She gave him cordials, but all in vain; till finding the
nature of his disease, by his sighs, and naming Imoinda, she told
him he had not so much cause as he imagined to afflict himself: for if
he knew the king so well as she did, he would not lose a moment in
jealousy; and that she was confident that Imoinda bore, at this
moment, part in his affliction. Aboan was of the same opinion, and
both together persuaded him to reassume his courage; and all sitting
down on the carpet, the prince said so many obliging things to
Onahal that he half-persuaded her to be of his party: and she promised
him she would thus far comply with his just desires, that she would
let Imoinda know how faithful he was, what he suffered, and what he
said.
This discourse lasted till the king called, which gave Oroonoko a
certain satisfaction; and with the hope Onahal had made him
conceive, he assumed a look as gay as 'twas possible a man in his
circumstances could do: and presently after, he was called in with the
rest who waited without. The king commanded music to be brought, and
several of his young wives and mistresses came all together by his
command, to dance before him; where Imoinda performed her part with an
air and grace so surpassing all the rest as her beauty was above
'em, and received the present ordained as a prize. The prince was
every moment more charmed with the new beauties and graces he beheld
in this fair one; and while he gazed, and she danced, Onahal was
retired to a window with Aboan.
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