"But touching this affection which has sprung up between you and my
ward. I shall have plenty of opposition in that matter; but if
Florinda loves you, by our lady, she shall be yours."

"Your highness is ever adding to my indebtedness to you," said
Carlton.

"Say no more, say no more, Carlton, but make your own terms."

The consent of the duke was thus freely obtained to the marriage of
Florinda and Carlton, and the observant monarch discovered the
preference of his ward long before it was announced formally to him.
So far from opposing the object, he even encouraged it in every way
that propriety suggested; forwarding its interests by such delicate
promptings as his feelings would permit. He loved Florinda as though
she had been his own child. This feeling, as we have seen, was first
induced by the affection which existed between his ward and his
lamented wife, and was afterward strengthened by her many beauties
of mind and person.

Carlton and Florinda sat together in a private apartment in the
royal palace. The latter was playing a favorite air upon the guitar
to the artist, who sat at her feet watching with admiration every
movement of that beautiful and dearly loved form. He found every
attribute there worthy a heart's devotion. Like the worshippers of
the sun, who believe that God sits there on his throne, so did he,
in his homage, picture the good angel of all things in the heart of
Florinda.

Let us pause for a moment, to describe the apartment in the Palazzo