himself before his
Father, and ingenuously confess to him the truth, and he did not question
his approving of his Choice.

This was agreed to, and the Coach made ready. While they were upon their
way, Hippolito pray'd heartily that his Friend Aurelian might be at the
Lodging, to satisfie Don Mario and Leonora of his Circumstances and
Quality, when he should be obliged to discover himself. His Petitions
were granted; for Don Fabio had beset the House long before his Son was
up or Incognita awake.

Upon the arrival of Don Mario and Hippolito, they heard a great Noise and
Hubbub above Stairs, which Don Mario concluded was occasioned by their
not finding Aurelian, whom he thought he could give the best account of:
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 Dinin