Pix, Mary (c.1666-1720)

The Inhumane Cardinal, or Innocence Betray'd

London

Printed for John Harding and Richard Wilkin

1696

"At these difficulties Alphonsus abandons himself to Despair; threatens to be rid of life, since no fairer Prospect was in view to ease his Heart of Love's tormenting Fires."

This Information Castro communicates to the Prince; yet both their industry could imagine no advantage by it. At these difficulties Alphonsus abandons himself to Despair; threatens to be rid of life, since no fairer Prospect was in view to ease his Heart of Love's tormenting Fires. The young compassionate Lord, distracted with his Master's griefs, propos'd the Fryar's making the motion of a Marriage, under the borrow'd Name of Don Pedro. But the Heroick Prince declin'd that Offer; resolving first to endeavour the ingaging Cordelia's Heart, and not force the gentle Maid to Bonds, she might think uneasie. He told Castro he discover'd small incouragement from his Acquaintance with the Fryar; unless his Interest could prevail so far, as to ingage the sociable Gownman to introduce him in some Disguise into the Family: then he might hope to sound Cordelia's Inclinations, and also tell his own, in Terms moving enough to touch her. Castro promis'd to undertake it, though he fear'd the Task would prove hard to accomplish. In order to this Design, he desires privacy with that Fryar, and in the first place genteely forces a considerable Summ of Gold upon him, beginning his Discourse with the Merit, Riches, and an invented Title of Quality for his Friend; adding his desperate Condition assures him, unless he inclines to pity, and assist, Death must certainly be the Catastrophe of his Misery. The Fryar consider'd all these Reasons, and chiefly the Present; yet shrug'd, and said, 'Twas difficult, 'twas dangerously difficult, desiring time for his Answer; which Castro allow'd.
(pp. 37-9)

Fire

C-H Lion

Mary Pix, The Inhumane Cardinal, or Innocence Betray'd. A Novel. Written By a Gentlewoman, for the Entertainment of the Sex. (London: Printed for John Harding and Richard Wilkin, 1696).

07/01/2013