hese tears?--Aye! aye!
I see that your father has been guilty of some preposterous and
tyrannical measure; I suspected as much from his carefulness in keeping
the secret from me.--God bless the man!--what is the matter with
him?--he will never be advised, and really I cannot imagine why I remain
in his house. Well, child, unfold your sorrows and grievances to your
kindest friend; you know nothing delights me so much as consoling the
afflicted, and offering service to the unprotected."

"Yes, good Martha," replied the sorrowing girl; "I am fully sensible of
your goodness, and I do trust you will not deny me your compassion.
Alas! without your valuable advice and assistance, I shall never
surmount the difficulties with which I am surrounded. I must see him--I
must see Don Lope this very night!"

She then explained to Martha the nature of her distress, and the duenna,
glad to find an opportunity of being serviceable, readily promised her
co-operation in the accomplishment of her charge's wishes.

CHAPTER IX.

Ye fair!
Be greatly cautious of your sliding hearts!
Dare not the infectious sigh; nor in the bower
Where woodbines flaunt, and roses shed a couch,
While evening draws her crimson curtain round,
Trust your soft minutes with betraying man.

_Thomson._

In the most retired part of Monteblanco's garden, reclining on a rustic
seat, under the fragrant canopy of the myrtle and arbutus, sat a female
form enveloped in a loosely flowing dress of virgin whiteness. The air
was cool and serene, and except the rustling of the surrounding foliage,
when agitated by the breeze, or the soft plaintive voice of the
nightingale, no obtrusive sound disturbed the solemn silence. The blue
vault of heaven, glittering with countless stars, the rich perfume
flung around by the orange flower and jasmine, and a stilly languor that
pervaded the spot, all disposed the mind to gentle and loving thoughts.

Theodora, however, sat absorbed in silent sorrow and abstraction: her
long clustering tresses fell in luxuriance over her white and polished
neck, almost concealing in their profusion the traits of a countenance
overcast with grief and despondency.

But a figure appears on the garden wall, and the sound as of some one
falling is heard on the soft turf. Theodora starts, yet a sudden
recollection seems to check her momentary fear. The nocturnal visitor
was Gomez A