ion, and Strength of Mind, he told her,
He would put her out of his Power, if she would consent to retreat for
some few Hours to a Nunnery that was not above half a Mile distant from
thence, till he had discoursed his Friend, Don _Henrique_ something more
particularly than hitherto, about this Matter: To which she readily
agreed, upon the Promise that Don _Henrique_ made her, of seeing her
with the first Opportunity. They waited on her then to the Convent,
where she was kindly and respectfully received by the Lady Abbess; but
it was not long before her Grief renewing with greater Violence, and
more afflicting Circumstances, had obliged them to stay with her till it
was almost dark, when they once more begged the Liberty of an Hour's
Absence; and the better to palliate their Design, _Henrique_ told her,
that he would make use of her Father Don _Richardo's_ Coach, in which
they came to Don _Antonio's_, for so small a Time: which they did,
leaving only _Eleonora_ her Attendant with her, with out whom she had
been at a Loss, among so many fair Strangers; Strangers, I mean, to her
unhappy Circumstances: Whilst they were carry'd near a Mile farther,
where, just as 'twas dark, they lighted from the Coach, Don _Henrique_,
ordering the Servants not to stir thence till their Return from their
private Walk, which was about a Furlong, in a Field that belong'd to the
Convent. Here Don _Antonio_ told Don _Henrique_, That he had not acted
honourably; That he had betray'd him, and robb'd him at once both of a
Friend and Mistress. To which t'other returned, That he understood his
Meaning, when he proposed a particular Discourse about this Affair,
which he now perceived must end in Blood: But you may remind your self
(continued he) that I have kept my Promise in delivering her to you.
Yes, (cry'd _Antonio_) after you had practis'd foully and basely on her.
Not at all! (returned _Henrique_) It was her Fate that brought this
Mischief on her; for I urged the Shame and Scandal of Inconstancy, but
all in vain, to her. But don't you love her, _Henrique_? (the other
ask'd.) Too well, and cannot live without her, though I fear I may feel
the cursed Effects of the same Inconstancy: However, I had quitted her
all to you, but you see how she resents it. And you shall see, Sir,
(cry'd _Antonio_, drawing his Sword in a Rage) how I resent it. Here,
without more Words, they fell to Action; to bloody Action. (Ah! how
wretched are our Sex, in being the unh