Meanwhile, the lover was so confounded and overawed by these cutting
reproaches, and her animated behaviour, that all his resolution
forsook him, and he found himself not only incapable of obstructing
her retreat, but even of uttering one syllable to deprecate her
wrath, or extenuate the guilt of his own conduct. The nature of
his disappointment, and the keen remorse that seized him, when he
reflected upon the dishonourable footing on which his character
stood with Emilia, raised such perturbation in his mind, that his
silence was succeeded by a violent fit of distraction, during which
he raved like a bedlamite, and acted a thousand extravagancies,
which convinced the people of the house, a certain bagnio, that
he had actually lost his wits. Pipes, with great concern, adopted
the same opinion; and, being assisted by the waiters, hindered him,
by main force, from running out and pursuing the fair fugitive,
whom, in his delirium, he alternately cursed and commended with
horrid imprecations and lavish applause. His faithful valet, having
waited two whole hours, in hopes of seeing this gust of passion
overblown, and perceiving that the paroxysm seemed rather to increase,
very prudently sent for a physician of his master's acquaintance,
who, having considered the circumstances and symptoms of the
disorder, directed that he should be plentifully blooded, without
loss of time, and prescribed a draught to compose the tumult of
his spirits.
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