and though she thought she had no cause of being in fear for her Shepherd yet she could not rid her self of the fear that follows things done in private Had the King taken notice of her looks they had all been undone She had not then learnt the Art of concealing or commanding her passion but by good fortune the King's Eyes were fixt on the Marchioness who assisted with the readiness of Wit which never fails an able Woman at need entreated him to stay a moment till she had put the Closet in a condition to receive them every thing being out of order there The King though in never so great haste believing Ladies Closets are often full of several things that belong to their dresses and they are very willing Men should not see and that this was the cause of her blushing gave her leave to put it in order She went into the Closet and not well knowing where to hide the poor Shepherd she put him under a bed of Repose where he lay coop'd up in a very narrow room This done she came out to make way for the King who entred with Dorothy and made her sit with him on the same Bed Well Dorothy says the King you will never love me The poor Girl who knew not what was become of Antonine surprised to miss him in the Closet looked all about sometimes this sometimes that way without answering the King who continued his discourse I may tell you I sigh and die for love of you you can give me the hearing without pittying my sufferings for you Dorothy heard not a word he said 't was kindness thrown away she was troubled for her Shepherd and her sense as well as mind was wholly taken up with thinking what was become of him The King thinking 't was the Ornaments the guilding and rarities of the Closet amused her took her by the hand to make her look towards him Look upon me and answer what I ask you you little Baggage will you never love me Yes Sir says she if you will promise me not to send away Antonine from Aranjuez And who told you replies the King I design to send him away No Sir says she I was not told so but I know not why they will not let me see him and I am afraid if I love you you would not have me love him too And if I allow you to love him answers the King will you love me in good earnest or at least as well as your Shepherd Dorothy made him no answer not knowing how to resolve that point without having Antonine's advice in that case The King fell a-laughing and pressing her farther Is it possible says he you should think it so hard a matter to allow a King a share with the Shepherd in your heart Any other but you would have quickly ended the difference and no other but my self would be content with what I ask You are not just Dorothy you demand of me what I ought not to grant you and you make a business and a difficulty to grant me what cannot but be for your Glory You are afraid I should send away Antonine you complain you cannot see him you would if you love me have me allow you to love him too these are strange conditions And yet if I ask you whether you will love me as much as him you will not answer me What are you afraid of I would not have you consider me as your King among Lovers matters should be equal at least Let 's come to Articles Dorothy addes he smiling and if I grant you yours you must not refuse to sign mine Antonine shall stay at Aranjuez you shall see him and love him This is for you Now for my part you must love me as well as him and do me the same favours you do him and if in time you find my care and my passion for you greater than the duties he pays you without bringing my Character or your duty to me into account you will be content to be intirely mine This Prince who was infinitely witty would not make use of a Court-gallantry to gain the affection of an innocent Countrey-Girl He was above it and made use only of plain native simplicity so much the more delicate as it suited her capacity and wrought more effectually on her The truth is it shook her So that the Monarch to take th' advantage of the agreement began with kisses which she could not refuse him after the promises he had made her in favour of Antonine But the Shepherd scarce heard the smack of 'em but all in a rage he pinch'd her by the Leg. This so frighted the poor Girl that she skrick'd which astonisht the King He ask'd her what the matter was she told him something had bit her By good luck for Antonine there stood between the King and Dorothy a little Bitch of the Marchioness's which came with them into the Closet the King thought her guilty of the assault and with great animosity drove her out of the Closet But Dorothy having had time to recover her self a little from the fear she had been in judg'd her hurt came by the hand of a Man rather than the teeth of the little Bitch And reflecting immediately on Antonine she made no doubt but 't was he and that he lay hid under the Bed of Repose The King having assur'd her she need not fear being bit any more would have been at his former sport but Dorothy would not agree to it having understood by her Shepherd's action what she had already done had not pleas'd him The Prince press'd her and ask'd why she would be so cruel but all was lost labour she would not be brought to 't for fear Antonine should bite her the second time You know our Agreement Dorothy says the King seeing her obstinacy I shall not be oblig'd to keep my promise with you if you refuse what I demand of you You must love me as well as you do Antonine and express the same complaisance for me as for him if you have a mind I should allow him a a sight of you and not send him away from Aranjuez Dorothy much troubled at these threats knew not what to answer In the mean time she granted nothing but defended her self still against the King's importunity who thinking her lightness an effect of her humour and attributing to it her refusing him so obstinately what she had granted at first without any difficulty he easily flatter'd himself with hopes to obtain it another time and without pressing her further that evening retir'd Antonine no sooner saw him gone but he crept out of his prison grievously tir'd with staying so long there Dorothy to make him amends was liberal of her caresses but found him not so well pleas'd with her as to return them His heart smarted still with the sound of the kisses the King had received of her or at least given her which made Antonine requite her caresses with reproaches
to answer the Master's expectation as Don Augustin had He sent that very day in search of Dorothy's Father and after several discourses about his Family let him know he was in a fair way to come to as good fortune as a Man of his condition could wish He ask'd him if he knew Antonine and was fully inform'd by the Gardiner concerning that Shepherd then he bid him have a care of his Daughter whom he was to look upon as the Author of his good fortune without giving further light whether the Marquess or any other were concern'd in the advice This was so managed by order from the King And the Expressions like infallible Oracles coming from the Mouth of the Marquess de las Torrillas whose Countenance was sufficient to raise the fortune of the greatest Subject of Spain so transported the Good Man that he knew not how to make his acknowledgment for joy The Marquess to make good his words by suitable effects put into his hand a Purse of an hundred Pistols the most certain confirmation he could possibly have given the Gardiner of the News he had told him He return'd home so fully assur'd by what he had in his hand of the favourable influence of his Stars that he thought himself the happiest if not the richest Man upon Earth The Favourite having executed his Commission like a worthy Confident goes to give his Master an account and acquainting him with the Particulars of the Gardiner's Family told him he was fully inform'd he was a very honest Man who lived very privately not admitting into his House any one might bring a scandal upon him And that his Daughter Dorothy had the Reputation of a Maid so free from intrigue that she had never been suspected to have been engag'd in one And what of Antonine says the King Antonine Sir says the Marquess is the Son of a rich Shepherd near Tolledo who was recommended to the Gardiner and lodges at his House Antonine replys the King sighing doth he Lodge at Dorothy's Father's Yes Sir said the Marquess very much surpriz'd to see how the King received the News of it but I believe there 's no cause to fear him More cause replys the King more a great deal than you think What a Shepherd answers the Marquess Yes a Shepherd says the King a Shepherd who hath all the good qualities requisite to gain the love of a Shepherdess Had you view'd him with the Eyes of a Lover you would have quickly discovered what 't is to be such a Shepherd Don Augustin adds he no Rival is contemptible to slight him is to lose all But Sir says the Marquess you are his Master and may rid your hands of him when you please These sort of Lovers have not so strong inclinations as we Give him but a better Employment in another place than he hath here he 'll yield up his Shepherdess to you and quit all his pretensions to her You think so replys the King but I do not But should I comply with my affection in taking your advice what will the World say of my removing the Shepherd after the favour I have shew'd him will they not say I have banish'd him And the Wits who claim a soveraign jurisdiction to censure all actions when they see me court this Girl will they not say presently I was jealous of Antonine No no I am concern'd in Reputation to let him stay with her at the peril of having my passion made publick by removal of him if he be a profest Lover of her 't is my part to endeavour gaining her from him But I must first know how far he is advanc'd whether she is pleas'd with his addresses or barely permits them or loves him in good earnest These Mysteries are never well discovered but by those who have been in Love a meer Confident cannot penetrate them Therefore get two Suits made me after the Country-Fashion and let them be brought me to-morrow at my rising I will go in Person to the Gardiner's to observe Dorothy and Antonine Any Man but the Marquess would have boggled and been scandaliz'd at a design so contrary to the Spanish Gravity and unsuitable to Majesty but he was so well acquainted with the Gallantries of his Prince and so verst in the management of them for the King who loved adventures and disguises that he was ready to fall a laughing at the Frolick but reflecting they had no acquaintance nor correspondence at the Gardiner's he apprehended some mischance which might be laid to his charge He represented it to the King as he carried him the Habits on the Morrow telling him he expos'd the Majesty of his Person to affront by adventuring disguis'd into a Man's House he was not acquainted with The King who lov'd not to be cross'd made him a short answer that in matters of Love he expected from a Person of his Character a great deal of Complaisance but no Counsel and that the advice he commonly took in those Cases was only such as his affection suggested him He put on one of those Suits and the Marquess having taken the other they went down a privy Stair which brought them to a Walk in the Garden where they were no sooner entred but they saw Dorothy picking Flowers The jealous Prince ravish'd with joy made signs to Don Augustin to follow him without noise and went with him into the Muses Bower at the corner of the Walk where they hid themselves from her T is an excellent opportunity says the King to his Confident we must follow her to see who the Nosegay is made for The patience of the Monarch on this occasion was admirable but must be considered as an effect of his Love At last Dorothy goes out taking the way of the Long Walks to the astonishment of the Parties concern'd especially the Amorous Prince who more curious than ever to know whither she went follow'd her with no small perplexity and agitation of heart It was not long but he might guess at her design for they were scarce past the second Walk but they heard Antonine's Flute which the King thought not half so sweet then as formerly He looked twice or thrice on Don Augustin without saying a word but not able to conceal his jealousie longer You see now says he whether I have not reason enough to fear this Rival Ah Don Augustin my Curiosity is like to cost me dear but 't is no matter let 's go and see all They went beside the Walks to avoid being seen by her at last they saw Dorothy making up to Antonine and presenting him with the Nosegay which the Shepherd receiving with actions full of Love and of Joy took her by the hand which she permitted him to kiss a great Favour in Spain and signifies something more This vext the Jealous King at the heart to that degree of Impatience he was just making up to them But Dorothy having not stay'd a moment longer with the Shepherd the King advanced no
not to lose moments so precious exprest more by actions than words how sensible he was of the favours she did him and opening the Closet-door was extremly surpris'd at the sight of the fair Dorothy drest all over with Jewels The young Lover ravish'd with joy run presently to him But he received her with that coldness and sadness her heart was almost froz'n with fear And she forbore her caresses to quarrel him for expressing no more joy at the sight of her after so tedious an absence He sigh'd and made no other answer Dorothy more troubled than before ask'd him as one affrighted what the matter was he us'd her so The Shepherd was unwilling to be the first should reproach her for what she perhaps did not yet know and and he had need enough to be better inform'd of not to accuse her without cause He ask'd her first whence she had all those Jewels he saw about her Dorothy answer'd the King had given them her and very ingenuously told him all the Visits and fine promises he had made her and in a word all that past since her coming to the Marchioness Antonine heard her out without saying a word then turning another way in a mortal affliction he lift up his eyes and hands to Heaven without further explaining himself But Dorothy frightned at the action pray'd him so earnestly adding so many caresses and tears to her prayers that the Shepherd could no longer deny her the explication she begg'd of him who was sufficiently concerned without her intreaty to ease his heart a little by speaking his mind Dorothy says he the King is in love with you Well I know it answers she but if he loves me he loves you too and what harm in that What harm replyes the dejected Antonine with a deep sigh None but that I shall never see you more but die with despair And why should you die says she alarmed at these words and why see me no more when the King who loves you takes so much pleasure to see us together Yes replyes Antonine do not you see that these three or four days I am not allow'd the liberty to enter this Appartment But 't is over I am undone and you are to expect no more of me but my death Poor Dorothy opprest with grief at this Discourse gave free course to her tears and embracing him tenderly ask'd him what reason he had to wish for death since she loved him above her Life What am I the better for your Love answers the Shepherd when my Rival is possessed of you all day and courts you and is a King and can do what he pleases Ah! how unfortunate am I Never fear the King says the innocent Dorothy for he hath promised me he will never do any thing to displease me Antonine asked her on what account he made her that promise she told him it was upon occasion of some little Favours he would have obtained of her A cruel explication for one so deeply in Love He look'd upon her with a languishing Eye and dying away for fear of hearing more than he desired to know he fell into a mournful and sad silence he was just expiring for grief when on the sudden he heard the King's voice in the Marchionesses Chamber Nothing could have happened more effectual to fetch him again than the approach of his Rival jealousie being the passion that best quickens and most heightens the courage of a Lover This Prince was under an Amorous impatience too strong to permit him to stay long in the Councel Affairs of State and of Love never agree well not that they are incompatible or that a Great Genius is incapable to bear at once the burthen of both But this is very rare and 't is commonly seen he that acquits himself well of the one is a little negligent of the other This Prince having very able Ministers rely'd on them for the conduct of the State that he might intirely apply himself to his affairs of Love He was much addicted to that passion and more sensible of the Pleasure that attended it than ambitious of the Glory of good Government while they treated in his Closet of the most important affairs of his Crown his mind was in the Marchionesses Chamber where he had left his Heart with his Mistriss but he was not a little surprized not to find her there at his return He asked the Lady what was become of her she answered very coldly she knew not I thought Madam answers the King having left her to your Care a few minutes I might have had a better account from you I desir'd it of you 't is an innocent Creature and knows not how to behave her self you might without wrong to your self have instructed her a little and told her she was to wait my coming But I perceive what the matter is I did not think Sir replies the Lady that in leaving with me a Gardiners Daughter you desir'd I should be her Governess No indeed says the King but if you should be her Governess think you that to be employ'd so on my account could be a dishonour to you Ah Sir answers she with an affected smile I come of a Blood And you might have come says the King interrupting her angrily of the best Blood of Castile and have esteemed it an Honour to serve a King as I am in any manner whateever With that he went out very little satisfied with the proceedings of the Marchioness and sent for Don Austin to make his complaints to him Antonin and Dorothy were in very great perplexity having heard part of the discourse but the Shepherd was the more troubled of the two The Lady bid Dorothy come into the Chamber that if the King came back again as she feared he would he might find her there As for Antonin she thought it not convenient to let him come out for fear of being seen and perhaps met by the King who was not far off the mean time she fell to instructing Dorothy what to say to the King if he should question her for the little Eclipse she had been under but she was forc'd to cut off her Lesson short for the Amorous Prince impatiently desirous to know if she were returned came presently back and entred the Chamber with anger in his Face and much discomposed but at the sight of Dorothy his Choler vanisht and he recovered his good humour The Marchioness would have helped Dorothy to make her excuse and at the same time make her own peace with the King But he could not hear her but said he was satisfied but entreated her to lend him her Closet to pass a few minutes with Dorothy there This put the Lady into an extraordinary perplexity with all her coldness and indifferency she could not forbear blushing she knew not on what pretence to deny him the key was in the door and she was ruin'd if the King found Antonin in the Closet Poor Dorothy was no less disordered