the family Surgeon to be summoned without
delay. His orders were obeyed. I was seated upon a Sopha in a noble
apartment; and my wounds being examined, they were declared to be very
slight. The Surgeon, however, advised me not to expose myself to the
night air; and the Stranger pressed me so earnestly to take a bed in
his House, that I consented to remain where I was for the present.

Being now left alone with my Deliverer, I took the opportunity of
thanking him in more express terms, than I had done hitherto: But He
begged me to be silent upon the subject.

'I esteem myself happy,' said He, 'in having had it in my power to
render you this little service; and I shall think myself eternally
obliged to my Daughter for detaining me so late at the Convent of St.
Clare. The high esteem in which I have ever held the Marquis de las
Cisternas, though accident has not permitted our being so intimate as I
could wish, makes me rejoice in the opportunity of making his Son's
acquaintance. I am certain that my Brother in whose House you now are,
will lament his not being at Madrid to receive you himself: But in the
Duke's absence I am Master of the family, and may assure you in his
name, that every thing in the Hotel de Medina is perfectly at your
disposal.'

Conceive my surprize, Lorenzo, at discovering in the person of my
Preserver Don Gaston de Medina: It was only to be equalled by my
secret satisfaction at the assurance that Agnes inhabited the Convent
of St. Clare. This latter sensation was not a little weakened, when in
answer to my seemingly indifferent questions He told me that his
Daughter had really taken the veil. I suffered not my grief at this
circumstance to take root in my mind: I flattered myself with the idea
that my Uncle's credit at the Court of Rome would remove this obstacle,
and that without difficulty I should obtain for my Mistress a
dispensation from her vows. Buoyed up with this hope I calmed the
uneasiness of my bosom; and I redoubled my endeavours to appear
grateful for the attention and pleased with the society of Don Gaston.

A Domestic now entered the room, and informed me that the Bravo whom I
had wounded discovered some signs of life. I desired that He might be
carried to my Father's Hotel, and that as soon as He recovered his
voice, I would examine him respecting his reasons for attempting my
life. I was answered that He was already able to speak, though with
difficulty: Don Gaston's