gnes_, his Tenderness had not force enough to
consent to it.

After having, for a long time, combated with himself, he determined to
do what was impossible for him to let _Agnes_ do. His Courage reproach'd
him with the Idleness, in which he past the most youthful and vigorous
part of his Days: and making it appear to the King, that his Allies, and
even the Prince _Don John Emanuel_, his Father-in-law, had concerns in
the World which demanded his Presence on the Frontiers, he easily
obtain'd Liberty to make this Journey, to which the Princess would put
no Obstacle.

_Agnes_ saw him part without any Concern, but it was not upon the
account of any Aversion she had to him. _Don Alvaro_ began then to make
his Importunity an open Persecution; he forgot nothing that might touch
the insensible _Agnes_, and made use, a long time, only of the Arms of
Love: But seeing that this Submission and Respect was to no purpose, he
form'd strange Designs.

As the King had a deference for all his Counsels, it was not difficult
to inspire him with what he had a mind to: He complain'd of the
ungrateful _Agnes_, and forgot nothing that might make him perceive that
she was not cruel to him on his account, but from the too much
Sensibility she had for the Prince. The King, who was extreme angry at
this, reiterated all the Promises he had made him.

The King had not yet spoken to _Agnes_ in favour of _Don Alvaro_; and
not doubting but his Approbation would surmount all Obstacles, he took
an occasion to entertain her with it: And removing some distance from
those who might hear him, 'I thought _Don Alvaro_ had Merit enough (said
he to her) to have obtained a little share in your Esteem; and I could
not imagine there would have been any necessity of my solliciting it for
him: I know you are very charming, but he has nothing that renders him
unworthy of you; and when you shall reflect on the Choice my Friendship
has made of him from among all the great Men of my Court, you will do
him at the same time Justice. His Fortune is none of the meanest, since
he has me for his Protector: He is nobly born, a Man of Honour and
Courage: he adores you, and it seems to me that all these Reasons are
sufficient to vanquish your Pride.'

The Heart of _Agnes_ was so little disposed to give it self to _Don
Alvaro_, that all the King of _Portugal_ had said had no effect on her
in his favour. 'If _Don Alvaro_, Sir, (answered she) were without Merit,
he possesses A