Aphra Behn by Aphra Behn

Author:Aphra Behn [Behn, Aphra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: collection, 17th century, stories
Publisher: JA
Published: 2018-04-15T14:00:00+00:00

The pride of Don Alvaro was soon humbled at the feet of the Prince of Portugal, who threw him against the ground with twenty others, and carried alone the glory of the day. There was in the evening a noble assembly at Constantia’s, where Agnes would not have been, unless expressly commanded by the Princess. She appeared there all negligent and careless in her dress, but yet she appeared all beautiful and charming. She saw, with disdain, her name, and her colours, worn by Don Alvaro, at a public triumph; and if her heart was capable of any tender motions, it was not for such a man as he for whom her delicacy destined them. She looked on him with a contempt, which did not hinder him from pressing so near, that there was a necessity for her to hear what he had to declare to her.

She treated him not uncivilly, but her coldness would have rebated the courage of any but Alvaro. ‘Madam,’ said he (when he could be heard of none but herself), ‘I have hitherto concealed the passion you have inspired me with, fearing it should displease you; but it has committed a violence on my respect; and I could no longer conceal it from you.’ ‘I never reflected on your actions,’ answered Agnes with all the indifference of which she was capable, ‘and if you think you offend me, you are in the wrong to make me perceive it.’ ‘This coldness is but an ill omen for me,’ replied Don Alvaro, ‘and if you have not found me out to be your lover today, I fear you will never approve my passion.’

‘Oh! what a time have you chosen to make it appear to me?’ pursued Agnes. ‘Is it so great an honour for me, that you must take such care to show it to the world? And do you think that I am so desirous of glory, that I must aspire to it by your actions? If I must, you have very ill maintained it in the tournament; and if it be that vanity that you depend upon, you will make no great progress on a soul that is not fond of shame. If you were possessed of all the advantages, which the Prince has this day carried away, you yet ought to consider what you are going about; and it is not a maid like me, who is touched with enterprises without respect or permission.’

The favourite of the King was too proud to hear Agnes, without indignation: but as he was willing to conceal it, and not offend her, he made not his resentment appear; and considering the observation she made on the triumphs of Don Pedro (which increased his jealousies), ‘If I have not overcome at the tournament,’ replied he, ‘I am not the less in love for being vanquished, nor less capable of success on occasion.’

They were interrupted here, but from that day, Don Alvaro, who had opened the first dificulties, kept no

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