Innocency
was not so great as she imagined, and that her Heart interested it self
in the Preservation of _Don Pedro_: 'You ought, Sir, to preserve your
Life (reply'd _Agnes_) for the sake of the little Prince and Princesses,
which _Constantia_ has left you. Would you abandon their Youth
(continued she, with a tender Tone) to the Cruelty of _Don Alvaro_?
Live! Sir, live! and let the unhappy _Agnes_ be the only Sacrifice.'
'Alas, cruel Maid! (interrupted _Don Pedro_) Why do you command me to
live, if I cannot live with you? Is it an effect of your Hatred?' 'No,
Sir, (reply'd _Agnes_) I do not hate you; and I wish to God that I could
be able to defend my self against the Weakness with which I find my self
possess'd. Oblige me to say no more, Sir: you see my Blushes, interpret
them as you please: but consider yet, that the less Aversion I find I
have to you, the more culpable I am; and that I ought no more to see, or
speak to you. In fine, Sir, if you oppose my Retreat, I declare to you,
that _Don Alvaro_, as odious as he is to me, shall serve for a Defence
against you; and that I will sooner consent to marry a Man I abhor, than
to favour a Passion that cost _Constantia_ her Life.' 'Well then,
_Agnes_ (reply'd the Prince, with Looks all languishing and dying)
follow the Motions which barbarous Virtue inspires you with; take these
Measures you judge necessary against an unfortunate Lover, and enjoy the
Glory of having cruelly refused me.'

At these Words he went away; and troubled as _Agnes_ was, she would not
stay him: Her Courage combated with her Grief, and she thought now, more
than ever, of departing.

'Twas difficult for her to go out of _Coimbra_; and not to defer what
appear'd to her so necessary, she went immediately to the Apartment of
the King, notwithstanding the Interest of _Don Alvaro_. The King
received her with a Countenance severe, not being able to consent to
what she demanded: _You shall not go hence, +(said he)+ and if you are
wise, you shall enjoy here with +Don Alvaro+ both my Friendship and my
Favour. I have taken another Resolution (+answer'd+ Agnes) and the World
has no part in it. You will accept +Don Pedro (reply'd the King)+ his
Fortune is sufficient to satisfy an ambitious Maid: but you will not
succeed +Constantia+, who lov'd you so tenderly; and +Spain+ has
Princesses enough to fill up part of the Throne which I shall leave him.
Sir, (+reply'd+ Agnes, +piqu'd at this Discourse+) if I had a
D