Spain_ that had
the best Fashion and Grace: and with the most advantageous Qualities of
the Body he possest those of the Soul, and shewed himself worthy in all
things of the Crown that was destin'd for him.

The Princess _Constantia_ had Beauty, Wit, and Generosity, in as great a
measure as 'twas possible for a Woman to be possest with; her Merit
alone ought to have attach'd _Don Pedro_, eternally to her; and
certainly he had for her an Esteem, mix'd with so great a Respect, as
might very well pass for Love with those that were not of a nice and
curious Observation: but alas! his real Care was reserved for another
Beauty.

_Constantia_ brought into the World, the first Year after her Marriage,
a Son, who was called _Don Louis_: but it scarce saw the Light, and dy'd
almost as soon as born. The loss of this little Prince sensibly touched
her, but the Coldness she observ'd in the Prince her Husband, went yet
nearer her Heart; for she had given her self absolutely up to her Duty,
and had made her Tenderness for him her only Concern: But puissant
Glory, which ty'd her so entirely to the Interest of the Prince of
_Portugal_, open'd her Eyes upon his Actions, where she observ'd nothing
in his Caresses and Civilities that was natural, or could satisfy her
delicate Heart.

At first she fancy'd her self deceiv'd, but time having confirmed her in
what she fear'd, she sighed in secret; yet had that Consideration for
the Prince, as not to let him see her Disorder: and which nevertheless
she could not conceal from _Agnes de Castro_, who lived with her, rather
as a Companion, than a Maid of Honour, and whom her Friendship made her
infinitely distinguish from the rest.

This Maid, so dear to the Princess, very well merited the Preference her
Mistress gave her; she was beautiful to excess, wise, discreet, witty,
and had more Tenderness for _Constantia_ than she had for her self,
having quitted her Family, which was illustrious, to give her self
wholly to the Service of the Princess, and to follow her into
_Portugal_. It was into the Bosom of this Maid, that the Princess
unladed her first Moans; and the charming _Agnes_ forgot nothing that
might give ease to her afflicted Heart.

Nor was _Constantia_ the only Person who complained of _Don Pedro_:
Before his Divorce from _Bianca_, he had expressed some Care and
Tenderness for _Elvira Gonzales_, Sister to Don _Alvaro Gonzales_,
Favourite to the King of _Portugal_; and this Amusement