uffing fresh air; that sweet girl would never be so composed unless
she had some plan in her mind for my delivery. Isabella, dearest
Isabella, tell me, for heaven's sake, how have you managed to get into
this place, that every one else is so anxious to keep out of? Has the
old Don dismounted from his high horse? He has been polite enough to
make me a morning call, but I am afraid he does not intend to allow me
to return it. However, as long as he permits you to follow his example,
I hope that I shall be enabled to bear the disappointment with becoming
resignation."

"Hush, hush! how can you talk so giddily, when you know not what may be
your fate?"

"Why, hanging is not a favorite Spanish punishment, so I suppose he will
honor me so far as to expend a little powder and shot upon me."

"O, Charles! Charles! be quiet, for heaven's sake. Tell me, what did my
uncle say?"

"Say? why, he scolded a good deal, said that I had heretofore behaved
very decently, and that he was very sorry to see me here."

"He has written to the viceroy, to know what he is to do with you. My
uncle, with all his faults, is an angel of mercy, compared with that
cold-blooded, bigoted, cruel man. I have read somewhere that it is
written over the gates of the infernal regions 'Let all who enter here
leave hope behind.' Let all who fall into the hands of that haughty
nobleman, whether innocent or guilty, leave hope behind too. He is
governed entirely by his priests, and the very circumstance of your
being a Protestant, however harmless, and found in his dominions, would
be sufficient to make you an object of hatred and vengeance."

"Well, all that may be; but recollect my country will not tamely permit
her sons to be dragged to foreign prisons, without knowing wherefore."

"You cannot suppose that your country will plunge into a war for your
sakes?"

"No, no, my love; she would be a fool if she did; but there is a set of
fellows called ambassadors, that often do more with their tongues than
ten thousand good fellows can with their bayonets. But tell me, if you
know, where is the ship? what says the good old Captain Williams to the
scrape?"

"The ship has moved farther out, and he has been on shore twice to-day
to intercede for you, but without effect, though my uncle has so far
relented as to order you all the comforts that you wish."

"I should be obliged to him, then, for the comfort of walking out of
prison."

"When the ship moved out o