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consequence endeavoured to strengthen the dawning passion of her
Friend。 Lorenzo was made the constant topic of her discourse；
and the avidity with which her Auditor listened； the sighs which
frequently escaped from her bosom； and the eagerness with which
upon any digression She brought back the conversation to the
subject whence it had wandered； sufficed to convince Agnes that
her Brother's addresses would be far from disagreeable。 She at
length ventured to mention her wishes to the Duke： Though a
Stranger to the Lady herself； He knew enough of her situation to
think her worthy his Nephew's hand。 It was agreed between him
and his Niece； that She should insinuate the idea to Lorenzo； and
She only waited his return to Madrid to propose her Friend to him
as his Bride。 The unfortunate events which took place in the
interim； prevented her from executing her design。 Virginia wept
her loss sincerely； both as a Companion； and as the only Person
to whom She could speak of Lorenzo。 Her passion continued to
prey upon her heart in secret； and She had almost determined to
confess her sentiments to her Mother； when accident once more
threw their object in her way。 The sight of him so near her； his
politeness； his compassion； his intrepidity； had combined to give
new ardour to her affection。 When She now found her Friend and
Advocate restored to her； She looked upon her as a Gift from
Heaven； She ventured to cherish the hope of being united to
Lorenzo； and resolved to use with him his Sister's influence。
Supposing that before her death Agnes might possibly have made
the proposal； the Duke had placed all his Nephew's hints of
marriage to Virginia's account： Consequently； He gave them the
most favourable reception。 On returning to his Hotel； the
relation given him of Antonia's death； and Lorenzo's behaviour on
the occasion； made evident his mistake。 He lamented the
circumstances； But the unhappy Girl being effectually out of the
way； He trusted that his designs would yet be executed。 'Tis
true that Lorenzo's situation just then ill…suited him for
a Bridegroom。 His hopes disappointed at the moment when He
expected to realize them； and the dreadful and sudden death of
his Mistress had affected him very severely。 The Duke found him
upon the Bed of sickness。 His Attendants expressed serious
apprehensions for his life； But the Uncle entertained not the
same fears。 He was of opinion； and not unwisely； that 'Men have
died； and worms have eat them； but not for Love！' He therefore
flattered himself that however deep might be the impression made
upon his Nephew's heart； Time and Virginia would be able to
efface it。 He now hastened to the afflicted Youth； and
endeavoured to console him： He sympathised in his distress； but
encouraged him to resist the encroachments of despair。 He
allowed that He could not but feel shocked at an event so
terrible； nor could He blame his sensibility； But He besought him
not to torment himself with vain regrets； and rather to struggle
with affliction； and preserve his life； if not for his own sake；
at least for the sake of those who were fondly attached to him。
While He laboured thus to make Lorenzo forget Antonia's loss； the
Duke paid his court assiduously to Virginia； and seized every
opportunity to advance his Nephew's interest in her heart。
It may easily be expected that Agnes was not long without
enquiring after Don Raymond。 She was shocked to hear the
wretched situation to which grief had reduced him； Yet She could
not help exulting secretly； when She reflected； that his illness
proved the sincerity of his love。 The Duke undertook the office
himself； of announcing to the Invalid the happiness which awaited
him。 Though He omitted no precaution to prepare him for such an
event； at this sudden change from despair to happiness Raymond's
transports were so violent； as nearly to have proved fatal to
him。 These once passed； the tranquillity of his mind； the
assurance of felicity； and above all the presence of Agnes； （Who
was no sooner reestablished by the care of Virginia and the
Marchioness； than She hastened to attend her Lover） soon enabled
him to overcome the effects of his late dreadful malady。 The
calm of his soul communicated itself to his body； and He
recovered with such rapidity as to create universal surprize。
No so Lorenzo。 Antonia's death accompanied with such terrible
circumstances weighed upon his mind heavily。 He was worn down to
a shadow。 Nothing could give him pleasure。 He was persuaded
with difficulty to swallow nourishment sufficient for the support
of life； and a consumption was apprehended。 The society of Agnes
formed his only comfort。 Though accident had never permitted
their being much together； He entertained for her a sincere
friendship and attachment。 Perceiving how necessary She was to
him； She seldom quitted his chamber。 She listened to his
complaints with unwearied attention； and soothed him by the
gentleness of her manners； and by sympathising with his distress。
She still inhabited the Palace de Villa…Franca； the Possessors of
which treated her with marked affection。 The Duke had intimated
to the Marquis his wishes respecting Virginia。 The match was
unexceptionable： Lorenzo was Heir to his Uncle's immense
property； and was distinguished in Madrid for his agreeable
person； extensive knowledge； and propriety of conduct： Add to
this； that the Marchioness had discovered how strong was her
Daughter's prepossession in his favour。
In consequence the Duke's proposal was accepted without
hesitation： Every precaution was taken to induce Lorenzo's
seeing the Lady with those sentiments which She so well merited
to excite。 In her visits to her Brother Agnes was frequently
accompanied by the Marchioness； and as soon as He was able to
move into his Antichamber； Virginia under her mother's
protection was sometimes permitted to express her wishes for his
recovery。 This She did with such delicacy； the manner in which
She mentioned Antonia was so tender and soothing； and when She
lamented her Rival's melancholy fate； her bright eyes shone so
beautiful through her tears； that Lorenzo could not behold； or
listen to her without emotion。 His Relations； as well as the
Lady； perceived that with every day her society seemed to give
him fresh pleasure； and that He spoke of her in terms of stronger
admiration。 However； they prudently kept their observations to
themselves。 No word was dropped which might lead him to suspect
their designs。 They continued their former conduct and
attention； and left Time to ripen into a warmer sentiment the
friendship which He already felt for Virginia。
In the mean while； her visits became more frequent； and latterly
there was scarce a day； of which She did not pass some part by
the side of Lorenzo's Couch。 He gradually regained his strength；
but the progress of his recovery was slow and doubtful。 One
evening He seemed to be in better spirits than usual： Agnes and
her Lover； the Duke； Virginia； and her Parents were sitting round
him。 He now for the first time entreated his Sister to inform
him how She had escaped the effects of th