his, where they often met; which she perceiving, would cast hers down
into her Bosom, or on her Book, and blush as if she had done a Fault.
_Charlot_ perceiv’d all the Motions of _Rinaldo_, how he folded his
Arms, how he sigh’d and gaz’d on her Sister; she took notice of his
Clothes, his Garniture, and every particular of his Dress, as young
Girls use to do; and seeing him so very handsome, and so much better
dress’d than all the young Cavaliers that were in the Church, she was
very much pleas’d with him; and could not forbear saying, in a low
Voice, to _Atlante_, ‘Look, look my Sister, what a pretty Monsieur
yonder is! see how fine his Face is, how delicate his Hair, how gallant
his Dress! and do but look how he gazes on you!’ This would make
_Atlante_ blush anew, who durst not raise her Eyes for fear she should
encounter his. While he had the Pleasure to imagine they were talking of
him, and he saw in the pretty Face of _Charlot_, that what she said was
not to his Disadvantage, and by the Blushes of _Atlante_, that she was
not displeas’d with what was spoken to her; he perceiv’d the young one
importunate with her; and _Atlante_ jogging her with her Elbow, as much
as to say, Hold your Peace: all this he made a kind Interpretation of,
and was transported with Joy at the good Omens. He was willing to
flatter his new Flame, and to compliment his young Desire with a little
Hope; but the divine Ceremony ceasing, _Atlante_ left the Church, and it
being very fair Weather, she walk’d home. _Rinaldo_, who saw her going,
felt all the Agonies of a Lover, who parts with all that can make him
happy; and seeing only _Atlante_ attended with her Sister, and a Footman
following with their Books, he was a thousand times about to speak to
’em; but he no sooner advanc’d a step or two towards ’em to that purpose
(for he followed them) but his Heart fail’d, and a certain Awe and
Reverence, or rather the Fears and Tremblings of a Lover, prevented him:
but when he consider’d, that possibly he might never have so favourable
an Opportunity again, he resolv’d a-new, and called up so much Courage
to his Heart, as to speak to _Atlante_; but before he did so, _Charlot_
looking behind her, saw _Rinaldo_ very near to ’em, and cry’d out with a
Voice of Joy, ‘Oh! Sister, Sister! look where the handsome _Monsieur_
is, just behind us! sure he is some-body of Quality, for see he has two
Footmen that follow him, in just such Liveries, and so rich as those of
our Neighbour _Monsieur Bellyaurd_.’ At this _Atlante_ could not
forbear, but before she was aware of it, turn’d her Head, and look’d on
_Rinaldo_; which encourag’d him to advance, and putting off his Hat,
which he clapt under his Arm, with a low Bow, said, ‘Ladies, you are
slenderly attended, and so many Accidents arrive to the Fair in the rude
Streets, that I humbly implore you will permit me, whose Duty it is as a
Neighbour, to wait on you to your Door.’ ‘Sir, (said _Atlante_ blushing)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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