refines the other Tho' possibly Atlante thought as ill of the Count as her Sister yet in Respect to him she would not own it Atlante was now arriv'd to her thirteenth Year when her Beauty which every day increas'd became the discourse of the whole Town which had already gain'd her as many Lovers as had beheld her for none saw her without Languishing for her or at least but what were in very great Admiration of her every body talkt of the young and charming Atlante and all the Noble Men who had Sons knowing the smallness of her Fortune and the lustre of her Beauty would send them for fear of their being Charm'd with her either to some other part of the World or exhorted them by way of precaution to keep out of her fight Old Bellyuard was one of these Wise Parents and by a timely prevention as he thought of Rinaldo's falling in Love with Atlante perhaps was the occasion of his being so he had before heard of Atlante and of her Beauty but it had made no impressions on his Heart but his Father no sooner forbid him Loving than he felt a new desire Tormenting him of seeing this lovely and dangerous young Person he wonders at his unaccountable Pain which daily solicits him within to go where he may behold this Beauty of whom he frames a thousand Ideas all such as were most agreeable to him but then upbraids his fancy for not forming her half so delicate as she was and longs yet more to see her to know how near she approaches to the Picture he has drawn of her in his Mind and tho he knew she liv'd the next House to him yet he knew also she was kept within like a Vow'd Nun or with the severity of a Spaniard And tho he had a Chamber which had a jetting Window that lookt just upon the the door of Monsieur De Pays and that he would watch many hours at a time in hope to see them go out yet he could never get a glimps of her yet he heard she often frequented the Church of our Lady thither then the young Rinaldo resolv'd to go and did so two or three Mornings in in which time to his unspeakable grief he saw no Beauty appear that charm'd him and yet he fancy'd that Atlante was there and that he had seen her that some one of those young Ladies that he saw in the Church was she tho he had no body to inquire of and that she was not so fair as the World reported for which he would often sigh as if he had lost some very great Expectation however he ceas'd not to frequent this Church and one day saw a young Beauty who at first glimps made his Heart leap to his Mouth and fell trembling again into its wonted place for it immediately told him that that young Maid was Atlante she was with her Sister Charlot who was very handsom but not comparable to Atlante He fixt his Eyes upon her as she kneel'd at the Altar which he never remov'd from that charming face as long as she remain'd there he forgot all Devotion but what he paid to her he Ador'd her he Burnt and Languish'd already for her and found he must possess Atlante or Dye often as he gaz'd upon her he saw her fair Eyes lifted up towards his where they often met which she perceiving would cast hers down into her Bosom or on her Book and blush as if she had done a Fault Charlot perceiv'd all the Motions of Rinaldo how he folded his Arms how he sight and how he gaz'd on her Sister she took Notice of his Cloaths his Garniture and every particular of his Dress as young Girls use to do and seeing him so very handsom and so much better drest than all the young Cavaliers that were in the Church she was very much pleas'd with him and could not forbear saying in a low voice to Atlante look look my Sister what a pretty Monsieur yonder is see how fine his Face is how delicate his Hair how gallant his Dress and do but look how he gazes on you This wou'd make Atlante blush anew who durst not raise her Eyes for fear she should incounter his While he had the pleasure to imagine they were talking of him and he saw in the pretty Face of Charlot that what he said was not to his disadvantage and by the blushes of Atlante that she was not displeas'd with what was spoken to her he perceiv'd the young one importunate with her and Atlante jogging her with her Elbow as much as to say hold your peace all this he made a very kind Interpretation of and was transported with Joy at the good Omens he was willing to flatter his new Flame and to Complement his young Desire with a little Hope but the divine Ceremony ceasing Atlante left the Church and it being very fair weather she walkt home Rinaldo who saw her going felt all the Agonys of a Lover who parts with all that can make him Happy and seeing only Atlante attended with her Sister and a Foot-man following with their Books he was a thousand times about to speak to 'em but he no sooner advanc'd a step or two towards 'em to that purpose for he followed them but his Heart fail'd and a certain awe and reverence or rather the fears and tremblings of a Lover prevented him but when he consider'd that possibly he might never have so favourable an opportunity again he resolv'd anew and call'd up so much Courage to his Heart as to speak to Atlante but before he did so Charlot looking behind her saw Rinaldo very near to 'em and cry'd out with a voice of Joy Oh! Sister Sister look where the handsom Monsieur is just behind us sure he is some body of Quality for see he has two Foot-men that follow him in just such Liveries and so Rich as those of our Neighbour Monsieur Bellyaurd at this Atlante could not forbear but before she was aware of it turn'd her Head and lookt on Rinaldo which incourag'd him to advance and putting off his Hat which he clapt under his Arm with a low Bow said Ladies you are so slenderly attended and so many Accidents arrive to the fair in the rude Streets that I humbly implore you will permit me whose Duty it is as a Neighbour to wait on you to your Door Sir said Atlante blushing we fear no insolence and need no Protector or if we did we should not be so rude to take you out of your way to serve us Madam said he my way lyes yours I live at the next door and am Son to Bellyaurd your Neighbour but Madam added he if I were to go all my Life out of the way to do you Service I should take it for the greatest Happiness that could arrive to me but Madam sure a Man can never be out of his way who has the Honour of so Charming Company Atlante made no reply at this but blusht
and bow'd but Charlot said Nay Sir if you are our Neighbour we will give you leave to Conduct us home but pray Sir how came you to know we are your Neighbours for we never saw you before to our knowledge My pretty Mis reply'd Rinaldo Iknew it from the tranfcendent Beauty that appear'd in your Faces and fine Shapes for I have heard there was no Beauty in the World like that of Atlante's and I no sooner saw her but my Heart told me it was she Heart said Charlot Laughing why does Heart use to speak the most intelligibly of any thing reply'd Rinaldo when 't is tenderly toucht when 't is charm'd and transported at these words he fight and Atlante to his extream satisfaction blusht toucht charm'd and transported said Charlot what 's that and how do you do to have it be all these things for I would give any thing in the World to have my Heart speak Oh! said Rinaldo your Heart is too young it is not yet arriv'd to the Years of speaking about thirteen or fourteen it may possibly be saying a thousand soft things to you but it must first be inspir'd by some Noble Object whose Idea it must retain what reply'd this pretty Pratler I 'le warrant I must be in Love Yes said Rinaldo most passionately or you will have but little Conversation with your Heart Oh! reply'd she I am afraid the pleasure of such a Conversation will not make me amends for the Pain that Love will give me that said Rinaldo is according as the Object is kind and as you hope if he Love and you hope you will have a double Pleasure and in this how great an advantage have you fair Ladies above us Men 't is almost impossible for you to Love in vain you have your choice of a thousand Hearts which you have subdu'd and may not only chuse your Slaves but be assur'd of 'em without speaking you are belov'd it needs not cost you a sigh or tear but unhappy Man is often destin'd to give his Heart where it is not regarded to sigh to weep and languish without any hope of Pitty You speak so feelingly Sir said Charlot that I am afraid this is your Case Yes Madam reply'd Rinaldo sighing I am that unhappy Man indeed 't is pitty said she pray how long have you been so ever since I heard of the charming Atlante reply'd he sighing again I ador'd her Character but now I have seen her I dye for her for me Sir said Atlante who had not yet spoke this is the common compliment of all the young Men who pretend to be Lovers and if one should pitty all those sighers we shou'd have but very littel left for our selves I believe said Rinaldo there are none that tell you so who do not mean as they say yet among all those adorers and those that say they will dye for you you will find none will be so good as their words as Rinaldo perhaps said Atlante of all those who tell me of dying there are none that tell it with so little reason as Rinaldo if that be your Name Sir Madam it is said he and who am Transported with an unspeakable joy to hear those last words from your fair mouth and let me Oh! Lovely Atlante assure you that what I have said are not words of Course but proceed from a heart that has vow'd it self eternally yours even before I had the happiness to behold this Divine Person but now that my Eyes have made good all my heart before imagin'd and did but hope I swear I will dye a Thousand deaths rather then violate what I have said to you that I adore you that my Soul and all my faculties are charm'd with your Beauty and Innocence and that my Life and Fortune not inconsiderable shall be laid at your Feet this he spoke with a fervency of passion that left her no doubt of what he had said yet she blusht for shame and a little angry at her self for suffering him to say so much to her the very first time she saw him and accused herself for giving him any incouragement and in this confusion she reply'd Sir you have said too much to be believ'd and I cannot imagin so short an acquaintance can make so considerable an Impression of which confession I accuse my self much more than you in that I did not only harken to what you said without forbiding you to entertain me at that rate but for unheedily speaking something that has incourag'd this boldness for so must I call it in a Man so great a stranger to me Madam said he if I have offended by the suddainess of my presumptious discovery I beseech you to consider my reasons for it the few opportunities I am like to have and the impossibility of waiting on you both from the severity of your Father and mine who ' ere I saw you warn'd me of my Fate as if he foresaw I should fall in Love as soon as I should chance to see you and for that reason has kept me closer to my Studies than hitherto I have been and from that time I began to feel a Flame which was kindled by report alone and the Description my Father gave of your wonderous and dangerous Beauty therefore Madam I have not suddainly told you of my passion I have been long your Lover and have long Languisht without telling of my Pain and you ought to Pardon it now since it is done with all the respect and Religious Awe that 't is possible for a heart to deliver and unload it self in therefore Madam if you have by chance uttered any thing that I have taken advantage or hope from I assure you 't is so small that you have no reason to repent it but rather if you wou'd have me live send me not from you without a confirmation of that little hope see Madam said he more earnestly and trembling see we are almost arriv'd at our homes send me not to mine in a despair that I cannot support with Life but tell me I shall be blest with your Sight sometimes in your Balcony which is very near to a jetting Window in our House from whence I have sent many a longing look towards yours in hope to have seen my Souls Tormenter I shall be very unwilling said she to enter into an intreague of Love or Friendship with a Man whose Parents will be averse to my happiness and possibly mine as refractory though he cannot but know such an Alliance wou'd be very considerable my Fortune being not suitable to yours I tell you this that you may withdraw in time from a Engagement in which I find there will be a great many Obstacles Oh! Madam reply'd Rinaldo sighing if my Person be not disagreeable to you you will have no cause to fear the rest 't is that I dread and that which is all my fear he sighing beheld her with a Languishing look that told her he expected her answer when she reply'd
Sir if that will be Satisfaction enough for you at this time I do assure you I have no aversion for your Person in which I find more to be vallu'd than in any I have yet seen and if what you say be real and proceed from a heart truly affected I find in spight of me you will oblige me to give you hope They were come so near their own Houses that he had not time to return her any answer but with a low bow he acknowledg'd her Bounty and exprest the joy her last words had given him by a look that made her understand he was charm'd and pleas'd and she bowing to him with an Air of satisfaction in her Face he was well assured there was nothing to be seen so lovely as she then appear'd and left her to go into her own House but till she was out of sight he had not Power to stir and then sighing retired to his own Apartment to think over all that had past between them he found nothing but what gave him a thousand joys in all she had said and he blest this happy day and wonder'd how his Stars came so kind to make him in one hour at once see Atlante and have the happiness to know from her own mouth that he was not disagreeable to her yet with this satisfaction he had a thousand thoughts mixt which were tormenting and those were the fear of their Parents he foresaw from what his Father had said to him already that it would be difficult to draw him to a consent of his Marriage with Atlante these joys and fears were his companions all the Night in which he took but little rest Nor was Atlante without her inquietudes she found Rinaldo more in her thoughts than she wisht and a suddain change of humour that made her know something was the matter with her more then usual she calls to mind Rinaldo's speaking of the conversation with his heart and found hers wou'd be tatling to her if she would give way to it and yet the more she strove to avoid it the more it importun'd her and in spight of all her resistance would tell her that Rinaldo had a thousand charms it tells her that he Loves and adores her and that she would be the most cruel of her Sex should she not be sensible of his passion she finds a thousand graces in his Person and Conversation and as many advantages in his Fortune which was one of the most considerable in all those Parts for his Estate exceeded that of the most Noble Men in Orleance and she imagins she should be the most Fortunate of all Woman-kind in such a Match with these thoughts she imploy'd all the hours of the Night so that she lay so long in Bed the next day that Count Vernole who had invited himself to Dinner came before she had quitted her Chamber and she was forc'd to say she had not been well he had brought her a very fine Book newly come out of Delicate Philosophy fit for the study of Ladies but he appeared so disagreeable to that heart wholly taken up with a new and fine Object that she could now hardly pay him that civility she was wont to do while on the otherside that little State and Pride Atlante assum'd made her appear the more charming to him so that if Atlante had no mind to begin a new Lesson of Philosophy while she fancy'd her thoughts were much better employ'd the Count every moment expressing his tenderness and passion had as little an inclination to instruct her as she was to be instructed Love had taught her a new Lesson and he would fain teach her a new Lesson of Love but fears it will be a diminishing of his Gravity and Grandure to open the Secrets of his heart to so young a Maid he therefore thinks it more agreeable to his Quality and Years being about forty to use her Father's Authority in this Affair and that it was sufficient for him to declare himself to Monsieur De Pais who he knew would be Proud of the Honour he did him sometime past before he could perswade himself even to declare himself to her Father he fancies the little coldness and Pride he saw in Atlante's Face which was not usual proceeded from some discovery of Passion which his Eyes had made or now and then a Sigh that unawares broke forth and accuses himself of a Levity below his Quality and the Dignity of his Wit and Gravity and therefore assumes a more rigid and formal Behavior then he was wont which render'd him yet more disagreeable than before and 't was with greater pain than ever she gave him that respect which was due to his quality Rinaldo after a restless Night was up very early in the Morning and tho' he was not certain of seeing his Adorable Atlante he drest himself with all that care as if he had been to have waited on her and got himself into the Window that overlooks Monsieur De Pays his Balcony where he had not remain'd long before he saw the pretty Charlot come into it not with any design of seeing Rinaldo but to look and gaze about her a little Rinaldo saw her and made her a very low Reverence and found some disordered Joy on the sight of even Charlot since she was Sister to Atlante he call'd to her for the Window was so near her he could easily be heard by her and told her he was infinitely indebted to her Bounty for giving him an opportunity yesterday of falling on that discourse which had made him the happiest Man in the World he said if she had not by her agreeable Conversation incourag'd him and drawn him from one word to another he should never have had the confidence to have told Atlante how much he ador'd her I am very glad reply'd Charlos that I was the occasion of the beginning of an Amour which was displeasing to neither one nor to the other for I assure you for your comfort my Sister nothing but thinks on you we lye together and you have taught her already to sigh so that I could not sleep for her at this his Face was covered over with a rising Joy which his Heart could not contain and after some more discourse in which this innocent Girl discover'd more then Atlante wisht she should he besought her to become his Advocate and since she had no Brother to give him leave to assume that Honour and call her Sister thus by degrees he flattered her into a consent of carrying a Letter from him to Atlante which she who believ'd all as innocent as her self and being not forbid to do so immediately consented to when he took his Pen and Ink that stood in the Window with Paper wrote Atlante this following Letter Rinaldo to Atlante IF my Suit be so severe as to deny me the happiness of sighing out my pain and passion daily at your Feet if there be any Faith in the Hope you were