"The duenna!" exclaimed Gomez Arias, darting a look full of wonder and
well feigned surprise--"The duenna! By my sword, that must be our
clue--I had almost forgotten that you had a duenna in your house,
otherwise my astonishment would not have been so lively. Duennas are the
soul of every intrigue, and you may indeed affirm, with a safe
conscience, that yours has not only connived at, but even facilitated
your daughter's escape."

"Of that, alas! I am but too confident," replied the father,
"notwithstanding her solemn asseverations and canting hypocrisy."

"Ah! the cunning beldame," quoth Don Lope sarcastically. "She has all
the arts of her kind, I perceive; but I hope, Senor Don Manuel, that you
are not to be imposed upon by such shallow artifices. We must secure the
duenna, and examine her well; perchance a few threats will not be
altogether unavailing."

"That is precisely the method I have adopted," said Don Manuel.

"And where is the old hag, now?" inquired Don Lope.

"Packing up her trumpery, to depart for the convent."

"Pedro"--then called Don Manuel.

"Your pleasure?" demanded the valet, as he entered.

"Send Martha to me."

Pedro obeyed, but shortly after returned with a most dismal and
elongated visage.

"Well, what is the old dotard staring at?" impatiently cried his master.

"Senor, Martha is flown," replied the dependant.

"Flown!" re-echoed Monteblanco, in consternation; "Flown! And how came
you not to prevent her departure?"

"Save your honor," returned the terrified Pedro, "we all thought she was
quietly shut up in her chamber. She has contrived to escape, the Lord
only knows how--she must have vanished through the chimney, or a key
hole, like a witch that she is, _Jesus me valga_!"

"That she is a witch I am fully aware, and you are all her familiars,"
cried Don Manuel with violence. "But you shall rue the moment the hag
foiled your vigilance."

Gomez Arias, who had observed a perfect silence, now ventured to
remark--

"We need go no further for a positive proof of the duenna's culpability,
since her guilt is rendered sufficiently evident by her flight."

"Yes," observed Don Manuel, "but that circumstance affords me little
consolation. The means of ascertaining the truth are now lost, by the
disappearance of the principal accomplice."

The afflicted old man again gave way to his exasperated feelings; this
last stroke quite overpowered him. His pride was sorely wounded, for he
w