t; but she verily believed she should never bring it to consent to a
Marriage with Monsieur the Count.' The Father continued threatning her,
and gave her some Days to consider of it: So leaving her in Tears, he
returned to his Chamber, to consider what Answer he should give Count
_Vernole_, who he knew would be impatient to learn what Success he had,
and what himself was to hope. _De Pais_, after some Consideration,
resolved to tell him, she receiv'd the Offer very well, but that he must
expect a little Maiden-Nicety in the Case: and accordingly did tell him
so; and he was not at all doubtful of his good Fortune.

But _Atlante_, who resolved to die a thousand Deaths rather than break
her solemn Vows to _Rinaldo_, or to marry the Count, cast about how she
should avoid it with the least Hazard of her Father's Rage. She found
_Rinaldo_ the better and more advantageous Match of the two, could they
but get his Father's Consent: He was beautiful and young; his Title was
equal to that of _Vernole_, when his Father should die; and his Estate
exceeded his: yet she dares not make a Discovery, for fear she should
injure her Lover; who at this Time, though she knew it not, lay sick of
a Fever, while she was wondering that he came not as he used to do.
However she resolves to send him a Letter, and acquaint him with the
Misfortune; which she did in these Terms:

_ATLANTE_ to _RINALDO_.

_My Father's Authority would force me to violate my sacred Vows to
you, and give them to the Count +Vernole+, whom I mortally hate, yet
could wish him the greatest Monarch in the World, that I might shew
you I could even then despise him for your Sake. My Father is
already too much enraged by my Denial, to hear Reason from me, if I
should confess to him my Vows to you: So that I see nothing but a
Prospect of Death before me; for assure your self, my +Rinaldo+,
I will die rather than consent to marry any other: Therefore come my
+Rinaldo+, and come quickly, to see my Funerals, instead of those
Nuptials they vainly expect from_

Your Faithful
_ATLANTE_.

This Letter _Rinaldo_ receiv'd; and there needed no more to make him fly
to _Orleans_: This raised him soon from his Bed of Sickness, and getting
immediately to horse, he arrived at his Father's House; who did not so
much admire to see him, because he heard he was sick of a Fever, and
gave him leave to return, if he pleas'd: He went directly to his
Father's House, becaus