d Beauty
extremely attractive, and a Wit that promised much, when it should be
cultivated by Years and Experience; and would shew it self with great
Advantage and Lustre in a Monastery. All this pleased _De Pais_ very
well, who was easily persuaded, since he had not a Fortune to marry her
well in the World.

As yet _Vernole_ had never spoke to _Atlante_ of Love, nor did his
Gravity think it Prudence to discover his Heart to so young a Maid; he
waited her more sensible Years, when he could hope to have some Return.
And all he expected from this her tender Age, was by his daily Converse
with her, and the Presents he made her suitable to her Years, to
ingratiate himself insensibly into her Friendship and Esteem, since she
was not yet capable of Love; but even in that he mistook his Aim, for
every day he grew more and more disagreeable to _Atlante_, and would
have been her absolute Aversion, had she known she had every Day
entertained a Lover; but as she grew in Years and Sense, he seemed the
more despicable in her Eyes as to his Person; yet as she had respect to
his Parts and Qualities, she paid him all the Complaisance she could,
and which was due to him, and so must be confess'd. Tho' he had a stiff
Formality in all he said and did, yet he had Wit and Learning, and was a
great Philosopher. As much of his Learning as _Atlante_ was capable of
attaining to, he made her Mistress of, and that was no small Portion;
for all his Discourse was fine and easily comprehended, his Notions of
Philosophy fit for Ladies; and he took greater Pains with _Atlante_,
than any Master would have done with a Scholar: So that it was most
certain, he added very great Accomplishment to her natural Wit: and the
more, because she took a great Delight in Philosophy; which very often
made her impatient of his Coming, especially when she had many Questions
to ask him concerning it, and she would often receive him with a
Pleasure in her Face, which he did not fail to interpret to his own
Advantage, being very apt to flatter himself. Her Sister _Charlot_ would
often ask her, 'How she could give whole Afternoons to so disagreeable a
Man. What is it (said she) that charms you so? his tawny Leather-Face,
his extraordinary high Nose, his wide Mouth and Eye-brows, that hang
low'ring over his Eyes, his lean Carcase, and his lame and halting
Hips?' But _Atlante_ would discreetly reply, 'If I must grant all you
say of Count _Vernole_ to be true, yet he has a Wit