demand, and
looked steadfastly on Gomez Arias, as if doubting whether compliance
might not be attended with danger. The request might involve the secret
of some desperate act, or perhaps only bespoke the workings of a noble
pride. However, the governor considered himself justified in granting
the favor.

"Your wish shall be fulfilled," he said. "Whatever may be the feeling
that prompts you, Don Lope, to make such a request, I and my _own_ guard
will likewise accompany you."

He delivered these words with great significancy of tone and manner,
that Gomez Arias might be sure the governor was prepared, should there
be aught in contemplation that might affect the public tranquillity.

"And now," resumed Tendilla, "I must bring you a visitor, Don Lope; one
who earnestly wishes to take a last farewell."

"And who is that charitable being?" inquired Gomez Arias, carelessly;
"for if I mistake not, all my friends and relatives have already
fulfilled that duty."

"It is your lady," replied Tendilla, "the lovely and unfortunate
Theodora."

Gomez Arias made a sign of impatient displeasure, and then, in a cold
and constrained manner--

"I am sensible," he said, "of her kindness and self-devotion, but I
cannot consent; no, I cannot, I will not see her; and I earnestly pray
and hope she may no longer require an interview to which I have already
given an absolute denial."

This was true. Gomez Arias had obstinately refused to see his once
idolized Theodora, nor could all her prayers and entreaties, backed by
the remonstrances of friends, prevail on him to alter so unkind a
resolution. This determination might have sprung from a feeling of
horror for the cause of his death, or of pity for the poignancy of her
anguish: perhaps he wished to avoid a scene which was capable of
producing nothing but terrible or melancholy recollections.

He evinced, however, no reluctance to see his man, Roque. The poor
faithful creature anxiously desired to be admitted; for though the
claims of his master to his gratitude were feeble, yet a lively
sentiment of affliction and a degree of horror for having been, though
unwillingly, one of the instruments to forward the catastrophe, made him
desirous of throwing himself at the feet of Gomez Arias.

Tremblingly the poor valet entered, and as he beheld the noble figure of
Don Lope standing composedly in the middle of the apartment, he could
not refrain from tears.

"Oh! Don Lope," he cried, despon