Opinion, that this was the critical Minute of his
Happiness, resolving therefore not to lose it, he fell down on his
Knees, devouring her tender Hand, sighing out his Passion, begging her
to Crown it with her Love, making Ten thousand Vows and Protestations of
his Secrecy and Constancy, urging all the Arguments that the Subtilty of
the Devil or Man could suggest. She held out against all his Assaults
above two Hours, and often endeavoured to Struggle from him, but durst
make no great Disturbance, thro' fear of Alarming the Company below, at
last he redoubling his Passion with Sighs, Tears, and all the rest of
Love's Artillery, he at last gain'd the Fort, and the poor conquered
Lady, all panting, soft, and trembling every Joynt, melted by his
Embraces, he there fatally enjoy'd the greatest Extasy of Bliss,
heightned by the Circumstances of Stealth, and Difficulty in obtaining.
The ruin'd Lady now too late deplored the Loss of her Honour; but he
endeavour'd to Comfort her by making Vows of Secrecy, and promising to
salve her Reputation by a speedy Marriage, which he certainly intended,
had not the unhappy _Crisis_ of his Fate been so near. The Company by
this Time had gone off, and _Belvideera_ had retir'd to her Chamber,
melancholy that she had missed her Hopes of seeing _Dangerfield_.
_Gonzago_ and _Erizo_ going out of the Gate, saw _Dangerfield's_
Footman, whom they knew, since they saw him with his Master in the
Morning. _Gonzago_ asked him why he waited there? 'For my Master, Sir,'
reply'd the Footman. 'Your Master is not here sure,' said _Gonzago_.
'Yes, but he is, Sir,' said the Servant, 'for I attended him hither this
Morning with _Rinaldo_, and saw him in the Afternoon look out of a
Window above Stairs.' 'Ha!' said _Gonzago_, calling _Erizo_ aside, 'by
Heavens, he lies here to Night then, and perhaps with my Mistress;
I perceiv'd she was not pressing for our Stay, but rather urging our
Departure. _Erizo_, _Erizo_, this Block must be remov'd, he has stepped
between you and a Command to Day, and perhaps may lye between me and my
Mistress to Night.' 'By Hell (answered _Erizo_) thou hast raised a Fury
in me, that will not be lulled asleep, but by a Potion of his Blood;
let's dispatch this Blockhead first': And running at the Footman, with
one Thrust killed him. _Dangerfield_ by this time had been let out, and
hearing the Noise, ran to the Place; they presently assaulted him; he
defended himself very bravely the space o