r her a sincere friendship and attachment.
Perceiving how necessary She was to him, She seldom quitted his
chamber. She listened to his complaints with unwearied attention, and
soothed him by the gentleness of her manners, and by sympathising with
his distress. She still inhabited the Palace de Villa-Franca, the
Possessors of which treated her with marked affection. The Duke had
intimated to the Marquis his wishes respecting Virginia. The match was
unexceptionable: Lorenzo was Heir to his Uncle's immense property, and
was distinguished in Madrid for his agreeable person, extensive
knowledge, and propriety of conduct: Add to this, that the Marchioness
had discovered how strong was her Daughter's prepossession in his
favour.

In consequence the Duke's proposal was accepted without hesitation:
Every precaution was taken to induce Lorenzo's seeing the Lady with
those sentiments which She so well merited to excite. In her visits to
her Brother Agnes was frequently accompanied by the Marchioness; and as
soon as He was able to move into his Antichamber, Virginia under her
mother's protection was sometimes permitted to express her wishes for
his recovery. This She did with such delicacy, the manner in which She
mentioned Antonia was so tender and soothing, and when She lamented her
Rival's melancholy fate, her bright eyes shone so beautiful through her
tears, that Lorenzo could not behold, or listen to her without emotion.
His Relations, as well as the Lady, perceived that with every day her
society seemed to give him fresh pleasure, and that He spoke of her in
terms of stronger admiration. However, they prudently kept their
observations to themselves. No word was dropped which might lead him
to suspect their designs. They continued their former conduct and
attention, and left Time to ripen into a warmer sentiment the
friendship which He already felt for Virginia.

In the mean while, her visits became more frequent; and latterly there
was scarce a day, of which She did not pass some part by the side of
Lorenzo's Couch. He gradually regained his strength, but the progress
of his recovery was slow and doubtful. One evening He seemed to be in
better spirits than usual: Agnes and her Lover, the Duke, Virginia,
and her Parents were sitting round him. He now for the first time
entreated his Sister to inform him how She had escaped the effects of
the poison which St. Ursula had seen her swallow. Fearful of recalling
th