f more happy, and the Prince more criminal. 'Oh, Wisdom! Oh, Bounty
without Example! (cry'd she) Why is it, that the cruel Destinies do not
give you all you deserve? You are the disposer of my Actions, (continued
she in kissing the Hand of _Constantia_) I'll do nothing but what you'll
have me: But consider, and weigh well the Reasons that ought to counsel
you in the Measures you oblige me to take.'

_Don Pedro_, who had not seen the Princess all that day, came in then,
and finding 'em both extremely troubled, with a fierce Impatience,
demanded the Cause: 'Sir, answered _Constantia_, _Agnes_ too wise, and
too scrupulous, fears the Effects of her Beauty, and will live no longer
at _Coimbra_; and it was on this Subject, (which cannot be agreeable
to me) that she ask'd my Advice.' The Prince grew pale at this
Discourse, and snatching the Words from her Mouth (with more concern
than possest either of them) cry'd with a Voice very feeble, '_Agnes_
cannot fail if she follow your Counsel, Madam: and I leave you full
liberty to give it her.' He then immediately went out, and the Princess,
whose Heart he perfectly possest, not being able to hide her
Displeasure, said, 'My dear _Agnes_, if my Satisfaction did not only
depend on your Conversation, I should desire it of you, for _Don
Pedro's_ sake; it is the only Advantage that his unfortunate Love can
hope: And would not the World have reason to call me barbarous, if I
contribute to deprive him of that? But the sight of me will prove a
Poison to him--(reply'd _Agnes_) And what should I do, my Princess, if
after the Reserve he has hitherto kept, his Mouth should add anything to
the Torments I have already felt, by speaking to me of his Flame? You
would hear him sure, without causing him to despair, (reply'd
_Constantia_) and I should put this Obligation to the account of the
rest you have done. Would you then have me expect those Events which I
fear, Madam? (reply'd _Agnes_) Well--I will obey, but just Heaven
(pursued she) if they prove fatal, do not punish an innocent Heart for
it.' Thus this Conversation ended. _Agnes_ withdrew into her Chamber,
but it was not to be more at ease.

What _Don Pedro_ had learn'd of the Design of _Agnes_, caus'd a cruel
Agitation in his Soul; he wished he had never loved her, and desir'd a
thousand times to die: But it was not for him to make Vows against a
thing which Fate had design'd him; and whatever Resolutions he made, to
bear the Absence of _A