nt anxiety
demanded news of Don Rodrigo.

"I have none, Senor," said Monteblanco; "and alas! I am not likely to
feel much concerned for the inconvenience of another, at a time when I
am myself plunged in deep affliction."

"Perhaps," resumed Gomez Arias, "it may not be altogether right in a
stranger to pry into the secret motives of your sorrows; but if I can by
any means in my power alleviate them, I should esteem myself
particularly honored in meriting your confidence. I but now perceived
signs of alarm in the countenances of your servants, apparently not
without foundation, and it grieves my very soul to see so honorable a
personage in distress. What has happened, noble Senor?"

"Alas! My child--my child!" cried the afflicted father.

"She is not ill?" inquired Don Lope.

"Oh! worse!--worse," replied Don Manuel with emotion.

"Ah!" exclaimed Gomez Arias, feigning surprise. "What?--no--it is not
possible--and yet it may be so."

"Eh?" cried Monteblanco, in an inquiring tone of voice, and opening wide
his eyes in the eagerness of anticipation.

"My valet," continued Don Lope, "brought me information that there was a
rumour circulating about the town, relating to the elopement of a noble
lady. As I am a perfect stranger in the place, I felt no curiosity to
inquire further into the affair, but I could not then imagine that you,
Sir, were the victim of this misfortune."

"Alas! Don Lope! it is but too true!"

Gomez Arias had learnt so well the part he had to perform, that he found
not the slightest difficulty in going through it with the most perfect
ease, and by this means he insensibly won the confidence of the deluded
Don Manuel, who, like many others under similar circumstances, felt a
relief in confiding his sorrows to one, who appeared to sympathise with
him so sincerely.

"For surely," continued Don Lope, "some one must have been acquainted
with this flight. Have you well examined your servants? Depend upon it,
Senor, they are generally the instruments and abettors in the rebellion
of children against their parents."

"You are right, my honored Sir," replied Don Manuel. "Servants are the
sworn enemies of those who give them bread; but though I am disposed to
suspect every one of my dependants of being accessary to this treason, I
am yet at a loss on whom to fix my suspicions with justice. I am
assured, however, that the duenna must have had an active part in
conducting this abominable transaction."