings of him, and that made her take the Resolution of [Page 18] feigning again her former Deje­ction of Mind and Body, and to cause Father Stanislas to be Solicited to obtain for her again on the mor­row, the use of the Holy Stick; He found it no difficult matter to impetrate this Favour of the Di­rector. He caused to be put there­in the note which serves for an An­swer to her Letter, the Tenor there­of being as followeth.

This Letter of advice Transpor­ted poor Angelica with joy, who lay awake all the Night contriving the means of conforming her self to the resolutions of her Father, she cast her Eyes upon certain small Reliquaries of Gold, garnished with Gems, and the Veil of a Callice Embroidered, beset with great Ori­ental Pearls, which together would make the Sum of Two Thousand Crowns, as it was easie for her to Seize, on these Rich Spoils she wrote by the way of the Stick to Father Stanislas that it should depend on him to determine the day of their [Page 20] Flight. The Stick was Garnished with this fine Note, a Lady of the highest Quality, a near Relation of the Arch bishop being fallen Sick, and having a great deal of Faith in the Stick, had it demanded. The Sacristain of the Colledge went to receive it in the Name of Father Stanislas and put it with great re­spect into the hands of the afflicted Person, if it produced not any effect perhaps the Letter to which it ser­ved for Covering, Robbed it of its Vertue: that Lady kept it so long that our Jesuite had not that satis­faction to Learn the Tenor of it, be­sides that he was in mortal appre­hensions that his Commerce would be discovered. However, nothing was revealed, and the Stick of S. Pancrace does perhaps still serve at this day, for a Scabbard to this pleasant Writing.

That Answer having escaped out of the hands of our Hypocrite, he [Page 21] ventured to go ask in the Parlor of the Confessional for his Ingenious Daughter, who had the Liberty granted her of going to Entertain him under the Veil of the Sacrament as long as he pleased.

There it was they had the conve­niency of saying to one another a hundred tender things, of speaking with open heart, and of concluding that after their escape they were to retire to Geneva. But for fear that too frequent Entertainments in the Confessional might create some sus­spicions, Angelica bid the Father come and ask for her three days after­wards in the Common-Parlor, where in the presence of Sister Spy, she should make him a present of an Agnus wherein the Letter should be contained, which should precisely show him the hour that she should be ready to evade. He was not wanting to be at the Grate at the day appointed, where he received it [Page 22] from the hands of his Daughter, which he had no sooner taken, than that the Sister who accompanyed Angelica having taken it to view it had all the pain imaginable to re­store it him, being perswaded that it was full of Reliques, which made him often change his Colour. The Father being returned to his Cell ript open the Agnus, and knew by the Letter that the design of his Daugh­ter was to Scale the Walls, the very same Night about nine of the Clock he setled his affairs in all dilligence, seized on the Box of Jewels, which he kept in pawn, and Stole out of the Colledge Gate, and went to find out a sharper whom he knew would help him in Stealing away the Reli­gious out of a desire of Money. He found that honest Male-content bent to do him Service; He put on one of his Suits of Cloaths; They Drunk as much as was necessary, not to be timerous, and went toge­ther [Page 23] at the hour appointed towards the Corner of the Little-Garden of the Ʋrsclines where they heard Sister Angelica Cough, who showed them by that Signal she was there.

Their hurry and precipitation not having given 'em time to think of a Ladder of Ropes, the Chevaliers cunning Suggested to him to go to his House and fasten two Dozen of great Nails along a great Plank by favour of which having mount­ed upon the very Wall, he sate down, took over that Ladder of a New Invention, and laid it on the other side, by which our Fair Fugi­tive Nun mounted and descended, who was led to the House of that Man of good Will, where she stript her self of her Cloaths, for to put on a modest Robe, and very propper to favour her evasion, thô it be very difficult to explain the Transports of Joy of them both, of her to see her self free, and of the [Page 24] other to see himself upon the point of Enjoying the Embraces of this Lovely Person; Nevertheless there passed nothing that Night contrary to Honesty, they lay in Seperate Beds, being resolved to depart very early on the Morrow.

All was hush'd in Silence, when their Hosta, great Rogue by professi­on, went to Angelica's Bed, sate down by her Pillow, and discoursed her in this manner. I am not amazed Madam, at your Resolution, I know that the passion alone, of a vain Mother has put you into Shackles, the whole Province will commend the Ge­nerous Action, which you have now per­formed: But I am Surprized to the highest Degree, to see that you seem'd Inclin'd to deliver your self into the Arms of a J [...]suite, of a Priest, of your Spiritual Father, of a Man in short, who will every where be attended by ill Luck: I do not blame you for having wrought out your Freedome: But not a [Page 25] Man how Libertine soever he may be, but will blame you if you abandon your self to the Passion of a Person who bears a Character he shows himself Ʋnworthy off, and who without doubt will have no sooner abused you, but that he will make Murder follow the Sacralegious Incest; If I was capable of giving you any good advice, it should be to commit the Care of your Person to some Cavalier capable of rendering you every where good Offices, and if I was not affraid of Speaking out of a Motive of Interest, I would make you the offer of my Arms, of my Fortune, and all my self. This Discourse which the sharper accompanyed and seasoned with the Sweetness of Eyes and a Composition of an easie Look, made some Impression upon Angelica's Mind: Never having Loved nor made any returns to the Passion of the Jesuite, but out of reasons of In­terest, and not being resolved to follow him any longer; She Re­plyed [Page 26] to that obliging Cavalier, That she was Infinitely Indebted to him for the Civility of his offers, that she Re­lished his Reasons, and that if she thought she could Merit his Esteem, she would Sacrifice her self wholly to him, in a Countrey where she might be allowed to dispose of her Faith and of her Liberty.

'Tho Angelica was not so cunning as this Cavalier was sharp, and that she had no desire to lead him very far, she thought it was Policy, and that her design would Suggest to her to make use of him, in the present Conjuncture of things, and this perswaded her to give him her Hand, and protest to him that since she saw him so Resolved to render her good Offices, she would share with him what she might hope to obtain from the Liberalities of the Jesuite. These Lovers of new-date, gave thus one another mutually their Hands and Kisses to [Page 27] Seal the Bargain, and after this Pri­vacy the hungry Cavalier told Sister Angelica, that she might Husband things well, that the Father had undoubtedly Money, and that she ought by dissembling so to Insinu­ate her self into his Breast, that he might render her the Keeper of all his Booty, out of the apprehension he might abandon her hereafter; which having promised to Execute, she told this new Favourite, that he should offer himself to go and conduct 'em to Chamberry, and that there they would contrive after what manner they should get rid of the Father. All this being well concerted, the Cavalier Host reti­red, after having given some Liberty his Hands, which Angelica allowed of, that she might not disgest a Person whom she stood in need of, and who had the power in hand to Ruine her.

It was no sooner five a Clock, then that our Cavalier awaked his Guests; he Hired Horses, they Break-fasted and departed before break of day, as fa [...] as Chamberry; Every thing Succeeded to the wish of all the Parties. Never good hu­mour was like to that of our Jesu­ite, who was wholly taken up with the thought of the Pleasures, which hepromised himself, in the enjoyment of Angelica; but alass, be not Love and Interest capable off! That very Evening they Arrived, the Cava­lier and our Fair One had a Secret conversation together, wherein they vowed the Ruine of the Jesu­ite, that false Friend was of Opi­nion that for the Punishment of his Crime he should be delivered to the Fathers of the Society, and was very much disposed to play him that bad prank if Angelica more compassionate, had not contradict­ed that design, and thought conve­nient [Page 29] to strip him of what he had carryed away with him: It was for the bringing about pri­vately this design, that lying in the same Chamber wherein there were three Beds, She approached, as soon as the Candle was put out that of the Fathers, kissed him, told him a hundred kind things, her head leaning upon his Pillow, made him a thousand Protestations of Fidelity, and conjured him that he would give her pawns and assu­rance of his. Our Jesuite not fore­seeing whither this tended, told her, all that tenderness Suggested to him in that Moment, and upon her feigning to answer with Tears for fear that he one day should leave her alone, a Prey to her dispair; She asked him a kindness; he Swore by his God that she could ask him no­thing but what he would grant her forthwith; This Counterfeit Mi­striss made some difficulty of unbo­soming [Page 30] her Mind, but he Solicited her with so much earnestness to o­pen to him her Heart, that she own'd to him that she should not be in Repose, until that she was the keeper of twenty thousand Franks in Jewels, which she knew he had about him, this Man thinking she Acted with Sincerity, did not suf­fer himself to be Importun'd; He took out of a Pocket (which he had Sewed on purpose in his Breeches) the Box in question and put it into her Hands as a pledge of his Love and Fidelity.

Angelica had no sooner got this precious pawn into her Hands, than that she wish'd him a good Night, and went again to Bed. 'Tho she was none of the most Cunning of all Women, yet she failed not to take out of that Pox what it had most precious, she left only in it about two thousand Franks in Jewels, as a Bone which she meant [Page 31] to throw for the Cavalier to pick, whom She gave an account to, on the Morrow of what she had done.

Our Jesuite stript of a Treasure on which he founded all his hopes, abandoned the least that was possi­ble for him, her who possessed his affections, the Cavalier perceiving that he always kept her Faithful but troublesom Company, thought it a very difficult matter to get time to Entertain Angelica in private. They had already made three or four days Residence at Chamberry, when going together to hear a Famous Preacher, they divided themselves in the Crowd, so as that the Cavalier might easily get up to Angelica.

In the midst of that confusion it was that they Setled their affairs and concluded to leave the Jesuite that very Moment in the Lurch. All Favoured their designe. The Jesuite having been hindmost being obliged to go out first, and thinking [Page 32] the others must come out of the same Door they went in at, was Villanously deceived in his expecta­tion. But our Cavalier and Sister Angelica stole out at another, and in a little while whipt out of sight, and Pursuits of the Cully of a Je­suite.

I will leave you to judge the a­mazement that miserable Man was in, who in vain waited for his Com­panions at the Inn, where he had hardly wherewith to pay for his Supper. How extream soever they judged his Dispair, they had not Charity enough to comfort him in that extremity; they left him a Prey to Cruel Repentances, and I believe that let a Man be never so much a Philosopher that he yet looses something of his equality in so Mortifying a Rencounter. But let us follow Angelica and our Treacherous Friend to the Gates of Geneva, where the passage be­tween [Page 33] them is something worthy of being Related.

This Cavalier during the rest of the way from Chambery to Geneva, only Entertained Angelica of the excess of his Passion. He met with no Inn upon the way or convenient place, but where they alighted; and where he desired her, she would Second his Flames; She still resist­ing, giving him good words, and promising to grant him all at Gene­va, and at last making him com­prehend that she was resolved not to abandon her self to him, until after the Magistrate and Church had Authorized their Union.

As his Wishes grew Irritated by Resistance the more Angelica avoid­ed complying with the Impurity of his desires, the more he Solicited her to grant him the last Favour; Nay, he came to such a point of Insolence as to offer forcing of her in passing through a little Wood, [Page 34] where they had alighted to take the Fresh Air for a moment: Angelica imagining with some ground that he only disturbed her in this manner for the pinching her out of some Money: Proposed to him that in case he would take the pains to Conduct her as far as Geneva, he should have half the Jewels she had strip'd the Jesuite off; At that pro­position our sharper open'd his Ears and accepted the offer; But as he was affraid he should not be so ab­solute over this young Person, when she had cast her self into the Arms of the Magistrates of that City; That he was her Master in the Field. They were no sooner Arri­ved at the Burrough called La Roche, two Leagues distant from Geneva, than that he pretended he would part from her, for that his affairs did not allow him to be absent any longer from his House. Angelica received this Declaration [Page 35] with a seeming Sadness, and put into his Hand the Box which still contained the Value of two Thou­sand Franks in Jewels, after hav­ing taken out of it a Ring only of the Value of Thirty Pistols, which she said must serve for the procuring her some Establishment. Our Ca­valier thus provided, and being perswaded that that young Lady had not cunning enough to hide from him any thing of what she possessed, thanked her very Civilly and Con­jured her she would pass two or three days with him in that Village, because he was extreamly loath to part from her; This She consented to, as by force, still distrusting the Offices of so perfidious a Friend. But, alass! this stay cost her many Tears: That Man became more passionate than ever; He pressed her very briskly, and gave her no rest, until She had granted him cer­tain Liberties, which she thought [Page 36] might have mollified his Flames. But that course was prejudicial to her, his Ferment Increased, his Flames augmented, and therefore to seek out a speedy Remedy to so impatient a Malady as was his, he proceeded to threaten her with de­livering her to the justice of the Se­cular Arm, as an Apostate, and as having committed Sacrilegious. Thefts if she resisted any longer. If ever Maiden was in Perplexity, Angelica was then in one; It lay in this Traytors power to Ruine her. She would undoubtedly have yield­ed to his Lascivious desires, if a Re­main of Modesty (which was strong in a Maiden of her Age, and newly come out of a School of Chastity) had not prevailed and opposed a Torrent of Tears, against the wish­es of that Mad-Man.

Nevertheless it was the will of God that this Furious Man should give her some Truce, and that his [Page 37] passion was less than his Compassion. He grew enamoured of a young Country Wench, a Servant in the Inn where they lay, who according to all appearances was no Novice in point of Love. This Maiden who was not Ugly, and granted him all for Money, did not make him ab­solutely forget the Charms of An­gelica, she only as it were Lulled 'em asleep for some days. True it is that he Solicited her in vain, and that she declared to him in a word that she should prefer being delivered to the violence where­with he threatned her. It was after having attempted her in vain, by all the ways of Gentleness, and of Rudeness that he bethought him­self of, a pleasant course of satisfy­ing his passion upon Angelica, with­out obtaining the last Favour from her, the particulars of the adventure being as followeth.

Our Amourous Spark came to Angelica in the Evening, told her after a very doleful manner, how Sorry he was to see himself obliged through the necessity of his affairs which recalled him, to quit in her the Person of the World, for whom he had the most Love and Esteem, he Drank with her, and no sooner saw her in a good Humour, than that he asked her if she were not resolved to grant him for the last time, all that concerned Amorous wantoning, provided he did not proceed to the last thing.

The Custom they had of toying together, allowing her to hearken to a proposition, which Engaged her at most to something more free than what had passed, she Swore to him that she would grant him Quoniam Bonus, with a Reservation of the use of all the rest. As soon as she had given the word, that Vo­luptuous Man, called the Maid, [Page 39] put some Money into her Hand, flung her upon the Bed, and made Angelica lye down by her, whom he obliged to open her Bosom, he lift up the Petticoats and Smocks of both of 'em, and lying a little a cross upon the Maid, having placed one of his Hands upon Angelica's Breasts, and the other upon her Tuzzy-Muzzy, and applyed his Mouth upon hers too, he enjoyed the one and Embraced the other, with as much Pleasure and Delight, as if all the Misterious Commerce had passed between Angelica and him.

This new way of enjoying the Amorous Sports seeming to him ex­treamly Ticklish, he returned more than once to the charge, and made in that Moment Angelica feel De­lights, so approaching to those he Enjoyed, that without doubt thô she would never own it to me, she exhaled in that moment some ten­der [Page 40] Sighs. On the Morrow they Renewed the same dallyances, and thus after having satisfyed, and glutted himself in such delicious Heats, our Cavalier having put Angelica into a conveniency, and having recommended himself to her good thoughts, he Returned towards Lyon through another way, than that he came, to avoid meeting with the plumed Jesuite.

Angelica being Arrived at Geneva, was much dejected, and out of Humour to see her self thus alone, and as lost in a Country, where she had no acquaintance, Armed her self against the weakness of her Sex, and abandoned her self to her good Destiny. The Golden-Eagle was the Inn where she alighted, she took there a particular Chamber where she Dined alone for above eight days together, at the end of which she took a Chamber-Maid, who served her for a Companion.

As this Inn is one of the most considerable of the City, it is the Resort of most Persons of Quality. A kind of Pickled Rogue, an Itali­an by Nation, having learnt that there had been of late a Forreign Lady in that House, who was ex­treamly Beautiful, and made a Fair Figure, pretending to be Arrived from Malta, went and Lodged in the same place. As he went but rarely out, Angelica must needs meet with him at one time or other, one day that they met going both to the same place for some necessity, Angelica out of Countenance, would have returned in hast, but was stop­ped by this Italian, who Comple­mented her so to the purpose, that from that Moment they Contracted a Bond of a Secret Friendship, which cost this poor young Lady very dear; the Italian who passed over all the Town for a Knight of Malta, who was come to Geneva to Embrace [Page 42] the Reformed Religion, had Made­moiselle, Angelica asked, (who called her self the Barroness of Fare) if she would allow of his Visit that Evening. Our Barroness being Charmed with the seeming Civility of the Italian willingly admitted him into her Chamber. After the usual Complements, he Entertained her with the reasons of his abode at Geneva, she Instructed him with the Motives which had brought her thither, which happened to be the same. Thus they Contracted acquaintance together, and those same designs which had brought 'em thither seemed to tend to joyning 'em in an intimate Bond. The first Conversation they had passed no fur­ther, but it disposed 'em to some more Familiar Entertainments. This Italian who took the Quality of a Knight of Malta, was a dis­carded Monk, newly escaped out of the Prisons of Millain, as she [Page 43] has been since Informed, and had Signalized himself over all France, Germany, and Italy by his Notori­ous Cheats, and the difference of the Qualities which he took being young, perfectly well made of his person, and very Insinuating, he Surprized the Inclinations of the Barroness, who began to make him demy Confidences. Their frequent Communications Engendered a great Familiarity between 'em, which degenerated at length into Privacy. True it is that it did not proceed to yielding up an Enjoy­ment: But as it is a hard matter to hinder two young Hearts from In­flaming one another, when Toying and Wantoning Concur to the doing it, our Knight passed after­wards to Freedoms, which deeply engaged that of the Barroness. And indeed she had no sooner shown him part of her Jewels with which she decked her self, as a Necklace [Page 44] of Pearl, Pendants, and Rings, and knots of Diamonds; than that he made to her Proposals of Marri­age. This Blind Maiden who had no experience of the World, think­ing to make a good Fortune by entring into the allyance of this Cavalier, whom she thought must needs be considered in all Courts for his Quality, his Gracefulness, and Wit, listned to him very Fa­vourably. But as it would have been unbecoming for them to Marry before they had Embraced a Reli­gion which renders the Union be­tween such Persons Legitimate, their Reciprocal Love Augmenting every day, they Resolved upon be­ing Instructed in the Principles of the Protestant Religion.

How little versed soever the Baroness was in the Doctrine of Geneva, she went Sincerely to work, when she made her abjura­tion before the Ministers of the [Page 45] Church of St. Peter; But the Ita­lian was a Hypocrite and of the Temperament of most Monks, who have cast off their Frocks, and whom Luxury, Worldly Vanity and the Love of Women do draw out of the Cloister. He Renoun­ced the Errors of the Roman-Church rather with his Mouth than his Heart, Interest alone carrying him to that Action, and the pernicious Designs he had upon the Baroness, gave Life to his Resolutions.

They were both received in the presence of the whole Assembly of the faithful, and acknowledged as Members of the Church, with the applause of the whole City. This Action being Celebrated, they re­turned home, where they still lived some time without speaking of Love otherwise than by their Eyes. The Italian, whose purse began to emp­ty every day, as well by the expen­ces he was at in the Magnificent [Page 46] Cloaths he made, as by the little presents wherewith he endeavoured to engage the Heart of the Baroness, he fancyed, seeing her one day in a good humour, that then was the time to Unbosom to her his mind. He discovered to her the disposition of it so Pathetically, that he per­swaded her to all he desired. She own'd to him part of her Gems and Jewels, told him that it was all he was to expect from her; that she had nothing to hope from her Rela­tions, and added, that if he was content with a Sum of Ten Thou­sand Franks, the value of her Jew­els, to the selling of which she con­sented, and that he might dispose of all as he should think convenient.

This Booty pretty considerable for a sharper, made him open his Ears. He made his Mistress a Thousand protestations of Love, told her that he only aspired to her person, and assured her that with [Page 47] the Talents wherewith he thanked Heaven for having gifted him, if she would live with him in good Intelligence, Ten Thousand Franks well Husbanded, were capable of making 'em both a considerable Fortune.

The unhappy Design which he Meditated, of Stealing away with­in some days, all those precious Jewels, made him not speak to her then of disposing of her Jewels. They consented to pass through the usual Ceremonies, and to have their Banes Published for three Sundays together: Our Knight did not soli­cite the Baroness, until the Second had been Read, for then he pressed her so Briskly under the pretence that the consent alone was of the Essence of Marriage, and that the rest was only Policy, that she a­bandoned her self to him that very day.

As they had now but one Bed, [Page 48] they kept but one Table, and the Baroness who distrusted not in the least what happened to her, consent­ed that her Spouse should bring Jewelers to prize their Jewels. They made some offer, but as they were not answerable to the preten­sions of the interessed, they were Discharged. The Italian to accu­stom the Baroness not to distrust him, carried with him when he went out, some Jewels as to shew 'em, which he restored into her Hands as soon as he came back. He disposed her so well by his Insinua­tions to confide all with him, that on the Saturday, foregoing the day of the last asking, he took them all with him, under pretence of shew­ing them to one of the Magistrates of the City; the Baroness blinded with her passion and prepossessed with the Candor and sincerity of the Knight let him do what he pleased, and did not trouble her self with [Page 49] following him. In the mean while that Cheat departed the City with­out taking leave of any Body, en­charged with these Spoils, without the Baronesses having ever heard any Tydings of him since. In vain waited she for him until the Even­ing, and the Morrow made her judge she had been made a Cully. All the City knew of her disaster, and a Thousand Persons whom he had affronted, spoke of his Cheats.

Our Baroness was a long while void of Comfort, for the double loss she had sustained. She stood in need of all her force of Mind, and of the Visits of several Pious Ladies, to support her in her Ca­lamity. The Truth is she had still remaining above twelve Thousand Franks, as well of the remains of the Jesuites Jewels as of the Gold and Jewels she had Stole out of her own Cloister. But as she was not so little Judicious but that she did [Page 50] consider that she must Live above one day, She reserved them for an occasion, wherein without doubt she might stand in need of 'em.

Before she had tasted the delights of the Bed, tho she was not of an Age to be an Enemy of Pleasures, she had not felt the provocations of those tickling Motions which a boyling and sermenting Blood does Excite: But since she had unhap­pily tasted its delights, she was be­come so Amorous that it was almost Impossible for her to Live alone.

Some Virtuous Ladies appre­hending that so Beautiful a Maiden in so tender an Age, might abandon her self to something as should pre­judice her Honour, Interessed themselves for her, so far, as that one of the Principal of the City, offered her her House to be nou­rished and maintain'd there, as her own Daughter; She accepted this Condition and comported her self [Page 51] for some time with a great deal of Prudence in this Ladies Family, But the great Familiarity She con­tracted with the Daughter of the House, who was much of her Age, and had very Libertine Inclinations had corrupted 'em both in a very short time. They became two Confidents, and two inseperable Companions, and taught one ano­ther a hundred little Games. Our Stranger seeming very Ingenious, very Reserved and Sage, the Lady was never more satisfied than when the Daughter kept the House with the Baroness.

However as in so tender an Age it is usual for Maidens to feel cer­tain little Motions, and to discover to one another what passes in them­selves; they made one another so well acquainted with their complex­ion, the Daughter called Judith, explained so well to the Baroness her little Itchings, and her longing [Page 52] to be tickled, that that Learned Mistriss Suggested to her the Secret of the Godemichi, so much in use in the Cloisters of the Female Sex, and Cousin German of Seiginor Dildo, who was much in request some years since, with the English Ladies; At the first Declaration she made her of this Term, Judith let her know that she knew nothing of the Dis­position nor use of that Instrument. The Baroness rallyed her Inno­cence, and made this a Conscience of Informing her. That curious and impatient Maiden desired her so earnestly that she would declare to her the Mystery, that she could not deny satisfying her Requests. The Godemichi, said she to her, is a certain Instrument, small or great, long or short, according to the suit­able proportions wherewith Persons of our Sex ease and procure to them­selves Pleasure, when that their—Itches, and if you long for the like [Page 53] relishing Bitt, there is nothing more easie than to show you the use of it. Of what is it Compo­sed, ernewed then the Amorous Judiths. Of a piece of Velvet well Sewed and made very round, which is fill'd with Bran. What is its use pursued She laughing? You shall try it if you please, reply'd the Other. Let us only fall to making of it. It was easie for them to meet with Velvet and in less than a quarter of an hour, she shewed by a Sam­ple, that she was very expert in the Art of making 'em. It was no sooner Finished than that they were both ready to burst 'emselves with Laughing. The Figure of that Instrument Furnished 'em with tickling Ideas, and Judith became impatient to see it put in practice. I shall pass over in Silence what they did with that Instrument. I know not if it was capable of procuring 'em any pleasure: But [Page 54] this I know for very certain that the Godemichi was found within 3 or 4 days after in the Bed of those two Fair Ladies, who lay together by a Maid, whom it put into a Terri­ble Fright, thinking it was the De­vil. That Innocent Maid having opened the Sheets and finding that business of Velvet, ran into the next Chamber, where my Lady was, whom she acquainted with her Discovery. Away trudged the Lady to see the Monster, but not daring to go near it, and thinking confusedly that it was a Mole, she went below with the Maid, had the Tongs made Red hot in the Fire, and called our young Ladies, quite undone at the Recital of the thing, for to come assist at the taking and Massacre of the Animal. Our two young Companions never su­spected the business, the one ima­gining that the other had taken care to lock up the Godemichi, and [Page 55] the one not doubting but that the o­ther carryed it in some Secret Pocket.

That which amazed all was that this Animal what noise and motion soever they made, had not changed its place. As this gave matter of reasoning to the Lady and the Maid, the Baroness came near the Bed, took the pretended Animal in her Hand, and told those to whom it had caused a Panick Fear, that they were afraid of a very small matter, that their Alarm was false, and that it was only a Relique filled with Blessed Bran, being the same which a certain Hermite was used to make his Bread of, who Lived near Lyons in a great Odour of Sanctity. This subtle answer made with confidence, was taken for ready Mony, and they all went away Laughing, without more words being made of it, until the Morrow, when the account of the adventure having been given at Ta­ble, [Page 56] to the Master of the House, and he was curious to see this Relique, which occasioned so much fear, tho the Baroness had it about her, the fear she had this kind of Instrument might not be unknown to that Man, she kept it hid, and saying, that it being a Dreg of Roman, Supersti­tion, she had thrown it into the Fire, so vanished the desire of seeing it.

But this adventure which suffici­ently discovered the Commerce, and great Familiarity of the Baro­ness with Judith, was followed with an other, much more Pleasant, which will give no less Sensible Proofs of the Privacy, to which their Gallantry and Privacy did mount. One day when they were in their Night Gowns, about nine of the Clock in the Morning, that it was very fine Weather, and that they thought 'emselves alone, they had a contest upon certain little [Page 57] Questions which passed between 'em, if it was convenient to employ the Cizars upon a certain Beard which grows in those parts, which Mo­desty knows not the Name of. The Valet de Chambre, who had heard 'em confer together upon this point, curious to know what the Result would be of so Pleasant a Proposition, ventured to slip softly behind the Tapistry of the Cham­ber, from whence he could see the Tryal each of 'em made to main­tain their Opinion, the one having her Hair shaved off, or at least cut very close; the other having left it in such manner as Nature had given it her; Hereupon they tucked up their Smocks and shewed one ano­ther the place in question. But not agreeing upon the point because it was a hard matter for 'em to see it, as was necessary, what pleasant postures soever they made, they bethought 'emselves of mounting [Page 56] [...] [Page 57] [...] [Page 58] upon Stools, lift up their Smocks and expose one after the other my La­dies Honey-pot. Our Valet de Chambre overjoyed to see such like Wonders contained himself the best he was able, not to interrupt 'em; but as the Capriciousness of Fate always traverses good For­tune, he was betrayed by an un­happy Cough, insomuch that he would have been Swing'd to some purpose, so animated were those young Ladies, if he had not Stole away with the soonest from their Fury. This happy Servant went and shut himself up in his Cham­ber to Meditate and Repass over what he had seen: But he was not there long in Repose; for our young Damsels, fearing he should discover 'em, all out of Countenance, went to desire him that he would keep their Secret, and not make a Jest of that little Dispute, which with­out Scandal might arise between [Page 59] Maidens. This Valet de Chambre promised 'em Secresie, and indeed the thing went no further but stopt there.

Such like Actions engendered certain habits, which passed much farther: The Blood of those young Ladies Fermenting more and more every day, their thoughts were wholly bent upon getting Lovers. The Son of one of the Magistrates of the City, saw 'em both with a willing Eye, which Created be­tween 'em the most Furious of all Jealousies, they endeavoured to Supplant one another, and never Man of Wit saw himself more perplext than this Favorite of those two Beauties. Judith passed for the most Beautiful in his Eyes, and the Baroness nevertheless shared deepest in his Inclination. Love Suggested to him the Baroness, & Policy required he should have great Regards for the Daughter of the House. In the [Page 60] frequent Visits he made 'em, if he look'd upon the one more wishfully than on the other, this entred into Motions of Jealousie, so Prodigi­ous, that their Weakness came to Light in a short time. Ju­diths Mother apprehending these young Women would become the Fable of the City, one day thank­ed that young Man, and handsomly forbid him her House. But what does not Love do? He found the means of Writing to each of 'em in particular, insomuch that the Letters he Addressed to 'em, fell into their Hands. This is the Copy of that he Writ to Maidemoiselle Judith.

And the Letter he Wrote to the Baroness, was conceived in these Terms.

The Peaks of Women last com­monly but a days, they could not conceal those Love Letters from one another. They Imparted 'em to each other, and their Inclinati­on for Liberty or rather for Liber­tinage, joyned to the offers which that young Man made 'em, who was one of the Richest of the City, and who could raise a considerable Sum of Mony, made 'em forget their Quarrels, and conclude upon a Resolution; wherein they Figu­red to themselves a thousand plea­sures. They did not trouble them­selves to make as answer to their Mutual Servant, in seperated Letters, they concerted one together, which was delivered him, which shewed him the desire they had to Enter­tain him in Private, one Sunday in the Evening at their Return from Church, he nicked his time so well that he joyned 'em, and in that conversation they took the Resoluti­on [Page 63] of running away with this young Man, if he could carry along with him a considerable Sum of Money, which he promised 'em to attempt.

The Baroness whom nothing wedded to Geneva, and who consi­dered her self as an Adventurer who was to follow her Destny, had so prepossessed the Mind of Judith with the Delights of a Free Life, that that Innocent Creature consent­ed to all she had a Mind to, she gave her so much horror for the Captivity wherein she was detain­ed by her Mother, and such fine Idea's of the Libertine Life, to which they were a going to aban­don themselves, that she Surprized her Resolution, to the Fear which she opposed to her of the Inconstan­cy of Men, particulary when they were of so tender an Age, and that they had so little experience of the World as had this Favorite, she Replyed they would only make use [Page 64] of this young Man, until that he had set 'em free, that they should find the Secret of Stripping him of what he had; That they could Sub­sist for some years on his Money, and that in the Sequel they should find opportunities enough to Settle themselves in one Court or other, there to Live Happy.

This Cunning Person who had played the Jesuite the like pranck, might well hope to deceive a young Novice, whom his passion alone Spurred on to the committing the greatest of all Follies. In the mean while watch'd the time to do his business, caused false Keys to be made, and gave Notice to our young Damsels of the day they were to be ready. He charged himself with two Bags full of Gold, of a­bout eight Thousand Franks, wait­ed for 'em at their coming out of the Church in the Evening, paid them the Civility, and under the [Page 65] Colour of bringing 'em back to their House, he went out of the Town with 'em, and away posted they all together for Basle.

All that passed Remarkable was, that they rid themselves of their Conductor, after they had Stole away his Money; That the Baroness Dressed her self in Mans Apparrel the best she was able and that they both went down the Rhine together, for to go to Strasburg, where they heard a Young Prince was forming his Houshold. Where­ever they Lodged they passed for Brother and Sister, and in that Quality always took up two Beds. As soon as they were a little ac­quainted with the City, they agreed after what manner they ought to give an account of their Birth, of their Education, of the occasion of their Flight, and of the reasons of their Arrival at Strasburg. They Resolved to say that being Nobly [Page 66] Born, they had been deprived of their Father and Mother in their Infancy, and left to the Conduct and under the dependence of a Tu­tor, a Man avaricious, Barbarous and Insupportable, who still used 'em with so much Inhumanity, that they thought fitting to prefer the Fatigues they expected, before the Misery of seeing themselves any longer Miserable. And nothing more.

As they were alighted into the most Renowned Inn of the Town, and in that where that young Prince Assembled his Train; the Grace­fulness of their Persons and Beha­viour Attracted his Eyes, and he enquired who those Strangers were, who shewed something above what is common. They were Invited on his part to a supper, the Prince obser­ved & was so taken with the sweetness of their many charms, that he concei­ved an Inclination for 'em, and Infor­med [Page 67] himself of the Subject of their abode at Strasbourg, they were so well prepared to make him an An­swer, that they did not hesitate to discover to him as in Secret, the Estate the Barbarousness of their Tutour had reduced them to; The Prince thus Informed offered them Places in his Court, and ask'd 'em if they would either of them be Ingaged in any Quality. It would be too much Honour in us, Replyed the Baroness, who now went by the Name of the Chevalier de Bra­gineour, a Name which the Prince did not doubt but that it was sup­posed, and will consent to it with all my Heart, provided that your Highness will Place my Sister in some Place where I may have the satisfaction of seeing her every day, and upon condition we may not be forced to decline our Real Name. Whereupon the Prince having given them his word, he admitted [Page 68] the Chevalier into the number of his Pages, and Destined his pretended Sister, who went under the Name of Lilia, to the Service of a Prin­cess, an Aunt of his, until that the Allyance he projected, being made, she should pass into the Rank of the Maids of the Future Princess.

Princes of a Benign Nature, doing always more Friendship and kindness to Strangers than to those of their own Nation, as soon as he was returned into his States, he desired his Aunt, who kept one and the same Court, to accept of Mai­demoiselle Lilia, this Princess took her to her, and had an extream care to Teach her all that was suitable to so fine a young Lady, while that the Prince her Nephew recom­mended above all his Favorite Page, to the Masters of the Pages.

That soft Air, Tender Look, and I know not what, which the disguise of the Baroness could not [Page 69] deface out of her Countenance and her Manners, made the Young Prince her Master Conceive for this Page a very extraordinary af­fection. He became his Minion, the Companion of all his Walks, and the only Page of his Closet. Bra­gineour, who had some little experi­ence of the World, and who had learnt the Art of Dissimulation ap­prehending that such Singular Fa­vours which he received from his Master, might expose him too much to the Eyes of others, and that Jea­lousie might contrive him some mischief, he managed himself the best he was able in the good Opi­nion of his Companions, so far as to declaim against the hardness of the Service of a Prince, who seem­ed only to have engaged him to Ravish from him his Liberty, and lock him in a Closet. But all this was to no purpose, he could not deceive them in the thoughts [Page 70] wherewith they were prepossessed, that he was the only Beloved. They saw but too well the Regards which their Governour had for Bragineour because he was Cherished by the Prince. And indeed tho this Fa­vorite Page was found Inveloped in the Faults which commonly that sort of Youth commit, he did not undergo the punishments where­with the Libertinage of others was Repressed.

That which animated them most against him was, that Bragineour who saw that he was made the Au­thor of all the noise and little dis­orders which that sort of Youth commits in the Night, obtained a Chamber to himself, which was only Separated by a Wall from that of the others, where he had his Bed and Chimney. There was not a day but that they Assembled to contrive the means of laying him a Snare, that he might grow weary [Page 71] of the Service. By much Medi­tating and Conferring together, as there be always some one more Malicious than the others, one amongst them bethought himself of an expedient, as of a pranck which put the Life of the poor Bragineour into danger.

The Chimney of the Favorite-Page's Chamber, and that of his Companions being back to back, and having but five or six Feet, from the height of the Mantle, and but one Tunnel, insomuch that one mounting with the help of a little Ladder, so far as that one might make a passage of Communication from the one Chamber to the other, they Suborned, by means of Mony, Merry Andrew dressed in all his Jack-Puddings Cloaths, Deck'd with all his Feathers and Covered with all his Masques, into whose Hand they put a Switch, to beat the poor Bragineour. They were used to [Page 72] Rise at Seven a Clock Winter and Summer, and some of them curi­ous to see what Bragineour did in his Chamber, had observed tho very confusedly through the Key-hole, that as soon as he was up he made a Fire and Rubbed himself, as they thought with a warm Nap­kin from top to Toe. Thus one day that they waited his Rising and Lighting the Fire, they tyed Mer­ry-Andrew with a Cord under his Arms, lifted him up to the Mouth of the Tunnel of Communication, put a Stick in his Hand and let him slip down of a sudden into the Pa­ges Chamber, who was Rubbing himself after his usual manner stark Naked, who was so Frighted at the aspect of so hideous an Object, which he took for the Devil, that he fell Topsy Turvy, in a Swound for fear; without Merry-Andrew whom the Pages drew back, stood in need to give him any blow.

Angelica Bragineour, I say, re­mained thus in a Swoon for above an hour. His Companions going to the place of their usual Exercises and this Favorite Page not being there with the others, their Gover­nour went himself to knock at his Door for fear some Indisposition should have befallen him, he knock­ed a long time in vain, had him sought every where, returned to his Door, from whence he heard him give a great Sigh: The Door of that Chamber being only of Firr Wood, in two or three strokes with his Foot he burst it open, came near the Page, lying all along, whom to his great astonishment he perceived to be a Woman.

So strange an adventure Surprized him, he used his efforts to get her up, but seeing her opiniative thrô the Deviation of her Sences, which the fright had caused in her, to lye upon the Floor, he shut the Door [Page 74] again the best he could, called a Footman whom he set Sentry at the bottom of the Stairs, with pro­hibition to let any one go up.

Then he ran directly towards the Prince his Master, who got up in his Night Gown, to whom he related confusedly what he had seen; they mounted together into the Pa­ges Room,, who had not changed his Situation lying upon her Belly. The Prince moved at the sight of so sad a Spectacle, and still uncertain of the Truth of her Sex, lent his hand to the governour to help him to carry her upon the Bed, where hav­ing laid her, he was convinced of the Truth, and saw a very amiable Object. Never Physitian did more to ease a Sick Person, than this Prince, who was become that of Angelica's, did for this Page. He put her to Bed, caused restoratives to be brought, which he applied himself, that he might recover her Spirits, [Page 75] and from his Swoon, in short, one may say that he omitted no­thing of all that may restore his Favorite into his usual condition.

Neither did he Labour in vain. In a few hours Bragineour recover­ed out of that Trance, and his Face became as Serene and as ver­milion as before. The Prince hav­ing recommended the Secret of the Discovery to the Governour of his Pages, whom he ordered to Treat this still after the usual manner, caused Bragineour to be dressed and commanded him to follow him, in­to his Chamber, where he shut himself up with him, and gently perswaded him to declare to him what had obliged him to disguise his Sex, and conceal his Birth. As to her Birth that cunning Maiden remained in the same terms, ex­cept that she called her self the El­dest Sister of Mademoiselle Lilia, and that her Name was Sarah. As to [Page 76] the reason which had moved her to conceal her Sex, she told him she thought her self obliged to take that course in the design she had of seeking her Fortune with her Sister in Foreign Courts, two young Maidens Travelling being always in danger, and a Man, who is thought so at least, obviates the Insults which might be made by Imperti­nents and ill intentioned.

Ingenuity and Innocence seem­ing to speak by the Mouth of that Maid, the Prince gave credit to all she told him. Love then seiz­ing on his Heart, he assured her that he would take an extream care for her; That she was to dissemble and counterfeit her self still for some time, that so her circumstan­ces might not be bruized at Court, and that in a short while he would put her in a condition to appear elsewhere, what she was.

The mischeivous prank which the Pages played Bragineour remain­ed Buried out of Policy. The Merry-Andrew was known by the Favorite Page, demanding Alms at the Kitchin Door, he was questi­oned and threatned so long until he confessed all, and offered to show the Authors of the pranck, if the Pages were but brought before him, the Prince thought not convenient to punish those Malicious Persons, reserving to himself however the giving 'em a Juniper Lecture.

The accident which had happen­ed to Bragineour in his Chamber had Created in him such apprehensions that he went not in it without feel­ing himself Surprized with Mortal Terrours. He declared his weakness to the Governour, who gave notice thereof to the Prince, by whose order he had another Room given him. The Prince having appointed him a Chamber at the end of a Gallery, [Page 78] wherein he might enter on the side without being seen by his Guards; He made her Evening and Morning a Visit, until that at length after some resistances which pleased him, and rendered him perfectly ena­moured, our Beautiful Travestry granted him all he desired. His Secret pleasures and as Stoln, did so powerfully engage the Prince, Wedded him so to his Page, that he spent half the Nights with him. The Rumour of the considerations and tenderness which he had for Bragineour, spreading about the Court, one day that he went to see his pretended Sister in the Princes­ses apartment, she spoke to him thereof, and upon her telling him that she was afraid he had declared to him the Truth of things, Ange­lica told her all that had passed. Whereupon she advised her to be­have her self so wisely, that she might not give any suspicion, be­cause [Page 79] that the Prince, tho of that Age, was not so well proof against the Remonstrances of his Aunt, but that she could prevail with him to rid himself of an Inclination capa­ble of prejudicing an allyance, which was destined him by all Germany.

She had reason to give him this advice; for in a few days after, the Prince going to make a serious Visit to his Aunt, she asked him the Liberty of Remonstrating to him how that the Courtiers made a Jest of the assiduities which he rendered to one of his Pages, and the familiarity he had with him; That the People made Raileries up­on this Commerce below his Rank; so far as that some Audacious Per­sons had said that they were very much amazed he did not undertake a Journey into Italy, a Raillery he was told, the sharpest in the World.

These Mortifying Remonstran­ces, and made to a Prince, who brag impatiently to see himself Slave to his Pages Charms. He could not be a Moment from him, and was never in good humour un­til he had been for some hours shut up with him, his Aunt who was a Princess Judicious and of great Wit, seeing all these practices, and not being able to conceive what there could be in this Page, that could Reign so absolutely over the Inclinations of the Prince her Ne­phew, she thought that for the Repose of the Court, it became her to endeavour the breaking this Commerce, she conferred for that purpose with a Counsellor a very discreet Man, and very Wise, and desired him to prevail with that Page to consent to leave the Court, she Conjured him to Imploy all the means which Prudence should Suggest to him, even to very Mena­ces, [Page 81] if his good advice had not the power to make him resolve to take that course. This Prudent Person­age promised her to do his best; But it was so difficult for him to find a Favorable occasion to dis­course the Page, with whom he was not Familiar, that he was for­ced to render himself more than or­dinary assiduous to the Prince, to have an opportunity of Speaking to Bragineour.

One day the Prince was a Hunt­ing, the Page warming himself in the Anti-Chamber, and our Coun­sellor meeting with him there, they discoursed for some hours together, at first upon indifferent matters, and at length with a Familiarity a [...] disposed Bragineour to give Ear to some Enigmatical words which were started by the Counsellor. As he was grown sharp and Sagacious e­nough, and that besides he imagi­ned that this Man who had the Ear [Page 82] and Heart of the Prince, might know something of his affairs, he asked him with so much earnest­ness the explication of the obscure, and confused Discourses he had held him, that this other having demand­ed his Secresie, told him that there was something very Fatal, Brewing against him at Court, and from which the Prince could not secure him, how tender soever his Incli­nation might be for him; added that it would be for his advantage to make use of the Gratifications of his Master; Counselled him to to take powerful Recommendations from him, and go think of his E­stablishment in some other Court. The Page having thanked him for such good advice, promised him to make use of it, and joyned the Train of the Prince who was returned, who seemed to be Jealous, for hav­ing found the Counsellor with his beloved Page.

When that all the Company was withdrawn the Prince remaining a­lone with Bragineour enquired of him what had been the matter of his Entertainments with the Coun­cellor. Upon which the Page seeming in disorder he grew suspi­cious, which made him press him to give him an account of all the circumstances. The Tears of that Beautiful Travestry Antidated her Narrative, but after she had dryed 'em up she Revealed all that had passed between the Counsellor and her; She told him that she saw plainly that Jealousie opposed her Happiness, that it was dangerous for her to stay in that Court, and she desired him to consent to the most cruel Separation on her part, that ever could be imagined. The Prince listned to this History with a very uneasie patience, it seized him in such manner that being a­gitated with two different motions, [Page 84] of Anger and of Love, he cast himself about the Pages Neck, Swore to him that he had nothing to fear at Court, and that he should know how to discover who those were, who would, who durst Traverse the greatest pleasure of his Life. He fancyed these all to be an effect of his Aunts Artifices. He quarrelled in his Heart with her, and if he continued to make her Visits, it would be meerly out of Duty.

Our Travested Baroness had still at that time above twelve Thou­sand Livers, in Gems, and Jewels about her. The Prince who knew nothing of all this, made her a Present of a Ring and of his portrait Inriched with Diamonds of great Value, forbidding her to show 'em. When she saw her self Rich with these things, the fear she was per­petually in, that the Prophesie of the Counsellor would have it's [Page 85] effect, made her declare her Mind to a Footman, capable of facilita­ting the means of her Flight, who upon the hopes of a hundred Livers gave his consent to all she desired. Whereupon the Page and Footman laid aside their Livery, and went out of the Town in the Night, up­on Horses, which carryed 'em to Heydelberg. In this City it was that our Baroness stole away her self with her hundred Guinies from the wretched Footman. The truth is he search'd for her for above three days, but to no purpose, tho once he met her in the Street, be­cause she had put on Apparrel Suit­able to her Sex, which disguised her from the Eyes of that Cully.

At the Arms of the Empire in that City she spent near a Month, which she passed in seeing in the Company of the Daughter of the Family, all that was there worthy of the Curiosity of a Stranger.

In the mean while the Flight of the Page and Footman, which had caused a mortifying displeasure in the Prince, having made a great deal of noise at Court, where the Mistery of the Baronesses de­sign, who still at this day pas­ses for the Sister of Mademoiselle Lilia, had not been Revealed, and a considerable Sum having been pro­posed to those who could discover the way they took, several Persons set forth immediately to see if they could gain this prize; The Foot­man was Arrested, Conducted and put into Irons, when that a Gentle­man of the number of those who are called Pretenders at the Court, having been as far as Heydelberg, the Capital of the Elector Pallatine, met with and knew again there the Favorite Page, tho Apparrelled in Womens Cloaths. She fail'd not to Inquire of the dispositions of the Prince as to her, and if it [Page 87] was not true that he came thither on purpose to hear Tydings of her. He satisfied her upon that point, gave her an account of the Incli­nation of his Master, whose ten­derness he exaggerated to her, and endeavoured to prevail with her to return. But seeing he could not pre­vail with her, his design was to go back to Court.

This Gentleman extreamly well made of his Person, spoke of tak­ing leave of Her, impatient to go impart to the Prince his discovery, when Angelica, who had taken on Her again her Quality of Baroness, and who had a great inclination for that Cavalier, had the confi­dence to tell Him, as by way of Galantry: But Sir, why do you Employ your Eloquence with so much Zeal and Ardour for a Prince to whom you are not yet obliged? Why do not you speak for your self? At this overture of Heart and such like [Page 88] advances, whether he thought the witty Baroness meant to divert her self, or that she spoke in good Ear­nest, he replyed, that he did not esteem himself worthy of possessing a Person, who had so much merit, and that if he durst pretend to that advantage, he would declare to her the effect which her Charms had produced upon his Heart. You may dare it, replied she, and I swear to you, that I had never any tender or real inclination for any Body but you. These words which she insinuated, more out of sport than uttered 'em in good Earnest, engaged so powerfully the Cavaliers Heart, that he thought no more of returning. He own'd Ingeniously to that Fair One the State of his Purse, which was very infirme, and made her Protestations of an Eternal fidelity. The Baroness grown thus weary of being a Va­gabond and of leading a licentious [Page 89] Life, thought it became her to con­fine her Inclinations. Whereupon she declared to this Gentleman, that she carried about her, as well in Gold as Jewels, a Sum considerable E­nough and capable of helping him to seek his Fortune. They did not bargain long, and lost no hours in impertinent Discourses, they gave one another that very moment their Hand and Faith, and preventing the time of the Nuptials, they dis­lodged that very Evening, to go Lodge in a Place where they passed for Husband and Wife: Never did any new Married Couple en­joy a Sweeter Night, than that which these Lovers passed together. They wantoned all the Morning, and rose very well satisfied with one another. But as a Calm pre­sages a Tempest, and that the greatest sweets are alwaies mingled with bitterness; Our happy Cavalier going out about some business, was [Page 90] no sooner at the Corner of a Street, than Justling unwillingly against a kind of Bully, who charged him with Injurious Language, not be­ing of a Temperament to suffer all, and prudence dictating to Him to make answer, he fancying that this Affront being made him in pub­lick, it became him to reply to the insult. Whereupon he Nosed that uncivil Man, who drawing the fate of Arms, would needs have it that our unfortunate Gentleman receiv­ed a Thrust which bereav'd him of his Life, the Author of his Death had time to make his escape, and the Rumour of the accident being spread abroad incontinently amongst the Crowd who came about this Dead Man, and the Maid of the House knowing Him to be the Hus­band of the young Lady, who was Lodged at Her Masters House, away flew she to give the Baro­ness notice thereof: This Beauti­ful [Page 91] Widow by anticipation, at the Relation of this Fatal adventure fell into a Swoon, from which she had all the Pains Imaginable to recover. How vehement soever that her grief was, she did not run to see that Tragical Spectacle. She was only heard to say, O God shall I always be the Mark of a Fatal De­stiny, which having said, lifting up her Eyes to Heaven she gave Or­der that the Body of the Deceased should be brought to the House.

No Body but did imagine to see that young Woman burst out into Sobs at the sight of so pitious an Object. The curiosity to see what her despair would be capable off, she had drawn after the Body a great Concourse of People, who Crowd­ed into the Room where the Corps was laid. But this pretended Widow exalting het self above her self, far from producing those Mo­tions usual to the weakness of her [Page 92] Sex, contented her self with Wi­ping the Wounds with an equa­lity of mind which surprized all the By-standers.

As in so Fatal a Rancounter, there was now nothing more to be done, than to carry the Body to the Grave, which only demanded Earth, she caused all to be prepared that could suit with the Funerals of a Person of Quality. She spa­red nothing of all that could render 'em pompous and Sacrificed for that purpose the value of a Thousand Franks. The Funeral Ceremo­nies being over, she thought not fit to stay any longer in a City which brought every Day to mind the sad Object of her Lovers Dis­aster. She went on the Morrow for Francfort, from whence pas­sing to Mayence, she met with the young Man of Geneva, whom she had so Villainously Deceived, tho she endeavoured to avoid meeting [Page 93] with him, and turned back as soon as she saw him, yet he knew her, and followed her with so much dili­gence, that he observed the House she went in. It was to assure him­self the more of the truth of things, that he stood Sentinal five or six hours pretty near her Inn, until he had the pleasure of Saluting her at the moment she was going out. It would be a hard matter for me to express the greatness of her sur­prize at her encountring of this Cully, she her self could not de­scribe it, that she urged for Justify­ing Reasons of her Treachery, the Infidelity of her Compani­on, and the Opinion they had, he only followed 'em to enjoy 'em, and then leave them in the lurch.

The reasons the least Specious are Truths in the Mouth of a be­loved Person, that young Man be­ing more fond than ever of the Ba­roness, who pretended her self poor, [Page 94] and he promised to help her with a hundred Pistols, which he said he was to receive at Cologne. Where­upon away went they for Coblentzer, but were no sooner there Arrived than that the Baroness meditated on the means of her escape. The fear she had of this young Man in a Foreign Country, where she had not any acquaintance, prevailed with her after some small Resistance to take the same Bed with him. Three days after their Arrival, be­ing gone out to receive his Bill of Exchange, she nick'd her time so well that she stole out of the House to go take a Chamber elsewhere. She Sojourned at Cologne near a Month without Budging out of the House; he enquired through all the City and Country without getting any Tydings of her. Whereupon she departed at length to go to the Court of the Prince of Parma, saw in the way the Cities of Rhim­berg, [Page 95] Wesel, Nimmeghen, Boilduc, Breda, and Antwerp, and Arrived at length at Bruxelles, where she designed to spend the Winter.

In that City it was, where she display'd all her Jewels, except those she had received by way of gratifications, from the Court, from which she Stole away, which con­sisted in a Ring, a Watch, and a Portrait beset with Diamonds. Thus had she got a Sum of about Twelve Thousand Franks, and she Dressed her self after so Gal­lant a manner, that she seemed one of the finest and most Monopolizing Ladies of the Court, Contenting her self with one Lacquay and a Chamber-Maid. During all the Winter which she spent at Bruxelles, there were no Assembly, nor Par­ties of divertisements at Court, but at which she was present. An unknown Person extreamly young and fair, who made so neat a Figure, [Page 96] attracted the Eyes of all People, they became curious to know who she was, but no Body could tell, so much cunning had she to disguise her Sentiments, her Gal­lantry and good humour acquired her for her first Conquest, the E­steem and Heart of a Prince, whose Name she commanded me to sup­press, he made her frequent Visits, all the Court talked thereof, and the Rumour came to the Ears of the Princess his Wife, whom Jealou­sie was going to hurry to strange extremity, when the Baroness hav­ing Notice thereof, absolutely broke off so dangerous a Commerce.

The Pallace of the Countess of—being the General Randez­vouze of all the fine People, she frequented it, to the great preju­dice of her Purse, which they em­tied in a little time. The Prince whom she had Charmed, perceiv­ing she no longer played so high, [Page 97] imagining that she wanted Mony, thought to make her an offer of that kind, would be the true way to bring about his Ends. One day that she lost to the last Farthing, and that he was sitting by her, he slipt into her Pocket, a Purse of four hundred Duccates, with the help of which she recovered part of her loss. This was the right way to engage her▪ and as there is no Heart proof against Gold, the Baroness on the Morrow, upon a real Letter from the Prince, consen­ted to take Coach to go a Journey with him for three days. This Sally was known by the Princess, who abandoned her self to such prodigious Motions of jealousie, that she Swore she would give no Bounds to her resentment, until she had Rid her self of her who durst thus Sully her Bed. The Baroness having Notice of the Danger she was in, and of the Fatal Designs [Page 98] that were Brewing against her Life, meditated her Retreat from the Court, after she had Read the fol­lowing Letter which was given by an unknown Person to her Servant.

If you are of Quality, you be-lie your Birth, by the Infamous Com­mence you take a Pride in. We have studied all your ways, and have dis­covered your filthy practices. Bride­wel where you k [...]ow Women of your Fashion Expire their Licentiousness, does expect you. Be gon if you are wise, within three days it will be too late to depart. Consult your interest, and take this Charitable advice from the Person in the World, who hates you the most, and who would undoubtedly go insult you in the Fetters you deserve.

This Fair One thus Crossed in her pleasures, at the very Moment that Fortune seemed to look upon her with a better Eye, was very much Mortified at the Reading of this Letter: This Advice which [Page 99] only departed from a jealous Person, and whom she presumed to be the Princess, her Lovers Wife, seemed to her extream Salutary; she knock'd off the very same day. But hav­ing given her Foot-man and Maid leave to go walk out of Town. She satisfied her Landlady, and caused her Trunck to be carried to the Boat of Antwerp, where she took her Place by a Merchant, whose Magnificent out-side be-lied his profession.

This Man of about Thirty Years of Age, being perfectly Well-bred, and being besides of a very Gal­lant humour, observed in the Baro­ness so easie an Air and manners so agreeable in their Liberty, that he could not imagine ought else, but that she was some high flying Miss. He discoursed some time se­riously, and the conversation still growing more Familiar as the Night advanced, he push'd things on so [Page 100] far that the Merchant declared to her, that he had a tender inclina­tion at Antwerp, for the mainte­nance of whom he was at exces­sive charges; that this Miss of his, was about Eighteen years of Age, and near her Lying-In, and that as soon as she was Delivered, he would part from her, after having given her something that was hand­some; whereupon the Baroness own'd to him that she was seeking out a good Fortune, which was a hint sufficient. Then this Mer­chant put a Diamond Ring upon her Finger, to the value of 600 Livers as a Pawn of his Love, and made her such propositions, in Case she would accept of his Company, and answer his Flames, that she consented to what he pleased, and took no other Chamber than that he appointed her. Their Amo­rous Commerce lasted some time without the Merchants former Mi­stris [Page 101] receiving any Visits from him. She suspected he had changed his inclinations, and having had him spied, discovered the place where he daily went. She once followed so close upon his heels, that she en­tred immediately after him into the Room; that which confirmed her in the opinion she had a Rival, was, to see that her Servant, took her Concurrent immediately about the Neck, and held her Embraced a long while. Hardly were they sepa­rated, than that this Miss being Transported with Fury, gave the Baroness a Box of the Ear with all her strength, whom the amazement of the Action rendred Mute as well as the Merchant, who had need of all his strength of mind to ap­pease the difference; he made her believe that the Baroness was the Sister of one of his best Friends, who has been Recommended to him, expecting a Bill of Exchange [Page 102] for the going suddenly into France.

Tho this Wench gave no Cre­dit to these Defences, she calmed her Rage however, and was brought to her own House by her Gallant. This Merchant being Returned, ask­ed a Thousand Pardons of the Ba­roness, and made her change her Lodgings, gave her Mony, and went no longer so often to see her as before for the Regards he had to his former Amours. This abatement did something Cool the Baroness. She looked upon what she received from this Lover, as too small a matter for her to Subsist on, and be Maintained, and this made her resolve to share her Favours. She contracted an acquaintance with the most qualified Bawd of the Town, and few Evenings but were worth to her two Guineys. Our Merchant was not long Igno­rant of this petty Commerce, he thought fit to render himself cer­tain [Page 103] of things by himself, and it was for the discovering the truth of things, that having been in the House of pleasure, which she fre­quented, spent there four or five times together at a high Rate, he Conjured the Mistress to procure him the Company of some hand­som French Woman, if she had any acquaintance, the Bawd not suspecting in the least what hap­pened, promised to obtain him the satisfaction he demanded on the Morrow, and she went to prepare the Baroness to come and gain some considerable Matter.

The truth is, the Baroness did not appear in Company until she had first informed her of the Quality and Figure of those with whom she was to have to do, that so she might not fall into the snare; but the pourtrait that had been made her of the Person which desir­ed her, being that of a Person of [Page 104] High Quality, and the Opinion she had, that her Merchant satis­fied with two, did not haunt such­like Places, made her Dress her self with all she had most preci­ous, to go to the House where she was expected. Then was she intro­duced into a Room where a state­ly Collation was prepared, and her Heart already Leapt for joy, in the hopes of the pleasure she was going to receive, when that she saw her Keeper enter into her Chamber, who would needs Em­brace her without seeming to know her again. At this surprizing Spe­ctacle she retired two or three Steps, and had like to have fallen Back­wards. The surprize of 'em both being equal, they remained mute for some time. The Merchant opened his Mouth to declaime without doubt against the Infideli­ty of his Mistris, when not allow­ing him time to speak, she told [Page 105] him, giving a great Shigh, Are these Sir, the Protestations you made me? Ah, there is no trusting of Men, how, cannot two satisfie you? tho People swore to me you hardly ever stir'd from hence, I had such good Sentiments of you, that I did not think you cap­able of so Blameable an inconstancy, but I am convinced that you are the most perfidious of all Lovers. Our Merchant being amazed at this come off of his Mistrisses Wit, yet uncertain of the truth of things, and not knowing what Sauce to Eat with this Fish, excused himself upon that he thought himself in an honest House, where one of his Friends would needs entertain him with a Collation. He Counterseit­ed being in a Rage, Grasped his Land-ladies Hand, and went out with his Mistris, whom he Led to her House.

Our Baroness had not so little understanding, but that she Judg­ed [Page 106] this Encounter would Create some abatement in her Lovers af­fections. She redoubled her Ca­resses, & did all that a cunning Miss and one grown expert in the Trade can do, to squeez'd as much Money from him as she could, paid her Landlady, and broke up her Quar­ters one Morning Early without Trumpet, with a design to go to Holland. She went for that pur­pose into a Ship Bound for Rotter­dam, wherein she mademore Vows than the Papists make in Ten years time to the Lady of Loretto, never was she so good a Christian as she became, hard by William-Stadt, where the ship was severely Toss'd by a sudden Tempest, that it lay above two hours upon one side, and in short underwent the ill Treatment of two Hurricanes, which turned it Topsie Turvy, tho it recovered again immediately as by a miracle, leaving only Fear [Page 107] and Water to the Passengers.

The Ship being come at length into safe Harbour, by the Clemency of the Winds, Angelica disembar­qued at Rotterdam, and went to Lodge at a certain French Cook's House called la Fleur at the Buck, just opposite to the English Ships, where the Landlord was as good Natur'd as the Hostess was Ugly. Tho she staid there but three or four days, her Neatness and grace­fulness attracting her the Landlords Eyes, his Wife became so Jealous, that she desired the Baroness un­known to her Husband, to take a Lodging elsewhere, which being told to la Fleur, he went to his worthy Spouse, Cudgel'd her to some purpose, nay, Broke her very Jaw-bone.

From Rotterdam, Angelica went in the Delft Boat, with design of going to the Hague. There it was she saw a sample of the Wonders [Page 108] of the Life of Holland, in all those of the Nation, who carry Bread, Beer, and Butter in Satchels, for fear of Qualms, and to spare char­ges. The History of an Honest Woman upon this Subject, does merit being related.

The Boat had hardly passed the first Bridge, is not far distant from the City, than that a certain Old Woman, who had by her a Girl of about Twelve Years Old, grew Hungry. She reached her Satchel from behind her, took out of it Bread as brown as Earth, a Pot of Butter whereof she made, and She and her Daughter Eat about Twelve Butterams. Which hav­ing swallowed, she then ferreted in the same place for an Earthen Pot full of small Bear, but found no­thing but the heads and pieces of the Bottle, the Beer being all spilt, and lying at the bottom of the Satchel, which was of Leather. [Page 109] She seemed at first vexed at so sad an Accident, but she Comforted her self at length, seeing that her Satchel held Tite, and that none of the Beer was run thro. Where­fore to disperse and drown her trouble, she made her Daughter hold up the Corner of the Satchel, drank, made her Daughter drink, shut up the Satchel again, and re­garded no Body, as if the busi­ness had not been singular, and that no Body had seen her. But this proves the Innocent manner of the Country, let us now see what was capable of giving her a High Idea of the Character of the same Nation.

Angelica was busie with Rea­ding a Romance which she held in her hand, when an English Man of Quality, who sate opposite to to her and spoke Latine, burst out in a fit of laughter, which made her enquire after the Reason and Oc­casion [Page 110] of so much good humour. This pleasant Cavalier told her, that he had Reason to Laugh at the answer he had newly received from a Hollander, which was as followeth. That English Gentle­man having asked him in Latin, of what profession he was, and the Dutchman having reported that he was a Counsellor at Law, he en­quired of him if he had never been out of his Country, whereupon the Hollander who seem'd to be some Body, having replied to him with a disdainful Air, that he had not, to which the Englishman added, But Sir, have you not the Curiosity to see Rome, Paris, Vienna, Stock­holme, Copenhagen, Madrid, and London, No Sir, replied the Hollan­der, all those of the best Quality of my Country, who have wander­ed over all Europe, nay, almost the whole Earth, have told me, that they had seen many Countries, but [Page 111] that they had no where met with this Holland, Nunquam reperimeam Bataviam. For Polieness and good Breeding, you mean said the En­glishman, Generally for all pursued the other.

Tho the Passage from Delft to the Hague is but an hours going. Angelica spent her time very plea­santly in the Boat. A young Man of Ʋtrecht, of very good mean, having cast his Eyes upon her, and Judg­ing her the Handsomest of the Company, would needs make Love to her. By ill Luck he did not understand French no more than Angelica did Dutch; which made their conversation extreamly divert­ing to those who understood both Tongues. The Hollander having said a Hundred kind things to this Fair Miss, and she having heard 'em without understanding 'em, told him at length that she did not un­derstand him. He understood her [Page 112] as little, insomuch that he spoke in vain, since all the reply he made to her words was, Ick kan niet Vestan. This Rancounter where­in the conversation last some time in the Termes of the same Compli­ments, would undoubtedly merit being Written; But as it is sud­denly to be the Matter of a Ro­mance, which shall be Entitled, The Perplext Lover. I shall here touch nothing more of that Comedy. Angelica at her setting Foot on shoar at the Hague, met with one of those convenient Women, whose Houses are open to all the Fair ones of the Trade; they forthwith made acquaintance, insomuch that Our Wanderer went to take imme­diately a Lodging at her House, when that destiny furnish'd her with an opportunity favourable to her Interests. A Jeweler that was a Jew haunted this House: that Man who was Married at Amster­dam, [Page 113] spent at a Rate which sufficient­ly spoke his Opulency. The Master of the House Communicated to An­gelica the design he had of having the Jew surprized in her Company by the Schout, for the getting some Mony out of him. Angelica con­sented to all, promised to Play her Part well, and went to give the Provost notice of the business.

The Collation was prepared, and the Jew Drank up to a good humour, during their Amorous Wantonings, the Schout was In­troduced with two of his Officers into the House; the Jew threw An­gelica upon the Bed, and in the very moment he was going to do the Feat and Mount to the Attack, the Officers Entered, who took him in the Fact, and disappointed the Jew in his performances for that time, which made the poor Cully weep for vexation. Tho he could not deny it, yet the business was [Page 114] contested for some time. A great deal of Bustle there was upon the matter, & the End of the Farce was, that the Jew gave to the value of a Thousand Crowns in Jewels, to avoid a severer punishment, the Case was divided, and Angelica called by a certain Bawd of Rot­terdam to fleece a certain Cully who deserved to be so served.

A certain Seal-maker, a very able Work-man new Arrived from France, being Lodged at a certain Heridan's House, having Conjured her to procure him a Handsom Whore to Marry, and who would renounce her former Commerce, she Suggested to him Angelica, had her brought to him, and was Contracted to her. Angelica Cun­ningly got out of his Hands to the value of Four Hundred Livers in Rings, and a Hundred and Fifty Duccatoons in liquid Silver, which was his whole Estate, pretended [Page 115] that she had Lovers, and some at Amsterdam whither she Conducted him, she went to Lodg with him at the Famous Madam la Vunche's behind the Old Church, whom she prepossessed with the thought, that this Amorous Cully had a great deal of Mony to spend, was Treated there for Eight days to­gether, with all she had a mind to, and left the Ninny there, to pay all the charges she had put him to.

After so fine an exploit, Angelica being returned to the Hague, and now her Ill Destiny having grant­ed her too long a Truce, she went to her Misfortune, and Lodged in a Semstrisses House, who also did often the Office of a Heridan. The Je­suit whom this poor Wench had so villanously Cullied, having taught French for some Months in the Hague, haunted this House. The Hostess whom he favoured, and to [Page 116] whom he procured Customers for both Trades, told him fine things of the Beauty of her, who had taken her Chamber. He was Curious to see her, for to offer her his Ser­vices, and found in her with the highest Astonishment, her who had rendred him unhappy. One may Judge of the surprize: If the Je­suit was struck Dumb at the Sight of her, Angelica fell into a Swoon, out of which they had all the pain imaginable to bring her again. What matter of Rage and Fury soever this Jesuit had against that Maiden, his Ancient prudence Sug­gested to him a fixed equality, he told her the softest Words imagin­able, and insinuated himself so Cunningly into her good Opinion, that Angelica whom I call Inno­cence, with respect to the Artifices of a Jesuit, gave Credit to the Protestations he made her, of for­getting what was passed, provid­ed [Page 117] she would Vow to be Faithful to him for the Future. They did not part that day. Our Jesuit who cal­led himself Le Sieur Galois, and had a pretty good Reputation, represent­ed to her, that being able to gain honestly a Livelihood for her and himself, it became her to Com­port her self discreetly. She was pleased with his Counsel; consent­ed to go take a Chamber with him, in the Quality of his Wife, new­ly Arrived from France.

They lived for the space of three Weeks in very good Intelli­gence, the Cunning Jesuit having for her all the Deferences imaginable. But what did not this Natural Off­spring of Judas meditate? What did not he Brew against the poor Angelica? All the Treachery which the perfidy of an insulted Jesuit is capable off. The matter of Fact was as followeth. He Studied for some time the Inclinations of An­gelica, [Page 118] furnished her with all the Diversions he could imagine, until that one Day she had owned in her Drink, that she had still in a secret Pocket for above Ten Thou­sand Livers in Jewels. Their Familiarity Augmenting every day, Angelica not being willing to part with her Treasure, and the Jesuit not thinking fit to Strip her of it by Force nor by Cunning, in a place where it would have made too much Noise, he proposed to her, to go take the Air at Scheveling, for they having the Conveniency of Diverting 'em selves with the more Liberty, Angelica not foreseeing that some hours of Merriment would cost her whole Days of grief and vexation, accepted the offer. Whereupon they Troaped thither accordingly, went into a Tavern, where they spent the Night, until on the Morrow Morning, that the time and Sea-Calms seemed to [Page 119] invite 'em a walking. They Break­fasted after a handsom manner, until that the Wine getting into their Pates, they thought Convenient to go Dissipate the Fumes of it upon the Strand, where they walked until they were quite out of sight of all other Persons. Our Spark seeing himself in that Place Master of Angelica, put his Hand into the Water, and found the Sea so warm, that he Suggested to our Innocent Fair One, that they should find Bathing both Delicious and Health­ful. She at first rejected the propo­sition; but he Solicited her so sweetly, that she Stript he self for Company six Paces from him. He was Stark-Naked, and had al­ready Wantoned in the Water, when that seeing Angelica come in with her Smock on, he lifted it up and took it from her, with so sweet a violence, that she would then have been taken for our first [Page 120] Mother in the Moment of the Cre­ation. In went she into the Wa­ter, where they Wash'd, Kiss'd, Whipt, and a Hundred other little Toyings, and then sate down to be Caressed by the Waves. Our Jesuit advised her to Bath her self as long as she could well suffer it, Leap'd out of the Water, Dressed himself again, hindred her after a Sporting manner from coming out, until that he being compleatly Dressed, he took up in his Arms all the Cloaths of Angelica, with which he ran a Cross the Downs, without any News having since been heard of him, leaving thus that Fair One Stark-Naked, who ran after him in vain, but she quickly lost sight of him, and remained as a perfect Model of EVE Revived.