Maria had newly risen, and with her Night-gown only thrown loose about her, had look’d out of the Window, just as her Father and Dangerfield were approaching the Gate, at the same Instant she cast her Eyes upon Dangerfield, and he accidentally look’d up to the Window where she stood, their Surprize was mutual, but that of Dangerfield the greater; he saw such an amazing Sight of Beauty, as made him doubt the Reality of the Object, or distrust the Perfection of his Sight; he saw his dear Lady, who had so captivated him the preceeding Day, he saw her in all the heightning Circumstances of her Charms, he saw her in all her native Beauties, free from the Incumbrance of Dress, her Hair as black as Ebony, hung flowing in careless Curls over her Shoulders, it hung link’d in amorous Twinings, as if in Love with its own Beauties; her Eyes not yet freed from the Dullness of the late Sleep, cast a languishing Pleasure in their Aspect, which heaviness of Sight added the greatest Beauties to those Suns, because under the Shade of such a Cloud, their Lustre cou’d only be view’d; the lambent Drowsiness that play’d upon her Face, seem’d like a thin Veil not to hide, but to heighten the Beauty which it cover’d; her Night-gown hanging loose, discover’d her charming Bosom, which cou’d bear no Name, but Transport, Wonder and Extasy, all which struck his Soul, as soon as the Object hit his Eye; her Breasts with an easy Heaving, show’d the Smoothness of her Soul and of her Skin; their Motions were so languishingly soft, that they cou’d not be said to rise and fall, but rather to swell up towards Love, the Heat of which seem’d to melt them down again; some scatter’d jetty Hairs, which hung confus’dly over her Breasts, made her Bosom show like Venus caught in Vulcan’s Net, but ’twas the Spectator, not she, was captivated. This Dangerfield saw, and all this at once, and with Eyes that were adapted by a preparatory Potion; what must then his Condition be? He was stricken with such Amazement, that he was forced to Support himself, by leaning on Rinaldo’s Arm, who started at his sudden Indisposition. ‘I’m afraid, Sir, (said he) you have received some Wound in the Duel.’ ‘Oh! Sir, (said he) I am mortally wounded’; but recollecting himself after a little Pause, ‘now I am better.’ Rinaldo wou’d have sent for a Surgeon to have it searched. ‘Your pardon, Sir, (said Dangerfield) my Indisposition proceeds from an inward Malady, not by a Sword, but like those made by Achilles’s Spear, nothing can cure, but what gave the Wound.’ Rinaldo guessing at the Distemper, but not the Cause of it, out of good Manners declined any further enquiry, but conducting him in, entertained him with all the Courtesy imaginable; but in half a Hour, a Messenger came from the Senate, requiring his immediate Attendance; he lying under an indispensable Necessity of making his personal Appearance, begg’d Dangerfield’s Pardon, intreating him to stay, and command his House till his return, and conducting him to a fine Library, said he might there find Entertainment, if he were addicted to Study; adding withal, as a farther Engagement of his Patience, that he should meet the Admiral at the Senate, whom he wou’d bring home as an Addition to their Company at Dinner. Dangerfield needed none of these Motives to stay, being detained by a secret Inclination to the Place; walking therefore into the Library, Rinaldo went to the Senate. Dangerfield when alone, fell into deep Ruminating on his strange Condition, he knew himself in the House, with one of his dear Charmers, but durst not hope to see her, which added to his Torment; like Tantalus remov’d the farther from Happiness, by being nearer to it, contemplated so far on the Beauties of that dear Creature, that he concluded, if her Wit were like that of his t’other Mistress, he wou’d endeavour to confine his Passion wholly to that Object.
In the mean Time, Maria was no less confounded, she knew herself in Love with a Stranger, whose Residence was uncertain, she knew her own Modesty in concealing it; and alas! she knew her Dumbness uncapable of ever revealing it, at least, it must never expect any Return; she had gather’d from her Sister’s Discourse, that she was her Rival; a Rival, who had the Precedency in Age, as the Advantage in Wit, and Intreague, which want of Speech render’d her uncapable of; these Reflections, as they drew her farther from the dear Object, brought her nearer Despair; her Sister was gone that Morning with her Unkle, the Admiral, about two Miles from Venice, to drink some Mineral Waters, and Maria finding nothing to divert her, goes down to her Father’s Library, to ease her Melancholy by reading. She was in the same loose Habit in which she appeared at the Window, her Distraction of Thought not permitting her any Care in dressing herself; she enter’d whilst Dangerfield’s Thoughts were bent by a full Contemplation of her Idea, insomuch that his Surprize represented her as a Phantom only, created by the Strength of his Fancy; her depth of Thought had cast down her Eyes in a fix’d Posture so low, that she discover’d not Dangerfield, till she stood close where he sat, but then so sudden an Appearance of what she so lov’d, struck so violently on her Spirits, that she fell in a Swoon, and fell directly into Dangerfield’s Arms; this soon wakened him from his Dream of Happiness, to a Reality of Bliss, he found his Phantom turn’d into the most charming Piece of Flesh and Blood that ever was, he found her, whom just now he despair’d of seeing; he found her with all her Beauties flowing loose in his Arms, the Greatness of the Pleasure rais’d by the two heightning Circumstances of Unexpectancy and Surprize, was too large for the Capacity of his Soul, he found himself beyond Expression happy, but could not digest the Surfeit; he had no sooner Leisure to consider on his Joy, but he must reflect on the Danger of her that caus’d it, which forced him to suspend his Happiness to administer some Relief to her expiring Senses: He had a Bottle of excellent Spirits in his Pocket, which holding to her Nose, soon recover’d her; she finding herself in the Arms of a Man, and in so loose a Dress, blush’d now more red, than she look’d lately pale; and disengaging herself in a Confusion, wou’d have flung from him; but he gently detaining her by a precarious Hold, threw himself on his Knees, and with the greatest Fervency of Passion cry’d out: ‘For Heavens sake, dearest Creature, be not offended at the accidental Blessing which Fortune, not Design, hath cast upon me; (She wou’d have rais’d him up,) No Madam, (continu’d he) never will I remove from this Posture, ’till you have pronounc’d my Pardon; I love you, Madam, to that Degree, that if you leave me in a distrust of your Anger, I cannot survive it; I beg, intreat, conjure you to speak, your Silence torments me worse than your Reproaches cou’d; am I so much disdain’d, that you will not afford me one Word?’ The lamentable Plight of the wretched Lady every one may guess, but no Body can comprehend; she saw the dearest of Mankind prostrate at her Feet, and imploring what she wou’d as readily grant as he desire, yet herself under a Necessity of denying his Prayers, and her own easy Inclinations. The Motions of her Soul, wanting the freedom of Utterance, were like to tear her Heart asunder by so narrow a Confinement, like the force of Fire pent up, working more impetuously; ’till at last he redoubling his Importunity, her Thoughts wanting Conveyance by the Lips, burst out at her Eyes in a Flood of Tears; then moving towards a Writing-Desk, he following her still on his Knees, amidst her Sighs and Groans she took Pen and Paper, writ two Lines, which she gave him folded up, then flinging from him, ran up to her Chamber: He strangely surpriz’d at this odd manner of Proceeding, opening the Paper, read the following Words:
You can’t my Pardon, nor my Anger move.
For know, alas! I’m dumb, alas! I love.
He was wonderfully Amaz’d reading these Words. ‘Dumb, (cried he out) naturally Dumb? O ye niggard Powers, why was such a wond’rous Piece of Art left imperfect?’ He had many other wild Reasonings upon the lamentable Subject, but falling from these to more calm Reflections, he examined her Note again, and finding by the last Words that she loved him, he might presently imagine, that if he found not some Means of declaring the Continuance of his Love, the innocent Lady might conjecture herself slighted, upon the Discovery of her Affection and Infirmity: Prompted, by which Thought, and animated by the Emotions of his Passion, he ventured to knock at her Door; she having by this Time dressed herself, ventured to let him in: Dangerfield ran towards her, and catching her with an eager Embrace, gave her a thousand Kisses; ‘Madam, (said he) you find that pardoning Offences only prepares more, by emboldning the Offender; but, I hope, Madam,’ shewing her the Note, ‘this is a general Pardon for all Offences of this sort, by which I am so encouraged to Transgress, that I shall never cease Crimes of this Nature’; Kissing her again. His Happiness was interrupted by Belvideera’s coming Home, who running up Stairs, called, ‘Sister, Sister, I have News to tell you’: Her Voice alarms Maria, who fearing the Jealousy of Belvideera, shou’d she find Dangerfield in her Bed-Chamber, made Signs that he shou’d run into the Closet, which she had just lock’d as Belvideera came in: ‘Oh, Sister! (said Belvideera) in a lucky Hour went I abroad this Morning.’ In a more lucky Hour stay’d I at home this Morning, thought Maria. ‘I have, (continued she,) been Instrumental in parting two Gentlemen fighting this Morning, and what is more, my Father had parted them before, when engag’d with the fine English Gentleman we saw at the Ball yesterday; but the greatest News of all is, that this fine English Gentleman is now in the House, and must Dine here to Day; but you must not appear, Sister, because ’twere a Shame to let Strangers know that you are Dumb.’ Maria perceived her Jealousy, pointed to her Limbs, intimating thereby, that it was as great a Shame for her to be seen by Strangers; but she made farther Signs, that since it was her Pleasure, she wou’d keep her Chamber all that Day, and not appear abroad. Belvideera was extreamly glad of her Resolution, hoping that she shou’d enjoy Dangerfield’s Conversation without any Interruption. The Consternation of the Spark in the Closet all this while was not little, he heard the Voice of the Charmer, that had so captivated him, he found that she was Sister to that Lady, whom he just now was making so many Protestations to, but he cou’d not imagine how she was Instrumental in parting the two Gentlemen, that shou’d have fought him; the Occasion was this:
Gonzago and Erizo, parting from Rinaldo and Dangerfield, had walk’d towards the Rialto, and both exasperated that they had missed their intended Revenge against Dangerfield, turned their Fury upon each other, first raising their Anger by incensed Expostulations, then drawing their Swords, engaged in a desperate Combat, when a Voice very loud calling, (Erizo, hold) stopt their Fury to see whence it proceeded; when a Coach driving at full Flight stopt close by them, and Francisco the Venetian Admiral leaped out with his Sword drawn, saying, ‘Gentlemen, pray let me be an Instrument of Pacification: As for your part, Erizo, this Proceeding suits not well with the Business I am to move in Favour of you in the Senate to Day; the Post you sue for claims your Blood to be spilt against the common Foe, not in private Resentment, to the Destruction of a Citizen; and therefore I intreat you as my Friend, or I command you as your Officer, to put up.’ Erizo, unwilling to disoblige his Admiral, upon whose Favour his Advancement depended, told Gonzago, that he must find another time to talk with him. ‘No, no, Gentlemen, (said the Admiral) you shall not part ’till I have reconciled you, and therefore let me know your Cause of Quarrel.’ Erizo therefore related to him the whole Affair, and mentioning that Dangerfield was gone Home to Dine with Rinaldo; ‘With Rinaldo my Father?’ said Belvideera from the Coach, overjoy’d with Hopes of seeing Dangerfield at Home. ‘Yes, (reply’d Gonzago surpriz’d) if Rinaldo the Senator be your Father, Madam.’ ‘Yes, he is,’ reply’d Belvideera. Gonzago then knew her to be the Lady he was enamour’d of, and for whom he wou’d have fought Dangerfield; and now cursed his ill Fate, that he had deny’d Rinaldo’s Invitation, which lost him the Conversation of his Mistress, which his Rival wou’d be sure of. ‘Come, come, Gentlemen, (said the Admiral) you shall accompany me to see this Stranger at Rinaldo’s House, I bear a great Esteem for him, and so it behoves every loyal Venetian, for whose Service he hath been so signal.’ Erizo, unwilling to deny the Admiral, and Gonzago glad of an Opportunity of his Mistress’s Company, which he just now thought lost, consented to the Proposal, and mounting all into the Coach, the three Gentlemen were set down at the Senate, and the Lady drove Home as above-mentioned.
Rinaldo in the mean Time was not idle in the Senate, there being a Motion made for Election of a Captain to the Rialto Galleon, made void by the Death of its former Commander in the late Fight, and which was the Post designed by the Admiral for Erizo. Rinaldo catching an Opportunity of obliging Dangerfield, for whom he entertain’d a great Love and Respect, proposed him as a Candidate for the Command, urging his late brave Performance against the Turks, and how much it concerned the Interest of the State to encourage Foreigners. He being the Admiral’s Brother, and being so fervent in the Affair, had by an unanimous Consent his Commission sign’d just as his Brother came into the Senate, who fearing how Things were carried, comforted Erizo by future Preferment; but Erizo, however he stifled his Resentment, was struck with Envy, that a Stranger, and his Enemy shou’d be preferred to him, and resolved Revenge on the first Opportunity. They all went home with Rinaldo, and arrived whilst Belvideera was talking above Stairs with her Sister. Rinaldo, impatient to communicate his Success to Dangerfield, ran into the Study, where he left him; but missing him there, went into the Garden, and searching all about, returned to the Company, telling them he believ’d Dangerfield had fallen asleep in some private Arbor in the Garden, where he cou’d not find him, or else impatient of his long stay, had departed; but he was sure, if he had gone, he wou’d soon return: However they went to Dinner, and Belvideera came down, making an Apology for her Sister’s Absence, thro’ an Indisposition that had seized her. Gonzago had his wished for Opportunity of entertaining his Mistress, whilst she always expecting some News of Dangerfield, sat very uneasie in his Company; whilst Dangerfield in the Closet, was as impatient to see her. The short Discourse she had with her Sister, gave him assurance that his Love wou’d not be unacceptable. Maria durst not open the Closet, afraid that her Sister shou’d come up every Minute, besides, ’twas impossible to convey him out of the Chamber undiscovered, untill ’twas dark, which made him Wonder what occasioned his long Confinement; and being tired with sitting, got up to the Window, and softly opening the Casement, looked out to take the Air; his Footman walking accidentally in the Court, and casting up his Eye that way, spy’d him, which confirm’d his Patience in attending for him at the Gate; at length it grew Dark, and Maria knowing that her Sister was engag’d in a Match at Cards with her Father, Gonzago and Erizo, the Admiral being gone, she came softly to the Closet, and innocently took Dangerfield by the Hand, to lead him out, he clapt the dear soft Hand to his Mouth, and kissing it eagerly, it fired his Blood, and the unhappy Opportunity adding to the Temptation, raised him to the highest Pitch of Passion; he found himself with the most beautiful Creature in the World, one who loved him, he knew they were alone in the Dark, in a Bed-chamber, he knew the Lady young and melting, he knew besides she cou’d not tell, and he was conscious of his Power in moving; all these wicked Thoughts concurring, establish’d him in the Opinion, that this was the critical Minute of his Happiness, resolving therefore not to lose it, he fell down on his Knees, devouring her tender Hand, sighing out his Passion, begging her to Crown it with her Love, making Ten thousand Vows and Protestations of his Secrecy and Constancy, urging all the Arguments that the Subtilty of the Devil or Man could suggest. She held out against all his Assaults above two Hours, and often endeavoured to Struggle from him, but durst make no great Disturbance, thro’ fear of Alarming the Company below, at last he redoubling his Passion with Sighs, Tears, and all the rest of Love’s Artillery, he at last gain’d the Fort, and the poor conquered Lady, all panting, soft, and trembling every Joynt, melted by his Embraces, he there fatally enjoy’d the greatest Extasy of Bliss, heightned by the Circumstances of Stealth, and Difficulty in obtaining. The ruin’d Lady now too late deplored the Loss of her Honour; but he endeavour’d to Comfort her by making Vows of Secrecy, and promising to salve her Reputation by a speedy Marriage, which he certainly intended, had not the unhappy Crisis of his Fate been so near. The Company by this Time had gone off, and Belvideera had retir’d to her Chamber, melancholy that she had missed her Hopes of seeing Dangerfield. Gonzago and Erizo going out of the Gate, saw Dangerfield’s Footman, whom they knew, since they saw him with his Master in the Morning. Gonzago asked him why he waited there? ‘For my Master, Sir,’ reply’d the Footman. ‘Your Master is not here sure,’ said Gonzago. ‘Yes, but he is, Sir,’ said the Servant, ‘for I attended him hither this Morning with Rinaldo, and saw him in the Afternoon look out of a Window above Stairs.’ ‘Ha!’ said Gonzago, calling Erizo aside, ‘by Heavens, he lies here to Night then, and perhaps with my Mistress; I perceiv’d she was not pressing for our Stay, but rather urging our Departure. Erizo, Erizo, this Block must be remov’d, he has stepped between you and a Command to Day, and perhaps may lye between me and my Mistress to Night.’ ‘By Hell (answered Erizo) thou hast raised a Fury in me, that will not be lulled asleep, but by a Potion of his Blood; let’s dispatch this Blockhead first’: And running at the Footman, with one Thrust killed him. Dangerfield by this time had been let out, and hearing the Noise, ran to the Place; they presently assaulted him; he defended himself very bravely the space of some Minutes, having wounded Gonzago in the Breast; when Rinaldo hearing the Noise, came out; but too late for Dangerfield’s Relief, and too soon for his own Fate; for Gonzago, exasperated by his Wound, ran treacherously behind Dangerfield, and thrust him quite thro’ the Body. He finding the mortal Wound, and wild with Rage, thrust desperately forward at Erizo, when at the instant Rinaldo striking in between to part them, received Dangerfield’s Sword in his Body, which pierced him quite thro’. He no sooner fell, than Dangerfield perceived his fatal Error, and the other Two fled. Dangerfield curs’d his Fate, and begg’d with all the Prayers and Earnestness of a dying Man, that Rinaldo wou’d forgive him. ‘Oh!’ said Rinaldo, ‘you have ill rewarded me for my Care in your Concerns in the Senate to Day.’ The Servants coming out, took up Rinaldo, and Dangerfield leaning upon his Sword, they led him in. Belvideera first heard the Noise, and running down first met the horrid Spectacle, her dear Father breathing out his last, and her Lover, whom she had all that Day flattered her self with Hopes of seeing, she now beheld in Streams of his Blood; but what must poor Maria’s Case be? besides the Grief for her Father’s Fate, she must view that dear Man, lately Happy in her Embraces, now folded in the Arms of Death, she finds herself bereft of a Parent, her Love, her Honour, and the Defender of it, all at once; and the greatest Torment is, that she must bear all this Anguish, and cannot Ease her Soul by expressing it. Belvideera sat wiping the Blood from her Father’s Wound, whilst mournful Maria sat by Dangerfield, administring all the Help she cou’d to his fainting Spirits; whilst he viewed her with greater Excess of Grief, than he had heretofore with Pleasure; being sensible what was the Force of her silent Grief, and the Wrong he had done her, which now he cou’d never Redress: He had accidentally dropt his Wig in the Engagement, and inclining his Head over the Couch where he lay, Rinaldo casting his Eye upon him, perceiv’d the Mark of a bloody Dagger on his Neck, under his left Ear: ‘Sir, (said Rinaldo, raising himself up) I conjure you answer me directly, were you born with the Mark of that Dagger, or have you received it since by Accident.’ ‘I was certainly born with it,’ answer’d he. ‘Just such a Mark had my Son Cosmo, who was lost in the Adriatick.’ ‘How! (reply’d Dangerfield, starting up with a wild Confusion) Lost! say’st thou in the Adriatick? Your Son lost in the Adriatick?’ ‘Yes, yes,’ said Rinaldo, ‘too surely lost in the Adriatick.’ ‘O ye impartial Powers (said Dangerfield), why did you not reveal this before? Or why not always conceal it? How happy had been the Discovery some few Hours ago, and how Tragical is it now? For know,’ continued he, addressing himself to Rinaldo, ‘know that my suppos’d Father, who was a Turky Merchant, upon his Death-bed call’d me to him, and told me ’twas time to undeceive me, I was not his Son, he found me in the Adriatick Sea, ty’d to two Planks in his Voyage from Smyrna to London; having no Children, he educated me as his own, and finding me worth his Care, left me all his Inheritance with this dying Command, that I shou’d seek my Parents at Venice.’ Belvideera hearkning all this while to the lamentable Story, then conjectured whence proceeded the natural Affection the whole Family bore him, and embracing him, cry’d out, ‘Oh my unhappy Brother.’ Maria all the while had strong and wild Convulsions of Sorrow within her, ’till the working Force of her Anguish racking at once all the Passages of her Breast, by a violent Impulse, broke the Ligament that doubled in her Tongue, and she burst out with this Exclamation; ‘Oh! Incest, Incest.’ Dangerfield eccho’d that Outcry with this, ‘O! Horror, Horror, I have enjoy’d my Sister, and murder’d my Father.’ Maria running distracted about the Chamber, at last spy’d Dangerfield’s Sword, by which he had supported himself into the House, and catching it up, reeking with the Blood of her Father, plung’d it into her Heart, and throwing herself into Dangerfield’s Arms, calls out, ‘O my Brother, O my Love,’ and expir’d. All the Neighbourhood was soon alarm’d by the Out-cries of the Family. I lodged within three Doors of Rinaldo’s House, and running presently thither, saw a more bloody Tragedy in Reality, than what the most moving Scene ever presented; the Father and Daughter were both dead, the unfortunate Son was gasping out his last, and the surviving Sister most miserable, because she must survive such Misfortunes, cry’d to me; ‘O! behold the Fate of your wretched Countryman.’ I cou’d make no Answer, being struck dumb by the Horror of such woeful Objects; but Dangerfield hearing her name his Country, turning towards me, with a languishing and weak Tone, ‘Madam,’ said he, ‘I was your Countryman, and wou’d to Heavens I were so still; if you hear my Story mention’d, on your Return to England, pray give these strange Turns of my Fate not the Name of Crimes, but favour them with the Epithet of Misfortunes; my Name is not Dangerfield, but Cla– ’ His Voice there fail’d him, and he presently dy’d; Death seeming more favourable than himself, concealing the fatal Author of so many Misfortunes, for I cou’d never since learn out his Name; but have done him the justice, I hope, to make him be pity’d for his Misfortunes, not hated for his Crimes. Francisco being sent for, had Gonzago and Erizo apprehended, condemn’d, and executed. Belvideera consign’d all her Father’s Estate over to her Uncle, reserving only a Competency to maintain her a Recluse all the rest of her Life.
Notes: Critical and Explanatory:
The Dumb Virgin
p. 429 Dangerfield. This name is not to be found in any one of Mrs. Behn’s plays, but as it does occur in Sedley’s Bellamira; or, The Mistress (1687), one can only conclude that Aphra gave it to Sir Charles and altered her own character’s nomenclature. Mrs. Behn, it may be remembered, was more than once extraordinarily careless with regard to the names of the Dramatis Personæ in her comedies. A striking example occurs in Sir Patient Fancy, where the ‘precise clerk’ is called both Abel and Bartholomew. In The Feign’d Curtezans Silvio and Sabina are persistently confused, and again, in The Town Fop (Vol. III, p. 15 and p. 20), the name Dresswell is retained for Friendlove. Sedley’s Bellamira is derived from Terence’s Eunuchus, and Dangerfield is Thraso; the Pyrgopolinices, Miles Gloriosus, of Plautus.
Cross-Reference
Beginning of Introduction: Consanguinity and love which are treated in this novel so romantically and with such tragic catastrophe had already been dealt with in happier mood by Mrs. Behn in The Dutch Lover. Vide Note on the Source of that play, Vol. I, p. 218.
Vol. I, p. 218, beginning of “Source” section for The Dutch Lover:
Mrs. Behn founded the plot of The Dutch Lover upon the stories of Eufemie and Theodore, Don Jame and Frederic, in a pseudo-Spanish novel entitled ‘The History of Don Fenise, a new Romance written in Spanish by Francisco de Las Coveras, And now Englished by a Person of Honour, London, Printed for Humphrey Moseley,’ 8vo, 1651.