These Words made the fair _Agnes de Castro_ perceive that her Innocency was not so great as she imagined, and that her Heart interested it self in the Preservation of _Don Pedro_: ‘You ought, Sir, to preserve your Life (reply’d _Agnes_) for the sake of the little Prince and Princesses, which _Constantia_ has left you. Would you abandon their Youth (continued she, with a tender Tone) to the Cruelty of _Don Alvaro_? Live! Sir, live! and let the unhappy _Agnes_ be the only Sacrifice.’ ‘Alas, cruel Maid! (interrupted _Don Pedro_) Why do you command me to live, if I cannot live with you? Is it an effect of your Hatred?’ ‘No, Sir, (reply’d _Agnes_) I do not hate you; and I wish to God that I could be able to defend my self against the Weakness with which I find my self possess’d. Oblige me to say no more, Sir: you see my Blushes, interpret them as you please: but consider yet, that the less Aversion I find I have to you, the more culpable I am; and that I ought no more to see, or speak to you. In fine, Sir, if you oppose my Retreat, I declare to you, that _Don Alvaro_, as odious as he is to me, shall serve for a Defence against you; and that I will sooner consent to marry a Man I abhor, than to favour a Passion that cost _Constantia_ her Life.’ ‘Well then, _Agnes_ (reply’d the Prince, with Looks all languishing and dying) follow the Motions which barbarous Virtue inspires you with; take these Measures you judge necessary against an unfortunate Lover, and enjoy the Glory of having cruelly refused me.’ At these Words he went away; and troubled as _Agnes_ was, she would not stay him: Her Courage combated with her Grief, and she thought now, more than ever, of departing. ’Twas difficult for her to go out of _Coimbra_; and not to defer what appear’d to her so necessary, she went immediately to the Apartment of the King, notwithstanding the Interest of _Don Alvaro_. The King received her with a Countenance severe, not being able to consent to what she demanded: _You shall not go hence, +(said he)+ and if you are wise, you shall enjoy here with +Don Alvaro+ both my Friendship and my Favour. I have taken another Resolution (+answer’d+ Agnes) and the World has no part in it. You will accept +Don Pedro (reply’d the King)+ his Fortune is sufficient to satisfy an ambitious Maid: but you will not succeed +Constantia+, who lov’d you so tenderly; and +Spain+ has Princesses enough to fill up part of the Throne which I shall leave him. Sir, (+reply’d+ Agnes, +piqu’d at this Discourse+) if I had a Disposition to love, and a Design to marry, perhaps the Prince might be the only Person on whom I would fix it: And you know, if my Ancestors did not possess Crowns, yet they were worthy to wear ’em. But let it be how it will, I am resolved to depart, and to remain no longer a Slave in a Place to which I came free._