This accident having altered his design of making the visit which had been the occasion of his journey;—
The baron, for that I found was his title, entertained me all the way, with repeated expressions of acknowledgments and tenderness; and the incomparable Philonice condescended also to assure me of her gratitude for the service I had done her.
At our arrival at the castle, I perceived it was very large and magnificent. The baron conducted me to one of the best apartments, and would stay in the room till my armour was taken off, that he might be assured I had received no hurts. Having rendered him the like civility in his own chamber, and satisfied myself he was not wounded, we returned to the beautiful Philonice; and this second sight having finished my defeat, I remained so absolutely her slave, that neither Dorothea nor Sydimiris were more passionately beloved.
At the earnest entreaty of the baron, I stayed some weeks in the castle; during which, the daily sight of Philonice so augmented my flames, that I was no longer in a condition to conceal them. But, fearing to displease that divine beauty by a confession of my passion, I languished in secret; and the constraint I laid upon myself gave me such torments, that I fell into a profound melancholy, and looked so pale and dejected that the baron was sensible of the alteration, and conjured me, in the most pressing terms, to acquaint him with the cause of my uneasiness: but though I continued obstinately silent with my tongue, yet my eyes spoke intelligibly enough; and the blushes which appeared in the fair cheeks of Philonice, whenever she spoke to me on the subject of my grief, convinced me she was not ignorant of my passion.
At length the agitation of my mind throwing me into a fever, the baron, who was firmly persuaded that my illness proceeded from some concealed vexation, pressed me continually to declare myself; and, finding all his entreaties ineffectual, he commanded his daughter to endeavour to find out the cause of that grief which had put me into such a condition.
For that purpose therefore, having brought the fair Philonice into my chamber, he stayed a few minutes; and leaving the room, under pretence of business, Philonice remained alone by my bed-side, her women, out of respect, staying at the other end of the chamber.
This divine person, seeing herself alone with me, and remembering her father's command, blushed, and cast down her eyes in such apparent confusion, that I could not help observing it: and, interpreting it to the displeasure she took in being so near me—
Whatever joy I take in the honour your visit does me, madam, said I, in a weak voice; yet, since nothing is so dear to me as your satisfaction, I would rather dispense with this mark of your goodness to an unfortunate wretch, than see you in the least constraint.
And why, replied she, with a tone full of sweetness, do you suppose that I am here by constraint, when it would be more just to believe, that in visiting the valiant defender of my honour, and the life of my father, I only follow my own inclinations?
Ah! madam, said I, transported with joy at so favourable a speech, the little service I had the happiness to do you, does not merit so infinite a favour; and though I had lost the best part of my blood in your defence, I should have been well rewarded with your safety.