, 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 the poison which St. Ursula had seen her swallow. Fearful of
recalling those scenes to his mind in which Antonia had perished, she had
hitherto concealed from him the history of her sufferings. As