第24章 The Letter.(12)

Upon the arrival of Don Mario and Hippolito,they heard a great Noise and Hubbub above Stairs,which Don Mario concluded was occasioned by their not finding Aurelian,whom he thought he could give the best account of:So that it was not in Hippolito's power to disswade him from going up before to prepare his Father to receive and forgive him.While Hippolito and Leonora were left in the Coach at the Door,he made himself known to her,and begg'd her pardon a thousand times for continuing the deceit.She was under some concern at first to find she was still mistaken;but his Behaviour,and the Reasons he gave,soon reconciled him to her;his Person was altogether as agreeable,his Estate and Quality not at all inferiour to Aurelian's;in the mean time,the true Aurelian who had seen his Father,begg'd leave of him to withdraw for a moment;in which time he went into the Chamber where his Incognita was dressing her self,by his design,in Woman's Apparel,while he was consulting with her how they should break the matter to his Father;it happened that Don Mario came up Stairs where the Marquess and Don Fabio were;they undoubtedly concluded him Mad,to hear him making Apologies and Excuses for Aurelian,whom he told them if they would promise to forgive he would present before them immediately.The Marquess asked him if his Daughter had lain with Leonora that Night;he answered him with another question in behalf of Aurelian.In short,they could not understand one another,but each thought 'tother beside himself.Don Mario was so concern'd that they would not believe him,that he ran down Stairs and came to the Door out of Breath,desiring Hippolito that he would come into the House quickly,for that he could not perswade his Father but that he had already seen and spoke to him.

Hippolito by that understood that Aurelian was in the House;so taking Leonora by the Hand,he followed Don Mario,who led him up into the Dining-Room,where they found Aurelian upon his Knees,begging his Father to forgive him,that he could not agree to the Choice he had made for him,since he had already disposed of himself,and that before he understood the designs he had for him,which was the reason that he had hitherto concealed himself.Don Fabio knew not how to answer him,but look'd upon the Marquess,and the Marquess upon him,as if the Cement had been cool'd which was to have united their Families.

All was silent,and Don Mario for his part took it to be all Conjuration;he was coming forward to present Hippolito to them,when Aurelian spying his Friend,started from his Knees and ran to embrace him--My dear Hippolito (said he)what happy chance has brought you hither,just at my Necessity?Hippolito pointed to Don Mario and Leonora,and told him upon what terms he came.Don Mario was ready to run mad,hearing him called Hippolito,and went again to examine his Daughter.While she was informing him of the truth,the Marquess's Servants returned with the melancholy News that his Daughter was no where to be found.While the Marquess and Don Fabritio were wondering at,and lamenting the Misfortune of her loss,Hippolito came towards Don Fabio and interceded for his Son,since the Lady perhaps had withdrawn her self out of an Aversion to the Match.Don Fabio,though very much incens'd,yet forgot not the Respect due to Hippolito's Quality;and by his perswasion spoke to Aurelian,though with a stern Look and angry Voice,and asked him where he had disposed the cause of his Disobedience,if he were worthy to see her or no;Aurelian made answer,That he desired no more than for him to see her;and he did not doubt a Consequence of his Approbation and Forgiveness--Well (said Don Fabio)you are very conceited of your own Discretion,let us see this Rarety.While Aurelian was gone in for Incognita,the Marquess of Viterbo and Don Fabritio were taking their leaves in great disorder for their loss and disappointment;but Don Fabio entreated their stay a moment longer till the return of his Son.Aurelian led Incognita into the Room veil'd,who seeing some Company there which he had not told her of,would have gone back again.But Don Fabio came bluntly forwards,and ere she was aware,lifted up her Veil and beheld the Fair Incognita,differing nothing from Juliana,but in her Name.This discovery was so extreamly surprizing and welcome,that either Joy or Amazement had tied up the Tongues of the whole Company.Aurelian here was most at a loss,for he knew not of his Happiness;and that which all along prevented Juliana's confessing her self to him,was her knowing Hippolito (for whom she took him)to be Aurelian's Friend,and she feared if he had known her,that he would never have consented to have deprived him of her.Juliana was the first that spoke,falling upon her Knees to her Father,who was not enough himself to take her up.Don Fabio ran to her,and awakened the Marquess,who then embraced her,but could not yet speak.Fabritio and Leonora strove who should first take her in their Arms;for Aurelian he was out of his wits for Joy,and Juliana was not much behind him,to see how happily their Loves and Duties were reconciled.Don Fabio embraced his Son and forgave him.The Marquess and Fabritio gave Juliana into his hands,he received the Blessing upon his Knees;all were over-joy'd,and Don Mario not a little proud at the discovery of his Son-in-Law,whom Aurelian did not fail to set forth with all the ardent Zeal and Eloquence of Friendship.Juliana and Leonora had pleasant Discourse about their unknown and mistaken Rivalship,and it was the Subject of a great deal of Mirth to hear Juliana relate the several Contrivances which she had to avoid Aurelian for the sake of Hippolito.

Having diverted themselves with many Remarks upon the pleasing surprize,they all thought it proper to attend upon the Great Duke that Morning at the Palace,and to acquaint him with the Novelty of what had pass'd;while,by the way,the two Young Couple entertained the Company with the Relation of several Particulars of their Three Days Adventures.