Times, and curs'd himself as often, who was so near to committing the
most Execrable Act of Amicide.

They dismiss'd the Fellow, and with many Embraces, congratulated their
fortunate Delivery from the Mischief which came so near them, each
blaming himself as the Occasion: Aurelian accusing his own unadvisedness
in stealing upon Hippolito; Hippolito blaming his own temerity and
weakness, in being so easily frighted to Disorder; and last of all, his
blindness, in not knowing his dearest Friend. But there he gave a Sigh,
and passionately taking Aurelian by the Hand, cry'd, Ah! my Friend, Love
is indeed blind, when it would not suffer me to see you--There arose
another Sigh; a Sympathy seiz'd Aurelian immediately: (For, by the Way,
sighing is as catching among Lovers, as yawning among the Vulgar.) Beside
hearing the Name of Love, made him fetch such a Sigh, that Hippolito's
were but Fly-blows in Comparison, that was answered with all the Might
Hippolito had, Aurelian ply'd him close till they were both out of
Breath.

Thus not a Word pass'd, though each wondred why the t'other sigh'd, at
last concluded it to be only Complaisance to one another.

Aurelian broke the Silence, by telling him the Misfortune of his
Governour. Hippolito rejoic'd as at the luckiest Accident which could
have befall'n him. Aurelian wondred at his unseasonable Mirth, and
demanded the Cause of it; he answer'd, It would necessitate his longer
Stay in Florence, and for ought he knew be the Means of bringing a happy
Period to his Amour.

His Friend thought him to be little better than a Madman, when he
perceiv'd him of a suddain snatch out of his Bosom a Handkerchief, which