"Why I really thought so at first myself, and I made the sign of the
cross accordingly, but I soon perceived it was no delusion. Now it would
be pleasant, should this same Don Rodrigo come upon an expedition
similar to yours--it would seem as tho' the man was born on purpose to
thwart you."

"Well," returned Gomez Arias, with a smile--"and it would seem also that
I am born to chastise his insolence."

To this, Roque made some foolish reply; for in his capacity of
_gracioso_,[13] he freely availed himself of the privilege allowed him
of giving utterance to every thing that came into his head, whether to
the purpose or not.

They proceeded with hasty steps towards the mansion of
Monteblanco;--already they reach the spot, and the moon that sheds a
partial gleam over yonder _reja_,[14] developes to the sight the outline
of a female form. Gomez Arias approaches, and his penetrating glance
discerns through the darkness the figure of his Theodora--her face is
decked in placid smiles, and her frame evinces the soft flutterings of
an anxious heart. The bolt of the entrance gently creeks, and the harsh
sound thrills like the strain of heavenly music to the lover's throbbing
breast--the door opens at length, and a comely matron far stricken in
years welcomes the cavalier. Don Lope is not backward in his advances; a
smile of grateful recognition plays upon his lip. He then seizes the
good duenna's hand, and presses it in kind acknowledgment.

The trusty Martha showed in her dress and manner, all the outward signs
of her state and condition. An imperturbable gravity sat upon those
harsh features which were never known to relax into a smile, and in
whose expression predominated a mixture of religious asperity and pride,
vainly disguised under the cloak of humility. However, Martha was far
from practising the rigid austerities her whole appearance seemed to
indicate. She only assumed this outward demeanor, in the same manner
that a dastard mimics courage, the better to conceal his cowardice.

Martha was dressed in an ample habit of black woollen cloth, girded her
waist with the band of a monkish order, to which was suspended a rosary
of huge black counters. A cap of the whitest linen adorned her head, and
in all the rigour of female modesty, every part of her neck up to the
chin was carefully concealed by a kerchief of the same material.

Gomez Arias rushes forwards, and the next moment finds him at the feet
of his mistress.