rmed and bewitch'd into saying all Things that appeased
her; and lastly, told her, '_Alcidiana_ should be no longer any Obstacle
to her Repose; but that, if she would look up, and cast her Eyes of
Sweetness and Love upon him, as heretofore; forget her Sorrow, and
redeem her lost Health; he would take what Measures she should propose
to dispatch this fatal Stop to her Happiness, out of the Way.'

These Words failed not to make her caress him in the most endearing
Manner that Love and Flattery could invent; and she kiss'd him to an
Oath, a solemn Oath, to perform what he had promised; and he vow'd
liberally. And she assumed in an Instant her Good-Humour, and suffer'd a
Supper to be prepared, and did eat; which in many Days before she had
not done: So obstinate and powerful was she in dissembling well.

The next Thing to be consider'd was, which Way this Deed was to be done;
for they doubted not, but when it was done, all the World would lay it
upon the Princess, as done by her Command: But she urged, Suspicion was
no Proof; and that they never put to Death any one, but when they had
great and certain Evidence who were the Offenders. She was sure of her
own Constancy, that Racks and Tortures should never get the Secret from
her Breast; and if he were as confident on his Part, there was no
Danger. Yet this Preparation she made towards laying the Fact on others,
that she caused several Letters to be wrote from _Germany_, as from the
Relations of _Van Brune_, who threaten'd _Alcidiana_ with Death, for
depriving their Kinsman (who was a Gentleman) of his Life, though he had
not taken away hers. And it was the Report of the Town, how this young
Maid was threaten'd. And indeed, the Death of the Page had so afflicted
a great many, that _Alcidiana_ had procured her self abundance of
Enemies upon that Account, because she might have saved him if she had
pleased; but, on the contrary, she was a Spectator, and in full Health
and Vigour, at his Execution: And People were not so much concerned for
her at this Report, as they would have been.

The Prince, who now had, by reasoning the Matter soberly with _Miranda_,
found it absolutely necessary to dispatch _Alcidiana_, resolved himself,
and with his own Hand, to execute it; not daring to trust to any of his
most favourite Servants, though he had many, who possibly would have
obey'd him; for they loved him as he deserved, and so would all the
World, had he not been so purely deluded by