Page:The History of the Valorous and Wity Knight-Errant, Don-Quixote of the Mancha. Volume two.djvu/18

All the Reasons here rehearsed, I said onto him, and many more, which now are fallen out of Mind, but yet proved of no Efficacy to wean him from his obstinate Purpose, even like unto one that goeth to buy, with Intention never to pay for what he takes, and therefore never considers the Price, Worth, or Defect of the Stuff he takes to Credit. I at this Season made a brief Discourse, and said thus to myself; I may do this, for I am not the first which by Matrimony hath ascended from a low Degree to a high Estate; nor shall Don Ferdinando be the first whom Beauty, or blind Affection (for that is the most certain) hath induced to make Choice of a Consort unequal to his Greatness; then, since herein I create no new World, nor Custom, what Error can be committed by embracing the Honour wherewithal Fortune crowns me? Altho' it so befell, that his Affection to me endured no longer than till he accomplished his Will; for, before God, I certes shall still remain his Wife. And if I should disdainfully give him the Repulse, I see him now in such Terms, as perhaps, forgetting the Duty of a Nobleman, he may use Violence, and then I shall remain for ever dishonourable, and also without Excuse of the Imputations of the ignorant which knew not how much without any Fault I have fallen into this inevitable Danger. For, what Reasons may be sufficiently forcible to persuade my Father and Mother, that this Nobleman did enter into my Chamber without my Consent? All these Demands and Answers did I in an Instant revolve in mine Imagination, and found myself chiefly forced (how, I cannot tell) to assent to his Petition, by the Witnesses he invoked, the Tears he shed, and finally, by his sweet Disposition and comely Feature, which, accompanied with so many Arguments of unfeigned Affection, were able to conquer and enthrall any other Heart, tho' it were as free and wary as mine own. Then called I for my Waiting-maid, that she might on Earth accompany the celestial Witnesses.

And then Don Ferdinando turned again to reiterate and confirm his Oaths, and added to his former, other

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