_ perceiving his Son frequent that Chamber more than
usual, fancy'd something extraordinary must be the Cause of it; and one
night asking for his Son, his Valet told him, he was gone into the great
Chamber, so this was called: _Bellyaurd_ asked the Valet what he did
there; he told him he could not tell; for often he had lighted him
thither, and that his Master would take the Candle from him at the
Chamber-Door, and suffer him to go no farther. Tho' the old Gentleman
could not imagine what Affairs he could have alone every Night in that
Chamber, he had a Curiosity to see: and one unlucky Night, putting off
his Shoes, he came to the Door of the Chamber, which was open; he
enter'd softly, and saw the Candle set in the Chimney, and his Son at a
great open Bay-Window: he stopt awhile to wait when he would turn, but
finding him unmoveable, he advanced something farther, and at last heard
the soft Dialogue of Love between him and _Atlante_, whom he knew to be
she, by his often calling her by her Name in their Discourse. He heard
enough to confirm him how Matters went; and unseen as he came, he
returned, full of Indignation, and thought how to prevent so great an
Evil, as this Passion of his Son might produce: at first he thought to
round him severely in the Ear about it, and upbraid him for doing the
only thing he had thought fit to forbid him; but then he thought that
would but terrify him for awhile, and he would return again, where he
had so great an Inclination, if he were near her; he therefore resolves
to send him to _Paris_, that by Absence he might forget the young Beauty
that had charm'd his Youth. Therefore, without letting _Rinaldo_ know
the Reason, and without taking Notice that he knew any thing of his
Amour, he came to him one day, and told him, all the Masters he had for
the improving him in noble Sciences were very dull, or very remiss: and
that he resolved he should go for a Year or two to the Academy at
_Paris_. To this the Son made a thousand Evasions; but the Father was
positive, and not to be persuaded by all his Reasons: And finding he
should absolutely displease him if he refus'd to go, and not daring to
tell him the dear Cause of his Desire to remain at _Orleans_, he
therefore, with a breaking Heart, consents to go, nay, resolves it, tho'
it should be his Death. But alas! he considers that this Parting will
not only prove the greatest Torment upon Earth to him, but that
_Atlante_ will share in his Misfort