28 The ADVENTURES of
deftiny and yourt can ever be fcparated. Believe rather, that you will always be the objcft of my hap- pinefs and joy. Lay afidc your fear, therefore, and let it not dilturb luch endearing moments.” “ Ah, Sir ! anfwcred the daughter of Leontio, as foon as you are crowned, your fubjetfts, perhaps, will demand for your queen a princeis defeended from a long race of kings, whofc fpjendid nuptials may add new realms to yours ; and perhaps, alas ! you will anfwer their expe&ation, even at the expence of your inclination.” “ Ha ! why, replied Hcnriquez, with fome warmth, why are you thus prone to torment your- felf, by raifing fuch an afllitting image of what will never happen ? Should heaven difpofe of the king, my uncle, and make me mafter of Sicily, I Iwcar that I will efpoufe you in Palermo, in prefence of all my court, and I invoke all that is facred to con* firm my oath.”
Siffredi’s daughter was cheared by the proteftations of Hcnriquez, and the reft of their convention turned on the king’s diftemper : on which occafion Henriqucz difeovered the goodnefs of his heart, in lamenting his uncle’s fate, with which he had no great reafon to be affe£ted : the force of blood making him regret a prince, by whofc death he (hould acquire a crown. Blanch, as yet, did not know all the misfortunes that threatened her. The conftable of Sicily had met her coming out of her father’s apartment, one day when he was at the caftle of Belmont, on fome important affairs, was captivated with her beauty, and next day demanded her in marriage of Siffrcdi, who confcnted to the match ; but Roger’s diftemper intervening, the nuptials were deferred, and Blanch knew nothing of the matter.
One morning, jufl as Hcnriquez had done drefiing, he was furprized to fee Leontio, followed by Blanch, come into his apartment. “ Sir, laid that miniller to him, the news I bring are affli&ing, but the con- foUlion with which they arc attended ought to mo-