illa, followed by the official attendants, entered,
and in a sad melancholy tone--

"Don Lope," he said, "I deeply lament the necessity to which I am
reduced, of being the messenger of woeful tidings; but part of the pain
I feel in such a disagreeable duty, is removed when I have to
communicate it to such as Gomez Arias, who have fortitude and courage to
know how to sustain misfortune."

"Proceed, Count," answered Don Lope, with a bitter smile, "let me know
the worst, and I dare say I shall have that fortitude which you kindly
suppose me--"

"Don Lope," solemnly said the Count, "your sentence is confirmed, and
you must prepare for death."

"Death!" exclaimed Gomez Arias, with emotion, "death!" Then suddenly
composing himself, he continued in an indignant tone:--"Well, I must
confess that I am somewhat struck with your information, Count.
Certainly, I was not prepared for so much--banishment and confiscation,
I could have expected, but I see that I have most erroneously calculated
on the favor of our Queen--her generosity, indeed, surpasses my most
sanguine ideas."

Count de Tendilla, without seeming to understand this innuendo,
proceeded--

"In consideration of your services, Don Lope, the Queen is willing to
grant any request you may wish to make. It shall be most religiously
observed."

"I am greatly beholden to the Queen," replied Gomez Arias, in the same
bitter manner, "but upon my honor, I am already too much indebted to her
Highness, and I should be loath to trespass on her indulgence."

"Don Lope," cried Tendilla, with warmth, "you wrong the Queen. At this
very moment she deplores the necessity which compels her to sign your
death warrant. Had there been any means, any honorable method to save
you from your fate, she would eagerly have seized the opportunity. She
would willingly forfeit the greatest treasure of her kingdom to save
your life.--Yes, for your existence she would sacrifice all--all but her
duty."

"And when," demanded Gomez Arias, "is this sentence to be carried into
effect?"

"To-morrow;" replied the governor, "but should you like to profit by the
favor, a respite of two days is granted."

"No," proudly returned Gomez Arias, "I should feel exceedingly mortified
to disappoint the expectations of the public, who, no doubt, are by this
time anxiously looking for the preparations of the approaching
spectacle: no, let the ceremony take place to-morrow; I am ready." Then,
turning to young