owe him all our thoughts and I make it my business and am proud of Consecrating to him even the very least of my Actions This Discourse so discouraged Elvira and put her so out of Countenance that she could no longer bear the looks of Souza nor replyed any thing to him and she knew not whether she had best quit him or stay with him when the Door-keepers came and told her that the King was awake and that they might see him They went both into his Chamber the Court grew full in a little time and Souza retired presently after more troubled at what he had newly heard than he had been in all his life time The Duke d'Avero observing all his Daughters Actions and seeing the sequel did not answer the happy beginning suspected that some stronger Passion triumphed over Elvira's Ambition She had talked to him so often and with so much admiration of Souza and this Count appeared to him so proper to inspire love that he Examined them both with Care he saw Elvira blusht and was ever troubled at the sight of him He no longer doubted but he was the cause of this change and resolved to remedy it without seeming to be the least concerned The Count de Souza was of a Rank Merit and Conduct not to be easily ruined at Court Wherefore the Duke employ'd his Cares and his Credit to remove him after another manner An Ambassadour was to be sent to Pope Pius the V who was newly raised to the Pontificate by the Cares and Solicitations of the Great Boromeus and Cardinal Farnese The Duke d'Avero took such a course as that the King cast his Eyes upon the Count de Souza for that Embassy But so soon as Elvira had learnt this News the displeasure of ceasing to see what she could not forbear loving made such an impression upon her Mind that she went with all haste to the King pretending to be ignorant of what he had resolved to pray him with earnestness to give that Commission to Don Alvaro Castro whom all the Court knew to be one of her Creatures and the King having told her he had granted that Employ to the Count d'Souza at the Duke de Avero's desire the fear she was in that her Father had discovered her Passion and for that reason was desirous to remove him from Court made her so dumb and out of Countenance that she almost suffered all which passed in her Heart to be read in her Eyes but after being come somewhat to her self again she spoke with so tender and pressing an Air to Don Sebastian that not being able to refuse her any thing he told the Count de Souza in the Evening who came to thank him that his Council had judged it more convenient to give that Commission to Don Alvaro Castro who had already one of the same Nature and was perfectly well instructed in the several Interests of the Court of Rome This Change surprized all the Court They sought for the reason of it and it was found that Elvira's Credit was the cause Her Father did not doubt of her Passion He make her a thousand reproaches which did no good at all Alvaro Castro departed after having thanked her for a favour he was not indebted to her goodness for and the Count de Souza knew with an extream grief that 't was as great a misfortune to him to be beloved by the person he did not love as to be hated by her he loved The King daily perceiving more and more indifference in Elvira was so mortally grieved at it that it rendred him the most unhappy of all Men though he seemed the most happy And that which still augmented his trouble was that at that time arose one called Peter Bertrand the Eldest Son of the Illustrious Montluc not being willing to steep his Hands in the Blood of Frenchmen not to be on either side in the Civil Wars and Heresies that so Plagued all France fitted out a little Fleet and Manned it with about Twelve hundred Men or thereabouts His youngest Son and another younger Brother of the Family of Pompadour accompanied him in this Voyage and being come upon the Coasts of Madera they would have Landed to have taken in fresh Water but the Portugals who were Masters of that Island Fired their Canon upon them and Sallied out against Bertrand He immedietely set Eight hundred of his Men on Shore Cut the Portugals to pieces Sack'd the City that bears the Name of the Island and died a little after of a wound he received in that Fight Don Sebastian could not hear this News without a great deal of vexation he caused satisfaction to be demanded of Charles the IX and accused Bertrand and his Companions of being Pyrates and Infractours of the Treaties France having then Intestine Enemies enough without needing to draw upon it others was willing to Sacrifice to the King of Portugal's anger all those who had followed Bertrand in that Voyage but the reputation of Montluc and the Power of the Admiral who ever maintained the Glory of the French Nation fenced off this blow by his Subtilty The Count de Sanzay was sent to Don Sebastian to justifie the French-men and Queen Margarite who was ever contriving Great Designs took that occasion to attempt a Match between Don Sebastian and the Sister of Charles the IX to the intent this Alliance might the more closely unite France and Portugal and might augment the Rights that the French pretend to have upon that Crown The Count de Sanzay departed with secret Instructions for that Marriage He justified Bertrand and his Companions and knowing that pleasures are often very good means to succeed in Affairs he was at all the Divertisements of the Court to the intent he might the more easily bring to pass his secret Negotiation He was young and well made which was sufficient to get into the favour of the Portugal Ladies His Discourses and his Manners had a certain agreeableness that had the Art of Charming even in the best of things that free and easie Air that makes Gentleman be distinguished from others was more Natural to him than to any Man besides he was of that sort of gallant humour which ever engages it self in Love but is ever for all manner of Divertisements But his Wit was yet more Solid than Gallant and he oftentimes made those Trifles be useful to the greatest Affairs Leonora seem'd to him worthy of his Cares and fit for some little Engagements she had an Air of Sweetness and Sincerity which made one not afraid of those Artifices in her which her Sex commonly makes use of The Count de Sanzay entertained her with a thousand Gallantries He gave her Treats and Diversions nearly contrived he spoke to her of Love upon all occasions but he spoke after such a manner that one could not take seriously enough so as to be displeased and however appeared so sincere that Credit might be given to it designing to give
had explained his budding Passion Wherefore she passed over Formalities and went the next day with her Son to see Elvira You will find perhaps said she to her entring my Visit rash and too hasty Madam this is not the only fatigue your Beauty will cause you and the Duke to whom I made Yester day the recital of it has forced me to come and importune you with so much precipitation But he is still Young Madam continued she smiling and knows not what he demands Elvira answered with a thousand Civilities At this meeting the Conversation was less serious and more warm than usually those are of the first Visits and the Duke de Barcellos shewed so much admiration for Elvira that the Count de Tavora who was then there fancied he had conceived a great Passion for her and said the day following in Entertaining some Persons that came to see him with the News of the Court that Elvira's Beauty made a great noise there that the Duke de Barcellos was extreamly in love with her had been to see her and declared to her a great deal of kindness Leonora was present at this Discourse and could not hear it without shivering For above two Years that the Duke de Barcellos saw her with assiduity he had not dared to declare what her Charms had made him suffer and their hearts having been used to love one another from their tenderest Infancy upon the credit of their sighs without having otherwise explained themselves they had spared themselves the vexation that Reflexions give at the birth of a Passion and the confusion which these forts of Declarations cause in those that hear them She returned into her Chamber to conceal her trouble and as soon as she was at liberty she let some tears fall without knowing the reason that made her weep She saw her self opprest with a grief that she had never felt sometimes she abandoned her self to all imaginable hatred against Elvira sometimes she complained confusedly of the Duke of Barcellos and not knowing what Motions to keep to Why should I complain of him said she did he promise me never to love any one has he told me he had a kindness for me does he know that I have an inclination for him or rather have ever loved him Alas I know nothing of it my self continued she but I know very well I have been deceived in the opinion I had of the care he took to purchase and preserve my favour She had not yet so strictly Examined the Sentiments she had of the Duke de Barcellos she durst not even in that moment tell her self that she loved him and attributed to the hatred she had for Elvira all that the strongest Jealousie made her suffer I should not care said she sometimes though he loved another but I have so great an Antipathy for Elvira that I cannot suffer the Passion he has for her he must renounce it or never see me more I 'le rather from this present deprive my self of the pleasure of seeing him without asking him any thing continued she and likewise the sacrifice that I pretend from him would oblige me to too much acknowledgment Ah! what would my Father say if I should engage my self without his Consent Alas perhaps he has already discovered my trouble and perhaps he attributes to Jealousie the disorder I have made appear This fear for some time suspended the violence of her Motions and made her at length take the resolution of concealing her grief from the Eyes even of those who caused it The Duke d' Avero rely'd much upon the merit of his Daughter and hoped to see her one day Queen of Portugal She likewise conceived great hopes of her Charms and both in concert without imparting to one another their Designs laid Ambushes for the liberty of a Prince who came and cast himself into Chains Don Sebastian distinguished Elvira from all those that endeavoured to please him He paid her a thousand little passionate addresses that are never offer'd but to one Person and are the forerunners of the tenderest Passion Elvira's heart was too sensible and her Soul too ambitious not to be touched at the distinctions and the eagernesses of a Prince so gallant so well made and so lovely as Don Sebastian but how prone soever he was for Love his domineering Passion was Glory He impatiently suffered the prudent Zeal of Cardinal Henry who opposed the boyling ardour with which he sought out dangers he often stole from the vigilance of his Guards and quitted the company of Ladies and tender Conversations to go encounter the most Savage Beasts in the midst of the Forest He passionately loved Hunting the more dangerous it was the more Charming it seemed to him And as Queen Katherine and Cardinal Henry did with all their power mollifie the violence of that Exercise and the ardour which he gave himself up to it they got the Ladies of the Court to be often of the Parties and endeavoured to make a Diversion of so rude and so dangerous an amusement He was one day at Queen Katherine's and proposed a Match to go hunt Lions the next day The Queen whom this Proposition had caused to tremble and who knew very well that directly to oppose this Princes Designs would but so much the more irritate his desires cunningly made use of the Power she saw Elvira had over the King and told him gently The only name of Lions has made Elvira tremble my Son and I believe if you hunt them to morrow you will have but few Ladies in your train I love hunting passionately answered Elvira having penetrated into the Queens Design but the truth is this Chace seems to me too terrible and there are much gentler wherein I made the greatest delights of my solitude consist Well then we will run a Stag to morrow answered the King hastily the Ladies shall be of the party and you will be there Madam pursued he looking tenderly on Elvira The Queen had a great deal of joy she had made her Son change his design Elvira was much pleased she had served the Queens intentions and she had received this mark of Complaisance from Don Sebastian The Dutchess of Braganza who was present at this Conversation could not see without blushing for spight this slight proof of the Kings tenderness for another than her self and every one retired some moments after to give Orders for all that was necessary for that Match The King sent one to tell the Duke d'Avero the next day that as Elvira had not perhaps had time to prepare her Hunting Clotths he prayed him to give her those he sent her which was a Justicore covered with Spanish Point of Gold and Silver the Flowers of which were raised to the life with Jewels of several Colours a Riding Petticoate of the same Fashion and a Cap loaded with a number of long and very beautiful Blew Feathers The Duke accepted this Present for his Daughter with a great deal of
from Elvira any favourable Answer made him pass very troublesome Moments He sometimes Figured to himself that he could never be beloved by her The Languishing and the Tenderness which Elvira made appear to him in her Eyes when she left him could not reassure him against this fear but he was not long in his Suspicions and he had all manner of reason to believe in the Conversations he had afterwards with Elvira that she had no aversion for him She even assured him in several Rencounters that she could suffer that Passion with joy provided it might sute with her Duty and told him all these things with all the sweetness and complaisance that though she cunningly referred her self to her Father as to all the sentiments of her heart the King conceived hopes that he should be beloved and even sometimes flattered himself with having some part in her tenderness their Commerce became at length so great and so manifest that the Dutchess of Braganza seeing she could not break it feigned to second it and fancied that introducing her self to those two Lovers by the Title of a Confident she might on some occasions of falling out or inconstancy recover her favour with the King rather than by the Jealousie she might make appear She quitted the Design she had taken of Engaging her Son in an Intreague with Elvira rightly judging that in the posture things were this enterprise would be more disadvantageous than profitable to her Projects And the young Duke having never had any inclination but for Leonora and seeing himself treated with more rigour than usnally without having yet penetrated into the Cause of it endeavoured to clear this point with her He saw her all alone Vexation did in her what all his Tenderness had not been able yet to do and Jealousie made known to the Duke the love she had for him He first complained of her and then comforted her with a great deal of affection for all that unlucky juncture had made her suffer and gave her a thousand assurances of fidelity against her suspicions All these Lovers enjoy'd with Tranquility enough during some time the pleasures of their inclinations But how accomplished soever Don Sebastian was he was not born to be happy and the most civil Man of the Court was the innocent cause of these first misfortunes The Count de Souza having worthily acquitted himself of his Embassy abandoned the Court of Spain loaded with Glory and Presents The News of his speedy return was immediately spread about Lisbon As he had a great deal of Merit and a great many Friends he was only heard spoken of in all Companies and the Conversations were almost all composed of his Praises Elvira heard his fine Qualities cry'd up in several Places She had never seen him and conceived a great desire to know him Don Lewis had a very fine Country House two Leagues from Lisbon and near unto a Lordship that belonged to Souza whither he often carried Violanta and her Friends Elvira was one of her most intimate acquaintance and Don Lewis Treating them there one day after the Ball was begun four Persons were seen to enter disguised like Slaves who drew the Eyes of all the Assembly by the Magnificence of their habit But one among 'em charmed all People by his Air and his manners they took him at first for Don Henry because Eugenia having never had any great kindness for Violanta they were not of that Assembly and could only come in Masquerade but they afterwards observ'd that Don Henry was much fatter and of a less advantageous shape than this Slave He at first placed himself at Elvira's Feet and told her with the best Grace imaginable that he came from the farthest part of Africa to have the honour of wearing her Chains She answered him very Obligingly And by the discourse she had with him she easily observed that this Slave had as much Wit as he had a good Meen Violanta took him out to dance and he acquitted himself in the most seemly and pleasing way that can be fancied He took out Elvira who danced better with him than she had done before None knew him and they all impatiently longed to see his Masque off At length Elvira so earnestly begged it of him that he was constrained to retire apart and shew her his Face She was much surpriz'd she did not know him but much more at his Lustre Ah! since I do not know you said she to him being somewhat recovered out of her astonishment and you are so well formed you must be the Count de Souza I beg you would not name me Madam said he to her I am unwilling to be known I had a desire to pass this night at my Country-House and have not been yet at Court Elvira promised she would not discover him and kept her Word As no body knew that the Count de Souza was Arrived at his House none of them suspected any thing of the truth He made his Court to her during the Ball as to the Mistress of his King whose favour he ought to manage She hearkned to him with a delight that caused an emotion in her and found a secret Charm in his Words and Actions The Ball being ended Elvira returned to Lisbon with a numerous Train of Coaches and Souza came several times into her mind in the Night under the most agreeable Idea that can ever be formed of an accomplish'd Man He appeared the next day at Court and went to give an account of his Commission to the King who was with Elvira She could not forbear blushing at the sight of him she found him yet more charming than he had appeared to her but she so well knew how to conceal her Blushes and Emotions that no body perceived ' em They discoursed of the Court of Spain the Count de Souza of whom they asked the News of it said that Don John Natural Son to Charles the V. was lately Arrived there and appeared in great Splendour that he was a Prince equally understanding in War and in Policy that he had shewn him a great deal of kindness and had a particular Esteem of his Merit That King Philip who had been three times a Widdower was going to Marry Ann of Austria his Niece and Sister of Maximilian II. and that Katherine Michela Daughter to Philip and the late Deceased Queen was one of the most Beautiful Persons of Europe He was going to tell several other particulars more of that Court but Don Henry entring in that moment caused him so much trouble that he could not continue his Discourse He received his kindnesses with the greatest Civility having resolved to avoid as much as he could the meeting with his Mistress and his Rival and being afraid that Eugenia would suddenly come to see Elvira he took leave of the King and retired to his House where he employ'd all the Efforts of his Reason to stifle a Passion that he perceived was ready to revive notwithstanding
Guide in a rage if they only changed my Prison and if they believed an alteration of sufferings would be a Comfort to me he bid me follow him without informing me whither I went and when I was entred a Chamber neat enough for a Prison he left me alone and returning shut all the Doors I had hardly been there a Quarter of an Hour but I saw Abdeliza come out of a Neighbouring Chamber leaning upon one of her Slaves and was so changed and so dejected that I fancied I rather saw her Ghost than her Person What! an Enchantment cried I at the sight of her and casting my self at her Feet Princess is it possible that I see you again I am Comforted for all my misfortunes seeing you are still alive tho I had been told the contrary and can delare to you how sensible I am of all you have done for me Sir said she to me raising me and embracing me tenderly I could have wished to have freed you out of Captivity even at the Expence of my life I have suffered my Prison with patience when I considered the occasion of it and I have been more sensible of the rigours of yours than of all I have endured in mine I Pardon my Brother continued she bathing my Face with her Tears all that his anger could make me suffer since he has granted me the happiness of seeing you once again Go begone Sir I will not regard your Joy nor your Liberty you have been too long in our Prisons and I ask you Pardon for all the Cruelties you have suffered there Pardon them for my loves sake 't is violence enough to renounce the happiness of seeing you for you to make it that Sacrifice Begone Sir said she to me Embracing me my Confinement is not so strict but that I have given Orders for all which is necessary for your departure You will find at your going from hence a Slave who will Conduct you to a Ship I have caused to be prepared for you and will furnish you with all you have occasion for in the Voyage This Slave is faithful to me give him leave to follow you every where that he may send me Tydings of you and put you in Mind of me if you should forget me Adieu Sir I am loath to detain you any longer in Prison the pleasure I have had costs you very dear Adieu repeated she several times sheding a torrent of Tears live happy and remember me After having said these Words she quitted me leaning upon the Maid that attended her I saw her fall into a Swoon a moment after up-the Cushions of her Chamber that were nearest to the Door I would have run to have helpt her but my Guide forc'd me from thence and told me he had orders not to suffer me any longer in that place Having much more pity of the Condition I left that poor Princess in than joy for having recovered my Liberty I enquired secretly at the Port as soon as I was arrived there of the Place you were retreated to No one could tell me any thing certain and some Marriners acquainted me they had seen you in the Isles of Terceras I Embarqued in the Vessel the Slave Abdeliza had given me had brought me to We arrived at Angra where the rumour of my return being arriv'd sooner than my self I perceived a far off being still at Sea that all the People were at the Port to see us Disembarque I did not think it convenient to make known my arrival to all that Populace who are more Inconstant and Seditious in that Country than in any other place I went into the long Boat after having told the Captain of the Ship that he should go a-shore with all his Equipage at an Island farther of and not divulge my arrival and I went in the Night to a Convent the Cordeliers have in that Island I remained there eight days causing search to be made for you in all the Neighbouring Islands but Abdeliza's Slave venturing to go out was of a suddain environed by a Crowd of People who asking him where I was taking him for King Mahumet and reproaching him that he was the cause of all the Wars they assassinated him Cruelly in that place This Sedition made me know there was no safety for me in those Ports and hearing you were not there I went from thence as unknown as I came thither I Embarqued again in my Ship and having at length learnt with a great deal of pain and care that you were at Venice preferring the pleasure of seeing you before the Care of my re-establishment and longing with impatience to know what share I had in your heart I come to render you all my love and assure you that I shall only endeavour to get again upon the Throne for the placing you there with me Almeida transported with joy to see the Constancy and return of Don Sebastian had all those Complaisances for him that a tender and an acknowledging heart can be capable of They Deliberated together about returning into his Kingdom of making Cabals in Portugal and procuring Troops for the re-entring it He resolved to give notice of his return to the Ministers of his Kingdom whom he had found the most Zealous and sent into several places to demand Succours of the Princes who had been his Friends Don Henry was released out of Slavery by the Cares of Eugenia and Souza in that time Upon his return he learnt that Eugenia was Married again and when he was arrived at Lisbon not daring to enter his own House nor ask to see his Wife he went to lodge at one of his Friends who acquainted him with all the particulars that could Justifie her and give him some Consolation in this misfortune She came to him as soon as she had learnt where he was cast her self at his Feet and watered them with Floods of Tears She told him all that her Affection and Innocence could Suggest in her Vindication He was moved but her delicacy could not rely upon all these reasons She prayed him with all the earnestness imaginable to permit her to pass the rest of her time in a Convent and he could not refuse her so just a demand notwithstanding all the kindnesses he had for her The Count of Souza who since the News of Don Henry's being alive had passed his days in the greatest Grief imaginable and had abstained from seeing Eugenia since that time disgusted with the World and having no tie that could retain him resolved to put himself into the Order of S. Dominick and was shut up the rest of his days in the Convent of Benesiges half a League from Lisbon where he died in the Sweets of a Holy Life as the Gravest Authors do assure who have written the History of Portugal What Care soever Don Sebastian had taken to conceal his return the reumour ran quickly at Venice that a Stranger was arrived there who had the Name and Resemblance of Don Sebastian