nna. "I speak riddles, Magdalena, but I will
explain myself. Do you think I can forget your insults, jeers, and
jokes? Do you think I knew not when you mocked me behind my back, or
sought to trick me before my face? You little knew, when you and your
gay-faced cousin were making merry at my expense, what wrath you were
storing up against the day of evil. But I come of a race that never
forgets or forgives; there is some of the blood of the wild Zingara
coursing in these shrivelled veins--a love of vengeance, that is
dearer than the love of life. I watched your love intrigue from the
very first. I saw that it bade fair to end in happiness. Don Julio was
wealthy and well born, and his intentions were honorable. After
indulging your romantic spirit by a secret wooing, he would have
openly claimed you of your father, and the old man would have been but
too proud to give his consent. Now came the moment for revenge. I
traduced you to your lover, making use of an agent who was wholly
mine. Trifles produce conviction when once the faith of jealous man is
shaken. A few toys--a turquoise bracelet, a lock of hair, a bunch of
faded flowers--sufficed to turn the scale; and now, were an angel of
heaven to pronounce you true, Don Julio would disbelieve the
testimony. Ha, ha! am I not avenged?"

"And was it," said Magdalena, in a low, pathetic voice,--"was it for
a few jests,--a little childish chafing against restraint, that you
wrecked the happiness of a poor young girl,--blighted her hopes, and
broke her heart? Woman--fiend! dare you tell me this?" she cried,
kindling into passion with a sudden transition. "Avaunt! begone! Leave
my sight, you hideous and evil thing! But take with you my bitter
curse--no empty anathema! but one that will cling to you like the
garment of flame that wraps the doomed heretic! Begone! accursed
wretch--hideous in soul as you are abhorrent and repulsive in person."

Cowed, but muttering wrathful words, the stricken wretch hurried out
of the apartment, into which Juanita instantly rushed.

"Magdalena, what means this?" she cried. "I heard you uttering fearful
threats against old Margarita. Calm yourself; you are strangely
excited."

"O Juanita, Juanita!" cried Magdalena, the tears starting from her
eyes, and wringing her fair hands. "If you knew all--if you knew the
wrong that woman has done me; but not now--not now; leave me, good
cousin,--leave me!"

"You are not well, dearest," said Juanita; "take