Page:French convert.pdf/35

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THE FRENCH CONVERT.
35

her out of darkneſs and errors, into the marvellous light of His truth, and engaged her heart to embrace and entertain it above her chief joy; partly looking on the trouble ſhe had from Antonio and Fronovius, thoſe brethren in iniquity, as temptations or trials to confirm her the more, by overcoming them, in the doctrine ſhe had ſo lately embraced; in which ſhe firmly reſolved to perſevere againſt all temptations whatever.

But whilſt theſe things paſſed, Fronovius had received no other anſwer to his letter, but Deidamia's angry and much changed countenance towards him, which he would not take for an abſolute repulſe; and therefore was reſolved to have her poſitive anſwer. To obtain which, as Deidamia was one morning leaning upon the window in her chamber, and looking into the garden, he ſtole ſoftly up ſtairs, and was got into her chamber. juſt behind her, before ſhe heard him, when ſuddenly turning about, and ſeeing him in a dejected poſture, ſhe was very much ſurpriſed, and trembled at the sight, whilſt he, by many words, endeavoured to ſhew the greatneſs of his paſſion; but having ſomewhat recollected her ſpirits, ſhe with an angry countenance, ſpake to him thus: 'Why! how now Fronovius, what buſineſs have you here, thus to ſteal into my chamber unawares? This is ſuch an affront, a piece of impudence and rudeneſs, as better becomes a thief than the ſteward of my houſhold and yet the filthy errand that you come on, is far more criminal than your coming. What have you ever ſeen of lightneſs in my carriage, that ſhould make you thus audacious, or give you the leaſt hope to ſucceed in your unlawful and wicked deſires? I command you to be gone: and know, that if you

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