all the Cares he had taken to extinguish it In the mean while Elvira no longer gave her thoughts up to Greatness and was not so much dazled with the Crown of Don Sebastian but that she considered of the merit of the Count de Souza with much admiration Her Heart engaged it self by degrees in seeing him and Love evermore usurping somewhat upon Ambition she begun to have more desire to please the Count than care to engage the King She saw Souza every day and always discovered in him some new Quality capable of pleasing She found that he did the most indifferent thing with a most particular Charm Not any Man about the Court appeared to her so well Made so Active or so Witty as he the greatest Divertisements tired her when he was not there and the inclination she was sensible of at first for him in a short time augmented after such a manner that it became at length a most violent Passion It is true that the Assiduities and Complaisances which this Count rendred her contributed very much to the Violence of her Love As he no longer made Visits to Eugenia and had resolved to apply himself entirely to the cares of his Fortune Elvira had with joy observed that she was the Person of all the Court whom he oftenest Visited she took for amorous Addresses the Devoirs he rendred her as the Mistress of his King and so ardently desired to be beloved by him that she easily imagined he had a love for her There appeared so much affectation in the Complaisances she had for Don Sebastian and she answered his tender respects with so great a Constraint that the King quickly perceived he was not beloved and as he loved with all the fervency that a first Passion can be capable of these coldnesses did very sensibly aggrieve him Sometimes he openly complained and walking one day with her and those that were the Companions of his Pleasures in the Gardens of Don Lewis After having proposed to her several sorts of Divertisements none of which she would accept of he reproached her for the indifference she seemed to be in to Pleasures She defended her self and told him there were a thousand Recreations capable of diverting her They are those then that I have no part in said the King to her and I do not believe that of a long time any of those has pleased you which I have proposed Elvira could not hold from blushing at these Words and Violanta who loved her tenderly perceiving her disorder and the King's vexation told him for to make up the business Ah! Sir it is impossible to be more gay than Elvira was at the Ball you gave two days ago And in truth she was in a very good humour in that Assembly because the King had Commanded Souza to do the Honours of it I must confess said Leonora that Elvira found the Ball very Charming I remember that at a Regal which Don Lewis gave to the Ladies sometime since she appeared the merriest of the Company I remember too said Don Lewis and I believe the four Moors who came to be her Slaves had put her into that humour These last Words put Elvira so out of Countenance that she would never have been able to have concealed her trouble if she had not luckily made a stumble which gave a pretext to this disorder The King after having lent her his Hand to hold her up enquired very earnestly who those Moors were the Count de Souza Arrived when the King asked this Question He himself was struck dumb and the sight of him redoubled Elvira's disorder they were both of them in an equal pain though they had different Sentiments and this trouble would without doubt have discovered Elvira's secret Passion if Cardinal Henry whom Don Sebastian still considered as his Tutour had not arrived at that instant and broke off that Conversation by his presence The King going to Supper presently after the Ladies retired and as Souza had perceived he was the cause of Elvira's trouble he very prudently avoided any particular Conversation with her and pretended he was obliged to be at the Kings Supper that he might be dispensed from leading Elvira as he was used to do But what Address and Care soever he employ'd to avoid the assurance of a thing which his Zeal and Modesty ever refused it was impossible for him to be long in suspence of what he feared Elvira loved him with too much Passion to be able to constrain her self When she ever talked with him she was strangely disordered she was even sometimes so bold as to let him know how much the Kings Cares and Complaisances fatigued her and what a torture it was to her that she could not follow her inclinations with an entire Liberty she began several times to talk to him of the disorder the Moors Conversation put her in the Count came always off from these perplexities with a great deal of Prudence and Civility but at length Elvira fan cying to her self that he had some affection for her and that respect hindred him from telling it she believed it was her part to encourage him She resolved one day in the violence of her Passion to declare to him openly what she was sensible of but the occasion could not easily be found because the Count carefully avoided her and saw her but at the Kings whither he could not dispense himself from going A light indisposition had detained this Prince in Bed that day Elvira was to see him the Dorekeepers told her he was asleep whereupon she stepped into the Antichamber and perceived near the Window Count Souza in all likely hood expecting Don Sebastian's waking and seemed to be profoundly pensive She approached him trembling and as they were far enough off from those who were present as not to be understood May I ask you what you think of at present Count said she to him all amazed Souza being surpriz'd at her presence would have retired after some Civilities No no stay said she to him stopping him I will Discourse you about something concerns you I participate too much in all that touches you to leave you in the trouble I have seen you in for some time Do you love are you ambitious continued she my Credit may equally serve you in those two things and I offer it you all entire if you will tell me what it is that makes you sad The Count de Souza was much out of Countenance to hear this Discourse and told her after having thanked her for her Civilities that he had no other ambition than that of maintaining himself at Court in the rank his Birth had placed him You are then in Love reply'd she immediately with an extream disorder I assure you Madam interrupted Souza gently I Love only my King A little affection is not incompatible with a great deal of Zeal reply'd Elvira tenderly A Heart all entire is not too much for so great a Prince answered he firmly we
him and he Commanded the Duke de Avero to cause all his Forces to Embark During the eight days he was Employ'd in putting them on Board the King never went ashore He himself caused the Seamen to labour He examined the Built of all the Ships he Visited the Equipages to see if there was nothing wanting to his Fleet and shewing Almeida the Ardour of the Passion he had for her by the care he took to Revenge her This Princess answered so many Kindnesses with as much Love as the delicacy of her Sex would allow of As the King never went from his Ships and all the Lords remained there with him the Ladies came there to see 'em and Don Sebastian who seemed to have Established his Empire upon the Waters had round about him a Floating Court that amidst the hurry of Embarking would however have been very agreeable if the trouble of parting had not traversed the Pleasures which those would have relished there whom Love had united Violanta quitted Don Lewis with all the grief that a real affection can be capable of in such an occasion The Passion the Duke de Barcellos had for War shared his Heart with the Love he had for Leonora and as she gave her self up entirely to her Inclination she was much more troubled than her Lover at their parting The Duke d'Avero's Ambition finding an opportunity to satisfie it self in that War made him quit Lisbon with joy But what Power soever Glory had over Don Henry he had all the pains imaginable to Renounce the Pleasures he enjoy'd with Eugenia Souza found some Comfort in thinking that notwithstanding the Bonds of Marriage in a short time his Rival would be no more happy than himself The Duke of Braganza who was arrived at Lisbon to accompany the King in his Voyage and had still a great deal of Vigour and a strong Passion for War was very glad that this Occasion was offered for the instructing his Son by his Example and by the Advices he might give him according to the Diversity of Occurrences And at length the King departed full of joy and of hopes with the Flower of the Nobility and People of Portugal and was accompanied by Adrias de Sylva Bishop of Porto and Emanuel de Mensis Bishop of Conimbre The whole Fleet made Sail with a fair Wind but as the Kings Galley took its turn to go out of the Port it struck with so much Violence against a Flemish Ship that its sides were broke to pieces and a Seaman of that Galley was kill'd at the same time in his Boat by a Canon Shot that the City had Fired upon the Kings departure These two accidents made the most Zealous Portugals tremble and seemed to be an ill presage to that Enterprize even Almeida appeared alarmed at it she conjured the King to put off the Voyage till a more favourable season She told him several times that she would rather choose to Renounce the Crown and pass the rest of her days in all the misfortunes and obscurities possible than to expose his life to Dangers the sole Idea whereof made her tremble but the more kindness and alarms she made appear to Don Sebastian the more eager was he upon this Voyage and all the Fleet arrived quickly at Cadiz where the Duke of Medina regaled the King with great Splendour and Magnificence and made all the Court during eight days relish all the Pleasures that Island could furnish The King caused all possible Sail to be made towards Africa this Fleet in a few days came between Tangier and Arsilles There he caused his Army to Disembark and after having made Almeida observe the Place where he had seen her the first time and having said to her the most tender things imaginable upon that point he himself appointed the Quartering of his Troops With an exact care he sought the most advantageous Posts he Encamped one part upon the Sea Shore and in the most Commodious Places His Army was composed of thirteen thousand Foot fifteen hundred Horse or thereabouts and thirteen pieces of Artillery He went every Night with an indefatigable Ardour to Visit all the Quarters He entertained the bravest he excited the most languishing flattered some made promises to others and being sometimes willing to awaken their Courage by a tender pity he shewed them Mahumet and his Sister cruelly driven out of their Dominions and promised 'em all great Recompenses on his and that Princesses part Mahumet on his side addressing himself to all the Africans he sound in his way endeavoured to engage them in his Party Some yielded to these sollicitations Almeida drew the Hearts of all those who saw her some Officers even Charmed with her Beauty and moved with her Brothers Misfortune came and offered themselves to serve them Don Sebastian and Mahumet having proved their sincerity received them with joy Moluc well knowing that Don Sebastian was Ambitious and Formidable would have Treated a Peace with him and have given him all the Chams the Portugals pretended to have Conquered for the making good to him the Charges of that War and for those People to Cultivate in all Peace and Safety they could have in their own Country This Proposition made Mahumet tremble fancying that so advantageous an Offer would make the King abandon a Party that could not be very useful to him But Almeida promising her self all she desired from her Charms and the Love of Don Sebastian reassured her Brother and did not at all doubt but that the Ardour which the King of Portugal had to Serve her would make him refuse more advantageous Offers He himself came presently after to assure him of the same and made answer to Moluc that the greatest Charges of the War being already made he would not hearken to any Proposition of Peace till Moluc should give him Alarache Tituan and the Cape de Agero which were three places of Extream importance to the Moors and of great advantage to the Portuguezes Moluc enraged at this demand and seeing how small were the Forces which the King of Portugal was at the Head of answered him haughtily That when Morocco should be Besieged he would think of that Proposition and he fansied he should have time enough to think of it and it would not be necessary to make or hear such a Discourse Moreover that the Kingdom of â—ez was not so easy to be Conquered that he had got it only by main â—orce and by winning three Battels that he would defend it in the same manner and that it was thus it was to be Attacqued Don Sebastian in the mean time seemed to be enslamed afresh by the Eyes of Almeida He could have wished that all his Forces had had the same Heart and the same Eyes as he had for the Consecrating their Lives as Generously to that Princess as he was going to Sacrifice his Moluc being a very prudent Man and knowing that a Battel oftentimes decides the Fate of a State and
MODERN NOVELS VOL. V. CONTAINING I. Don Sebastian King of Portugal II. Agnes de Castro or Fatal Beauty III. Amorous Abbess In Two Parts LONDON Printed for R. Bentley in Russel-street in Covent-Garden 1692. Don Sebastian KING OF Portugal An Historical Novel IN FOUR PARTS Done out of French by Mr. FERRAND SPENCE LONDON Printed for R. Bentley and S. Magnes in Russel-street in Covent-garden 1683. TO THE Right Honourable THE COUNTESS OF STANFORD Madam AN Unfortunate Prince begs Audience of Your Ladiship in hopes of representing His Unhappy Circumstances to be such as that he may with Justice lay claim to Your Ladiships Protection He is sensible that neither His Ambition or rather His Destiny could make Him amends for the Misfortunes they have plung'd Him in than by suffering Him to reappear in the World under Your Ladiships Commission If He succeeds in this Request He questions not to Reign again with as much Glory and Lustre as He was before oppress'd with the Malignity and Perverseness of His Fate To You Madam He flies for Refuge knowing the Whole Universe must pay Veneration to such an Asyle and that the Sactuary cannot but be inviolable that is supported by so much Beauty so much Wit and Vertue He is assur'd His greatest Enemies will be forc'd to court His Reconciliation and Friendship when under Your Colours and that they will freely make Restitution of all the Stars unjustly gave them to His disadvantage rather than incur the Blame and Censure of the present Age and all Posterity For it is Declaring War to All to continue at variance with a Prince under the Guarranty of a Lady whose many Charming Qualities would have obtain'd her even the Adoration of the Ancients But he is most capable of telling His own Story And as for doing You Justice Madam in so nice a Character as that of Your Ladiships a Character that entitles You to the Love of Heaven and demands the Esteem and Admiration of all Mankind is what surpasses the Art and Skill both of Pen and Pencil Every Action of Yours is a Panegyrique of it self You stand in no need of the Daubing either of the Writer or the Painter Daubing I said Pardon the Word Madam but every thing must prove Course that vainly attempts to Copy so perfect an Original So much Merit needs no Historian As it has already rendred You the Favourite of the present Age so Tradition will transmit you to Posterity as an Extraordinary Instance of all the Advantages of Birth and of Fortune of Body and of Mind without any of the Vanities that almost constantly attend these Blessings and Accomplishments in others But this is a Subject so bewitching that it had almost transported me beyond the Bounds of the most profound Respect and Submission wherewith I am Madam Your Ladiships Most humble and most obedient Servant F. SPENCE Don Sebastian KING OF PORTUGAL IN the first Years of the Reign of Don Sebastian Portugal was the most Peaceable and Flourishing Kingdom of all Europe The Divisions and Contests about Religion which so cruelly shattered other Provinces had not spread their fury into that Country And ever since Don Alphonso Henry the first King of Portugal aided by William Long-sword had chaced the Moors out of his Territories the Quiet of that People had not been troubled by any fears This King had hardly attained his fifteenth year but he made himself admired by all his People and fear'd by all his Neighbours The vivacity of his Wit the elevation of his Soul the dexterity he made appear in all his Exercises and the greatness of his Courage rendred him the most accomplished Prince of that Age. He was Handsome well made Valiant and Liberal He had a Majestick Port Royal Inclinations and it seemed as if Nature had taken leisure to form him with all the Qualities that can make a Prince recommendable to Mankind A crowd of young Courtiers who were brought up with him or whom the desire of timely advancing themselves by Employes had drawn from all parts to Lisbon composed his most agreeable Court And as Youth Amours and Pleasures have ever been inseparable and as Love is the first and softest amusement of Mankind all these Courtiers insensibly applyed themselves more to their Mistresses than to their Prince and their hearts being little touched with Ambition made them give sighs to Love when they fancied they rendred Assiduities to Fortune That Court was made up of Persons of extraordinary Merit Queen Katherine the Kings Grandmother was no less elevated above those of her Sex by her Virtue than by her Quality She had ever applyed her self with a great deal of Prudence and Success to dissipate the troubles that threatned the State during the Infancy of Don Sebastian And when this young Prince took upon him the Government of his Kingdom she gave her self entirely to the Practice of all those Virtues that can recommend a Queen to the World The Dutchess of Braganza had a great share of Wit and Beauty and though she had a Son of the same age with the King she despaired not of charming that Prince and employ'd all her Arts to inspire him with Friendship Esteem or Affection She was much in Katherine's favour and managed her self with so much Cunning that Acting as well the part of a Lucretia as of a Gossip she shared in all the Exercises of the Queens Devotion and in all the Matches of the Kings Divertisements The Duke her Husband knowing her heart to be too susceptible of Ambition to be the like of Love suffered her with Tranquility enough at Lisbon with the Young Duke of Barcellos their Son and was himself almost always at his Country-House Eugenia whose Relations had ever had the most considerable Charges of the State admirably well maintained her Quality in that Court She was brown of an advantageous Shape and had a sweet and solid Wit And though she had lost her Father and Mother when she was very young her Carriage had been ever so regular that she gave as much admiration for her Virtue as for her Beauty Christopher de Cavora who was Master of the Horse to the King and his Favourite had a Daughter called Leonora who maugre her tender Age was already the Ornament of the Court and with her Blooming Beauty made the most insensible to tremble That Court was filled with several other Persons who had no less merit than those I have mentioned though they were of a less Elevated condition Violanta was of these last She was Maid of Honour to Jane of Austria a perfect Beauty and infinite Deserts and if her Charms were proper to give Birth to a great Passion her heart was capable of being sensible of the like But all the lustre of the Court was not confined within the Circle of the Beauty of this Sex the Men made there likewise admirable Figures Cardinal Henry Don Sebastian's Uncle had ever made appear great deal of Conduct in the Tutelage that was
more than that of the Mightiest Kings and would gladly have followed his Warlike Ardour without renouncing the respect he had for her While his Mind floated between these two Motions the Governour he had put into Arsilla sent him word that Moluc had vanquished his Nephew a third time in a set Battel that with a handful of Men he led he had defeated in that last Battel an Army of sixty-thousand Horse and ten thousand Foot that he had newly constrained Mahumet to fly the Kingdom and 't was to be feared that this Conquerour after having drove away his Nephew out of Africa would recover the Places the Portugals had in that Country This piece of News inspired Don Sebastian with so much Courage and Emulation that he considered the Glory which Moluc had acquired as a Jewel he had robbed him of and which he was resolved to make him restore he impatiently longed to signalize himself against him and the occasion was but too soon offered for the good of the State Mahumet being drove out of his Country came sometime after with Almeida to take refuge in Portugal The King learn't with an expressible Joy that he should suddenly have the happiness of seeing that Princess again who had Charmed him and who he had never seen but in that Instant and had so often desired to see since that moment He would immediately have made them a Magnificent Entry but that the King and Princess let him know that Pomp and Triumph were not very suitable to the deplorable condition they were then in The King went to meet 'em with all his Court he Embraced Mahumet a thousand times he rendred profound respects to Almeida and after the first Civilities were passed on both sides You see Sir said that Princess to him I am come to Demand the Succours you offered me so obligingly in Arsilla Have you not forgot that Goodness continued she in a Modest and Languishing Air or rather do you remember you have seen me Never any first sight made so much impression upon a Heart Madam answered Don Sebastian passionately as that rencounter did upon mine and you have acquired absolute Power over me from that moment Don Sebastian continued this Conversation till they were arrived at the place that was prepared for their reception After that Mahumet had made known to the King the Justice of his Cause he represented to him the Moors being divided it would be easie for him to vanquish them that if the Portugez's would but descend into Africa tho with but mean Forces they might render themselves Mesters of all the Kingdom he had newly been stript of how the Enterprizes the King had already made and the Glorious Successes he had had there terrified all those People and when they should see him who was born their King joyn'd to those who had already Vanquished 'em they would come of their own accord and range themselves under their Power Glory and Love incited Don Sebastian much more to that War than all the reasons Mahumet could invent His Valour had a long time disposed him to make some Enterprize in Africa and Almeida's Beauty had rendered him too sensible of her Misfortunes to neglect the attempt of revenging her The Council of Portugal opposed his Design with all its might Almeida knew it she went to the King she Employ'd all her Charms she lamented her Disgrace A sensibe Heart makes little resistance against the Tears of a Beautiful Person he promised to Aid her notwithstanding these Obstacles she gave him some hopes of being beloved and he caused Troops to be raised in all parts for the Execution of this Enterprize How great a Comfort was this to Almeida in her Misfortune She saw her self Adored by the most accomplished King that was then in the World she saw that her Beauty Triumphed over all Policy and over all the Forces of Portugal she was persuaded that Don Sebastian would Sacrifice all to her Revenge Her Brother often told her that she was Mistriss of his Fate and hoped they should suddenly be Re-established upon the Throne But that which still Augmented the pleasingness of these hopes was that she found Don Sebastian as Lovely as he was Amorous and that she was yet more sensible of the Affection he had for her than in the Cares he took in her Favour She would have been sorry that any other had rendred this Good Office to her Brother and esteem and acknowledgment conspiring in her Heart in favour of Don Sebastian gave Birth there to a Passion little different from that the King felt for her If he spoke to her passionately she heard him with delight if he continually and eagerly sought her out she never met him but with an extream joy The most fatal Amour has ever in its beginning a thousand Pleasures to engage us this at first laid only Charms to view in the sight of those Lovers All the Court was with Justice alarmed at it Queen Katherine used all her Efforts to destroy it Cardinal Henry opposed it with all his Power but the King was absolute these Obstacles the more enflamed him and they were constrain'd to leave a free Course to his Passion Don Sebastian thought it convenient to take a Journey into Spain to implore Succours of his Uncle in Favour of Mahumet He departed after the Ambassadour he had in that Court had agreed with Philip that Guadalouppe should be the Place of their Interview and gave Order at his Departure that the Moorish King and his Sister whom he left at Lisbon should be Treated and Respected as himself The King of Spain came to the Rendezvous accompanied with one of his Daughters and all the Lords of his Court and received Don Sebastian with great Testimonies of Joy and Affection He endeavoured to dissuade him from so dangerous an Enterprize But danger does but the more enflame Great Souls He then Prayed him not to go in Person to that War but it was to no purpose being he would have exposed his life a thousand times for Almeida's sake Philip at length being desirous to try if Pleasures would not have more Power than Reasons over the Mind of that young King caused Turnaments Lists of Combates to be made for to Divert him He even caused Catharina Michela one of the Daughters he had by the Deceased Queen Elizabeth his third Wife and whom he had brought with him to Guadelouppe to conceive some hopes of the Crown of Portugal And as Philip was then Married again to Anne of Austria his Niece and Sister to Maximilian II the Princess Catharina Michela would have been glad to have freed her self from the Power and ill humour of a Mother-in-law she was Ambitious and the King of Portugal being handsome she took care to engage him and even engaged her self a little But Don Sebastian thinking of nothing but of Re-establishing Almeida's Brother upon the Throne was not much moved with all these attempts and would quickly have returned to that
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