Lover no longer, might make Way for the
Prince to speak to _Imoinda_.

The whole Affair being agreed on between the Prince and _Aboan_, they
attended the King, as the Custom was, to the _Otan_; where, while the
whole Company was taken up in beholding the Dancing, and Antick Postures
the Women-Royal made to divert the King, _Onahal_ singled out _Aboan_,
whom she found most pliable to her Wish. When she had him where she
believed she could not be heard, she sigh'd to him, and softly cry'd,
'Ah, _Aboan!_ when will you be sensible of my Passion? I confess it with
my Mouth, because I would not give my Eyes the Lye; and you have but too
much already perceived they have confess'd my Flame: nor would I have
you believe, that because I am the abandon'd Mistress of a King,
I esteem myself altogether divested of Charms: No, _Aboan_; I have still
a Rest of Beauty enough engaging, and have learn'd to please too well,
not to be desirable. I can have Lovers still, but will have none but
_Aboan_. Madam, (_reply'd the half-feigning Youth_) you have already, by
my Eyes, found you can still conquer; and I believe 'tis in pity of me
you condescend to this kind Confession. But, Madam, Words are used to be
so small a Part of our Country-Courtship, that 'tis rare one can get so
happy an Opportunity as to tell one's Heart; and those few Minutes we
have, are forced to be snatch'd for more certain Proofs of Love than
speaking and sighing: and such I languish for.'

He spoke this with such a Tone, that she hoped it true, and could not
forbear believing it; and being wholly transported with Joy for having
subdued the finest of all the King's Subjects to her Desires, she took
from her Ears two large Pearls, and commanded him to wear 'em in his. He
would have refused 'em, crying, _Madam these are not the Proofs of our
Love that I expect; 'tis Opportunity, 'tis a Lone-Hour only, that can
make me happy._ But forcing the Pearls into his Hand, she whisper'd
softly to him; _Oh! do not fear a Woman's Invention, when Love sets her
a thinking._ And pressing his Hand, she cry'd, _This Night you shall be
happy. Come to the Gate of the Orange-Grove, behind the +Otan+, and I
will be ready about midnight to receive you._ 'Twas thus agreed, and she
left him, that no Notice might be taken of their speaking together.

The Ladies were still dancing, and the King, laid on a Carpet, with a
great deal of Pleasure was beholding them, especially _Imoinda_, who
that Da