r exact the uttermost farthing which your crime
deserves. The court is willing to believe that you are penitent, and
condemns you to perpetual seclusion in the Institution of the Recogidas
de Santa Maria Magdalena."

Manuela was seen to close her eyes; but she collected herself directly.
She looked once, piercingly, at Manvers, then surrendered herself to
him who touched her on the shoulder, turned, and went out of the court.

Everybody was against her now: they jeered, howled, hissed and cursed
her. A spoiled plaything had got its deserts. Manvers turned upon
them in a white fury. "Dogs," he cried, "will nothing shame you?" But
nobody seemed to hear or heed him at the moment, and Gil Perez
whispered in his ear, "That no good, master. This _canalla_ all the
same swine. You come with me, sir, I tell you dam good thing." He had
recovered his old jauntiness, and swaggered before his master, clearing
the way with oaths and threatenings.

Manvers followed him in a very stern mood. By the door he felt a touch
on the arm, and turning, saw a tall, elderly gentleman cloaked in
black. He recognised him at once by his hollow eye-sockets and
smouldering, deeply set eyes. "You will remember me, senor caballero,
in the shop of Sebastian the goldsmith," he said; and Manvers admitted
it. He received another bow, and the reminder. "We met again, I
think, in the Church of Las Angustias in Valladolid."

"Yes, indeed," Manvers said, "I remember you very well."

"Then you remember, no doubt, saying to me with regard to your
crucifix, which I had seen in Sebastian's hands, then in your own, that
it was a piece of extravagance on your part. You will not withdraw
that statement to-day, I suppose."

That which lay latent in his words was betrayed by the gleam of cold
fire in his eyes. Manvers coloured. "You have this advantage of me,
senor," he said, "that you know to whom you are speaking, and I do not."

"It is very true, senor Don Osmundo," the gentleman said severely. "I
will enlighten you. I am Don Luis Ramonez de Alavia, at your service."

Manvers turned white. He had indeed made Manuela pay double. So much
for sentiment in Spain.

CHAPTER XVI

THE HERALD

A card of ample size and flourished characters, bearing the name of El
Marques de Fuenterrabia, was brought up by Gil Perez.

"Who is he?" Manvers inquired; and Gil waved his hand.

"This olda gentleman," he explained, "'e come Embassador from Do