.
These faults may occasionally be excused in a work of length; But a
short Poem must be correct and perfect.'

'All this is true, Segnor; But you should consider that I only write
for pleasure.'

'Your defects are the less excusable. Their incorrectness may be
forgiven in those who work for money, who are obliged to compleat a
given task in a given time, and are paid according to the bulk, not
value of their productions. But in those whom no necessity forces to
turn Author, who merely write for fame, and have full leisure to polish
their compositions, faults are impardonable, and merit the sharpest
arrows of criticism.'

The Marquis rose from the Sopha; the Page looked discouraged and
melancholy, and this did not escape his Master's observation.

'However' added He smiling, 'I think that these lines do you no
discredit. Your versification is tolerably easy, and your ear seems to
be just. The perusal of your little poem upon the whole gave me much
pleasure; and if it is not asking too great a favour, I shall be highly
obliged to you for a Copy.'

The Youth's countenance immediately cleared up. He perceived not the
smile, half approving, half ironical, which accompanied the request,
and He promised the Copy with great readiness. The Marquis withdrew to
his chamber, much amused by the instantaneous effect produced upon
Theodore's vanity by the conclusion of his Criticism. He threw himself
upon his Couch; Sleep soon stole over him, and his dreams presented him
with the most flattering pictures of happiness with Agnes.

On reaching the Hotel de Medina, Lorenzo's first care was to enquire
for Letters. He found several waiting for him; but that which He
sought was not amongst them. Leonella had found it impossible to write
that evening. However, her impatience to secure Don Christoval's
heart, on which She flattered herself with having made no slight
impression, permitted her not to pass another day without informing him
where She was to be found. On her return from the Capuchin Church, She
had related to her Sister with exultation how attentive an handsome
Cavalier had been to her; as also how his Companion had undertaken to
plead Antonia's cause with the Marquis de las Cisternas. Elvira
received this intelligence with sensations very different from those
with which it was communicated. She blamed her Sister's imprudence in
confiding her history to an absolute Stranger, and expressed her fears
lest this