lov'd him with extreme Ardour, was so
sensibly touch'd, that it was a good while before she could utter a
word. _Constantia_ then broke silence, and shewing him what _Elvira_ had
caus'd to be written: _You are betray'd, Sir_, (added she) _you have
been heard speak, and your Secret is known._ It was at this very moment
that all the Forces of the Prince abandon'd him; and his Condition was
really worthy Compassion: He could not pardon himself the involuntary
Crime he had committed, in exposing of the lovely and the innocent
_Agnes_. And tho' he was convinced of the Virtue and Goodness of
_Constantia_, the Apprehensions that he had, that this modest and
prudent Maid might suffer by his Conduct, carry'd him beyond all
Consideration.

The Princess, who heedfully survey'd him, saw so many Marks of Despair
in his Face and Eyes, that she was afraid of the Consequences; and
holding out her Hand, in a very obliging manner to him, she said,
'I promise you, Sir, I will never more complain of you, and that _Agnes_
shall always be very dear to me; you shall never hear me make you any
Reproaches: And since I cannot possess your Heart, I will content myself
with endeavouring to render myself worthy of it.' _Don Pedro_, more
confus'd and dejected than before he had been, bent one of his Knees at
the feet of _Constantia_, and with respect kiss'd that fair kind Hand
she had given him, and perhaps forgot _Agnes_ for a moment.

But Love soon put a stop to all the little Advances of _Hymen_; the
fatal Star that presided over the Destiny of _Don Pedro_ had not yet
vented its Malignity; and one moment's sight of _Agnes_ gave new Force
to his Passion.

The Wishes and Desires of this charming Maid had no part in this
Victory; her Eyes were just, tho' penetrating, and they searched not in
those of the Prince, what they had a desire to discover to her.

As she was never far from _Constantia_, _Don Pedro_ was no sooner gone
out of the Closet, but _Agnes_ enter'd; and finding the Princess all
pale and languishing in her Chair, she doubted not but there was some
sufficient Cause for her Affliction: she put herself in the same Posture
the Prince had been in before, and expressing an Inquietude, full of
Concern; 'Madam, _said she_, by all your Goodness, conceal not from me
the Cause of your Trouble. Alas, _Agnes_, _reply'd the Princess_, what
would you know? And what should I tell you? The Prince, the Prince, my
dearest Maid, is in love; the Hand