e, Ah, cruel! ah, unjust _Ardelia_! these
Words belong to none but _Antonio_; why then would you endeavour to
persuade me, that I do, or even can merit the Tenderness of such an
Expression?--Have a Care! (pursued he) have a Care, _Ardelia_! your
outward Beauties are too powerful to be resisted; even your Frowns have
such a Sweetness that they attract the very Soul that is not strongly
prepossessed with the noblest Friendship, and the highest Principles of
Honour: Why then, alas! did you add such sweet and Charming Accents?
Why--ah, Don _Henrique_! (she interrupted) why did you appear to me so
charming in your Person, so great in your Friendship, and so illustrious
in your Reputation? Why did my Father, ever since your first Visit,
continually fill my Ears and Thoughts with noble Characters and glorious
Ideas, which yet but imperfectly and faintly represent the inimitable
Original!--But--(what is most severe and cruel) why, Don _Henrique_, why
will you defeat my Father in his Ambition of your Alliance, and me of
those glorious Hopes with which you had bless'd my Soul, by casting me
away from you to _Antonio_!--Ha! (cry'd he, starting) what said you,
Madam? What did _Ardelia_ say? That I had bless'd your Soul with Hopes!
That I would cast you away to _Antonio_!--Can they who safely arrive in
their wish'd-for Port, be said to be shipwreck'd? Or, can an abject
indigent Wretch make a King?--These are more than Riddles, Madam; and I
must not think to expound 'em. No, (said she) let it alone, Don
_Henrique_; I'll ease you of that Trouble, and tell you plainly that I
love you. Ah! (cry'd he) now all my Fears are come upon me!--How! (ask'd
she) were you afraid I should love you? Is my Love so dreadful then?
Yes, when misplac'd (reply'd he;) but 'twas your Falshood that I fear'd:
Your Love was what I would have sought with the utmost Hazard of my
Life, nay, even of my future Happiness, I fear, had you not been
engag'd: strongly oblig'd to love elsewhere, both by your own Choice and
Vows, as well as by his dangerous Services, and matchless Constancy. For
which (said she) I do not hate him, tho' his Father kill'd my Uncle:
Nay, perhaps (continu'd she) I have a Friendship for him, but no more.
No more, said you, Madam? (cry'd he;)--but tell me, did you never love
him? Indeed, I did, (reply'd she;) but the Sight of you has better
instructed me, both in my Duty to my Father, and in causing my Passion
for you, without whom I shall be ete