y; but it was evidently an effort to hide the real
coldness she felt; for an involuntary tremor crept gradually over her,
and her countenance betrayed strong symptoms of emotion, as she began
to suspect the object of Don Antonio's visit. Indeed, the tone of ease
and affection, in which her father and young de Leyva conversed, tended
to confirm those suspicions, the truth of which she so much dreaded to
learn.

As soon as Don Antonio withdrew, Monteblanco requested to speak with his
daughter in his apartment. The trembling girl obeyed with a faltering
step, looking like a criminal about to receive the sentence that is to
seal her fate. The duenna remained somewhat surprised at this mysterious
transaction, in which her family counsel and approbation had been so
unceremoniously dispensed with. Her pride was mortified; in high
dudgeon, she crossed herself with fervour; and then departed, muttering
something between a prayer and a malediction.

A short time after, the conference broke up, and Theodora came forth,
her eyes swimming in tears, and evincing the most lively emotion. She
hied to her own chamber, and fastening the door, she gave a free vent to
her grief.

"Alas!" she exclaimed, "the dreadful suspicion is confirmed, and the
resolute manner in which my father has enforced his commands, affords me
no room to hope for any alteration--any delay. Not a month--not even a
week is allowed me to prepare--the measure of my misfortune is
full--Lost! lost!--Oh! Lope! Lope!----"

She could proceed no further; the tumult of sorrow impeded her
utterance, and she gave loose to her feelings in sighs and tears.

Presently, however, a comforter came to proffer advice and
assistance--in the shape of the duenna. As we have already seen, she was
ruffled by Don Manuel's want of confidence, and proper regard for her
judgment; and she had resolved to tender her assistance to another
quarter. It is to be observed the duenna was of a most obliging
disposition. She bestowed her good advice most liberally, and she had an
inexhaustible fund of pious exclamations and admonitions at the service
of her friends. She could not forego the idea of being serviceable, and
therefore very properly desired to be consulted on all occasions. Yet
with all these amiable qualities, the duenna, in the opinion of most
people, would be entitled to no better appellation for her pains than
that of a busy body.

"_Nina_,[21] how's this?" she cried--"What mean t