ecretary's
hand. Calderon read it leisurely, and raised his hat as he returned it
to the alguazil: he then drew aside Fonseca.

"Are you mad?" said he, in a whisper. "Do you think you can resist the
law? Had I not arrived so opportunely you would have converted a slight
accusation into a capital offence. Go with these men: do not fear; I
will see the duke, and obtain your immediate release. To-morrow I will
visit and accompany you home."

Fonseca, still half beside himself with rage, would have replied, but
Calderon significantly placed his finger on his lip and turned to the
alguazils.

"There is a mistake here: it will be rectified to-morrow. Treat this
cavalier with all the respect and worship due to his birth and merits.
Go, Don Martin, go," he added, in a lower voice; "go, unless you desire
to lose Beatriz for ever. Nothing but obedience can save you from the
imprisonment of half a life!"

Awed and subdued by this threat, Fonseca, in gloomy silence, placed
his sword in its sheath, and sullenly followed the alguazils. Calderon
watched them depart with a thoughtful and absent look; then, starting
from his reverie, he bade his torchbearers proceed, and resumed his way
to the Prince of Spain.

CHAPTER VII. THE OPEN COUNTENANCE, THE CONCEALED THOUGHTS

The next day, at noon, Calderon visited Fonseca in his place of
confinement. The young man was seated by a window that overlooked a
large dull court-yard, with a neglected and broken fountain in the
centre, leaning his cheek upon his hand. His long hair was dishevelled,
his dress disordered, and a gloomy frown darkened features naturally
open and ingenuous. He started to his feet as Calderon approached. "My
release--you have brought my release--let us forth!"

"My dear pupil, be ruled, be calm. I have seen the duke: the cause of
your imprisonment is as I suspected. Some imprudent words, overheard,
perhaps, but by your valet, have escaped you; words intimating your
resolution not to abandon Beatriz. You know your kinsman, a mail
of doubts and fears,--of forms, ceremonies, and scruples. From very
affection for his kindred and yourself he has contrived your arrest;
all my expostulations have been in vain. I fear your imprisonment
may continue, either until you give a solemn promise to renounce all
endeavor to dissuade Beatriz from the final vows, or until she herself
has pronounced them."

Fonseca, as if stupefied, stared a moment at Calderon, and then burst