ch tho' it brought Don _Henrique_ and his dear _Ardelia_ to him,
about five o'Clock in the Evening, yet at the same Time brought his last
and greatest Misfortune. He saw her then at a She Relation's of his,
above three Miles from _Seville_, which was the Place assigned for their
fatal Interview. He saw her, I say; but ah! how strange! how altered
from the dear, kind _Ardelia_ she was when last he left her! 'Tis true,
he flew to her with Arms expanded, and with so swift and eager a Motion,
that she could not avoid, nor get loose from his Embrace, till he had
kissed, and sighed, and dropt some Tears, which all the Strength of his
Mind could not restrain; whether they were the Effects of Joy, or
whether (which rather may be feared) they were the Heat-drops which
preceded and threaten'd the Thunder and Tempest that should fall on his
Head, I cannot positively say; yet all this she was then forced to
endure, e'er she had Liberty to speak, or indeed to breathe. But as soon
as she had freed herself from the loving Circle that should have been
the dear and lov'd Confinement or Centre of a Faithful Heart, she began
to dart whole Showers of Tortures on him from her Eyes; which that Mouth
that he had just before so tenderly and sacredly kiss'd, seconded with
whole Volleys of Deaths crammed in every Sentence, pointed with the
keenest Affliction that ever pierc'd a Soul. _Antonio_, (she began) you
have treated me now as if you were never like to see me more: and would
to Heaven you were not!--Ha! (cry'd he, starting and staring wildly on
her;) What said you, Madam? What said you, my _Ardelia_? If you like the
Repetition, take it? (reply'd she, unmoved) _Would to Heaven you were
never like to see me more!_ Good! very Good! (cry'd he, with a Sigh that
threw him trembling into a Chair behind him, and gave her the
Opportunity of proceeding thus:)--Yet, _Antonio_, I must not have my
Wish; I must continue with you, not out of Choice, but by Command, by
the strictest and severest Obligation that ever bound Humanity; Don
_Henrique_, your Friend, commands it; Don _Henrique_, the dearest Object
of my Soul, enjoins it; Don _Henrique_, whose only Aversion I am, will
have it so. Oh, do not wrong me, Madam! (cry'd Don _Henrique_.) Lead me,
lead me a little more by the Light of your Discourse, I beseech you
(said Don _Antonio_) that I may see your Meaning! for hitherto 'tis
Darkness all to me. Attend therefore with your best Faculties (pursu'd
_Arde