ped Leocadia in his arms, and with his
lips pressed to hers, seemed as if he was waiting for her soul to issue
forth that he might absorb and mingle it with his own. Just at the
moment when the tears of the pitying beholders flowed fastest, and their
ejaculations were most expressive of despair, Leocadia gave signs of
recovery, and brought back gladness to the hearts of all. When she came
to her senses, and, blushing to find herself in Rodolfo's arms, would
have disengaged herself, "No, senora," he said, "that must not be;
strive not to withdraw from the arms of him who holds you in his soul."
There needed no more than these words to complete her revival; and Dona
Estafania having no further need of stratagem, requested the priest to
marry her son to Leocadia on the spot. This was done; for the event took
place at a time when the consent of the parties was sufficient for the
celebration of a marriage, without any of the preliminary formalities
which are now so properly required. I leave it to a more ingenious pen
than mine to describe the gladness of all present; the embraces bestowed
on Rodolfo by Leocadia's parents; the thanks they offered to Heaven, and
to his father and mother; the congratulations on both sides; the
astonishment of Rodolfo's companions who saw him so unexpectedly married
to so charming a bride on the very night of his arrival; and above all,
when they learned from the statement openly made by Dona Estafania,
that Leocadia was the very person whose abduction her son had effected
with their aid. Nor was Rodolfo less surprised than they; and the better
to assure himself of so wonderful a fact, he begged Leocadia to give him
some token which should make perfectly clear to him that which indeed he
did not doubt, since it was authenticated by his parents.

"Once when I recovered from a swoon," replied Leocadia, "I found myself,
senor, in your arms without honour; but for that I have had full
compensation, since on my recovery from my this day's swoon I found
myself in the same arms, but honoured. If this is not enough for you,
let it suffice to mention a crucifix which no one could have purloined
from you but myself, if it be true that you missed it in the morning,
and that it is the same that is now in the hands of your mother, my
lady."

"You are mine, the lady of my soul, and shall be so as long as God
grants me life," cried Rodolfo; embracing her again, amidst a fresh
shower of benedictions and congr