s ended, as 'tis the
Custom, some one of the Fathers goes about the Church with a Box for
Contribution, or Charity-Money: It happen'd that Day, that a young
Father, newly initiated, carried the Box about, which, in his Turn, he
brought to _Miranda_. She had no sooner cast her Eyes on this young
Friar, but her Face was overspread with Blushes of Surprize: She beheld
him stedfastly, and saw in his Face all the Charms of Youth, Wit, and
Beauty; he wanted no one Grace that could form him for Love, he appear'd
all that is adorable to the Fair Sex, nor could the mis-shapen Habit
hide from her the lovely Shape it endeavour'd to cover, nor those
delicate Hands that approach'd her too near with the Box. Besides the
Beauty of his Face and Shape, he had an Air altogether great, in spite
of his profess'd Poverty, it betray'd the Man of Quality; and that
Thought weigh'd greatly with _Miranda_. But Love, who did not design she
should now feel any sort of those easy Flames, with which she had
heretofore burnt, made her soon lay all those Considerations aside,
which us'd to invite her to love, and now lov'd she knew not why.

She gaz'd upon him, while he bow'd before her, and waited for her
Charity, till she perceiv'd the lovely Friar to blush, and cast his Eyes
to the Ground. This awaken'd her Shame, and she put her Hand into her
Pocket, and was a good while in searching for her Purse, as if she
thought of nothing less than what she was about; at last she drew it
out, and gave him a Pistole; but with so much Deliberation and Leisure,
as easily betray'd the Satisfaction she took in looking on him; while
the good Man, having receiv'd her Bounty, after a very low Obeysance,
proceeded to the rest; and _Miranda_ casting after him a Look all
languishing, as long as he remain'd in the Church, departed with a Sigh
as soon as she saw him go out, and returned to her Apartment without
speaking one Word all the Way to the young _Fille Devote_, who attended
her; so absolutely was her Soul employ'd with this young Holy Man.
_Cornelia_ (so was this Maid call'd who was with her) perceiving she was
so silent, who us'd to be all Wit and good Humour, and observing her
little Disorder at the Sight of the young Father, tho' she was far from
imagining it to be Love, took an Occasion, when she was come home, to
speak of him. 'Madam, _said she_, did you not observe that fine young
_Cordelier_, who brought the Box?' At a Question that nam'd that Object
of her