y appeared more lovely than ever, being enlivened with the good
Tidings _Onahal_ had brought her, of the constant Passion the Prince had
for her. The Prince was laid on another Carpet at the other End of the
Room, with his Eyes fixed on the Object of his Soul; and as she turned
or moved, so did they; and she alone gave his Eyes and Soul their
Motions. Nor did _Imoinda_ employ her Eyes to any other use, than in
beholding with infinite Pleasure the Joy she produced in those of the
Prince. But while she was more regarding him than the Steps she took,
she chanced to fall, and so near him, as that leaping with extreme Force
from the Carpet, he caught her in his Arms as she fell; and 'twas
visible to the whole Presence, the Joy wherewith he received her. He
clasped her close to his Bosom, and quite forgot that Reverence that was
due to the Mistress of a King, and that Punishment that is the Reward of
a Boldness of this Nature. And had not the Presence of Mind of _Imoinda_
(fonder of his Safety than her own) befriended him, in making her spring
from his Arms, and fall into her Dance again, he had at that Instant met
his Death; for the old King, jealous to the last Degree, rose up in
Rage, broke all the Diversion, and led _Imoinda_ to her Apartment, and
sent out Word to the Prince, to go immediately to the Camp; and that if
he were found another Night in Court, he should suffer the Death
ordained for disobedient Offenders.

You may imagine how welcome this News was to _Oroonoko_, whose
unseasonable Transport and Caress of _Imoinda_ was blamed by all Men
that loved him: and now he perceived his Fault, yet cry'd, _That for
such another Moment he would be content to die_.

All the _Otan_ was in Disorder about this Accident; and _Onahal_ was
particularly concern'd, because on the Prince's Stay depended her
Happiness; for she could no longer expect that of _Aboan_: So that e'er
they departed, they contrived it so, that the Prince and he should both
come that Night to the Grove of the _Otan_, which was all of Oranges and
Citrons, and that there they would wait her Orders.

They parted thus with Grief enough 'till Night, leaving the King in
Possession of the lovely Maid. But nothing could appease the Jealousy of
the old Lover; he would not be imposed on, but would have it, that
_Imoinda_ made a false Step on Purpose to fall into _Oroonoko's_ Bosom,
and that all things looked like a Design on both Sides; and 'twas in
vain she protest