as received by the Father of _Ardelia_ with the greatest
and most respectful Ceremony imaginable: And when he made the Proposal
to him of marrying his Daughter, it was embraced with a visible
Satisfaction and Joy in the Air of his Face. This their first
Conversation ended with all imaginable Content on both Sides; Don
_Henrique_ being invited by the Father to Dinner the next Day, when Dona
_Ardelia_ was to be present; who, at that Time, was said to be
indispos'd, (as 'tis very probable she was, with so close an
Imprisonment.) _Henrique_ returned to _Antonio_, and made him happy with
the Account of his Reception; which could not but have terminated in the
perfect Felicity of _Antonio_, had his Fate been just to the Merits of
his Love. The Day and Hour came which brought _Henrique_, with a private
Commission from his Friend, to _Ardelia_. He saw her;--(ah! would he had
only seen her veil'd!) and, with the first Opportunity, gave her the
Letter, which held so much Love, and so much Truth, as ought to have
preserved him in the Empire of her Heart. It contained, besides,
a Discovery of his whole Design upon her Father, for the compleating of
their Happiness; which nothing then could obstruct but her self. But
_Henrique_ had seen her; he had gaz'd, and swallowed all her Beauties at
his Eyes. How greedily his Soul drank the strong Poison in! But yet his
Honour and his Friendship were strong as ever, and bravely fought
against the Usurper Love, and got a noble Victory; at least he thought
and wish'd so. With this, and a short Answer to his Letter, _Henrique_
return'd to the longing _Antonio_; who, receiving the Paper with the
greatest Devotion, and kissing it with the greatest Zeal, open'd and
read these Words to himself:

_Don +Antonio+,_

_You have, at last, made Use of the best and only Expedient for my
Enlargement; for which I thank you, since I know it is purely the
Effect of your Love. Your Agent has a mighty Influence on my Father:
And you may assure yourself, that as you have advis'd and desir'd
me, he shall have no less on me, who am_

Your's entirely,
And only your's,
_ARDELIA_.

Having respectfully and tenderly kiss'd the Name, he could not chuse but
shew the _Billet_ to his Friend; who reading that Part of it which
concern'd himself, started and blush'd: Which _Antonio_ observing, was
curious to know the Cause of it. _Henrique_ told him, That he was
surpriz'd to find her express so litt