good breeding. If my wife
brings me this, I will thank Heaven for the gift, and make my parents
happy in their old age."

Estafania was delighted to hear Rodolfo speak thus, for the sentiments
he expressed were just such as best accorded with the success of the
scheme she had in hand. She told him that she would endeavour to marry
him in conformity with his inclination, and that he need not make
himself uneasy, for there would be no difficulty in breaking off the
match which seemed so distasteful to him. Rodolfo thanked her, and
supper being ready they went to join the rest of the party at table. The
father and mother, Rodolfo and his two companions had already seated
themselves, when Dona Estafania said, in an off-hand way, "Sinner that I
am, how well I behave to my guest! Go," she said to a servant, "and ask
the senora. Dona Leocadia to honour our table with her presence, and
tell her she need not stand on any punctilio, for all here are my sons
and her servants." All this was part of her scheme, with the whole of
which Leocadia had been previously made acquainted.

The lady soon appeared, presenting a most charming spectacle of perfect
beauty, set off by the most appropriate adornments. The season being
winter, she was dressed in a robe and train of black velvet, with gold
and pearl buttons; her girdle and necklace were of diamonds; her head
was uncovered, and the shining braids and ringlets of her thick chestnut
hair, spangled with diamonds, dazzled the eyes of the beholders. Her
bearing was graceful and animated; she led her son by the hand, and
before her walked two maids with wax-lights and silver candlesticks. All
rose to do her reverence, as if something from heaven had miraculously
appeared before them; but gazing on her, entranced with admiration, not
one of them was able to address a single word to her. Leocadia bowed to
them all with courteous dignity, and Estafania taking her by the hand
led her to a seat next herself and opposite to Rodolfo, whilst the boy
was seated beside his grandfather. "Ah," said Rodolfo to himself, as he
gazed on the lovely being before him, "could I find but half that beauty
in the wife my mother has chosen for me, I should think myself the
happiest man in the world. Good God! what is it I behold? Is it some
angel in human shape that sits before me?" Whilst his eyes were thus
making his soul captive to the lovely image of Leocadia, she, on the
other hand, finding herself so near