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THE FRENCH CONVERT.
63

her from this in a great meaſure. So that here ſhe took up her abode, and continued with them not only that winter, but the year following, until ſhe was found out by her beloved Alanſon; to whom it is time that we now return.

The Count Alanſon having tarried at the camp a whole month, after the receiving of his father-in-law's letter, in expectation of ſeeing his deareft Deidemia, began now to be impatient of tarrying any longer; and indeed, during all that time, he was ſo much changed in his carriage, humour, and converſation, that all thoſe, with whom he uſed to converſe in the camp, took notice of it, he having abandoned himſelf to an extreme melancholy; therefore deſiring of the king to go home, both for the recovery of his health, and for ſettling ſome affairs in his family, he eaſily obtained it; and ſoon after, though with a heavy heart, arrived there: where his firſt buſineſs was to enquire after Deidamia; but none of the ſervants could give any account of her, but Fronovius and Antonio, who gave him the ſame account that had been ſent him by his father-in-law: after which he ſternly aſked them, 'How they durſt diſpoſe of their lady and miſtreſs, contrary to her will, without his conſent or knowledge?' telling them, 'He feared, by the note ſhe had written, it was their treachery that was the occafion of her loſs; which, if he could be but confirmed in, he would take care they ſhould receive a puniſhment, ſuitable to the greatneſs of their crimes.' At which Fronovius and Antonio began to tremble, and make the beſt excuſes for themſelves they could; alledging the conſent of her parents for what they did. But that did not at all ſatisfy Alanſon, who ſoon diſcharged them from his

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