Grief, and Excess of
Joy by turns.

It was now that _Atlante_, arrived to her fifteenth Year, shone out with
a Lustre of Beauty greater than ever; and in this Year, in the Absence
of _Rinaldo_, had carry'd herself with that Severity of Life, without
the youthful Desire of going abroad, or desiring any Diversion, but what
she found in her own retired Thoughts, that _Vernole_, wholly unable
longer to conceal his Passion, resolv'd to make a Publication of it,
first to the Father, and then to the lovely Daughter, of whom he had
some Hope, because she had carry'd her self very well towards him for
this Year past; which she would never have done, if she had imagin'd he
would ever have been her Lover: She had seen no Signs of any such
Misfortune towards her in these many Years he had conversed with her,
and she had no Cause to fear him. When one Day her Father taking her
into the Garden, told her what Honour and Happiness was in store for
her; and that now the Glory of his fall'n Family would rise again, since
she had a Lover of an illustrious Blood, ally'd to Monarchs; and one
whose Fortune was newly encreased to a very considerable Degree,
answerable to his Birth. She changed Colour at this Discourse, imagining
but too well who this illustrious Lover was; when _De Pais_ proceeded
and told her, 'Indeed his Person was not the most agreeable that ever
was seen: but he marry'd her to Glory and Fortune, not the Man: And a
Woman (says he) ought to look no further.'

She needed not any more to inform her who this intended Husband was; and
therefore, bursting forth into Tears, she throws herself at his Feet,
imploring him not to use the Authority of a Father, to force her to a
thing so contrary to her Inclination: assuring him, she could not
consent to any such thing; and that she would rather die than yield. She
urged many Arguments for this her Disobedience; but none would pass for
current with the old Gentleman, whose Pride had flatter'd him with Hopes
of so considerable a Son-in-law: He was very much surpriz'd at
_Atlante's_ refusing what he believ'd she would receive with Joy; and
finding that no Arguments on his Side could draw hers to an obedient
Consent, he grew to such a Rage, as very rarely possest him: vowing, if
she did not conform her Will to his, he would abandon her to all the
Cruelty of Contempt and Poverty: so that at last she was forced to
return him this Answer, 'That she would strive all she could with her
Hear