quitted; and in moments when Despair possessed his
mind, has reproached me with having made him the Companion of want and
wretchedness! He has called me his bane! The source of his sorrows,
the cause of his destruction! Ah God! He little knew how much keener
were my own heart's reproaches! He was ignorant that I suffered
trebly, for myself, for my Children, and for him! 'Tis true that his
anger seldom lasted long: His sincere affection for me soon revived in
his heart; and then his repentance for the tears which He had made me
shed tortured me even more than his reproaches. He would throw himself
on the ground, implore my forgiveness in the most frantic terms, and
load himself with curses for being the Murderer of my repose. Taught
by experience that an union contracted against the inclinations of
families on either side must be unfortunate, I will save my Daughter
from those miseries which I have suffered. Without your Uncle's
consent, while I live, She never shall be yours. Undoubtedly He will
disapprove of the union; His power is immense, and Antonia shall not be
exposed to his anger and persecution.'

'His persecution? How easily may that be avoided! Let the worst
happen, it is but quitting Spain. My wealth may easily be realised;
The Indian Islands will offer us a secure retreat; I have an estate,
though not of value, in Hispaniola: Thither will we fly, and I shall
consider it to be my native Country, if it gives me Antonia's
undisturbed possession.'

'Ah! Youth, this is a fond romantic vision. Gonzalvo thought the same.
He fancied that He could leave Spain without regret; But the moment of
parting undeceived him. You know not yet what it is to quit your
native land; to quit it, never to behold it more!

You know not, what it is to exchange the scenes where you have passed
your infancy, for unknown realms and barbarous climates! To be
forgotten, utterly eternally forgotten, by the Companions of your
Youth! To see your dearest Friends, the fondest objects of your
affection, perishing with diseases incidental to Indian atmospheres,
and find yourself unable to procure for them necessary assistance! I
have felt all this! My Husband and two sweet Babes found their Graves
in Cuba: Nothing would have saved my young Antonia but my sudden
return to Spain. Ah! Don Lorenzo, could you conceive what I suffered
during my absence! Could you know how sorely I regretted all that I
left behind, and how dear to