But These Ideal Terrors Had Not Long
Possessed Her, Before She Had An Occasion Of Real Ones, More Shocking
Than Her Most Timid Fancy Could Have Suggested.
The wicked count de Bellfleur, who had taken care to prevent the passion
he had excited in Melanthe against
Her from growing cool, learned, from
that deceived lady, in what manner she intended to dispose of her; and
no sooner heard which way she went than, attended by one servant, who
was the confidant and tool of all his vices, he took boat for Padua, and
presently finding out, by describing her, at what inn she was lodged,
came directly thither; and, having called the man of the house, asked
him if such a young woman were not lodged there, to which being answered
in the affirmative, he told him that she was his wife; - that being but
lately married to her, in compliance with her request, he had brought
her to see the diversions of the carnival, and that she was eloped, he
doubted not, but for the sake of a gallant, since he loved her too well
to have given her any cause to take so imprudent a step.
The concern he seemed to be under gained immediate credit to all he
said; which he easily perceiving, I know, said he, that if I have
recourse to a magistrate I shall have a grant, and proper officers to
force her to return to her duty; but I would feign reclaim her by fair
means: - it is death to me to expose her; and if my perswasions will be
effectual, the world shall never know her fault.
The innkeeper then told him she was gone to bed, but he would wait on
him to her chamber, and he might call to her to bid her open the door.
No, answered the count, if she hears my voice she may, perhaps, be
frighted enough to commit some desperate action: - you shall therefore
speak to her, and make some pretence for obliging her to rise.
On this they both went up, and the man knocked softly at first, but on
her not answering immediately, more loud. - She, who heard him before,
but imagining something of what she had heard of others was now going to
happen to herself, was endeavouring to assume all the courage she could
for supporting her in whatever exigence heaven should reduce her to: - at
last she asked who was there, and for what reason she was disturbed. The
innkeeper then said he wanted something out of the room, and she must
needs open the door. This she refused to do, but got out of bed and
began to put on her cloaths, resolving to dye as decently as she could,
verily believing they were come to rob and murder her.
The man, who spoke all by the count's direction, then told her, that if
she would not open the door, he must be obliged to break it, and
presently beat so violently against it, that the poor terrified Louisa
expected it to burst, so thought it would be better to unbolt it of her
own accord, than, by a vain resistance, provoke worse usage than she
might otherwise receive:
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