Here a suddain stop gave a Period also to Hippolito's Expectation,and he hoped now that his Friend had given his Passion so free a vent,he might recollect and bethink himself of what was convenient to be done;but Aurelia,as if he had mustered up all his Spirits purely to acquit himself of that passionate Harangue,stood mute and insensible like an Alarum Clock,that had spent all its force in one violent Emotion.Hippolito shook him by the Arm to rouze him from his Lethargy,when his Lacquey coming into the Room,out of Breath,told him there was a Coach just stopp'd at the Door,but he did not take time to who came in it.Aurelian concluded immediately it was his Father in quest of him;and without saying any more to Hippolito,than that he was Ruined if discovered,took his Sword and slipp'd down a back pair of Stairs into the Garden,from whence he conveyed himself into the Street.Hippolito had not bethought himself what to do,before he perceiv'd a Lady come into the Chamber close veil'd,and make toward him.At the first Appearance of a Woman,his Imagination flattered him with a Thought of Leonora;but that was quickly over upon nearer Approach to the Lady,who had much the Advantage in Stature of his Mistress.He very civilly accosted her,and asked if he were the Person to whom the Honour of that Visit was intended.She said,her Business was with Don Hippolito di Saviolina,to whom she had Matter of Concern to import,and which required haste.He had like to have told her,That he was the Man,but by good Chance reflecting upon his Friend's Adventure,who had taken his name,he made Answer,that he believed Don Hippolito not far off,and if she had a Moments Patience he would enquire for him.
He went out,leaving the Lady in the Room,and made search all round the House and Garden for Aurelian,but to no purpose.The Lady impatient of his long stay took a Pen and Ink and some Paper which she found upon the Table,and had just made an End of her Letter,when hearing a Noise of more than one coming up Stairs,she concluded his Friend had found him,and that her Letter would be to no purpose,so tore it in pieces,which she repented;when turning about,she found her Mistake,and beheld Don Fabio and the Marquess of Viterbo just entring at the Door.She gave a Shriek at the Surprize of their Appearance,which much troubled the Old Gentlemen,and made them retire in Confusion for putting a Gentlewoman into such a Fright.
The Marquess thinking they had been misinformed,or had mistaken the Lodgings,came forward again,and made an Apology to the Lady for their Errour;but she making no reply,walk'd directly by him down Stairs and went into her Coach,which hurried her away as speedily as the Horses were able to draw.
The Dons were at a loss what to think,when,Hippolito coming into the Room to give the Lady an Account of his Errant,was no less astonished to find she was departed,and had left Two Old Signiors in her stead.He knew Don Fabio's Face,for Aurelian had shewn him his Father at the Tilting;but being confident he was not known to him,he ventur'd to ask him concerning a Lady whom just now he had left in that Chamber.Don Fabio told him,she was just gone down,and doubted they had been Guilty of a Mistake,in coming to enquire for a Couple of Gentlemen whom they were informed were Lodged in that House;he begg'd his Pardon if he had any Relation to that Lady,and desired to know if he could give them any Account of the Persons they sought for.Hippolito made answer,He was a Stranger in the Place,and only a Servant to that Lady whom they had disturb'd,and whom he must go and seek out.And in this Perplexity he left them,going again in Search of Aurelian,to inform him of what had passed.
The Old Gentlemen at last meeting with a Servant of the House,were directed to Signior Claudio's Chamber,where they were no sooner entered but Aurelian came into the House.A Servant who had skulk'd for him by Hippolito's Order,followed him up into the Chamber,and told him who was with Claudio then making Enquiry for him.He thought that to be no Place for him,since Claudio must needs discover all the Truth to his Father;wherefore he left Directions with the Servant,where Hippolito should meet him in the Morning.As he was going out of the Room he espied the torn Paper,which the Lady had thrown upon the Floor:The first piece he took up had Incognita written upon it;the sight of which so Alarum'd him,he scarce knew what he was about;but hearing a Noise of a Door opening over Head,with as much Care as was consistent with the haste he was then in,he gathered up scattered pieces of Paper,and betook himself to a Ramble Coming by a Light which hung at the Corner of a Street,he join'd the torn Papers and collected thus much,that Incognita had Written the Note,and earnestly desired (if there were any reality in what he pretended to her)to meet her at Twelve a Clock that Night at a Convent Gate;but unluckily the Bit of Paper which should have mentioned what Convent,was broken off and lost.
Here was a large Subject for Aurelian's Passion,which he did not spare to pour forth in Abundance of Curses on his Stars.So earnest was he in the Contemplation of his Misfortunes,that he walk'd on unwittingly;till at length Silence (and such as was only to be found in that part the Town,whither his unguided Steps had carried him)surpriz'd his Attention.I say,a profound Silence rouzed him from his Thought;and a clap of Thunder could have done no more.
