THE Renowned City of Maeſtricht did but begin to enjoy the happineſs of a peace, wherewith Heaven • ad bleſſed at laſt, and rewarded • s heroical atchievements, when a • ew Enemy, no leſs turbulent and •• oubleſome than the former, be •• n to ingage the braveſt Officers of its Garriſon into a pain •• and reſtleſs exerciſe. Love mo •• haughty, more proud and inſole •• than ambition it ſelf, came in the attended with his ordinary retin • of Tricks, Subtleties and Intrigue • he planted his Colours within 〈◊〉 compaſs of thoſe famous Walls, a • for the better ſecuring of his Co •• queſt, ſeized on a great number generous hearts, which he handled in ſuch a manner, as 〈◊〉 thought the fitteſt for the mo •• ſplendid ſhew of his ſtrength, a • ſupreme power. That Tyrant •• deed, doth not ſet up his Empi ••• with ſo much noiſe, as Bellona a • Mars do; but he is no leſs dange •• ous and formidable for that, ſin •• through jealouſie, diſdains, hatr •• and diſſimulation, he moves thouſand Wheels, he manages thouſand Springs, from when come out Sorrow, Anger, deſpa •• and ſometimes death it ſelf. 〈◊〉 • ovel ſhall highly witneſs it, as • eing the famous Stage, wherein 〈◊〉 leſs than a whole regiment will •• ay their own parts, and ſerve for ſport to that cruel and capricious • overeign.

A Cavalier whom Fortune and •• avour had lifted up to the place 〈◊〉 a Colonel of Horſe, dying, left •• hind him Berenice his only Daugh •• r, a young, brisk, handſome and •• itty Maid, but provided with 〈◊〉 other portion, but a noble •• ood, and high Spirit, and a great ••• pe of an alliance anſwerable to 〈◊〉 nobility of her birth. In the 〈◊〉 time of her mourning, when 〈◊〉 fair complexion was like a Sun ••• ining through a Cloud, many a • entleman crouded by her, to wipe 〈◊〉 her tears. The late Colonel, for 〈◊〉 weighty reaſons, had been •• reamly unkind to ſo tender a •• uty, ſtrictly and abſolutely for •• ding her to receive viſits, or countenance any way the vows 〈◊〉 any Gallant, keeping her in compleat ſlavery within the Wa •• of a Houſe, or rather of a Clo • ſter: ſo that ſhe no ſooner ſaw he • ſelf ſet at liberty, by the death 〈◊〉 ſo cruel a Father, but ſhe begu • to mend what was amiſs, and 〈◊〉 open the doors, not only of 〈◊〉 Houſe, but alſo of her wit to 〈◊〉 honeſt companies, making in th • moſt refined converſations, an 〈◊〉 vantagious and ſurprizing uſe 〈◊〉 all Romances and other galla •• Books, ſhe had read over and ov •• during the time of her long ca •• tivity. The end ſhe aimed at, 〈◊〉 to triumph over all thoſe of 〈◊〉 Sex in the Countrey, by the •• liteneſs and neatneſs of her wi •• to inſnare the heart of ſome one 〈◊〉 the moſt eminent Gentlemen • mongſt her Gallants, and ſo, 〈◊〉 be obliged for her Fortune to no b •• dy but herſelf. Now the ch ••• • ean ſhe made uſe of for that, was to feign an extream ſorrow, • nd affect in her carriage ſuch a •• nguor, as might eaſily convince •• ny body, ſhe was uncomfortable 〈◊〉 the loſs of her Father. She did with ſo much grace and eloquence •• ſtifie the reaſonableneſs of her • eſpair, and the quickneſs of her • epartees did ſo much amaze the • oſt witty and underſtanding of her Courtiers, that they, before their •• ming into the circle, did curiouſly •• epare themſelves, and deſired 〈◊〉 moſt learned and refined of •• eir Friends to help them in the •• nviction of ſo inlightned and dex •• ous a Wit.

Gallantry being nouriſhed and • aintained into Maeſtricht only by • e well-bred Officers of the Gar • ſon, Berenice was courted by none 〈◊〉 military men; amongſt which 〈◊〉 certain Major, a witty man in • eed, but vain and proud, was the firſt who earneſtly and ſeriou • ly wooed her. As that Gentle man had an high apprehenſion 〈◊〉 his own merit, ſo his ſelf-lo •• made him eaſily believe he wa • amiable, and that amongſt a • hundred other Gallants, he would keep an honourable diſtance, an • get at laſt the better of them. O • the other ſide, the young Lady who had hitherto received no ope • declaration of love; ſhewed h ••• ſelf ſenſible of theſe approaches although neither the Majors fortune, nor his wit, good grace • gallantry, or ſplendid maintenanc • could prevail upon her heart ſo far, 〈◊〉 to ingage it in his favour. Nay, •• meer Captain of the ſame Regimen • who had not to the eyes of th • world ſo many excellent parts 〈◊〉 our Major, had yet to thoſe of B • renice, that precious, that charmi •• but nameleſs, I know not wha • which maketh the ſtrongeſt in • agements, through whoſe effica • ous influence, he dropped ſecret •• into the depth of her Soul, and • ade himſelf the only and abſolute • uler of her tendereſt inclinations. • he bore, indeed, to that Cavalier 〈◊〉 true, ſincere and paſſionate love; • ut ambition being no leſs the ty •• ant of her heart, than Cupidon, 〈◊〉 could not, without bluſhing, • aſt in her mind the management 〈◊〉 an alliance, which ſhe conceived 〈◊〉 be far under the degree and con • ition of her birth. The misfortune was, that the Cavalier having 〈◊〉 very modeſt opinion of himſelf, • nd ſuſpecting nothing of his be •• ng ſo paſſionately loved, did rather act the comforter with her, than • he lover, being careleſs enough about thoſe external ornaments which make commonly ſo great an • mpreſſion on the tender Sex; his • hew and carriage were very mean, • is retinue but little, and he put himſelf to no charges, becauſe being born of one of the moſt illuſtrious Families of his Country, he was ſparing his Eſtate, to carry it higher withal in a better preferment he aſpired to. On the contrary, the Major, whom ſome extraordinary parts had made confident, joyned to the comelineſs o • the body the luſtre of great and ſumptuous expences; he was rich handſome, and ſetled in a good employ; he had conſequently all tha • may engage a heart, and according to the ordinary courſe of the world, was the moſt worthy o • the ſacrifice of Berenice's liberty. But all theſe advantagious conditions proved to be of no ſignificancy to her, ſhe felt no ſpark of true love for him, and ſhe loved out o • a natural propenſity her dear Captain, who in her judgment wanted nothing but an higher degree t • to be the worthy object of her vows.

Thus whilſt Love was getting ground more and more in the heart of Berenice for her truly beloved Lyſandre, (ſuch is the name of that fortunate Gentleman) our Major was very earneſt with her about getting a favourable declaration, growing every day more forward to tell his mind, and fancying, that loves paſſion increaſed as much in that inſenſible heart, as in his own; Nay, he came to ſuch a degree of familiarity, that he fooliſhly acquainted her with ſome ſecret intrigues which ſome other kind Ladies had truſted to his ſuppoſed fidelity and diſcretion; ſo that, through ſo ſimple and giddy a carriage, he diſcovered to that refined Maid, the weakneſs of his Soul, making her conceive great hopes of conſiderable things, ſhe could get by him, and in effect, it proved not a miſtake, ſince through the indiſcretion of that ſilly conceited wooer, ſhe ſurpriſed and fixed to her ſide the fickleneſs of fortune; all ſucceeded according to her deſires, and ſhe got benefits far beyond her own expectation. One day, after he had ſpent a whole afternoon in a private and pleaſant converſation with her, he took opportunity of the merry humour ſhe was in, to throw again at her feet both his heart and liberty, being in hope of a favourable anſwer: but the crafty Lady not willing, either to put him in a deſpair, or to ingage herſelf further than was agreeable to her deſigns, keeping ſtill in a merry tune; one will think on it, ſaith ſhe with a jeering manner, the injoyment of a heart, that may love ſincerely when it hath no more choice, is worth enough ſome troubles. Such a cold anſwer was able to ſatisfie our Gallant of the little tendency of his Miſtriſs towards him (for how true and faithful may be • hat love which is not natural and true) but the great opinion he had of himſelf did blind him ſo much that he was by no means diſcountenanced. Nay, he made his court with more exactneſs than ever, growing more troubleſome and impatient than formerly: In fine, he deſired her to take a final and ſubſtantial reſolution upon the matter. She who had little or nothing of the ordinary frailty of her Sex, ſeeing there was no way to avoid anſwering to ſo formal application, reparteed wittily, ſhe was extreamly ſenſible of his love, • ut that how great ſoever her reciprocal paſſion for him might be, yet her being Daughter of a famous Colonel, which quality was almoſt her only inheritance did forbid her to follow her own inclination, and yield to a Gentleman inferiour to the degree of her late father: that the place of Lieutenant Colonel being void, he could eaſily attain to it, and then ſhe would ſtick no longer to reward and ſecond his Vows.

This declaration caſt into a ſtrange perplexity of mind our Major, who had ſeveral times made his utmoſt intereſt, but always in vain, to get that preferment. He wanted no acceſs to his Colonel, who was a man near fourſcore years of age, but who being grown gray-haired in the exerciſe of War, and having got through a long experience, a deep diſcernment and a ſolid apprehenſion of true courage, prudent conduct, and other warlike parts, did not judge his favorite to be able enough to diſcharge worthily a place of ſo important a truſt. Nevertheleſs, he ſet a good face on a bad matter, and replyed cheerfully, That he was not very far off from that eminent degree, there being but one ſtep more to be made to it: but if ſo be her fire were equal to his flame, ſhe ſhould not ſtop their common happineſs on ſo ſmall an account, and for want of an external quality, which could neither increaſe nor diminiſh his real and material merit. Berenice at that onſet, ſtood firm upon a noble pride, ſhe obſtinately bent herſelf to perſwade him, ſhe loved the Major, and would marry the Lieutenant Colonel; which having repeated ſeveral times, what reaſons ſoever he could alledge to move her, he perceived clearly, that the taking in of ſuch a Fortreſs was not a matter of one day, nor ſo eaſie a work as he thought; but being gone ſo far, his love and courage did not permit him to make retreat: he reneweth the aſſault with more vigour and freſh arguments, ſighs, crieth, intreats, but is always ſerved with the ſame anſwer, ſo that giving himſelf wholly to ſorrow, his hope was very near to yield to deſpair, when the clear-ſighted love of Berenice wiſely adviſed her how to keep the fool in awe and further her own intereſt, by the moſt exquiſite and ingenious trick, that was ever heard of in the whole Kingdom of Cupidon.

She on a ſudden fell out of countenance, modeſty ſhut up for a while her mouth, ſhe offered to ſpeak ſome words, preſently a ſecret baſhfulneſs forbad her ſpeaking; holding down her eyes, ſhe ſeemed to be willing to ſpeak and be ſilent at once: but all this was a meer fiction, that the curious Major would offer a kind and honeſt violence to her hypocritical repugnancy, and force her in a manner to open her moſt ſecret ſentiments, Madam, ſaith he, I ſee you extreamly thoughtful, I conceive your tongue is not loyal to your heart, no doubt, he permits her to declare ſome things that ſhe conceals, and which I ought to be acquainted with; but if you will right me, I hope of your juſtice you will deem me no leſs diſcreet than paſſionate a Lover: ſtick not to unfold me your heart, and vex your ſelf no more by keeping a ſecret that perhaps cannot be long a myſtery to me. Do you love another? let me know that happy mortal, let me know that fortunate Rival. The vehement paſſion that made me your ſlave, will give place to my reſpect, and although love doth not at all agree with a concurrent, yet I ingage my faith, that I will approve of your choice, even with the loſs of my own life, if my Rival proves not altogether unworthy of you. Pardon, amable Berenice, pardon, I cannot forbear to intreat you againſt your ſelf, and crave of you the opening of a thing, whoſe declaration, perhaps, may caſt to your vertue a bluſh, why do you conceal me ſo long your heart, to me I ſay, who truſt you mine own with ſo much forwardneſs and candor? have I a rival? let me know him, and it is enough. Muſt I have a rival? ſaith he again, ſoftly puſhing the knee of Berenice. That fair ſeeing her coxcomb juſt come to the point where ſhe expected him, anſwered with a deep ſigh, Yes Sir, you have a Rival, but a Rival that can do you no harm; and who may but little prejudice the poſſeſſion you are aſpiring to. The Major withſtood this ſtorm with an apparent equality of mind, but ſome brisk motions of impatience were a going to break out, and betray his ſuperficial and affected vertue, whe •• Berenice ſuddenly roſe up to mee • a great Lady, that came to pay he • a ceremonious viſit. Our Majo • retired after the uſual civilities and as one may eaſily imagine, wa • not very quiet by night, being overbuſy about the meaning of that Aenigme, that he had a Rival, but a Rival who could do him no harm, and but little prejudice the enjoyment of his happineſs.

Some extraordinary occaſions hindred him the next morning from waiting upon his Miſtreſs at her Toilett, as he was uſed to do, and he could not ſee her but about night, altho' his curioſity made him diſpatch his buſineſſes with all ſpeed imaginable.

In the mean time, Berenice who had ſpent great part of the night in reading a new Romance, being willing to repair that loſs by ſleeping ſome hours by day, kept her Bed all the morning, having firſt bidden her waiting Woman to acquaint her with the names of all thoſe that ſhould preſent themſelves at the door, before their admittance. Her Gallants in ordinary failed not to wait according to cuſtome, they were civilly diſmiſſed with an honeſt, Madam is a little indiſpoſed. Lyſandre the dearly beloved Captain, and ſure, the leaſt troubleſome of all, comes about ten a Clock; notice of his coming is given to Berenice, by whoſe order he is admitted to the Bed ſide it ſelf • his duty was to furniſh a complement, which he did in proper, but ordinary expreſſions; yet they were as many charms to the inchanted Lady (ſo true it is that a beloved one pleaſeth any way) ſome tender thanks paid his civility, and then not a word, becauſe the Captain, being more ſerious than gallant, was afraid, too much ſpeech would perhaps increaſe Berenices diſtemper, when ſhe at laſt broke off this dull ſilence with a ſigh, that cauſed Lyſandre to ask her whether ſhe felt any new pain: whereupon ſhe begun to ſpeak, and with a ſoft and languiſhing voice. Sir, ſaith ſhe, why did not Heaven inrich you with benefits of Fortune anſwerable to your merit? or elſe, why did not he make me leſs proud and ambitious? alas! I would not ſigh now, and my cure ſhould be as quick as certain: I love you, dear Captain, added ſhe, ſhedding abundance of tears; if it be a weakneſs to own it, the preſent poſture of my affairs excuſeth me, and being bereft of the protection of my Houſe as I am, both prudence and neceſſity ſtands to juſtifie the choice I make of a man, that will ſerve me for a Father, as well as for a Husband: Yes, I ſay again, I love you as much for your modeſty, as I hate for their ſickleneſs an hundred others, who dare court me upon the meer account of Fortune: but if that blind Goddeſs hath ſo liberally and with ſo little diſcernment favoured with her gifts thoſe unworthy fellows; ſhe will perhaps, ſometime do right to Vertue▪ do not deſpair. She bluſht after ſo free a declaration, and ſunk briskly into the Bed, the more to perſwade Lyſandre, that ſhe was in earneſt; ſhe held her peace then, giving place to the anſwer of her favorite, who expreſſed himſelf after this manner: Could I be ſatisfied, Madam, that your diſcourſe is not a pretty trick put upon me for a tryal or a ſport, I would go out of a reſpectful indifference and borrow the moſt efficacious and exquiſite words of eloquence, to mark you the greatneſs of my joy and gratitude: but the certain knowledge I have of all thoſe excellent parts, wherewith you are endowed, even to admiration; as well as my conſciouſneſs, that in this ſo numerous Garriſon, there is no Cavilier but ſurpaſſeth me in merit and value, makes me be ſilent, not refuſing to give matter to your divertiſement, if ſo be, it could contribute ſomething to the recovering of a health ſo dear and ſo precious to all the World. Lyſandre who had always looked upon her as a proud and ambitious Maid, being eye-witneſs of that indifference, wherewith ſhe had received the vows of the moſt eminent Officers in the Town, did not flatter himſelf to ſuch a point, as to fancy, that before eyes ſo pierceing, and ſo much capable to try qualifications and endowments, he had merit enough to deſerve ſo obliging a preference. Therefore he purſued as in a jeering manner: Madam, had I temerity and blindneſs enough to ground my ſelf upon your charming Speech, I could preſently lay open to you all that is able to ingage a heart, that ſeems already moved; as proud as a Gaſcon or a Scotchman, but indeed more true than any of them, I would entertain you with the greatneſs and ſplendor of my Family, I would • ire your patience with the Hiſtory of my Anceſtors atchievements, both in War and Peace; I would ſwear by all the powers of Heaven and Hell, that my noble blood is at leaſt three hundred years old. You could have in a minute the particulars of all the notable paſſages of my own life, wherein you would confeſs that I never failed to fortune, but ſhe failed me, and turned againſt me; you ſhould learn in how many famous Sieges I have got glory, and reaped Laurels. I would come to that height of impudence as to offend your modeſty by diſcovering you my wounds: Nay 〈◊〉 perhaps in a pedantick humor, I could reckon you, amongſt other improvements and fruits of my wit, that 〈◊〉 poſſeſs five tongues, of which Latin and Greek are thoſe I ſpeak beſt; but all this ſhew being made by an obſcur • man, that ſhines ſo little, and make now ſo ſmall a figure in the World would prove altogether inſignificant and fitter to make me ridiculous tha • commendable to you. I know—he was yet ſpeaking, when Berenice being able no longer to forbear laugh • ng, took opportunity of his merriment to interrupt him, how! Sir, cryed ſhe, you can ſpeak Latin, and dare complain againſt Fortune; I have always been told, that Latiniſm is an infallible ſpring of goods to them that attain to it; could not you drop handſomely into a Colledge, and get a fellowſhip? He fell himſelf a laughing heartily. Yes indeed, continued ſhe, a Cap on your Head, and a Rod in your Hand would fit you marvelouſly well, you, I ſay, whom nature hath inriched with a ſevere countenance, ſo much gravity and ſeriouſneſs. He thought himſelf ingaged • o nouriſh the ſport, and back the • eſt: ſo alledging the reaſons that might take him from ſo glorious a deſign, he ſaid, He was endowed with ſo tender and mild a nature, • hat he could never uſe the neceſſary rigour in a Schoolmaſters place; that he was too much afraid to ſee himſelf forced to get tears out of tender and innocent eyes. Now if I aſſure you, ſaid ſhe, that there is no man in the world, who cauſeth ſuch abundance of tears to be ſhed, as you, what will you think, Sir, of that tenderneſs and mildneſs of nature you ſo confidently boaſt of? If you could prove it, reparteed Lyſandre, I would take up arms againſt my humour, put it to a ſtrict trial, condemn it as an inconſtant, and force it by all means to recover its former ſenſibility. Well, ſaith ſhe, arm then againſt it, go on ſtreight way and fight it, let your attendance be more aſſiduous, that I may judge of your amendment, be you from henceforth more neat and curious in apparel, and be perſwaded that one loves you; this very night take ſo cloſe meaſures that you may immediately ſucceed to a troubleſome fellow that leaves me very late, and prepare ſeriouſly to open me the true • entiments of your heart about that which my ſincerity hath open'd to you. He roſe, upon that, with his mind • o prepoſſeſſed and flattered with 〈◊〉 ſweet Idea, that he forgot to • ake his congy, not daring perhaps • and the brightneſs of ſo charming • aids eyes which look'd him out to • he very chamber door.

Our Cavalier ſeing himſelf ſo • navoidably ingag'd to make a formal and poſitive declaration to a • erſon whoſe deſigns were altogether unknown to him, was mighty • neaſy, his trouble not permitting him to go home ſtraightway, leſt he ſhould meet there with a company • hat might interrupt his thoughts, • e ran to the Rampart which he walked twice round about with ſuch 〈◊〉 wandering of mind, that his very • riends miſtook him. An Officer, who was upon duty at Boldukes • ate, ſtopp'd him on a ſudden, and queſtion'd him about the matter tha • could make him ſo dull and melancholick, but not being able to ge • a word out of his mouth, he ſaid jeſtingly, Ʋpon my word, Friend • you are catch'd, ſome fair eye ſmo •• you, be ye aware of being liſted among • thoſe perplexed Lovers that go every day and talk flouriſhed nonſence to fa •• Berenice: Faith, they ſay, ſhe looks o • you with a very kind eye, and that you perceiv'd it a great while ago, but what what one may think on it? ſhould there be any cooling in her flame, 〈◊〉 did any humour of hers caſt you into the ugly temper? At ſo troubleſome an • unlucky queſtions Lyſandre reparted nothing elſe, but that a ſad accide •• concerning private affairs had be •• faln him, which he was trouble • for, and call'd meer trifles all th • he ſaid about the deſign of his 〈◊〉 to the Colonels daughter; the • friendly touching the Officers ha •• he went on in his way renewin • his interrupted meditation. But whiles he is walking at a good rate, and gets out of our ſight, let us come back into Berenices chamber, and hear how eloquently the Major exaggerates his paſſion.

This pretended favourite gave attendance upon her about night. He met there a full and noble company, which purpoſely he tired with a world of diſcourſes that ſmelt nothing at all of a civil and compleaſant Gentleman: he affected to ſtay the laſt, and after the Company was out, made a motion concerning that ſcurvy matter, that laid ſo heavy upon his heart, that he had a Rival, but was ſo unfortunate as to not know, who. Berenice who was out of meaſures with him, becauſe he himſelf did very freely deal with her, told him as before; He had, indeed, a Rival, but ſuch a one, as ſhould by no means hurt him, and that it would be always in his power to get, not only the poſſeſſion he ſo paſſionately aim'd at, but alſo a great fortune withal. Our Major not being able to ſtay any longer, intreated her, one knee upon the ground, to pull off the vail of ſo important a Myſtery. She getting him up again with a kind manner led him along with her to the bottom of an Alcove, whoſe obſcurity might do extreamly well for the ſhadowing of that privacy, wherewith ſhe had a mind to entertain a while the poor couſened Gallant. This extraordinary carriage put him in a great hope o • ſome private favour, though the foo • was never ſo far off in all his life. He ſits down by her, the cloſeſt he could, being unwilling to loſe a word of the precious ſpeech of his Miſtreſs, who in the mean time affected to ſpeak low, that he might conceive how repugnantly ſhe explain'd her ſelf upon the matter▪ Heaven! what is not a witty and amorous woman capable to do 〈◊〉 She told him, She knows away how to get themſelves both happy for ever, but that modeſty, which is the natural portion of her Sex, would forbid her to tell it, yet ſhe could not be ſilent without miſſing a fair opportunity to ſerve him, and without betraying her own ſelf-intereſt. This feign'd perplexity which the Major believed real and true, inflam'd him more and more, and fed his curioſity with a new ſtore of impatience, he prays, intreats, urges, inſtanceth, and ſwears ſo many oaths, he would be ſecret in caſe the intreague that was to be truſt'd him, ſhould come to miſcarry, that ſhe thought no more ſeaſonable to diſſemble; fearing beſides, that any longer delay might perhaps quite break her meaſures, and bring the whole contrivance to nothing. Sir, ſaith ſhe; I muſt confeſs it, I am too free, but no matter; they muſt try fortune; that pretend to her favours. I truſt you ſuch a ſecret, as ſhall diſcredit me for ever, if you prove not a religious keeper of your Oath. Since heaven, who, no doubt, appointed us one for th' other, got me acquainted with you, I felt my heart ſo lively ſmitten that from the inſenſiblity he had hitherto been in to love, he grew tender on a ſudden: that extraordinary tenderneſs is much increaſed and ſtrengthned through our mutual Society, and is come now to ſuch a degree, as not to permit me to look upon any other object in the world but yee. You are inrich'd with all thoſe parts that may inchant a heart and diſarm the moſt ſevere Ladies; So 'tis a piece of juſtice to me to ſubmit to that Ʋ nion which heaven preſcrib'd. But as on one ſide I would be extreamly ſorry, that afterwards you might have the leaſt cauſe to reproach me the meanneſs of my fortune; and as on the other I do ardently deſire to ſee you ſet up in a place in a manner anſwerable to your worth, here is that which I contrive both for the getting of the one, and the avoiding of the other: You muſt, dear Major, play for a while the Rival of your ſelf, by uſing in my behalf all the influence you may have upon your Colonels inclinations, to get me ſhortly married with him. You know well enough how old he is, you preſume of his ſtrength, and may eaſily conceive, he won't go far off. In the mean time I'l bend all the powers of my wit, to rule the old man; ſo the Colonels-lieutnancy that is now vacant, attends you ſurely, as well, as all the others benefits wherewith he will gratifie both my youth and my birth. 'Tis true, indeed, ſweet-Lady, interrupted here the Major, that the Colonel is old, that I have a great power upon him; but who ſhall warrant me, that his careſſes, his nights efforts, pardon the freedom of this word, will bring him to the grave? Nay, your company may revive him. It is rare to ſee people of • uſty and ſtrong complexion out-live an age. This poſſibility being granted, what will become of our projects? what will become of your flouriſhing youth? what our mutual flames will end to? and who ſhall warrant it, that I may live among ſo many Cauſes of mortal ſorrows, wherein I ſhall ſee my ſelf overwhelm'd? I would willingly undertake to ſerve you in this occaſion, but, indeed, the Colonel-lieutenancy, whoſe hope ought to flatter me, hath no charms enough to make me look with a cold indifference on the loſs of Berenice. Yet, my dear, reparteed ſhe briskly, you muſt reſolve to do me that important ſervice, which I will not fail to acknowledge and return in due time. It is better for ye to injoy in hope by obliging me, than to run the hazard of an eternal privation, by refuſing to ſecond me in an affair wherein our common intereſt is the only end, I aim at. Do not balance all your objections, how reaſonable and ſtrong ſoever they may appear to your eyes, will be weak and groundleſs to mine. Pray, forbear to trouble me with reaſons that I cannot hear without indignation, ſeal up to me your love and zeal with the ſacrifice of your own ſentiments, and be ſure, you ſhall not oblige an ungrateful woman. This bit ſeem'd to the Major to be of a very hard digeſtion; yet he muſt either ſwallow it, or fall down from the favour of one, which he would not have diſoblig'd for all the world. What? mumbled he low, but loud enough to be taken up by Berenice, To act the Rival of my ſelf, was this ever heard of? Or, was ever any man brought to ſo cruel a deſtiny? Then, lifting up his voice, he ſpake after this manner. Being, dear Lady, you are ſo firmly wedded to your opinion, and will not in the leaſt remit of the neceſſity you ſet me in, to become in a manner my own hangman by playing my ſelf Rival, I do the more willingly yield to that fatal law of death, you impoſe upon me, becauſe, in effect after I have loſt you; I can't but languiſh and pine away, being delivered up to troubles and deſpairs far more cruel than the very death it ſelf. Yes, you ſhall be obey'd, unmercifull Lady, I will blind my ſelf to ſerve you, and uſe my utmoſt power to ſecure and haſten that high match your Ambition aimeth to. But as you have required my Oath, ſo I hope you can't but give me yours. To which the crafty Lady having reparteed, ſhe would; he made her ſwear, ſhe would be as good as her word, aſſoon as Heaven, who ſeem'd to have ordained them one for the other, ſhould open the way to their happy marriage. Berenice did not account her conſcience to be thereby very much concerned. Love, who is none of the moſt pious Gods, is neither none of the moſt faithful, and it ſeems, Antiquity did, to no other purpoſe, ſet a band on his eyes, but to allow him a full liberty to miſtake. Our Major promiſed, he ſhould the very next morning go and try the Colonels dying inclinations, that if in the old man could but a little ſpark be found, he would kindle it into a fire, and fail not, over all, to ſpeak of Berenice according to that high opinion, he had conceiv'd of her parts, and give her an exact account of his conduct; then he kiſſed her hand, which privacy ſhe did willingly allow him to refreſh his heart, and ſweeten his ſorrow.

This converſation having indured above three hours at candlelight, one may conceive how great was the impatience of Lyſandre who had waited ſo long. 'Tis true, he could be in ſome manner comforted by the paſtime he had to hear all through a door lying behind the Tapeſtry, and going in a chamber next the Alcove, wherein they had betaken themſelves; however, certain it is, what he heard, ſurpriſed him ſtrangely, and perplexed him as much as that, Berenice told him the morning he came reſolved to anſwer ambiguouſly about the declaration he was ingag'd to by her, but the laſt things he heard through the door did ſo much confound him, that his conſternation was viſible at the very firſt moment he open'd his mouth to ſpeak. Nevertheleſs, through the ſtream of an indifferent converſation, he took by degrees his Spirits again, and thought fit to diſſemble that he knew any thing of the Secret diſcourſe in the Alcove. Now, becauſe Berenice's ſpeech concerning her love for him did as much ſmell, in his judgement, of a Sport, as of a truth, he took as a paſtime to anſwer gallantly gallant propoſitions: which he did after this manner. Could I fear, Madam, you would diſlike my freedom, I ſhould never get looſe ſo far out of the bonds of reſpect and duty, as to publiſh, I love you; but being, that both the ſtrength and evenneſs of your wit are known to me, and that I have received of you an expreſs command to ſpeak without diſguiſe, I will not balance to tell ye again, I love you; if it be without hope, God knows: but this I may ſay, my ſelf-love doth not blind me ſo much as to fill my heart with hope. There would be a great folly to ſpeak more and ſpend time upon ridiculous and chimerical pretenſions. What? what d'ye call chimerical pretenſions, reply'd Berenice? Am not I worth enough your wooing? Or is my quality ſo low under yours, that I muſt baniſh all hopes out of my heart? No, dear Lady, anſwered Lyſandre, I do not mean it ſo. It is I whoſe hope ſhould be vain and groundleſs. It is I who might deſerve to be turn'd into ridicule, if I had the temerity to aſpire to ſuch a noble alliance. This humble apprehenſion ye have of your ſelf, added ſhe, is a ſtrong argument of your merit. It makes me conceive, that I can't but be very happy under the Government of a man that maketh ſo great an account of me, but pray is there nothing elſe but modeſty that moveth you to ſpeak ſo? Or is it not, you love ſo much your liberty, that you would not exchange it to that of a maid? By no means, purſued he; liberty, indeed, is a precious Jewel, but it will be always both pleaſant and glorious to Lyſandre, to make a ſacrifice of it to a Lady infinitely handſome and reaſonable: this laſt part is rarer than the former, and I may ſay, without flattery, that amongſt all thoſe of your Sex, I am acquainted with, I know none but you, that poſſeſſeth eminently theſe two excellent and almoſt divine qualities. You are extreamly obliging, ſaid ſhe, if I truſt a mans word, there will be none in the Town, but me that deſerves the ſacrifice of your heart. So it is, reparteed Lyſandre, there is none but you, that may rob me of it, and there is none alſo but you, to whom I durſt venture to proffer it. Would ye ingage it heartily, dear Lyſandre? Yes divine Creature, if I could believe you would accept of it. But, Lyſandre, if you chance to truſt it to a capricious one, you'l have time enough to repent your choice. If you be that capricious one, I am ready to adore your caprices. Well, Lyſandre, ſaith Berenice, ſince I ſee you ſo firmly reſolved to love me, what humour ſoever I may have, I reſolve to love ye for ever as ye are; and, plainly to ſatisfie your judgement that I am in earneſt, I muſt needs open you the merry trick I am now about, by turning a man, who preſumes I love him, into the very Rival of his ownſelf, and ingaging him to ſerve both you and me againſt his own will and intereſt. Upon that ſhe acquainted him at large with the love of the Major, the means ſhe was uſing to rid her ſelf of the coxcomb, and under what colours, pretenſions and hopes ſhe had perſwaded him to get her in the Colonels affection. You, and I, dear Lyſandre, ſaith ſhe, which both nature and birth have deſtin'd to an higher and better figure than that we are now in, cannot more dextrouſly and wiſely ſet up our fortune, than by keeping and nouriſhing ſecretly for a while our mutual flames, untill you be further advanced in the world; and I better provided of goods; I look upon my match with the Colonel as a buſineſs almoſt over, I ſhall then ſo cunningly handle the good old mans brain, that his Lieutenancy now vacant can't miſs to fall upon ye. A man of ſo many ſcores of age, whom warlike labours have undermined, ſhall not live long. The vain hope of an heir will move him to gratifie me with his eſtate. He is extreamly at eaſe; ſo we ſhall through this ſuperficial Ʋnion, get what to live happily, pleaſantly and ſplendidly with all. The Major hath much credit upon the Decrepit's mind, as he flatters himſelf with the hope of injoying me, ſo he is diſpos'd to neglect nothing that may carry on the buſineſs, he ſhall to morrow night give me an account of the effect of his firſt eſſays, which ye will be preſently acquainted with. Now, dear Lyſandre, after ſuch an intimate confidence, could ye keep any longer within your heart any miſtruſt injurious to my ſincerity, and doubt ſtill that I love you? Confeſs it 〈◊〉 ſhould not ye be the moſt unjuſt of men, if hereafter you were not as open to me as I am ingenuous to you; what do ye anſwer, dear Captain? are ye ſenſible of ſo tender a declaration? Is there any thing in my project, you may be offended at? This happy and beloved lover took up here the ſpeech, and ſoftly ſhaking his head, ſpoke ſo: I! dear Lady, I could find any faults in your projects! Nay, if I did not approve of them as juſt and reaſonable, I would deem my ſelf to be the moſt unjuſt and unreaſonable man in the world. All that ye have contrived pleaſeth me, and there is nothing in my power, but I would ingage heartily, to bring to an happy ſucceſs a purpoſe that can't be but extreamly agreeable and advantageous to me. But, being, your ingenuity awakes mine, I muſt needs ſwear you, charming Goddeſs, that ſince the firſt moment I ſaw you, I loſt my freedom, that my heart yielded to the baits of your incomparable beauty, and that the coldneſs you have remarked 〈◊〉 carriage, came not out of indifference, but, indeed, out of a deep ſenſe and reſpectful apprehenſion of that heap of the moſt excellent parts wherewith Heaven hath been pleas'd to adorn you. It goeth with a ſtrong paſſion of love, as with an extraordinary ſorrow. An ancient ſays wiſely that little pains ſpeak, but great ſorrows are dumb. My love kept his peace in your preſence, becauſe being exceeding vehement, he might never have been able to expreſs himſelf in that meaſure and after that manner, he was reſented with; and if now he breaks out 'tis not ſo much to publiſh his exceſs, as to ſpend himſelf through a thouſand thanks for the choice ye made of a man ſo little qualified. You did juſt now, obliging Divinity, work a miracle; you gave again the uſe of his tongue to a man who had loſt it, but in that I may ſay, you did me juſtice, ſince you gave me again what your divine perfections had long before taken away from me. Berenice was very quietly hearing Lyſandre, and taking a great pleaſure in his flouriſh, he nevertheleſs ſhould have been glad to be interrupted, but getting no anſwer he roſe up as fearing leſt his longer ſtay ſhould be troubleſome to her, and took his leave after he had intreated her never to bely her ſelf, and to go on ſtedfaſtly in the carrying on and managing of their plot. Whereupon Berenice having aſſur'd him of an eternal and unſhaken conſtancy, he retir'd very well ſatisfi'd of his deſtiny.

All this while our preſumptuous Major grown up with the new quality of his ſelf-rival ſtands in a ſecret and intimate conference with the Colonel, there unfolding and ſetting all the ſails of his eloquence to move him, and cunningly handling the moſt pathetical reaſons to kindle again his almoſt dead fires, and get him up in love, he repreſents unto him that, to paſs away his time in ſo ſad and fretful ſolitarineſs, is rather to languiſh than to live; that all the world admires why, having ſo great an eſtate, he looks not for the laſt and ſweeteſt comforts of this life in the ſociety of ſome amable perſon; that what ſervice ſoever he may receive of a conſiderable number of attendants, yet ſuch a ſervice, being intereſt'd, ought not to be compar'd with the tender cares he might expect from a wife that would ſerve him out of inclination; that the example of David is a precedent for him, and ſeoures his reputation againſt biting tongues, in caſe he will joyn with ſome young woman; and in fine, that none but indiſcreet and fooliſh folks ſhould be thereby ſcandalized, and laugh ſillily at his revived flames. Love, who ſeeks for nothing ſo forwardly as for the perpetuating of himſelf and the improving of his Empire, takes part with the Major, drops in the old mans heart, and cauſeth him to anſwer with a ſmile: That he was apt enough to follow his counſel, if he could meet with an object worthy ones while, that long ago he had a great propenſity that way, if his continual diſeaſes had permitted him to take a turn in Holland or Flanders; becauſe to his apprehenſion, Maeſtrich was ſo little furniſhed with exquiſite beauties, that he knew there not one which might awake his paſſion: That, indeed, the ſeveral Nations, eſpecially the Engliſh and French, had brought up ſome Gallantry in the town, that there could be found ſome well bred and witty creatures, but they were, for the moſt part, wither'd and liable to ſuſpicion. Ah, Sir, reſumes the Major, muſt it be, that ſome braces of fooliſh and giddy Women ſet ſhame on the forehead of a great many innocent? I confeſs, There is ſcarce in all Europe a town that affords ſo little ſtore of Beauties as Meaſtrich, but yet it is not ſo abſolutely unprovided with, but there may be ſome one that will contend with the very Engliſh and Dutch Beauties themſelves. They are then Cloſet-pieces, purſued the old fellow; They dare not appear in publick, for fear of becoming too common; they are afraid of the Sun-burning; or it may be, they ſcruple to ſhame the reſt of thoſe of their Sex. Prethee Major give me an inſtance, ſhew me ſome fair of that Character; thou haſt deſcribed I know, there is no place ſo cloſe, no houſe or family ſo ſevere, but thou may'ſt get in a free acceſs by thy fair humour and ingageing manners. There, no doubt, thou ſaw'ſt ſome extraordinary merit; Oblige me ſo much, as to tell me what thou didſt diſcover there, that may deſerve the ingagement of a noble Soul. No need, Sir, reply'd the Major, to go ſo far, will ye know a maid that deſerveth your love? Caſt but your eyes upon Miſtreſs, Berenice, that worthy heireſs of the great Vertues of your late friend the Colonel. This young Maid is eminently indow'd with the moſt excellent graces of Body and Soul, ſhe is the wonder of her age, her Vertue, which ſtands any trial, get's her reſpect from the moſt licentious, and no man in the world can boaſt of the leaſt favour of hers. That Maid, reparteed the Colonel, hath, indeed, all the parts, you ſaid I knew her, when very young, and am better ſatisfy'd than any other of her excellent and curious breeding. But I can hardly believe ſhew would ſacrifice ſo flouriſhing a youth to ſo many loathſome infirmities of a man of my age, and prefer thoſe ſmall advantages, ſhe may expect by her alliance with an old and almoſt overus'd Souldier, before all the pleaſures that attend her by marrying ſome luſty and brisk young Gentleman. Could I hope, dear, Major, that charming Maid would give ear to any terms, through your mediation, I would be ready to do any thing in her behalf, and to acknowledge the good office, I ſhould have received of you in that occaſion. But how to blot out of her mind the ſweet Ideas of ſo many compleat young Cavaliers who court her aſſiduouſly, and how to trace in, in their room the image of an old man no leſs troubleſome than unable to breed Love? Sir, Sir, reply'd the Major, I paſs my word confidently, that Miſtreſs Berenice is none of thoſe fickle and volatile Maids, which a ſute of cloath well ſet, a colour'd Ribban, a mingled Plumet, or a flouriſh, gently uttered out, may intice, ſhe hath a refined taſt, and I am enough acquainted with her, to aſſure you, ſhe will wiſely prefer the ſolid benefits of your alliance before the falſe brightneſs of all thoſe Adonis, by whom ſhe is every day beſieged. Give me but your word, that you love her, and let me alone for the reſt. I ſwear it Sir, ſaid the Old man, but, to come about my deſign, what am I able to do? my Gout gives me no truce, I cannot pay her a viſit. So I am out of all means to aſſure her of my love. No matter, anſwer'd the Major, I will govern her mind ſo dextrouſly, that ſhe ſhall wait upon you to the very corner of your chimney; or elſe, if you think it more convenient to invite her your ſelf, write but a letter capable to make ſome impreſſion, and next it will be my • art and buſineſs to help it with the moſt favourable commentary, I can. Forget not to feign, you thought upon her a great while ago, and that you have things of moment to acquaint her withall. The old man likes the propoſal, calls for pen and ink, and draws down himſelf the following lines.

Had he been certain, his Letter would fall immediately into Berenices hands, he had ſure added a great many other things, and touched higher matters, but for fear of ſome miſcarriage of the Letter, he wrote no more than was neceſſary for his turn in the preſent conſtruction of his affairs.

Berenice received the Letter, as ſoon as ſhe had read it, ſhe took pen and ink to write a note, and ſent them both to Lyſandre, that ſhe might procure him ſome divertiſement at his enemies coſt, and cauſe him to triumph by love, whom the chance of arms had vanquiſhed. This note was too tender, not to find its place in this Hiſtory.

Lyſandre being then perfectly recovered, goeth out that very day, and pays his Civilities to the Colonel, in whoſe preſence he gave his aſſent for the liberty of the Major. The old mans indiſpoſition giving no opportunity of a long diſcourſe with him; he went on to my Ladies Chamber, he found her alone, and was ready to throw himſelf at her feet, but ſhe prevented him. I am in the utmoſt confuſion, Madam, ſaith he: and I, interrupted Berenice in the utmoſt joy, to ſee you again, and I am confident, yours ſhall not be leſs than mine own, when you know out of my mouth that his highneſs, who was not acquainted with your quarrel, gratifies you with the place of Lieutenant Colonel, and, it may be, you'l receive the commiſſion the next poſt. In the mean while diſſemble your joy, and be not ſo aſſiduous in your attendance upon me, untill you be intirely poſſeſſed of your Office, leſt the Major ſhould ſuſpect any thing of my contrivance in the managing of ſo precious a favour; go your ſelf and get the Major out of priſon; but firſt beg my Lords agreement, for the reſt, Lyſandre, remember, not to forget your ſelf in your new preferment. I, Madam, forget my ſelf, replyed he; I, who know better than any man in the world, how great is the inconſtancy of fortune! Ah! let rather heaven—No no, Madam, be ye not afraid for that. They were apt to go further, if my Lords Gentleman had not come in, to warn Lyſandre, his maſter would ſpeak with him; he took his leave of my Lady, and got immediately by the bed of the Colonel, who bid him to go in his name and ſet at liberty the Major with whom he intreated him to be reconciled; he put his ſuperiours order in execution. The Major was ſet at liberty, and they ſupped together talking the ſpace of two hours of nothing but indifferent matters, the Major being free came to thank the Colonel and ſhew his gratitude to Berenice.

It was not true, the Prince had himſelf made choice of Lyſandre to fill the vacancy, but true it was, Berenice had prepared her husband to be favourable to him; her husband I ſay, to whoſe prudence and wiſdom his highneſs had truſted the election of a worthy Officer; a myſtery, indeed, which was hidden to the Major, who would have taken quite other meaſures, if he had had the good luck to diſcover it; he continued to give his frequent attendances upon the Colonel, and did almoſt never meet there Lyſandre: which he took as a good Omen, there being but that onely Cavalier that might ſtand in competition and diſpute the Lieutenancy with him. Berenice, to keep her Intreague more private, did often ſpeak to him of Lyſandre as a man who had nothing of that greatneſs of Soul, of that firmneſs of courage, which was neceſſary in a Warriour; to which feigned ſentiments the Major added ſome true ones of his own ground, no leſs diſhonourable than the former; Nay, ſometimes in her preſence he called him a ſimple fellow, and told her one day, he was in a merry humour, he had play'd him a witty turn; this Officer, Madam, ſaith he, commanded before yeſterday the Guard at Wick, he had prepared a ſplendid entertainment for his friends, and given order, it ſhould be brought up to the Guard; I knew one of my Drummers, was to carry the Pottages and fricaſſes. I promiſed him two Piſtols, if in the very midſt of the great ſtreet, he would let fall down his burthen by feigning to fall down himſelf. It was done ſo, indeed, the Drummers foot ſlipped, all ſlipped alſo out of his hands, and the diſhes, through the help of half a dozen of ſpoons borrowed of the Neighbours, were filled with an hundred naſty things, which were eaten up with the greateſt avidity in the world. The trick is noble and witty, ſaid coldly Berenice, but now you put me in mind of him, I believe, 'tis he that is below, let us go down, and laugh at his coſt, in my Lords Chamber: they got in before him, and had already taken ſeats by the bed, where the gout detained the old man, when Lyſandre came in. The Colonel againſt his cuſtom, pulled off his cap to him, which the Major admired at, but he was far more amazed when he welcomed him, not with one good morrow, maſter Lyſandre, but with one, maſter Lieutenant Colonel very welcome. This Complement was like a Thunder-bolt that took almoſt away from the Major the uſe of his Speech, although he had yet ſome belief, the Colonel ſpoke but in jeſt; he altered preſently his mind, for the Colonel bid his Secretary to draw out behind his pillow two Letters one of which he gave to Lyſandre, ſaying, Sir, out of gratitude you are ingaged to ſerve faithfully his Highneſs, he honours you with the vacancy, and for my part, I eaſe my ſelf upon you of the care of the regiment; you ſee in what condition both my age, and infirmities have brought me; I believe I ſhall not go long. Don't take the pains to go to the Hague. The Prince diſpenſeth you with that duty, and alloweth preſumptively your thanks.

While Lyſandre was buſie about thanking the Colonel with the ſtrongeſt and warmeſt expreſſions that juſt and true gratitude can afford, the Major turning his eyes, full of anger and ſpight, towards my Lady, ſaw her fetching a deep ſigh, lifting up her ſhoulders, and caſting aſide upon Lyſandre deſpiſing and diſdainful looks, he could not imagine her to be concern'd in that affair; yet could he not forbear with a low voice to ſay, Madam, had I more obey'd intereſt and ambition than love, this bit had not eſcap'd out of my hands: I was in wrong to neglect the Journey to the Hague; this is the ſecond time I act my ſelf rival, God grant I may not play the ſame a third time by loſing you: To which ſhe anſwer'd, Sir, it is like Heaven hath ordain'd you to ſome higher fortune, diſpenſe me with a further explication; be ye but conſtant and diſcreet. In the mean while the old man was falling aſleep; ſo, not to diſturb him longer, the company roſe up, and my Lady ſtaid alone near the bed.

The Major being return'd back into his houſe, made ſo grave and ſo earneſt reflections upon the myſterious dealing of Berenice, that he plainly convinced himſelf, ſhe was the only Author of his Rivals advancement; and that, indeed, not without a great deſign under hand: he concluded further, that all the fair countenance ſhe ſhew'd him, was but a counterfeit kindneſs, and that her heart was driven quite another way: Therefore he reſolved after a long meditation, to try this ambiguous Sphynx's fidelity by a Love-letter, which he got written and directed to himſelf as from another Miſtreſs. He let it fall down in Berenice's Chamber, in ſuch a place where ſhe could not miſs to ſee and take it up; being confident, her Jealouſie would infallibly break out, if ſo be ſhe had a true love for him. In effect Berenice took up the Letter, in which, after his going out, ſhe read theſe lines.

If there be in the world a perplex'd love, it is mine, dear Major. 'Tis in vain for you to renew every day to me the proteſtations of that tender and ſolemn engagement, we ſwore one another in the beginning of our mutual flames. 'Tis in vain for you to aſſure me with ſo much earneſtneſs, that you love me ſtill without any diviſion of your heart. I have follow'd you, I know the abode of the object of your vows, and that your exact attendance upon your Colonel, is not ſo much to court an expiring fortune, as to ſacrifice your heart to that Goddeſs, who makes ſport of ſo many Gallants as well as of you. 'Tis true, indeed, ſhe is inrich'd with all the graces that may enſlave noble ſouls; but ſhe knows it very well, 'tis enough, I ſay no more. You ought to combine with a perſon that preſumes not ſo highly of her ſelf, and whoſe love is grounded upon a true and juſt apprehenſion of your merit. If you find me too ſevere, 'tis perhaps, becauſe you are not cold enough; grow more private, then you ſhall not meet with a ravenous Miſtreſs: Your love will be the meaſure of mine; reſolve quickly upon this declaration: Dear Major, adieu.

All this allarm'd very little our cunning Lady; be it, ſhe took the Letter to be a fruit, either of the Major's brain, or of the paſſion of ſome jealous Miſtreſs; ſhe had ſo little tendency to him, that ſhe was by no means troubled at it. Nevertheleſs, ſmelling well enough to what purpoſe the Letter ſlipp'd out of the Majors pocket, ſhe contrived with her dear Lyſandre to pay the fool with his own coin: ſo ſhe wrote the following lines, which ſhe left on her Toilette, where ſhe foreſaw, the curious Major would, no doubt, ſet his hands.

This Note was folded up and thrown careleſly on Berenice's Toilett. The next morning, no purpoſe, ſhe laid a-bed very late. The Major attended about half an hour paſt Ten, and after the uſual civilities, went to the Looking-glaſs to mend his Perriwig. The firſt thing he caſt his eyes upon, and that came under his hand, was juſt the Note, which he ſoftly unfolded, and read from end to end. At firſt he flatter'd, himſelf with the tickling opinion, that credit had been given to his Sham-letter, & that by this ſtratagem he had given a ſtrange alarm; that Berenice was mightily troubled at, ſince ſhe begg'd her friends comfort and advice; which pleaſant error ſet him in the thought, he was ſtill the beloved one. Now, Berenice being dreſs'd, addreſſed to him in this manner; I am apt to think, you are conſtant and faithful to me, but I muſt needs complain of your not being true and ſincere: hazard hath betray'd your diſſimulation, and I may bring forth authentical Witneſſes of that I ſay. Pray, Madam, explain your ſelf, interrupted the Major, who feign'd not to apprehend the meaning of her diſcourſe; and your ſelf, reparteed ſhe, Search your own heart, and examine your conſcience. At that word he puts his hand in his pocket, as to ſeek there for ſomething; and affected to appear a little out of countenance, when Berenice preſented him his Letter, ſaying, Trouble no more your ſelf, here is that you look for. This Note hath cleared all my doubts. What did ye learn by it, Madam, reply'd the Major? To right my ſelf, Sir, and confeſs, I am not the only Goddeſs, before whom you burn your Incenſe, that you bring it upon other Altars; and to ſpeak plain, that you court & abuſe more than one. Ah, Madam, ſaid the Major, Let not this Note alter in the leaſt, that eſteem I have deſerved in your mind. 'Tis true, it came from a Lady; but how evident is it, that my love for her is but a paſtime; by the War, ſhe declares to my coldneſs, & through thoſe many motives, ſhe uſes to ſtir up my too great indifferency for her? This reaſon being likely enough, ſeem'd to Berenice to be of a great weight, and ſhe ſhewed her ſelf much ſatisfied with it. On the other ſide, our Major was extreamly content with the happy ſucceſs of his Intreague, and tickled himſelf more than ever with the moſt charming hopes in the World; when on a ſudden, fortune, to make ſport of him, put him a freſh to a new tryal.

Lyſandre had promiſed to my Ladies Gentlewoman, that, after his being promoted to the Lieutenancy, he would preſent her with a compleat ſute of Cloath; he had now performed his word, as to the ſute, but being it was not ſo rich as that proud maid would have it, or that it was not made according to the rules of the new mode, or to her own fancy, however ſhe would not accept of it, and upbraided Lyſandre with a thouſand reproaches of his covetouſneſs and inſipid judgement. It was vain to my Lady to bid her ſilence, ſhe grew hot more and more, and ſeveral times got him quite out of countenance, inſomuch that one day my Lady was forced to ſend her packing into her Chamber. As ſhe was walking down the ſtairs that led to the Colonels apartment, ſhe chanced to meet with the Major, who, ſeeing her ſo much moved, gets along with her into the room, offers to comfort her, and asketh the cauſe of her tears. She was in ſo great a paſſion that forgetting the unviolableneſs of the ſecret, and breaking all the bonds of her duty, towards her Miſtreſs and Lyſandre, ſhe declared all to the Major. This unthought opportunity to make her ſpeak, ſeemed to him ſo fair and ſo favourable, that he ſpared nothing to ſet her upon an intimate confidence; but, indeed, he know there a great deal more than was expedient for his own tranquillity, and he confeſſed ingenuouſly, that he was abuſed at an high rate, and had till now handſomely acted his Self-Rival.

Whilſt they were in conference, my Lady ſent a Footman to ſee whether the Major was ingaged with the Colonel. This fellow being ill affected to the waiting-maid, becauſe ſhe had done him a diſcourteſy, reported that my Lord was alone, and the Major locked up with her in her Chamber, that through the lock-hole he ſaw them both ſitting very cloſe upon the bed, but they ſpoke too low, to be heard. The Footman withdrew, and my Lady turning to Lyſandre; No doubt, my dear, ſaith ſhe, we are betrayed. That ill Tongue will have revealed all; but no matter, methinks, we are gone further than half the way to the aim we have propoſed to our ſelves. If I can diſcover, that his inconſiderate maid hath declared any ſecret of mine, I will puniſh her according to the exceſs of her Treaſon, and turn her away immediately. That fear, indeed, was not groundleſs, for the Major who judged that through the intereſt of that Gentlewoman, he could deſtroy all the pretenſions of his Rival, made her a thouſand advantagious promiſes to draw her in to be of his ſide, and amongſt other ſhining propoſals gave her the hope of an alliance with his own Nephew who was an Enſign; or elſe that he would get her a conſiderable place near a Dutcheſs, with whom, ſaid he, he had an intimate acquaintance. She took at that bait, and not only unfolded him all the particulars of her Miſtreſſes intreagues with Lyſandre, but alſo ingaged her faith to do whatever ſhe could for his ſervice.

After dinner my Lady took her apart, and firſt prepared her mind by kind words to a downright confeſſion of the truth, aſſuring her, Lyſandre would mend his fault and ſee her content of his liberality. Then ſhe asked her what was the matter of her converſation with the Major, all the while, they were both locked up together in her Chamber, and whether in her tranſport ſhe let not ſlip any thing contrary to her duty, and prejudicial to the intereſt of Lyſandre▪ The treacherous Maid anſwered cunningly, ſhe was paſt overſight, that ſhe led him along with her, to ſtop him from going up and diſturbing her converſation with Lyſandre, and that, as for the ſubject of their talking, it had been all along about her mothers death, whoſe tidings were juſt now come to her; that the Major had attributed her tears to that cauſe, and ſpent all that while in giving her Comfort in the ſad condition, ſhe was in. Berenice took that for ready money, kept her and uſed her ſtill with as much privacy and confidence, as before, concealing from her none of her ſecret Love-tricks.

In the mean time the Major pining away with impatience of revenging both his unfaithful Miſtreſs and his troubleſome Rival, contrived the blackeſt Treaſon that can be imagined, he gets the following Letter written to the Colonel, by an unknown hand, as from a friend of his, who concerns himſelf for his honour, but concealeth his name for ſome Weighty Reaſons.

This Letter charmed the charming Berenice; ſhe felt her ſelf moved with pity and love for the Major; ſhe went ſtraightway to the Governour, told him, that the Major was kept in arreſt upon the ſlight account of a pique, that ſhe was witneſs of the quarrel, and admired how the Lieutenant Colonel did ſo much abuſe his authority, as to make it the tool of his paſſion. This humble Petition preſented by ſuch a Lady, got the liberty of the Major, who ſcarce was got twelve ſteps from his lodging, when he met with his Jaylor. Lyſandre, who knew nothing of his being ſet at liberty by the Governours command, asked him haughtily, Who made him ſo bold, as to go out without his leave? To which having been anſwered by a ſcoff, the Lieutenant Colonel drew; the Major ſtood firm; but as the fortune of Arms is uncertain, ſo, he was almoſt mortally wounded. The Lieutenant Colonels action was generally blamed. The Governour was not a little offended at it, and Berenice concerned her ſelf for the Major, who had this unvaluable comfort, that he received from her all the good offices he might expect from his own Mother. But O inconſtancy of fortune! this humorous Divinity flattered him a while, but indeed it was only to get by him a richer and fatter Victim to her Caprices. It ſeem'd Berenice had quite forgot Lyſandre: Nevertheleſs, as the piques of lovers turn commonly into a renewing of love; ſo Berenice was no ſooner met and ſaluted in her Coach by him, but ſhe felt within her heart he was no more guilty, but ſtill worthy of her love. Lyſandre, who had obſerved, through the gentle manner and ſweet air wherewith ſhe bowed to him, that ſhe was appeaſed, got in her favour, and kindled again her flames by this Note.

Berenice had too great a tendency towards Lyſandre, not to accept of his ſubmiſſion. She granted him his pardon; he knew his peace was made, and reſorted to her feet with an incredible diligence.

Upon his coming the fair. Widow diſguiſed her ſelf a little; but the converſation being by degrees grown hot, the eyes having ſecretly, but eloquently, ſpoken on both ſides; and the fire by which theſe two hearts were burnt, being kindled again more than ever, it was talked no more but of re-union; next, faith was given and accepted of either party, without the knowledge of any living ſoul: The Banes were publiſhed three Sundays one after another; and there was no Officer of the Garriſon that heard of it; becauſe, indeed very few amongſt them do exactly go to Church.

One day, the Lieutenant Colonel and the Major met by chance at Berenice's houſe; ſhe obliged them to be reconciled, which they did, and both continued to court peaceably their common Miſtreſs: but the Major, who had no ſuſpicion of miſchief, acted the Rival of himſelf for the third and laſt time, when he was the leaſt thinking on it. A circle of Gentlemen and Ladies met the firſt of July at the fair Widows lodging: After ſome diſcourſes upon meer indifferent matters, my Lady roſe up, took the Contract of her Matrimony with Lyſandre, out of a Drawer; and rolling it up within her hands, came to the Major, and perplexed his mind with this Propoſition; Maſter Major, ſaid ſhe, you, that are the moſt complaiſant of men, and make to your ſelf an inviolable Religion, to refuſe nothing to Ladies, will you grant me the favour which I have a mind to ask you? Yes with all my heart, replyed the Major, with his hand on his breaſt: What is it Madam? Muſt I ſhed my deareſt blood for you? I will ſacrifice it to the laſt drop. No Sir, added Berenice, it matters only to ſign a Writ: I will with all my heart, though I muſt ſign my own Condemnation: and if both your Piety and Loyalty were not known to me, I would know, whether there be any thing contrary to the Religion or State. No, no, Sir, it witneſſeth nothing elſe but your free and voluntary conſent to my everlaſting happineſs. To your happineſs, Madam, interrupted the Major, Ah! blood muſt be uſed for that glorious conſent. He offered to prick himſelf with a Pin, but Berenice took him from that new extravagancy, putting a Pen in his hand. So he ſigned the Paper as it was rolled up; but as ſoon as he had taken up his fingers from it. Berenice laughing, made him know, he had ſubſcribed the very Contract of Marriage between her and Lyſandre. This ſtroke would, no doubt, have killed him, if he had not thought it to be a paſtime. He was invited to make one in the Wedding Feaſt againſt the next morning. He came, believing ſtill, as hard as Iron, it was but a meer ſport. He lent all his jovial humour to the entertainment and other rejoycings that followed it; he ſung a great many Airs upon Lovers unſhaken fidelity, he danced with the Company till night: but he began to alter his Tune, when he ſaw all the Convives contending one with another for the honour of bedding Berenice and Lyſandre; yet the ſtrong opinion he had, it was but a play, cauſed him to do ſtill an hundred pleaſant things; he untyed the Shoos of Berenice, he helped Lyſandre in the pulling off his Coat, and ſaw them both a minute after with a wonderful amazement within the ſame Sheets, and under the ſame Coverlet.