ghs parted; _Rinaldo_
staying behind in the Pleasure-Boat, and they going a-shore in the
Wherry that attended: after which he cast many an amorous and sad Look,
and perhaps was answer'd by those of _Atlante_.

It was past Church-time two or three Hours, when they arrived at home,
wholly unprepar'd with an Excuse, so absolutely was _Atlante's_ Soul
possest with softer Business. The first Person that they met was the
Footman, who open'd the Door, and began to cry out how long he had
waited in the Church, and how in vain; without giving them time to
reply. _De Pais_ came towards 'em, and with a frowning Look demanded
where they had been? _Atlante_, who was not accustom'd to Excuses and
Untruth, was a while at a stand; when _Charlot_ with a Voice of Joy
cry'd out, 'Oh Sir! we have been a-board of a fine little Ship': At this
_Atlante_ blush'd, fearing she would tell the Truth. But she proceeded
on, and said, that they had not been above a Quarter of an Hour at
Church, when the Lady ----, with some other Ladies and Cavaliers, were
going out of the Church, and that spying them, they would needs have 'em
go with 'em: My Sister, Sir, continu'd she, was very loth to go, for
fear you should be angry; but my Lady ---- was so importunate with her
on one side, and I on the other, because I never saw a little Ship in my
Life, that at last we prevail'd with her: therefore, good Sir, be not
angry. He promised them he was not. And when they came in, they found
Count _Vernole_, who had been inspiring _De Pais_ with Severity, and
counselled him to chide the young Ladies, for being too long absent,
under Pretence of going to their Devotion. Nor was it enough for him to
set the Father on, but himself with a Gravity, where Concern and Malice
were both apparent, reproached _Atlante_ with Levity; and told her, He
believed she had some other Motive than the Invitation of a Lady, to go
on Ship-board; and that she had too many Lovers, not to make them doubt
that this was a design'd thing; and that she had heard Love from some
one, for whom it was design'd. To this she made but a short Reply, That
if it was so, she had no reason to conceal it, since she had Sense
enough to look after herself; and if any body had made love to her, he
might be assur'd, it was some one whose Quality and Merit deserved to be
heard: and with a Look of Scorn, she passed on to another Room, and left
him silently raging within with Jealousy: Which, if before she tormented