_Constantia_ brought into the World, the first Year after her Marriage, a Son, who was called _Don Louis_: but it scarce saw the Light, and dy'd almost as soon as born. The loss of this little Prince sensibly touched her, but the Coldness she observ'd in the Prince her Husband, went yet nearer her Heart; for she had given her self absolutely up to her Duty, and had made her Tenderness for him her only Concern: But puissant Glory, which ty'd her so entirely to the Interest of the Prince of _Portugal_, open'd her Eyes upon his Actions, where she observ'd nothing in his Caresses and Civilities that was natural, or could satisfy her delicate Heart.
At first she fancy'd her self deceiv'd, but time having confirmed her in what she fear'd, she sighed in secret; yet had that Consideration for the Prince, as not to let him see her Disorder: and which nevertheless she could not conceal from _Agnes de Castro_, who lived with her, rather as a Companion, than a Maid of Honour, and whom her Friendship made her infinitely distinguish from the rest.
This Maid, so dear to the Princess, very well merited the Preference her Mistress gave her; she was beautiful to excess, wise, discreet, witty, and had more Tenderness for _Constantia_ than she had for her self, having quitted her Family, which was illustrious, to give her self wholly to the Service of the Princess, and to follow her into _Portugal_. It was into the Bosom of this Maid, that the Princess unladed her first Moans; and the charming _Agnes_ forgot nothing that might give ease to her afflicted Heart.
Nor was _Constantia_ the only Person who complained of _Don Pedro_: Before his Divorce from _Bianca_, he had expressed some Care and Tenderness for _Elvira Gonzales_, Sister to Don _Alvaro Gonzales_, Favourite to the King of _Portugal_; and this Amusement in the young Years of the Prince, had made a deep Impression on _Elvira_, who flatter'd her Ambition with the Infirmities of _Bianca_. She saw, with a secret Rage, _Constantia_ take her place, who was possest with such Charms, that quite divested her of all Hopes.
Her Jealousy left her not idle, she examined all the Actions of the Prince, and easily discover'd the little Regard he had for the Princess; but this brought him not back to her. And it was upon very good grounds that she suspected him to be in love with some other Person, and possessed with a new Passion; and which she promised herself, she would destroy as soon as she could find it out. She had a Spirit altogether proper for bold and hazardous Enterprizes; and the Credit of her Brother gave her so much Vanity, as all the Indifference of the Prince was not capable of humbling.
