proposed, and the Company were raised to an uncommon
pitch of Chearfulness, which he also encouraged by
an Example of Freedom and Good Humour, he took an
opportunity of rallying the two grave Signiors into
an Accommodation: That was seconded with the
praises of the young Couple, and the whole Company
joined in a large Encomium upon the Graces of Aurelian
and the Beauties of Juliana. The old Fellows
were tickled with Delight to hear their Darlings so
admired, which the Duke perceiving, out of a Principle
of Generosity and Friendship, urged the present Consummation
of the Marriage; telling them there was yet one day
of publick Rejoycing to come, and how glad he should
be to have it improved by so acceptable an Alliance;
and what an honour it would be to have his Cousin’s
Marriage attended by the Conjunction of so extraordinary
a Pair, the performance of which Ceremony would crown
the Joy that was then in Agitation, and make the last
day vie for equal Glory and Happiness with the first.
In short, by the Complaisant and Perswasive Authority
of the Duke, the Dons were wrought into a Compliance,
and accordingly embraced and shook Hands upon the
Matter. This News was dispersed like the former,
and Don Fabio gave orders for the enquiring out his
Son’s Lodging, that the Marquess and he might
make him a Visit, as soon as he had acquainted Juliana
with his purpose, that she might prepare her self.
He found her very chearful with Donna Catharina and
several other Ladies; whereupon the old Gentleman,
pretty well warmed with the Duke’s Goodfellowship,
told her aloud he was come to crown their Mirth with
another Wedding; that his Highness had been pleased
to provide a Husband for his Daughter, and he would
have her provide her self to receive him to-morrow.
All the Company at first, as well as Juliana her self,
thought he had rally’d, till the Duke coming
in confirmed the serious part of his Discourse.
Juliana was confounded at the haste that was imposed
on her, and desired a little time to consider what
she was about. But the Marquess told her, she
should have all the rest of her Life to consider in;
that Aurelian should come and consider with her in
the Morning, if she pleased; but in the mean time,
he advised her to go home and call her Maids to Counsel.
Juliana took her leave of the Company very gravely, as if not much delighted with her Father’s Rallery. Leonora happened to be by, and heard all that passed; she was ready to swoon, and found her self seized with a more violent Passion than ever for Aurelian: Now upon her apprehensions of losing him, her active fancy had brought him before her with all the advantages imaginable, and though she had before found great tenderness in her Inclination toward him, yet was she somewhat surprized to find she really lov’d him. She was so uneasie at what she had heard, that she thought it convenient to steal out of the presence and retire to her Closet, to bemoan her unhappy helpless Condition.