ssion of his fortune. All her
persuations to remain with her were fruitless: He quitted her a second
time, and followed me to Madrid. He exerted himself to the utmost in
forwarding my search: But our united endeavours were unattended by
success. The retreat, which concealed Agnes remained an impenetrable
mystery, and I began to abandon all hopes of recovering her.

About eight months ago I was returning to my Hotel in a melancholy
humour, having past the evening at the Play-House. The Night was dark,
and I was unaccompanied. Plunged in reflections which were far from
being agreeable, I perceived not that three Men had followed me from
the Theatre; till, on turning into an unfrequented Street, they all
attacked me at the same time with the utmost fury. I sprang back a few
paces, drew my sword, and threw my cloak over my left arm. The
obscurity of the night was in my favour. For the most part the blows
of the Assassins, being aimed at random, failed to touch me. I at
length was fortunate enough to lay one of my Adversaries at my feet;
But before this I had already received so many wounds, and was so
warmly pressed, that my destruction would have been inevitable, had not
the clashing of swords called a Cavalier to my assistance. He ran
towards me with his sword drawn: Several Domestics followed him with
torches. His arrival made the combat equal: Yet would not the Bravoes
abandon their design till the Servants were on the point of joining us.
They then fled away, and we lost them in the obscurity.

The Stranger now addressed himself to me with politeness, and enquired
whether I was wounded. Faint with the loss of blood, I could scarcely
thank him for his seasonable aid, and entreat him to let some of his
Servants convey me to the Hotel de las Cisternas. I no sooner
mentioned the name than He profest himself an acquaintance of my
Father's, and declared that He would not permit my being transported to
such a distance before my wounds had been examined. He added that his
House was hard by, and begged me to accompany him thither. His manner
was so earnest, that I could not reject his offer, and leaning upon his
arm, a few minutes brought me to the Porch of a magnificent Hotel.

On entering the House, an old grey-headed Domestic came to welcome my
Conductor: He enquired when the Duke, his Master, meant to quit the
Country, and was answered that He would remain there yet some months.
My Deliverer then desired