him a return in praise of his wit, but she hoped he
was a Man more happy than to be dissatisfy'd with any of his own
Endowments; and if it were so, that he had not a just Opinion of himself,
she knew her self incapable of saying any thing to beget one. Aurelian
did not know well what to make of this last reply; for he always abhor'd
any thing that was conceited, with which this seem'd to reproach him. But
however modest he had been heretofore in his own thoughts, yet never was
he so distrustful of his good behaviour as now, being rally'd so by a
Person whom he took to be of judgment: Yet he resolved to take no notice,
but with an Air unconcerned and full of good humour entreated her to
Dance with him: She promised him to Dance with no body else, nor I
believe had she inclination; for notwithstanding her tartness, she was
upon equal terms with him as to the liking of each others Person and
Humour, and only gave those little hints to try his Temper; there being
certainly no greater sign of folly and ill breeding, than to grow serious
and concerned at any thing spoken in rallery: for his part, he was
strangely and insensibly fallen in love with her Shape, Wit and Air;
which, together with a white Hand, he had seen (perhaps not accidentally)
were enough to have subdued a more stubborn Heart than ever he was master
of; and for her Face, which he had not seen, he bestowed upon her the
best his Imagination could furnish him with. I should by right now
describe her Dress, which was extreamly agreeable and rich, but 'tis
possible I might err in some material Pin or other, in the sticking of
which may be the whole grace of the Drapery depended. Well, they danced
several times together, and no less to the satisfaction of the whole
Company, than of themselves; for at the end of each Dance, some publick
note of Applause or other was given to the graceful Couple.

Aurelian was amaz'd, that among all that danced or stood in view he could
not see Hippolito; but concluding that he had met with some pleasing
Conversation, and was withdrawn to some retired part of the Room, he
forbore his search till the mirth of that Night should be over, and the
Company ready to break up, where we will leave him for a while, to see
what became of his adventurous Friend.

Hippolito, a little after he had parted with Aurelian, was got among a
knot of Ladies and Cavaliers, who were looking upon a large Gold Cup set
with Jewels, in which his Royal Highn