meet him in the Morning. As he was going out of the Room he espied the
torn Paper, which the Lady had thrown upon the Floor: The first piece he
took up had Incognita written upon it; the sight of which so Alarum'd
him, he scarce knew what he was about; but hearing a Noise of a Door
opening over Head, with as much Care as was consistent with the haste he
was then in, he gathered up scattered pieces of Paper, and betook himself
to a Ramble.

Coming by a Light which hung at the Corner of a Street, he join'd the
torn Papers and collected thus much, that Incognita had Written the Note,
and earnestly desired (if there were any reality in what he pretended to
her) to meet her at Twelve a Clock that Night at a Convent Gate; but
unluckily the Bit of Paper which should have mentioned what Convent, was
broken off and lost.

Here was a large Subject for Aurelian's Passion, which he did not spare
to pour forth in Abundance of Curses on his Stars. So earnest was he in
the Contemplation of his Misfortunes, that he walk'd on unwittingly; till
at length Silence (and such as was only to be found in that part the
Town, whither his unguided Steps had carried him) surpriz'd his
Attention. I say, a profound Silence rouzed him from his Thought; and a
clap of Thunder could have done no more.

Now because it is possible this at some time or other may happen to be
read by some Malicious or Ignorant Person, (no Reflection upon the
present Reader) who will not admit, or does not understand that Silence
should make a Man start; and have the same Effect, in provoking his
Attention, with its opposite Noise; I will illustrate this matter, to
such a diminutive Critick, by a Parallel Instance of Light; which though
it does chiefly entertain the Eyes, and is indeed the prime Object of the