Page:The History of the Valorous and Wity Knight-Errant, Don-Quixote of the Mancha. Volume two.djvu/15

Book IV. my Resolution and Integrity with these certain Promises, and the known Truth which they told me and therefore would never answer to Don Ferdinando any Word, that might ever so far off argue the least Hope of condescending to his Desires. All which Cautions of mine, which I think he deemed to be Disdains, did inflame more his lasivious Appetite (for this if the Name wherewithal I entitle his Affection towards me) which, had it been such as it ought, you had not known it now; for then the Cause of revealing it had not befallen me. Finally, Don Ferdinando understanding how my Parents meant to marry me, to the end they might make void his Hope of ever possessing me, or at least set more Guards to preserve mine Honour; and this News, or Surmise, was an Occasion that he did what you shall presently hear.

For one Night, as I sat in my Chamber, only attended by a young Maiden that served me, I having shut the Doors very safe, for fear left thro' any Negligence my Honesty might Incur any Danger, without knowing or imagining how it might happen, notwithstanding all my Diligences used, and Preventions, and amidst the Solitude of this Silence and Recollection, he stood before me in my Chamber. At his Presence I was so troubled, as I lost both Sight and Speech, and by reason thereof could not cry, nor I think he would not, tho' I attempted it, permit me; for he presently ran over to me, and taking me between his Arms (for, as I have said, I was so amazed, as I had no Power to defend myself) he spake such Things to me, as I knew not how it is possible that so many Lies should have Ability to feign Things resembling in Shew so much the Truth; and the Traytor caused Tears to give Credit to his Words, and Sighs to give Countenance to his Intention.

I, poor Soul, being alone, amidst my Friends, and weakly practiced in such Affairs, began, I know not how, to account his Leasings for Verities; but not in such Sort as his Tears or Sighs might any wife move me to any Companion that were not commendable: Rh