and made altogether so dreadful a Figure, that
_Atlante_, who no more dreamt of him than of a Devil, had possibly have
rather seen the last. She gave a great Shriek, which frighted _Vernole_;
so both stood for a while staring on each other, till both were
recollected: He told her the Care of her Honour had brought him thither;
and then rolling his small Eyes round the Chamber, to see if he could
discover any body, he proceeded, and cry'd, 'Madam, if I had no other
Motive than your being up at this time of Night, or rather of Day,
I could easily guess how you have been entertain'd.' 'What Insolence is
this (said she, all in a rage) when to cover your Boldness of
approaching my Chamber at this Hour, you would question how I have been
entertain'd! Either explain your self, or quit my Chamber; for I do not
use to see such terrible Objects here.' 'Possibly those you do see (said
the Count) are indeed more agreeable, but I am afraid have not that
Regard to your Honour as I have': And at that word he stepped to the
Balcony, open'd it, and look'd out; but seeing no body, he shut it to
again. This enraged _Atlante_ beyond all Patience; and snatching the
Pistol out of his Hand, she told him, He deserved to have it aimed at
his Head, for having the Impudence to question her Honour, or her
Conduct; and commanded him to avoid her Chamber as he lov'd his Life,
which she believ'd he was fonder of than of her Honour. She speaking
this in a Tone wholly transported with Rage, and at the same time
holding the Pistol towards him, made him tremble with Fear; and he now
found, whether she were guilty or not, it was his turn to beg Pardon:
For you must know, however it came to pass that his Jealousy made him
come up in that fierce Posture, at other times _Vernole_ was the most
tame and passive Man in the World, and one who was afraid of his own
Shadow in the Night: He had a natural Aversion for Danger, and thought
it below a Man of Wit, or common Sense, to be guilty of that brutal
thing, called Courage or Fighting; His Philosophy told him, _It was safe
sleeping in a whole Skin_; and possibly he apprehended as much Danger
from this _Virago_, as ever he did from his own Sex. He therefore fell
on his Knees, and besought her to hold her fair Hand, and not to suffer
that, which was the greatest Mark of his Respect, to be the Cause of her
Hate or Indignation. The pitiful Faces he made, and the Signs of Mortal
Fear in him, had almost made her laugh,