So that it was not in Hippolito's power to disswade him from going up
before to prepare his Father to receive and forgive him. While Hippolito
and Leonora were left in the Coach at the Door, he made himself known to
her, and begg'd her pardon a thousand times for continuing the deceit.
She was under some concern at first to find she was still mistaken; but
his Behaviour, and the Reasons he gave, soon reconciled him to her; his
Person was altogether as agreeable, his Estate and Quality not at all
inferiour to Aurelian's; in the mean time, the true Aurelian who had seen
his Father, begg'd leave of him to withdraw for a moment; in which time
he went into the Chamber where his Incognita was dressing her self, by
his design, in Woman's Apparel, while he was consulting with her how they
should break the matter to his Father; it happened that Don Mario came up
Stairs where the Marquess and Don Fabio were; they undoubtedly concluded
him Mad, to hear him making Apologies and Excuses for Aurelian, whom he
told them if they would promise to forgive he would present before them
immediately. The Marquess asked him if his Daughter had lain with
Leonora that Night; he answered him with another question in behalf of
Aurelian. In short, they could not understand one another, but each
thought 'tother beside himself. Don Mario was so concern'd that they
would not believe him, that he ran down Stairs and came to the Door out
of Breath, desiring Hippolito that he would come into the House quickly,
for that he could not perswade his Father but that he had already seen
and spoke to him. Hippolito by that understood that Aurelian was in the
House; so taking Leonora by the Hand, he followed Don Mario, who led him
up into the Dining-Room, where they found Aurelian upon his Knees,
begging his Father to forgive him, that he could not agree to the Choice
he had made for him, since he had already disposed of himself, and that
before he understood the designs he had for him, which was the reason
that he had hitherto concealed himself. Don Fabio knew not how to answer
him, but look'd upon the Marquess, and the Marquess upon him, as if the