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THE FRENCH CONVERT.
11

to each ſervant, and having notice that his equipage was ready, and divers gentlemen on horſeback waiting to accompany him, he took his ſolemn leave of his dear Deidamia, whoſe ſad preſaging heart was overcome with grief to that degree, that ſhe could only freak theſe few prophetic words: Ah, my dear lord, may Heaven prevent my fears! But my pour heart forebodes that this will be a long and fatal parting. To which the Count replied, Do not caſt down thyſelf, dear Deidamia, by the indulging of ſuch melancholy fancies; but aſſure yourſelf, I will haſten my return as much as poſſible, and I will ſend to you as often as I can. And in the mean time, ſhall commit you to the protection of the Almighty, the bleſſed virgin-mother, and all the holy ſaints and angels; and ſealing his affection on her lips with gentle kiſſes, he took his leave of her, and rode away, not thinking he had left an innocent dove to the protection of two ravenons vultures.

It is not much to my purpoſe to tell you, how well he was received at the head of his command by the Duke of Luxemburgh, or what brave exploits his courage carried him through, ſince neither fame, nor the public news from Paris, have been wanting to ſpeak his common dation: I therefore ommit it, (unleſs in ſome paſſages, where it will, in the thread of this amazing relation, be neceſſary to mention ſome particulars) and ſhall continue with the ſorrowful Deidamia, who after his departure ſeemed to have baniſhed all comfort from her breaſt; and all that ſhe found was in her devotions and prayers to Almighty God, for his protection and ſafe return, greatly affecting ſolitude; and as much as ſhe could, avoiding the viſits of divers ladies, who (as they ſaid) came to make her merry,

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