or hear from that lovely Maid, who alone could make his Happiness. In
these Traverses he often met _Vernole_, who had Liberty to see her when
he pleas'd: If it happen'd that they chanc'd to meet in the Daytime,
tho' _Vernole_ was attended with an Equipage of Ruffians, and _Rinaldo_
but only with a couple of Footmen, he could perceive _Vernole_ shun him,
grow pale, and almost tremble with Fear sometimes, and get to the other
Side of the Street; and if he did not, _Rinaldo_ having a mortal Hate to
him, would often bear up so close to him, that he would jostle him
against the Wall, which _Vernole_ would patiently put up, and pass on;
so that he could never be provok'd to fight by Day-light, how solitary
soever the Place was where they met: but if they chanc'd to meet at
Night, they were certain of a Skirmish, in which he would have no part
himself; so that _Rinaldo_ was often like to be assassinated, but still
came off with some slight Wound. This continu'd so long, and made so
great a Noise in the Town, that the two old Gentlemen were mightily
alarm'd by it; and Count _Bellyaurd_ came to _De Pais_, one Day, to
discourse with him of this Affair; and _Bellyaurd_, for the Preservation
of his Son, was almost consenting, since there was no Remedy, that he
should marry _Atlante_. _De Pais_ confess'd the Honour he proffer'd him,
and how troubled he was, that his Word was already past to his Friend,
the Count _Vernole_, whom he said she should marry, or remain for ever a
Nun; but if _Rinaldo_ could displace his Love from _Atlante_, and place
it on _Charlot_, he should gladly consent to the Match. _Bellyaurd_, who
would now do anything for the Repose of his Son, tho' he believ'd this
Exchange would not pass, yet resolv'd to propose it, since by marrying
him he took him out of the Danger of _Vernole's_ Assassinates, who would
never leave him till they had dispatch'd him, should he marry _Atlante_.

While _Rinaldo_ was contriving a thousand ways to come to speak to, or
send Billets to _Atlante_, none of which could succeed without the Aid
of _Charlot_, his Father came and propos'd this Agreement between _De
Pais_ and himself, to his Son. At first _Rinaldo_ receiv'd it with a
chang'd Countenance, and a breaking Heart; but swiftly turning from
Thought to Thought, he conceiv'd this the only way to come at _Charlot_,
and so consequently at _Atlante_: he therefore, after some dissembled
Regret, consents, with a sad put-on Look: And _Char