f the best Quality
and Condition reside, there was a rich Nobleman, now retir'd from the
busy Court, where in his Youth he had been bred, weary'd with the Toils
of Ceremony and Noise, to enjoy that perfect Tranquillity of Life, which
is no where to be found but in Retreat, a faithful Friend, and a good
Library; and, as the admirable _Horace_ says, in a little House and a
large Garden. Count _Bellyaurd_, for so was this Nobleman call'd, was of
this Opinion; and the rather, because he had one only Son, called
_Rinaldo_, now grown to the Age of fifteen, who having all the excellent
Qualities and Graces of Youth by Nature, he would bring him up in all
Virtues and noble Sciences, which he believ'd the Gaiety and Lustre of
the Court might divert: he therefore in his Retirement spar'd no Cost to
those that could instruct and accomplish him; and he had the best Tutors
and Masters that could be purchased at Court: _Bellyaurd_ making far
less Account of Riches than of fine Parts. He found his Son capable of
all Impressions, having a Wit suitable to his delicate Person, so that
he was the sole Joy of his Life, and the Darling of his Eyes.

In the very next House, which join'd close to that of _Bellyaurd's_,
there lived another Count, who had in his Youth been banished the Court
of _France_ for some Misunderstandings in some high Affairs wherein he
was concern'd: his Name was _De Pais_, a Man of great Birth, but of no
Fortune; or at least one not suitable to the Grandeur of his Original.
And as it is most natural for great Souls to be most proud (if I may
call a handsome Disdain by that vulgar Name) when they are most
depress'd; so _De Pais_ was more retir'd, more estrang'd from his
Neighbours, and kept a greater Distance, than if he had enjoy'd all he
had lost at Court; and took more Solemnity and State upon him, because
he would not be subject to the Reproaches of the World, by making
himself familiar with it: So that he rarely visited; and, contrary to
the Custom of those in _France_, who are easy of Access, and free of
Conversation, he kept his Family retir'd so close, that 'twas rare to
see any of them; and when they went abroad, which was but seldom, they
wanted nothing as to outward Appearance, that was fit for his Quality,
and what was much above his Condition.

This old Count had two only Daughters, of exceeding Beauty, who gave the
generous Father ten thousand Torments, as often as he beheld them, when
he consider'd thei