ountryman, as their Unkle had recounted it to them;
I was pleas'd to find so great an Example of _English_ Bravery, so far
from Home, and long'd extreamly to converse with him, vainly flattering
myself, that he might have been of my Acquaintance. That very Night
there was a grand Ball and Masquerade at the great Duke's Palace, for
the most signal Joy of the late Success, thither _Belvideera_ invited me
to Accompany her and _Maria_, adding withal as a Motive, that we might
there most probably meet, and Discourse with this young Hero; and
equipping me with a Suit of Masquerade, they carried me in their Coach
to the Ball, where we had pass'd half an Hour, when I saw enter a
handsom Gentleman in a rich _English_ Dress; I show'd him to
_Belvideera_, who moving towards him, with a gallant Air, slaps him on
the Shoulder with her Fan, he turning about, and viewing her Person, the
Defaults of which were not altogether hidden by her Disguise; 'Sir,
(said he) if you are a Man, know that I am one, and will not bear
Impertinence; but, if you are a Lady, Madam, as I hope in Heavens you
are not, I must inform you, that I am under a Vow, not to converse with
any Female to Night;' 'Know then, Sir, (answered _Belvideera_ very
smartly) that I am a Female, and you have broke your Vow already; but
methinks, Sir, the Ladies are very little oblig'd to your Vow, which
wou'd rob them of the Conversation of so fine a Gentleman.'

'Madam, (said the Gentleman) the Sweetness of your Voice bespeaks you a
Lady, and I hope the breaking my Vow will be so far from Damning me,
that I shall thereby merit Heaven, if I may be blest in your Divine
Conversation.' _Belvideera_ made such ingenious and smart Repartees to
the Gentleman, who was himself a great Courtier, that he was entirely
captivated with her Wit, insomuch, that he cou'd not refrain making
Protestations of his Passion; he talked about half an Hour in such pure
_Italian_, that I began to mistrust my _Englishman_, wherefore taking
some Occasion to jest upon his Habit, I found 'twas only a Masquerade to
cloak a down-right _Venetian_; in the mean Time, we perceiv'd a
Gentleman Gallantly attir'd with no Disguise but a _Turkish_ Turbant on,
the richliest beset with Jewels I ever saw; he addressed _Maria_ with
all the Mien and Air of the finest Courtier; he had talked to her a good
while before we heard him, but then _Belvideera_, knowing her poor
Sister uncapable of any Defence, 'Sir, (said she to the