d without afflicting your self for
her absence, bless Heaven and me for it.'

The generous Princess took _Agnes's_ part with a great deal of Courage,
and was then disputing her defence with the King, when _Don Pedro_
arrived at _Coimbra_.

The first Object that met the Prince's Eyes was _Don Alvaro_, who was
passing thro' one of the Courts of the Palace, amidst a Croud of
Courtiers, whom his Favour with the King drew after him. This sight made
_Don Pedro_ rage; but that of the Princess and _Agnes_ caus'd in
_Alvaro_ another sort of Emotion: He easily divin'd, that it was _Don
Pedro_, who had taken her from his Men, and, if his Fury had acted what
it would, it might have produc'd very sad effects.

'_Don Alvaro_, said the Prince to him, is it thus you make use of the
Authority which the King my Father hath given you? Have you receiv'd
Employments and Power from him, for no other end but to do these base
Actions, and to commit Rapes on Ladies? Are you ignorant how the
Princess interests her self in all that concerns this Maid? And do you
not know the tender and affectionate Esteem she has for her.' No,
replied _Don Alvaro_, (with an Insolence that had like to have put the
Prince past all patience) 'I am not ignorant of it, nor of the Interest
your Heart takes in her.' 'Base and treacherous as thou art, replied the
Prince, neither the Favour which thou hast so much abused, nor the
Insolence which makes thee speak this, should hinder me from punishing
thee, wert thou worthy of my Sword; but there are other ways to humble
thy Pride, and 'tis not fit for such an Arm as mine to seek so base an
Employment to punish such a Slave as thou art.'

_Don Pedro_ went away at these Words, and left _Alvaro_ in a Rage, which
is not to be express'd; despairing to see himself defeated in an
Enterprize he thought so sure; and at the Contempt the Prince shewed
him, he promis'd himself to sacrifice all to his Revenge.

Tho' the King lov'd his Son, he was so prepossessed against his Passion,
that he could not pardon him what he had done, and condemn'd him as much
for this last act of Justice, in delivering _Agnes_, as if it had been
the greatest of Crimes.

_Elvira_, whom the sweetness of Hope flatter'd some moments, saw the
return of _Agnes_ with a sensible Displeasure, which suffer'd her to
think of nothing but irritating her Brother.

In fine, the Prince saw the King, but instead of being receiv'd by him
with a Joy due to the success