Incognita | Page 7

Cup
set with Jewels, in which his Royal Highness had drank to the
prosperity of the new married Couple at Dinner, and which afterward
he presented to his Cousin Donna Catharina. He among the rest was
very intent, admiring the richness, workmanship and beauty of the Cup,
when a Lady came behind him and pulling him by the Elbow, made a
sign she would speak with him; Hippolito, who knew himself an utter
Stranger to Florence and every body in it, immediately guessed she had
mistaken him for her acquaintance, as indeed it happened; however he
resolved not to discover himself till he should be assured of it; having
followed her into a set Window remote from Company, she address'd
her self to him in this manner: 'Signior Don Lorenzo (said she) I am
overjoy'd to see you are so speedily recovered of your Wounds, which
by report were much more dangerous than to have suffered your
coming abroad so soon; but I must accuse you of great indiscretion, in
appearing in a Habit which so many must needs remember you to have
worn upon the like occasion not long ago, I mean at the Marriage of
Don Cynthio with your Sister Atalanta; I do assure you, you were
known by it, both to Juliana and my self, who was so far concerned for
you, as to desire me to tell you, that her Brother Don Fabritio (who saw
you when you came in with another Gentleman) had eyed you very
narrowly, and is since gone out of the Room, she knows not upon what
design; however she would have you, for your own sake, be advised
and circumspect when you depart this place, lest you should be set
upon unawares; you know the hatred Don Fabritio has born you ever
since you had the fortune to kill his Kinsman in a Duel: Here she

paused as if expecting his reply; but Hippolito was so confounded, that
he stood mute, and contemplating the hazard he had ignorantly brought
himself into, forgot his design of informing the Lady of her mistake.
She finding he made her no Answer, went on. 'I perceive (continued
she) you are in some surprize at what I have related, and may be, are
doubtful of the Truth; but I thought you had been better acquainted
with your Cousin Leonora's Voice, than to have forgot it so soon: Yet
in Complaisance to your ill Memory, I will put you past doubt, by
shewing you my Face; with that she pulled off her Mask, and
discovered to Hippolito (now more amaz'd than ever) the most
Angelick Face that he had ever beheld. He was just about to have made
her some answer, when, clapping on her Mask again without giving
him time, she happily for him pursu'd her Discourse. (For 'tis odds but
he had made some discovery of himself in the surprize he was in.)
Having taken him familiarly by the Hand, now she had made her self
known to him, 'Cousin Lorenzo (added she) you may perhaps have
taken it unkindly, that, during the time of your indisposition by reason
of your Wounds, I have not been to visit you; I do assure you it was not
for want of any Inclination I had both to see and serve you to my power;
but you are well acquainted with the Severity of my Father, whom you
know how lately you have disobliged. I am mighty glad that I have met
with you here, where I have had an Opportunity to tell you what so
much concerns your Safety, which I am afraid you will not find in
Florence; considering the great Power Don Fabritio and his Father, the
Marquess of Viterbo, have in this City. I have another thing to inform
you of, That whereas Don Fabio had interested himself in your Cause,
in Opposition to the Marquess of Viterbo, by reason of the long
Animosity between them, all hopes of his Countenance and Assistance
are defeated: For there has been a Proposal of Reconciliation made to
both Houses, and it is said it will be confirm'd (as most such ancient
Quarrels are at last) by the Marriage of Juliana the Marquess's
Daughter, with Aurelian, Son to Don Fabio: to which effect the old
Gentleman sent 'tother Day to Siena, where Aurelian has been
Educated, to hasten his coming to Town; but the Messenger returning
this Morning, brought word, That the same day he arriv'd at Siena,
Aurelian had set out for Florence, in Company with a young Spanish
Nobleman, his intimate Friend; so it is believ'd, they are both in Town,

and not unlikely in this Room in Masquerade.
Hippolito could not forbear smiling to himself, at these last words. For
ever since the naming of Don