his sumptuous apartment showed her that its
master was a person of quality, and of extraordinary wealth. Among other
things on which she cast her eyes was a small crucifix of solid silver,
standing on a cabinet near the window. She took it, and hid it in the
sleeve of her gown, not out of devotion, nor yet with a felonious
intention, but with a very proper and judicious design. Having done
this, she shut the window as before, and returned to the bed, to see
what would be the end of an affair which had begun so badly. In about
half an hour, as it seemed to her, the door was opened; some one came
in, blindfolded her, and taking her by the arm, without a word spoken,
led her out of the room, which she heard him lock behind him.

This person was Rodolfo, who though he had gone to look for his friends,
had changed his mind in that respect, not thinking it advisable to
acquaint them with what had passed between him and the girl. On the
contrary, he resolved to tell them, that repenting of his violence, and
moved by her tears, he had only carried her half-way towards his house,
and then let her go. Having come to this resolution, he hastened back to
remove Leocadia before daylight appeared, which would compel him to keep
her in his room all the following day. He led her then to the Plaza del
Ayuntamiento, and there, in a feigned voice, speaking half Portuguese
and half Spanish, he told her she might go home without fear, for she
should not be followed; and he was already out of sight before she had
taken the bandage from her eyes.

Leocadia looked all round her: she was quite alone: no one was in sight;
but suspecting that she might be followed at a distance, she stopped
every now and then on her way home, which was not far, and looked behind
her. To baffle any spies that might perchance be watching her, she
entered a house which she found open; and by and by she went from it to
her own, where she found her parents stupefied with grief. They had not
undressed, or thought of taking any rest. When they saw her, they ran to
her with open arms, and welcomed her with tears. Choking with emotion,
Leocadi made a sign to her parents that she wished to be alone with
them. They retired with her, and she gave them a succinct account of all
that had befallen her. She described the room in which she had been
robbed of her honour, the window, the grating, the garden, the cabinets,
the bed, the damask hangings, and, last of all, she showed t