In which it will be seen, that the Lady is as generous as her
Lover.
I pa**ed some Days in this Confinement, melancholy enough: My Ignorance of the Destiny of Sydimiris gave me more Pain than the Sense of my own Misfortunes; and one Evening, when I was more than usually disquieted, one of my Guard entered my Prison, and, giving me a Letter, retired, without speaking a Word: I opened this Letter with Precipitation, and, by the Light of a Lamp which was allowed me, I read the following Words. Sydimiris, To the most generous Bellmour. It is not enough to tell you, that the Method you took to free me from my Brother's Severity, has filled me with the utmost Esteem and Admiration.
So generous an Action merits a greater Acknowledgement, and I will make no Scruple to confess, that my Heart is most sensibly touched by it: Yes, Bellmour, I have received this glorious Testimony of your Affection with such a Gratitude, as you yourself could have wished to inspire me with; and it shall not be long, before you will have a convincing Proof of the Effect it has had upon the Spirit of Sydimiris. This Letter, Madam, pursued Sir George, being wholly calculated to make me hope that I was not hated by the Divine Sydimiris; and that she meditated something inupon one slight Fault in Men of Parts, to the Prejudice of a thousand good Qualities. For aught I see, Madam, said the Beau, you will not allow one to really any body.
I am of Opinion, Sir, said Ara Bella, that there are very few proper Objects for Raillery; and still fewer, who can railly well: The Talent of Raillery ought to be born with a Person; no Art can infuse it; and those who Endeavour to really in spite of Nature, will be so far from diverting others, that they will become the Objects of Ridicule themselves.
Many other pleasing Qualities of Wit may be acquired by Pains and Study, but Raillery must be the Gift of Nature: It is not enough to have many lively and agreeable Thoughts; but there must be such an Expression, as must convey their full Force and Meaning; the Air, the Aspect, the Tone of the Voice, and every Part in general, must contribute to its Perfection.
There ought also to be a great Distance between Raillery and Satire, so that one may never be mistaken for the other: Raillery ought indeed to surprise, and sensibly touch, those to whom it is directed; but I would not have the Wounds it makes, either deep or lasting: Let those who feel it, be hurt like Persons, who, gathering Roses, are pricked by the Thorns, and find a sweet Smell to make amends. I would have Raillery raise the Fancy, and quicken the Imagination, the Fire of its Wit should only enable us to trace its Original, and shine as the Stars do, but not burn.
Yet, after all, I cannot greatly approve of Raillery, or cease to think it dangerous; and, to pursue my Comparison, said she, with an enchanting Smile, Persons who possess the true Talent of Raillery, are like Comets; they are seldom seen, and are at once admired and feared. I protest, Lady Bella, said Sir Charles, who had listened to her with many Signs of Admiration, you speak like an Orator.
One would not imagine, interrupted Mr. Selvin, who saw Ara Bella in some Confusion at the coarse Praise her Uncle gave her, that my Cousin could speak so accurately of a Quality she never practises: And 'tis easy to judge by what she has said, that nobody can railly finer than herself, if she pleases. Mr. Selvin, tho' he bore her a Grudge for knowing more History than he did, yet a**ured her, that she had given the best Rules imaginable for raillying well. But the Beau, whom she had silenced by her Reproof, was extremely angry; and, supposing it would mortify her to see him pay Court to her Cousin, he redoubled his Assiduities to Miss Selvin, who was highly delighted at seeing Ara Bella less taken Notice of by this gay Gentleman, than herself.