I waited for the two ladies with impatience and at last they arrived at the close of the day.  They both unveiled, and as I had been surprised with the beauty of the first, I had reason to be much more so when I saw her friend.  She had regular features, an elegant person, and such sparkling eyes, that I could hardly bear their splendour.  I thanked her for the honour she did me, and entreated her to excuse me if I did not give her the reception she deserved.  “No compliments,” replied she; “it should be my part to make them to you, for allowing my friend to bring me hither.  But since you are pleased to suffer it, let us lay aside all ceremony, and think only of amusing ourselves.”

I had given orders, as soon as the ladies arrived, to have the collation served up, and we soon sat down to our entertainment.  I placed myself opposite the stranger, who never ceased looking upon me with a smiling countenance.  I could not resist her conquering eyes, and she made herself mistress of my heart, without opposition.  But while she inspired me with a flame, she caught it herself; and so far from appearing to be under any constraint, she conversed in very free and lively language.

The other lady, who observed us, did nothing at first but laugh.  “I told you,” said she, addressing herself to me, “you would find my friend full of charms; and I perceive you have already violated the oath you made of being faithful to me.”  “Madam,” replied I, laughing as well as she, “you would have reason to complain, if I were wanting in civility to a lady whom you brought hither, and who is your intimate friend; both of you might then upbraid me for not performing duly the rites of hospitality.”

We continued to drink; but as the wine warmed us, the strange lady and I ogled one another with so little reserve, that her friend grew jealous, and quickly gave us a dismal proof of the inveteracy of her feelings.  She rose from the table and went out, saying, she would be with us presently again:  but in a few moments after, the lady who stayed with me changed countenance, fell into violent convulsions, and expired in my arms while I was calling for assistance to relieve her.  I went out immediately, and enquired for the other lady; when my people told me, she had opened the street door and was gone.  I then suspected what was but too true, that she had been the cause of her friend’s death.  She had the dexterity, and the malice, to put some very strong poison into the last glass, which she gave her with her own hand.

I was afflicted beyond measure with the accident.  “What shall I do?” I exclaimed in agony.  “What will become of me?” I considered there was no time to lose, and it being then moon-light, I ordered my servants to take up one of the large pieces of marble, with which the court of my house was paved, dig a hole, and there inter the corpse of the young lady.  After replacing the stone, I put on a travelling suit, took what money I had;