ferred to was the Moorish Alcazar,
destroyed by fire in 1734. The previous statement that King
Ferdinand withdrew to Madrid on account of the bad air
prevailing in other places is borne out by the fact that the
town enjoyed a most delightful climate prior to the
destruction of the forests which surrounded it.--Ed.

Amadour was present at this wedding, and succeeded so well in furthering
his own union, that he married Avanturada, whose affection for him was
far greater than his was for her. But this marriage furnished him with a
very convenient cloak, and gave him an excuse for resorting to the place
where his spirit ever dwelt. After he was married he became very bold
and familiar in the Countess of Aranda's household, so that he was no
more distrusted than if he had been a woman. And although he was
now only twenty-two years of age, he showed such good sense that the
Countess of Aranda informed him of all her affairs, and bade her son
consult with him and follow his counsel.

Having gained their esteem thus far, Amadour comported himself so
prudently and calmly that even the lady he loved was not aware of his
affection for her. By reason, however, of the love she bore his wife, to
whom she was more attached than to any other woman, she concealed none
of her thoughts from him, and was pleased to tell him of all her love
for the son of the Infante of Fortune. Although Amadour's sole aim was
to win her entirely for himself, he continually spoke to her of
the Prince; indeed, he cared not what might be the subject of their
converse, provided only that he could talk to her for a long time.
However, he had not remained a month in this society after his marriage
when he was constrained to return to the war, and he was absent for more
than two years without returning to see his wife, who continued to live
in the place where she had been brought up.

Meanwhile Amadour often wrote to her, but his letters were for the most
part messages to Florida, who on her side never failed to return them,
and would with her own hand add some pleasant words to the letters which
Avanturada wrote. It was on this account that the husband of the latter
wrote to her very frequently; yet of all this Florida knew nothing
except that she loved Amadour as if he had been her brother. Several
times during the course of five years did Amadour return and go away
again; yet so short was his stay that he did not see Florida for two