Thus not a Word pass’d, though each wondred why the t’other sigh’d, at last concluded it to be only Complaisance to one another.

Aurelian broke the Silence, by telling him the Misfortune of his Governour.  Hippolito rejoic’d as at the luckiest Accident which could have befall’n him.  Aurelian wondred at his unseasonable Mirth, and demanded the Cause of it; he answer’d, It would necessitate his longer Stay in Florence, and for ought he knew be the Means of bringing a happy Period to his Amour.

His Friend thought him to be little better than a Madman, when he perceiv’d him of a suddain snatch out of his Bosom a Handkerchief, which having kiss’d with a great deal of Ardour, he took Aurelian by the Hand, and smiling at the Surprize he saw him in;

’Your Florentine Cupid is certainly (said he) ’the most Expert in the World.  I have since I saw you beheld the most Beautiful of Women.  I am faln desperately in Love with her, and those Papers which you see so blotted and scattered, are but so many Essays which I have made to the Declaration of my Passion.  And this Handkerchief which I so zealously Caress, is the Inestimable Token which I have to make my self known to her.  ’O Leonora! (continued he) ’how hast thou stamp’d thine Image on my Soul!  How much dearer am I to my self, since I have had thy Heavenly Form in keeping!  Now, my Aurelian, I am worthy thee; my exalted Love has Dignified me, and rais’d me far above thy poor former Despicable Hippolito.

Aurelian seeing the Rapture he was in, thought it in vain to expect a settled Relation of the Adventure, so was reaching to the Table for some of the Papers, but Hippolito told him, If he would have a little patience he would acquaint him with the whole Matter; and thereupon told him Word for Word how he was mistaken for Lorenzo, and his Management of himself.  Aurelian commended his Prudence, in not discovering himself; and told him, If he could spare so much time from the Contemplation of his Mistress, he would inform him of an Adventure, though not so Accidental, yet of as great Concern to his own future Happiness.  So related all that had happened to him with his Beautiful Incognita.

Having ended the Story, they began to consider of the Means they were to use toward a Review of their Mistresses.  Aurelian was Confounded at the Difficulty he conceived on his Part.  He understood from Hippolito’s Adventure, that his Father knew of his being in Town, whom he must unavoidably Disoblige if he yet concealed himself, and Disobey if he came into his Sight; for he had already entertain’d an Aversion for Juliana, in apprehension of her being Imposed on him.  His Incognita was rooted in his Heart, yet could he not Comfort himself with any Hopes when he should see her:  He knew not where she lived, and she had made him no Promise of a second Conference.  Then did he repent his inconsiderate Choice, in preferring the momentary Vision of her Face, to a certain Intelligence of her Person.  Every thought that succeeded distracted him, and all the Hopes he could presume upon, were within compass of the Two Days Merriment yet to come; for which Space he hop’d he might excuse his remaining conceal’d to his Father.