r.

"Now, Senor Senator!" began he, "I am going to make known to you some
secrets sufficient to turn your head."

The Senator trembled.

"When the tempter carried the Son of Man to the top of a mountain, and
promised him all the kingdoms of the earth if he would fall down and
worship him, he scarce offered him more than I am offering to the
Senator of Arispe. As the tempter, then, I lay at your feet honours,
power, and riches, if you will subscribe to my conditions."

The solemnity of this exordium, and the imposing manner of Don Estevan,
following so closely upon the jocular mien he had hitherto exhibited,
made a painful impression upon the mind of the Senator. There was a
short moment in which he regretted being so _advanced_ in his opinions,
and during this time the great dowry of Rosarita and her rosy lips had
but slight prestige for him.

"It is now twenty years," continued the Spaniard, "since I took up my
real vocation in the world. Previous to that time, I believed myself
made for domestic life, and indulged in those absurd dreams of love
natural to young hearts. An illusion soon destroyed--an evil hour--an
accident showed me the deception; and I found out that I was made for
ambition--nothing more. I have therefore sought for glory and honour to
satisfy my desires, and I have won them. I have conquered the right to
stand uncovered in the presence of the king of Spain. Chevalier of the
Order of Saint James of the Sword, I have taken part in the royal
ceremonies of the _white cloak and red sword_; and I may say that for me
fame has been no idle illusion. Chevalier also of Carlos the Third, I
have shared with the royal princes the title of the Grand Cross. I have
won successively the Order of Saint Ferdinand, of Saint Hermengildo, and
the Golden Fleece of Calatrava. These honours, although coveted by all,
were for me but sterile consolations."

This enumeration, made without the slightest show of ostentation, caused
the Senator to regard the speaker with an air of respectful
astonishment. Don Estevan continued:

"Wealth followed close upon these honours. Rich _appanages_, added to
the fortune I derived from my ancestors, soon left far behind me, the
time when, as a simple cadet of my family, I was worth nothing but my
sword. Now I was rich, opulent, and--will I tell you?--I was still far
from being content. My efforts continued; and I was made Comte de
Villamares, and afterwards Duke de Armad