as he durst venture to think, he concluded it to be all Vision, and never
doubted so much of any thing in his Life as of his being then awake. But
she taking him by the Hand, and desiring him to sit down by her, partly
convinced him of the reality of her presence.

'This is the second time, Don Hippolito, (said she to him) 'that I have
been here this Night. What the occasion was of my seeking you out, and
how by miracle you preserved me, would add too much to the surprize I
perceive you to be already in should I tell you: Nor will I make any
further discovery, till I know what censure you pass upon the confidence
which I have put in you, and the strange Circumstances in which you find
me at this time. I am sensible they are such, that I shall not blame
your severest Conjectures; but I hope to convince you, when you shall
hear what I have to say in justification of my Vertue.

'Justification! (cry'd Aurelian) what Infidel dares doubt it! Then
kneeling down, and taking her Hand, 'Ah Madam (says he) would Heaven
would no other ways look upon, than I behold your Perfections--Wrong not
your Creature with a Thought, he can be guilty of that horrid Impiety as
once to doubt your Vertue--Heavens! (cry'd he, starting up) 'am I so
really blessed to see you once again! May I trust my Sight?--Or does my
fancy now only more strongly work?--For still I did preserve your Image
in my Heart, and you were ever present to my dearest Thoughts.--

'Enough Hippolito, enough of Rapture (said she) you cannot much accuse me
of Ingratitude; for you see I have not been unmindful of you; but
moderate your Joy till I have told you my Condition, and if for my sake
you are raised to this Delight, it is not of a long continuance.

At that (as Aurelian tells the Story) a Sigh diffused a mournful