rer the Hopes of Happiness, while he himself was hourly sinking into
the lowest State of Misery. The last Night before the Day in which
_Antonio_ expected to be bless'd in her Love, Don _Henrique_ had a long
and fatal Conference with her about her Liberty. Being then with her
alone in an Arbour of the Garden, which Privilege he had had for some
Days; after a long Silence, and observing Don _Henrique_ in much
Disorder, by the Motion of his Eyes, which were sometimes stedfastly
fix'd on the Ground, then lifted up to her or Heaven, (for he could see
nothing more beautiful on Earth) she made use of the Privilege of her
Sex, and began the Discourse first, to this Effect:--Has any Thing
happened, Sir, since our Retreat hither, to occasion that Disorder which
is but too visible in your Face, and too dreadful in your continued
Silence? Speak, I beseech you, Sir, and let me know if I have any Way
unhappily contributed to it! No, Madam, (replyed he) my Friendship is
now likely to be the only Cause of my greatest Misery; for To-morrow I
must be guilty of an unpardonable Crime, in betraying the generous
Confidence which your noble Father has plac'd in me: To-morrow (added
he, with a piteous Sigh) I must deliver you into the Hands of one whom
your Father hates even to Death, instead of doing myself the Honour of
becoming his Son-in-law within a few Days more.--But--I will consider
and remind myself, that I give you into the Hands of my Friend; of my
Friend, that loves you better than his Life, which he has often expos'd
for your Sake; and what is more than all, to my Friend, whom you love
more than any Consideration on Earth.--And must this be done? (she
ask'd.) Is it inevitable as Fate?--Fix'd as the Laws of Nature, Madam,
(reply'd he) don't you find the Necessity of it, _Ardelia_? (continued
he, by Way of Question:) Does not your Love require it? Think, you are
going to your dear _Antonio_, who alone can merit you, and whom only you
can love. Were your last Words true (returned she) I should yet be
unhappy in the Displeasure of a dear and tender Father, and infinitely
more, in being the Cause of your Infidelity to him: No, Don _Henrique_
(continued she) I could with greater Satisfaction return to my miserable
Confinement, than by any Means disturb the Peace of your Mind, or
occasion one Moment's Interruption of your Quiet.--Would to Heaven you
did not, (sigh'd he to himself.) Then addressing his Words more
distinctly to her, cry'd h