But his curiosity satisfied in this point,
another rose instantly in his mind, that being the daughter of such a
person as Dorilaus, wherefore she had made so great a secret of it, and
what reason had occasioned her being on the terms she was with Melanthe.
He no sooner expressed his wonder on these heads, than, having before
her father's permission to do so, she resolved to leave him in no
suspence on any score relating to her affairs.
Tho', said she blushing, I cannot reveal the history of my birth without
laying open the errors of those to whom I owe my being, yet I shall not
think the sacrifice too great to recompence the obligations you have
laid upon me; and then proceeded to acquaint him with every thing
relating to her parents, as well as to herself, from the first moment
she was found in the garden of Dorilaus.
It is not to be doubted but that he listened to the story with the
utmost attention, in which he found such matters of admiration, that he
could not forbear frequently interrupting her, by crying, Oh heaven! oh
providence! how mysterious are thy ways! - How, in thy disposal of
things, dost thou force us to acknowledge thy divine power and wisdom!
He was also extremely pleased to find she was the sister of Horatio,
whom he had often been in company with both at the baron de la Valeire's
and at St. Germains, and had admired for the many extraordinary
qualities he discovered in him: this led them into a conversation
concerning that young gentleman, and the misfortunes which some late
news-paper gave an account were beginning to fall upon the king of
Sweden; after that, renewing the subject of their mutual affection, and
du Plessis running over the particulars of their acquaintance in Italy,
Louisa asked whether the count de Bellfleur had ever testified any
remorse for the injury he would have offered her, and in what manner
they had lived together in the army? To which monsieur du Plessis
replied, that the authority of the prince had prevented him from
attempting any open acts of violence; but that by his manner of
behaviour it was easy to see he had not forgiven the disappointment; and
he verily believed wanted only a convenient opportunity to revenge it:
but, continued he, whatever his designs were, heaven put a stop to the
execution of them; for, in the first skirmish that happened between us
and the forces of prince Eugene, this once gay, gallant courtier, had
his head taken off by a cannon ball.
The gentle Louisa could not forbear expressing some concern for the
sudden fate of this bad man, greatly as she had been affronted by him;
but when she reflected that the same accident might have befallen her
dear du Plessis, she was all dissolved in tears.
They were in this tender communication when Dorilaus returned leading
the countess d'Espargnes in one hand, and mademoiselle de Palfoy in the
other. Monsieur du Plessis was surprized to meet his sister in a place
where he knew not she was acquainted, and she no less to find him there.
The occasion of it was this:
Dorilaus, when he left the lovers together, went directly to the baron
de Palfoy's, and related to him and to mademoiselle the whole history of
monsieur du Plessis and Louisa; on which they contriv'd to make a
pleasant scene, by engaging the countess d'Espargnes to go with them to
Dorilaus's, without letting her know on what account. - The event
answered their wishes; madam d' Espargnes rallied her brother on finding
him alone with so beautiful a young lady; and mademoiselle Charlotta,
for his inconstancy to his mistress at Bolognia: but when the riddle was
solved, and the countess came to know that the lady left in the
monastery and Louisa were the same, she no longer condemned an
attachment which before had given her so much pain.
Mademoiselle Charlotta chid her for the reserve she had maintained to
her in this affair, especially, said she, as you were obliged to the
conversation you had with madam d'Espargnes in my apartment, that you
received any intelligence of monsieur du Plessis, or knew how to direct
your commands to him to return.
That, madam, is an obligation lies wholly on me, said monsieur du
Plessis; and I believe I shall find it very difficult to requite it, any
more than I shall to deserve my sister's pardon, for so industriously
endeavouring to conceal from her the secret of my passion and
its object.
Louisa told the ladies that she now hoped they would excuse the disorder
she had been in at the countess's discourse, since they knew the
motive: - a good deal of pleasantry passed between this agreeable
company; and as they were in the midst of it, the baron de Palfoy, who
had been hindered from accompanying Dorilaus, when he conducted the
ladies, now joined them; and tho' he was considerably older than any
there, was no less entertaining and good-humoured than the youngest.
Dorilaus had privately ordered a very magnificent collation, which being
served up, Louisa did the honours of the table with so good a grace,
that madam d' Espargnes was charmed with her, and took an opportunity of
asking Dorilaus when she might hope the happiness of calling so amiable
a lady by the name of sister. Du Plessis thanked her for the interest
she took in his affairs; and the baron de Palfoy added, that as the
lovers wanted no farther proofs how worthy they were of each other, he
would join in solliciting for a completion of their happiness. To which
Dorilaus replied, that he was too well satisfied with his daughter's
conduct, not to leave her entirely at her own disposal; and as to what
related to fortune and settlement, he should be ready to enter into such
articles as, he believed, monsieur du Plessis would have no reason to
complain of.
