The Duke of _Braganza_, since _Mendoza_'s Departure, was fallen into his wonted Irresolution, and the nearer the Business came to a Crisis, the more he dreaded the Event: _Pinto_ made use of all his Rhetorick to excite his Master's Courage, and to draw him into his former Resolution. Nay, to his Persuasions he added Threatnings; he told him, in spite of himself, the Conspirators would proclaim him King, and what Dangers must he run then, when the Crown should be fix'd upon his Head, at a time when, only for want of necessary Preparation, he was not capable of preserving it. The Dutchess join'd with this faithful Servant, and convinc'd the Duke of the Baseness of preferring Life to Honour: he, charm'd with her Courage, yet asham'd to see it greater than his own, yielded to their Persuasions. Mean while, the Gentleman whom he had sent to _Madrid_, wrote daily to let him know, that he could no longer defer his Journey on any pretence whatsoever, and that _Olivarez_ refus'd to hear the Excuses which he would have made. The Duke, to gain a little longer time, order'd the Gentleman to acquaint the _Spanish_ Minister, that he had long since been at _Madrid_, had he had Money enough to defray the Expence of his Journey, and to appear at Court in a manner suitable to his Quality: That as soon as he could receive a sufficient Sum, he would immediately set out. This Business dispatch'd, he consulted with the Dutchess and _Pinto_ about the properest Means of executing their Design: several were propos'd, but at last this was agreed upon, That the Plot must break out at _Lisbon_, whose Example might have a good effect upon the other Towns and Cities of the Kingdom: That the same Day wherein he was proclaim'd King in the Metropolis, he should be also proclaim'd in every Place which was under his Dependance; nay, in every Borough and Village, of which any of the Conspirators were the leading Men, they should raise the People, so that one half of the Kingdom being up, the other of course would fall into their Measures, and the few remaining _Spaniards_ would not know on which side to turn their Arms. His own Regiment he should quarter in _Elvas_, whose Governour was wholly in his Interest. That as for the manner of their making themselves Masters of _Lisbon_, Time and Opportunity would be their best Counsellors; however, the Duke's Opinion was, that they should seize the Palace in the first place, so that by securing the Vice-Queen, and the _Spaniards_ of Note, they would be like so many Hostages in their hands, for the Behaviour of the Governour and Garison of the Citadel, who otherwise might very much annoy 'em when they were Masters of the Town. After this, the Duke having assur'd _Pinto_, that notwithstanding any Change of Fortune, he should still have the same place in his Affection; he sent him to _Lisbon_ with two Letters of Trust, one for _Almeida_, the other for _Mendoza_; wherein he conjur'd 'em to continue faithful to their