Page:The History of the Valorous and Wity Knight-Errant, Don-Quixote of the Mancha. Volume two.djvu/21

Book IV. sojoun'd. He, after he had reprehended my Boldness, perceiving me to have an inflexable Resolution, made Offer to attend on me, as he said, unto the End of the World, and presently after I truss'd up in a Pillowbier a Woman's Attire, some Money and jewels, to prevent Necessities that might befall, and in the silence of Night, without acquainting my treacherous Maid with my Purpose, I issued out of my House, accompany'd by my Servant and many Imaginations, and in that manner set on towards the City; and tho' I went on foot, was yet borne away flying, by my Desires to come, if not time enough to himder that which was past, yet at least to demand of Don Ferdinando that he would tell me truth with what Conscience or Soul he had done it. I arrived where I wish'd within two Days and a half, and at the Entry of the City I demanded where Luscinda's Father dwelt; and he, of whom I first demanded the Question, answer'd me more than I desir'd to hear: He shew'd me the Houfe, and recounted to me all that befell at the Daughter's Marriage, being a Thing so publick, and known in the City, as Men made Meetings of purpose to discourse thereof.

He said to me, that the very Night wherein Don Ferdinando was espoused to Luscinda after that she had given her Consent to be his Wife, she was instantly assail'd by a terrible Accident that struck her into a Trance, and her Spouse approaching to unclasp her Bosom, that she might take the Air, found a Paper Folded in it, written with Luscinda own Hand, wherein she said and declared, that she could not be Don Ferdinandos Wife, because she was already Cardenio's who was, as the Man told me, a very principal Gentleman of the same City; and, that if she had given her Consent to Don Ferdinando 'twas only done because she would not disobey her Parents. In conclusion, he told me that the Paper made also, mention how she had a Resolution to kill herself presently after the Marriage, and did also by down therein the Motives she had to do it: All which, as they say, was confirmed by a Poniard that was found hidden about her Apparel: Which Don Ferdinando per-