is Favourite's marrying _Agnes_, conjur'd her so tenderly
to prevent these Persecutions, by consenting to a secret Marriage, that,
after having a long time consider'd, she at last consented. _I will do
what you will have me_ (said she) _tho' I presage nothing but fatal
Events from it; all my Blood turns to Ice, when I think of this
Marriage, and the Image of +Constantia+ seems to hinder me from
doing it._

The amorous Prince surmounted all her Scruples, and separated himself
from _Agnes_, with a Satisfaction which soon redoubled his Forces; he
saw her afterward with the Pleasure of a Mystery: And the Day of their
Union being arrived, _Don Gill_, Bishop of _Guarda_, performed the
Ceremony of the Marriage, in the Presence of several Witnesses, faithful
to _Don Pedro_, who saw him Possessor of all the Charms of the fair
_Agnes_.

She lived not the more peaceable for belonging to the Prince of
_Portugal_; her Enemies, who continually persecuted her, left her not
without Troubles: and the King, whom her Refusal inrag'd, laid his
absolute Commands on her to marry _Don Alvaro_, with Threats to force
her to it, if she continu'd rebellious.

The Prince took loudly her part; and this, join'd to the Refusal he made
of marrying the Princess of _Arragon_, caus'd Suspicions of the Truth in
the King his Father. He was seconded by those that were too much
interested, not to unriddle this Secret. _Don Alvaro_ and his Sister
acted with so much care, gave so many Gifts, and made so many Promises,
that they discover'd the secret Engagements of _Don Pedro_ and _Agnes_.

The King wanted but little of breaking out into all the Rage and Fury so
great a Disappointment could inspire him with, against the Princess.
_Don Alvaro_, whose Love was changed into the most violent Hatred,
appeased the first Transports of the King, by making him comprehend,
that if they could break the Marriage of 'em, that would not be a
sufficient Revenge; and so poison'd the Soul of the King, to consent to
the Death of _Agnes_.

The barbarous _Don Alvaro_ offered his Arm for this terrible Execution,
and his Rage was Security for the Sacrifice.

The King, who thought the Glory of his Family disgraced by this
Alliance, and his own in particular in the Procedure of his Son, gave
full Power to this Murderer, to make the innocent _Agnes_ a Victim to
his Rage.

It was not easy to execute this horrid Design: Tho' the Prince saw
_Agnes_ but in secret, yet all his Care