Chapter V.

A very mysterious Chapter.

Arabella, who impatiently long'd for the Hour of meeting the fair Princess, with whom she was extremely delighted, consulted her Watch so often, and discover'd so much Restlessness and Anxiety, that Mr. Glanville began to be surpriz'd; and the more, as she peremptorily commanded him not to attend her in her Evening Walk. This Prohibition, which, tho' he durst not dispute, he secretly resolv'd to disobey; and as soon as she set out for the Park with her usual Attendants, he slipp'd out by a Back-door, and keeping her in his Sight, himself unseen, she ventur'd to watch her Motions.

As he had expected to unravel some great Mystery, he was agreeably disappointed to find she continu'd her Walk in the Park with great Composure; and tho' she was soon join'd by the imaginary Princess, yet conceiving her to be some young Lady, with whom she had commenc'd an Acquaintance at Richmond, his Heart was at Rest; and for fear of displeasing her, he took a contrary Path from that she was in, that he might not meet her, yet resolv'd to stay till he thought she would be inclin'd to return, and then shew himself, and conduct her Home. A Solicitude for which he did not imagine she need be offended.

The two Ladies being met, after reciprocal Compliments, the Princess intreated Arabella to relate her Adventures; who not being willing to violate the Laws of Romance, which require an unbounded Confidence upon these Occasions, began very succinctly to recount the History of her Life; which, as she manag'd it, contain'd Events almost as Romantick and Incredible as any in her Romances; winding them up with a Confession that she did not hate Mr. Glanville, whom she acknowledg'd to be one of the most faithful and zealous of Lovers.

Cynecia with a Sigh, congratulated her upon the Fidelity of a Lover, who by her Description, was worthy the Place he possess'd in her Esteem: And expressing a Wish, that she could see, unobserv'd by him, this gallant and generous Person, Arabella, who that Moment espy'd him at a Distance, yet advancing towards them, told her, with a Blush that overspread all her Face, That her Curiosity might be satisfy'd in the Manner she wish'd, for, yonder, added she is the Person we have been talking of.

Cynecia, at these Words, looking towards the Place where her fair Friend had directed; no sooner cast her Eyes upon Mr. Glanville, than giving a loud Cry, she sunk into the Arms of Arabella, who, astonish'd and perplex'd as she was, eagerly held them out to support her.

Finding her in a Swoon, she dispatch'd Lucy, who was near her, to look for some Water to throw in her Face; but that Lady breathing a deep Sigh, open'd her languishing Eyes, and fixing a melancholy Look upon Arabella, Ah! Madam, said she, wonder not at my Affliction and Surprize, since in the Person of your Lover I behold the ungrateful Ariamenes. Oh Heav'ns! my fair Princess, replied Arabella, What is it you say? Is it possible Glanville can be Ariamenes? He, cried the afflicted Princess with a disorder'd Accent, He whom I now behold! and whom you call Glanville, was once Ariamenes, she perjur'd, the ungrateful Ariamenes.

Adieu, Madam, I cannot bear this Sight; I will hide myself from the World for ever; nor need you fear a Rival or an Enemy in the unfortunate Cynecia, who if possible, will cease to love the unfaithful Ariamenes, and will never hate the beautiful Arabella.

Saying this, without giving her Time to answer, she took hold of her Confidant by the Arm, and went away with so much Swiftness, that she was out of sight before Arabella was enough recover'd from her Astonishment to be able to intreat her Stay.

Our charming Heroine, ignorant till now of the true State of her Heart, was surpriz'd to find it assaulted at once by all the Passions which attend disappointed Love. Grief, Rage, Jealousy, and Despair made so cruel a War in her gentle Bosom, that unable either to express or to conceal the strong Emotions with which she was agitated, she gave Way to a violent Burst of Tears, leaning her Head upon Lucy's Shoulder, who wept as heartily as her Lady, tho' ignorant of the Cause of her Affliction.

Mr. Glanville, who was now near enough to take Notice of her Posture, came running with eager Heart to see what was the matter; when Arabella, rous'd from her Extacy of Grief by the Sound of his Steps, lifted up her Head, and seeing him approach, Lucy, cried she, trembling with the Violence of her Resentment, Tell that Traitor to keep out of my Sight. Tell him, I forbid him ever to appear before me again. And, tell him, added she, with a Sigh that shook her whole tender Frame, All the Blood in his Body is too little to wash away his Guilt, or to pacify my Indignation.

Then hastily turning away, she ran towards her other Attendants, who were at some Distance; and joining her Women, proceeded directly Home.

Mr. Glanville, amaz'd at this Action, was making after her as fast as he could, when Lucy crossing in his Way, cry'd out to him to stop.

My Lady, said she, bid me tell you, Traitor-- Hey day! interrupted Glanville, What the Devil does the Girl mean? Pray Sir, said she, let me deliver my Message: I shall forget if you speak to me till I have said it all--Stay, let me see, What comes next? No more Traitor, I hope, said Glanville.

Nor, Sir, said Lucy; but there was something about washing in Blood, and you must keep out of her Sight, and not appear before the Nation--Oh dear! I have forgot it half: My lady was in such a piteous Taking, I forgot it, I believe, as soon as she said it. What shall I do?-- No Matter, said Glanville, I'll overtake her, and ask-- No, no, Sir, said Lucy, Pray don't do that, Sir, my Lady will be very angry: I'll venture to ask her to tell me over again, and come back and let you know it.

But tell me, reply'd Glanville, Was any thing the Matter with your Lady? She was in a piteous Taking, you say.

Oh dear! yes, Sir, said Lucy; but I was not bid to say any thing about that. To be sure, my Lady did cry sadly, and sigh'd as if her Heart would break; but I don't know what was the Matter with her.

Well, said Glanville, excessively shock'd at this Intelligence, Go to your Lady; I am going Home--You may bring me her Message to my own Apartment.

Lucy did as she was desir'd; and Mr. Glanville, impatient as he was to unravel the Mystery, yet dreading lest his Presence should make Arabella be guilty of some Extravagance before the Servants who were with her, he follow'd slowly after her, resolving if possible, to procure a private Interview with the lovely Visionary, for whose Sorrow, tho' he suspected it was owing to some ridiculous Cause, he could not help being affected.