isposition to love, and a Design to marry, perhaps the Prince might be
the only Person on whom I would fix it: And you know, if my Ancestors
did not possess Crowns, yet they were worthy to wear 'em. But let it be
how it will, I am resolved to depart, and to remain no longer a Slave in
a Place to which I came free._

This bold Answer, which shew'd the Character of _Agnes_, anger'd and
astonished the King. _You shall go when we think fit +(reply'd he)+ and
without being a Slave at +Coimbra+, you shall attend our order._

_Agnes_ saw she must stay, and was so griev'd at it, that she kept her
Chamber several days, without daring to inform herself of the Prince;
and this Retirement spared her the Affliction of being visited by _Don
Alvaro_.

During this, _Don Pedro_ fell sick, and was in so great danger, that
there was a general apprehension of his Death. _Agnes_ did not in the
least doubt, but it was an effect of his Discontent: she thought at
first she had Strength and Resolution enough to see him die, rather than
to favour him; but had she reflected a little, she had soon been
convinc'd to the contrary. She found not in her Heart that cruel
Constancy she thought there so well established: She felt Pains and
Inquietude, shed Tears, made Wishes; and, in fine, discover'd that she
lov'd.

'Twas impossible to see the Heir of the Crown, a Prince that deserved so
well, even at the point of Death, without a general Affliction. The
People who loved him, pass'd whole days at the Palace-gate to hear News
of him: The Court was all over-whelm'd with Grief.

_Don Alvaro_ knew very well how to conceal a malicious Joy, under an
Appearance of Sadness. _Elvira_, full of Tenderness, and perhaps of
Remorse, suffer'd also on her side. The King, altho' he condemned the
Love of his Son, yet still had a Tenderness for him, and could not
resolve to lose him. _Agnes de Castro_, who knew the Cause of his
Distemper, expected the End of it with strange Anxieties: In fine, after
a Month had pass'd away in Fears, they began to have a little hopes of
his Recovery. The Prince and _Don Alvaro_ were the only Persons that
were not glad of it: But _Agnes_ rejoic'd enough for all the rest.

_Don Pedro_, seeing that he must live whether he wou'd or no, thought of
nothing but passing his days in melancholy and discontent: As soon as he
was in a condition to walk, he sought out the most solitary Places, and
gain'd so much upon his own Weakness, to go every