ess had drank to the prosperity of
the new married Couple at Dinner, and which afterward he presented to his
Cousin Donna Catharina. He among the rest was very intent, admiring the
richness, workmanship and beauty of the Cup, when a Lady came behind him
and pulling him by the Elbow, made a sign she would speak with him;
Hippolito, who knew himself an utter Stranger to Florence and every body
in it, immediately guessed she had mistaken him for her acquaintance, as
indeed it happened; however he resolved not to discover himself till he
should be assured of it; having followed her into a set Window remote
from Company, she address'd her self to him in this manner: 'Signior Don
Lorenzo (said she) I am overjoy'd to see you are so speedily recovered of
your Wounds, which by report were much more dangerous than to have
suffered your coming abroad so soon; but I must accuse you of great
indiscretion, in appearing in a Habit which so many must needs remember
you to have worn upon the like occasion not long ago, I mean at the
Marriage of Don Cynthio with your Sister Atalanta; I do assure you, you
were known by it, both to Juliana and my self, who was so far concerned
for you, as to desire me to tell you, that her Brother Don Fabritio (who
saw you when you came in with another Gentleman) had eyed you very
narrowly, and is since gone out of the Room, she knows not upon what
design; however she would have you, for your own sake, be advised and
circumspect when you depart this place, lest you should be set upon
unawares; you know the hatred Don Fabritio has born you ever since you
had the fortune to kill his Kinsman in a Duel: Here she paused as if
expecting his reply; but Hippolito was so confounded, that he stood mute,
and contemplating the hazard he had ignorantly brought himself into,
forgot his design of informing the Lady of her mistake. She finding he
made her no Answer, went on. 'I perceive (continued she) you are in some
surprize at what I have related, and may be, are doubtful of the Truth;
but I thought you had been better acquainted with your Cousin Leonora's
Voice, than to have forgot it so soon: Yet in Complaisance to your ill
Memory, I will put you past doubt, by shewing you my Face; with that she
pulled off her Mask, and discovered to Hippolito (now more amaz'd than
ever) the most Angelick Face that he had ever beheld. He was just about
to have made her some answer, when, clapping on her Mask again without
giving hi