Gentleman, and is prepar'd to like such a one who does not disagree with
that Character. Aurelian, as he bore a very fair Character, so was he
extreamly deserving to make it good, which otherways might have been to
his prejudice; for oftentimes, through an imprudent Indulgence to our
Friends merit, we give so large a Description of his excellencies, that
People make more room in their Expectation, than the Intrinsick worth of
the Man will fill, which renders him so much the more despicable as there
is emptyness to spare. 'Tis certain, though the Women seldom find that
out; for though they do not see so much in a Man as was promised, yet
they will be so kind to imagine he has some hidden excellencies; which
time may discover to them, so are content to allow, him a considerable
share of their esteem, and take him into Favour upon Tick. Aurelian as
he had good Credit, so he had a good Stock to support it, and his Person
was a good promising Security for the payment of any Obligation he could
lie under to the Fair Sex. Hippolito, who at this time was our Aurelian,
did not at all lessen him in appearing for him: So that although Leonora
was indeed mistaken, she could not be said to be much in the wrong. I
could find in my Heart to beg the Reader's pardon for this Digression, if
I thought he would be sensible of the Civility; for I promise him, I do
not intend to do it again throughout the Story, though I make never so
many, and though he take them never so ill. But because I began this
upon a bare Supposition of his Impertinence, which might be somewhat
impertinent in me to suppose, I do, and hope to make him amends by
telling him, that by the time Leonora was dress'd, several Ladies of her
acquaintance came to accompany her to the place designed for the Tilting,
where we will leave them drinking Chocholate till 'tis time for them to
go.

Our Cavaliers had by good Fortune provided themselves of two curious
Suits of light Armour, finely enammelled and gilt. Hippolito had sent to