that he was faulty; whether he should depart away without saying anything unto him; or whether he should trouble this wedding with some strange violence; in fine, he was so confounded, as not knowing what to do in so unpleasing a conjuncture, he suffered himself to be conducted along by the Marquis, whose address in this occasion was such, as without seeming to perceive any change in his countenance, he still continued talking to him of diversion and joy; and that too with embrac ing and putting him on gently towards his Mother's chamber; whereunto as soon as ever they were entered, the Marquis presented his Brother-in-law to Marsé, who saluted him very coldly; in the mean time he had leisure to tell his Mother and his Sister, in two words, that to keep Marsé from showing his hatred and resentment he was not to be left alone with anybody.

After that civilities were rendered on either part, the Marquis thought it was fitting that he should entertain the company; he began then to quarrel with his Sister, for that she was the cause of his rejoicing at a thing which was repugnant to his mind; but withal he was well assured that this thing should never give him joy again, either for her or any other, and that this compliance was no doubt the greatest mark he could render her of his love.

Marsé, hearing this discourse, demanded of him whether he meant marriage by that which he spake? and the Marquis, without further delay, answered him, laughing, that it was of that destroyer of love; of that Tyrant of liberty; of that enemy of pleasure, which most commonly disjoins all that Love hath united; which discovers all the defects of the mind and humor, to persons that believed they were altogether perfect; and that which was worse than all the rest for him, which banishes love, inconstancy, and gallantry from amongst men, to introduce into the stead of it, jealousy of honor, a false constancy, and domestic cares.

So that, as you speak (replied Marsé, interrupting him), you believe it may be that you should much oblige one of your friends, if you should marry his Mistress to another.

If he should tell me, answered the Marquis, that he would marry her, I should not contradict his intent, for I am so much an enemy to constraint as I never oppose anything; but otherwise if a worthy man of my friends should appear to me extremely amorous, I do not think I should do him any great

wrong if I should deprive him of the means of marrying his Mistress, in case his passion should disorder him so far as to give him a desire to do so; and in the humor that I am, the greatest proof of affection that I can render unto a ward, when I become enamored of her, is not to marry her; yea, and I have met with some unto whom the more favorably to receive my affection, and to testify unto them the respect which I bare them, I have declared at the first sight that in becoming their Servant I had no design to become their Master; and in assuring them that I was their slave, I assured them that I would never be their Tyrant.

It may be, replied Marsé, that you have not always spoken so openly.

That I have not, answered the Marquis, when I believed, that those whom I loved had wit enough not to suspect that I had any such bad intent; but, howsoever, I have never done or said anything which could make them believe that I had any other aim than to love them, to be kindly received of them, to be heard with pleasure, and to obtain of them all those petty favors which are no part of the Husbands' demesne, and which ought always to remain in the disposition of Ladies, therewith to gratify their Lovers. For since there are not men found, which amuse themselves in wearing Bracelets of their wives' hair; which demand favors of them; which are ravished with kissing only the tip of their gloves; with saying gallantries to them, praising their beauties, giving them Serenades; making verses to their glory; and telling them they burn and die for love of them, is it not strange they should be deprived of all these pleasures? and is it not unjust that men which do not love them should possess them absolutely? and that they which adore them should not at leastwise have all those petty things, which are not directly opposite to virtue?

Your Maxims are so bad, said the Marquis his Sister, speaking to her Brother, that if you had not always been at Court, and that we had always been brought up together, I should have some cause to fear that one might imagine you had persuaded me to your opinion.

I dare not say, replied her Lover, that these maxims, which you condemn, have nothing in them that clashes with reason; nor also maintain that they have nothing in them but that which is bad for I have too much love for the Sister, and too much respect for the Brother; but howsoever I am confident that you will not follow them.

It is true, said Marsé, tartly enough, that inconstancy is not that wherewith he is to be reproached; and I know not whether or the contrary, Virtue opposed will not prove to be the only crime that may be imputed to him.

The Marquis, perceiving that the other was preparing himself to answer and peradventure with bitterness, continued to speak of the injustice of men in the discerning of things. For, said he, if the diversity of good Books renders a man knowing; if diversity of Voyages serves him for an agreeable study, which illuminates his mind, and informs his judgment; if the diversity of fair Arts is a knowledge that pleases; if the diversity of tongues passes for a laudable curiosity, why should one think that the diversity of loves can produce nothing that is good? And why will one have the grace of novelty, which is the charm of Nature, to be a defect in love?

For my part, said Marsé, I will no longer oppose this doctrine, since an universal change cannot be but advantageous for me, glorious for some, and equitable for others.

The hidden sense of this speech was easily understood by all the company; but the Marquis, who in this occasion did not desire to dive into things, altered the discourse, and said unto Marsé, that his Sisters must needs honor this Wedding with their presence, and that he must rejoice with them, for that they are not so near to slavery.

The honor that you will do them, answered Marsé, will surprise them, not because your Civilities have not given them occasion to attend more from you, but whereas this news is unexpected, it is fit that I should go and advertise them of it, to the end they may prepare themselves to receive the grace that you will do them.

The Marquis pressed him extremely to pass away the rest of the day with them, but he would by no means stay. He invites him also to his Sister's Wedding, talks to him of Balls, Lutes, Music, and of all the entertainments usual in such like Feasts: whereunto the other answered still with speeches of a double sense. The two Rivals quipt one another civilly, which doubtless might have produced some unlucky adventure, had not the merry humor of the Marquis sweetened the conversation.

Marsé took his leave of the company, with a forced countenance, which made them conceive that he had strange unquietness in his mind. He went home then with so much grief as he could not longer conceal it, and to minish it in some sort he desired to make his Sisters partake of it. He sends

for them, acquaints them with the marriage of his Mistress, tells them that the Marquis is unfaithful, inconstant, a Cheater, a Courtier; that cares for nothing but to please himself; that hath made a mockery of them; and then recounts all their conversation unto them.

These four Sisters were not more amazed at this wedding whereunto they were invited, and the lightness of the Marquis his humor, than to know by their Brother's discourse that they were rivals, and equally beguiled of the hopes which they had received. At first they beheld one another as if they would silently reproach each other for concealing themselves in their designs; but the third of these maids, whose mind was not so sensible of grief, and that could not be long without giving some marks of her humor, after she had paused a little, began to speak, and said with a tone of the voice of admiration, I must confess the Marquis is wonderful dexterous, that could deceive four interested maids; and though I did infinitely esteem him, continued she, I did not think he had had so much wit nor that he was so unworthy of my friendship. The minds of the three others were not so moderate; and though the eldest was of a very sweet disposition, yet could she not choose but show her resentment. The second, always haughty, manifested hers, by seeming to share very much in that of her Brother; but as for the youngest, she was vexed to the heart for having so ill assured her first conquest; and albeit she had a great deal of wit, yet she could not forbear showing her choler. However the third continued still saying, that this adventure was a new charm, which she discovered in the Marquis, and that engaged her to esteem of him the more.

In the mean time the Wedding-day arrives; Marsé feigns himself sick because he would not be at it; the Sisters excuse themselves upon their brother's sickness. Howbeit the third makes a secret match with one of her kinswomen, that dwells not far off, to go and see this feast in disguise; they mask themselves then very bravely, and appear in that assembly accompanied with certain men disguised too as they were. As soon as they were entered into the room, the Marquis knew her that touched his heart still; he approaches to her, makes her an hundred compliments, and continues telling her that he loves her passionately. But she, without reproaching him, answers, that she does not doubt of it, and that the conformity which is between them ought to work so fair an effect.

That

nevertheless it was fit they should a little better examine their thoughts, it seeming just unto her that two persons, which made profession of beguiling all the world in gallantry, should not be beguiled between themselves. This said, this gentlewoman made the Marquis sit down by her, whilst the rest of the company were dancing, and with a most pleasing relation acquainted him with all that had passed betwixt her Brother, her Sisters, and herself. Hereupon they promised much good will one to another, esteeming too much of themselves for ever speaking together again of love. She counseled the Marquis not to come at their house, but since he was to be gone to the Court the day following, to send a compliment to her Brother and her Sisters, as indeed he did.

The Marquis took post the next morning, leaving his Sister very well contented, Marsé in despair, three of his Sisters in choler enough, and the other satisfied.