So that having made his first compliments, and
presented her an hundred and fifty slaves in fetters, he told her with
his eyes that he was not insensible of her charms; while Imoinda,
who wished for nothing more than so glorious a conquest, was pleased
to believe she understood that silent language of new-born love;
and, from that moment, put on all her additions to beauty.
The prince returned to court with quite another humor than before;
and though he did not speak much of the fair Imoinda, he had the
pleasure to hear all his followers speak of nothing but the charms
of that maid, insomuch that, even in the presence of the old king,
they were extolling her, and heightening, if possible, the beauties
they had found in her: so that nothing else was talked of, no other
sound was heard in every corner where there were whisperers, but
Imoinda! Imoinda!
'Twill be imagined Oroonoko staid not long before he made his second
visit; nor, considering his quality, not much longer before he told
her he adored her. I have often heard him say that he admired by
what strange inspiration he came to talk things so soft, and so
passionate, who never knew love, nor was used to the conversation of
women; but (to use his own words) he said, most happily, some new and,
till then, unknown power instructed his heart and tongue in the
language of love, and at the same time, in favor of him, inspired
Imoinda with a sense of his passion. She was touched with what he
said, and returned it all in such answers as went to his very heart,
with a pleasure unknown before.
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