dvantages enough in the Bounty your Majesty is pleased to
honour him with, to make him Master of all things, it is not that I find
any Defect in him that I answer not his Desires: But, Sir, by what
obstinate Power would you that I should love, if Heaven has not given me
a Soul that is tender? And why should you pretend that I should submit
to him, when nothing is dearer to me than my liberty? You are not so
free, nor so insensible, as you say, (answer'd the King, blushing with
Anger;) and if your Heart were exempt from all sorts of Affection, he
might expect a more reasonable Return than what he finds. But imprudent
Maid, conducted by an ill Fate, (added he in fury) what Pretensions have
you to _Don Pedro_? Hitherto I have hid the Chagrin, which his Weakness,
and yours give me; but it was not the less violent for being hid. And
since you oblige me to break out, I must tell you, that if my Son were
not already married to _Constantia_, he should never be your Husband;
renounce then those vain Ideas, which will cure him, and justify you.'

The courageous _Agnes_ was scarce Mistress of the first Transports, at a
Discourse so full of Contempt; but calling her Virtue to the aid of her
Anger, she recover'd herself by the assistance of Reason: And
considering the Outrage she receiv'd, not as coming from a great King,
but a Man blinded and possest by _Don Alvaro_, she thought him not
worthy of her Resentment; her fair Eyes animated themselves with so
shining a vivacity, they answer'd for the purity of her Sentiments; and
fixing them steadfastly on the King, 'If the Prince _Don Pedro_ have
Weaknesses, (reply'd she, with an Air disdainful) he never communicated
'em to me; and I am certain, I never contributed wilfully to 'em: But to
let you see how little I regard your Defiance, and to put my Glory in
safety, I will live far from you, and all that belongs to you: Yes, Sir,
I will quit _Coimbra_ with pleasure; and for this Man, who is so dear to
you, (answer'd she with a noble Pride and Fierceness, of which the King
felt all the force) for this Favourite, so worthy to possess the most
tender Affections of a great Prince, I assure you, that into whatever
part of the World Fortune conducts me, I will not carry away the least
Remembrance of him.' At these words she made a profound Reverence, and
made such haste from his Presence, that he could not oppose her going if
he would.

The King was now more strongly convinc'd than ever, that