Page:The History of the Valorous and Wity Knight-Errant, Don-Quixote of the Mancha. Volume two.djvu/17

Book IV. When Cardenio heard her say that she was called Dorotea, he fell again into his former Suspicion, and in the End confirmed his first Opinion to be true, but would not interrupt her Speech, being desirous to know the Success, which he knew wholly almost before; and therefore said only, Lady, is it possible that you are named Dorotea? I have heard Report of another of that Name, which perhaps hath run the like Course of your Misfortunes: But I request you to continue your Relation; for a Time may come, wherein I may recount unto you Things of the same Kind which will breed no small Admiration. Dorotea noted Cardenio's Words, and his uncouth and disastrous Attire, and then intreated him very instantly, if he knew any thing of her Affairs he would acquaint her therewithal; for if Fortune had left her any Good, it was on the Courage which she had to bear patiently any Disaster that might befall her, being certain in her Opinion, that no new one could arrive which might increase a whit those she had already.

Lady, I would not let flip the Occasion (quoth Cardenio) to tell you what I think, if that which I imagine were true; and yet there is no Commodity left to do it, nor can it avail you much to know it. Let it be what it lift, said Dorotea's but that which after, befell of my Relation was this. That Don Ferdinando took an Image that was in my Chamber for Witness of our Contract and added withal most forcible Words, and unusual Oaths, promising unto me to become my Husband. Altho' I warned him, before he had ended his Speech, to see well what he did, and to weigh the Wrath of his Father, when he should see him married to one so base, and his Vassal; and that therefore he should take heed that my Beauty (such as it was) should not blind him, seeing he should not find therein a sufficient Excuse for his Error; and that if he meant to do me any Good, I conjured him by the Love that he bore unto me, to license my Fortunes to roll in their own Sphere, according as my Quality reached; for such unequal Matches do never please long, nor persevere with that Delight wherewithal they begun. Rh