e could get an Opportunity to administer his
devilish Potion. But one Night, when she drank Wine with roasted Apples,
which was usual with her; instead of Sugar, or with the Sugar, the
baneful Drug was mixed, and she drank it down.

About this Time, there was a great Talk of this Page's coming from one
Sister, to go to the other. And Prince _Tarquin_, who was ignorant of
the Design from the Beginning to the End, hearing some Men of Quality at
his Table speaking of _Van Brune's_ Change of Place (the Princess then
keeping her Chamber upon some trifling Indisposition) he answer'd, 'That
surely they were mistaken, that he was not dismissed from the Princess's
Service:' And calling some of his Servants, he asked for _Van Brune_;
and whether any Thing had happen'd between her Highness and him, that
had occasion'd his being turned off. They all seem'd ignorant of this
Matter; and those who had spoken of it, began to fancy there was some
Juggle in the Case, which Time would bring to Light.

The ensuing Day 'twas all about the Town, that _Alcidiana_ was poison'd;
and though not dead, yet very near it; and that the Doctors said, she
had taken Mercury. So that there was never so formidable a Sight as this
fair young Creature; her Head and Body swoln, her Eyes starting out, her
Face black, and all deformed: So that diligent Search was made, who it
should be that did this; who gave her Drink and Meat. The Cook and
Butler were examined, the Footman called to an Account; but all
concluded, she received nothing but from the Hand of her new Page, since
he came into her Service. He was examined, and shew'd a thousand guilty
Looks: And the Apothecary, then attending among the Doctors, proved he
had bought Mercury of him three or four Days before; which he could not
deny; and making many Excuses for his buying it, betray'd him the more;
so ill he chanced to dissemble. He was immediately sent to be examined
by the Margrave or Justice, who made his _Mittimus_, and sent him to
Prison.

'Tis easy to imagine, in what Fears and Confusion the Princess was at
this News: She took her Chamber upon it, more to hide her guilty Face,
than for any Indisposition. And the Doctors apply'd such Remedies to
_Alcidiana_, such Antidotes against the Poison, that in a short Time she
recover'd; but lost the finest Hair in the World, and the Complexion of
her Face ever after.

It was not long before the Trials for Criminals came on; and the Day
being arrived,