male sex. I gave my wife female servants and slaves to wait upon her: I
denied neither her nor them anything they chose to ask of me. I made her
my equal, communicated my most secret thoughts to her, and put my whole
property at her disposal. Having done all this, I thought I might fairly
expect to enjoy securely what had cost me so much, and that it would be
her care not to afford me cause for conceiving any kind of jealous fear
whatever. But it is not within the power of human efforts to prevent
the chastisement which Heaven is pleased to inflict on those who do not
rest their whole hopes and desires upon it alone. No wonder then if mine
have been deceived, and I have myself prepared the poison of which I am
now dying. But I see how anxiously you hang upon the words of my mouth.
I will therefore keep you no longer in suspense, but conclude this long
preamble by telling you, in one word, what no words were adequate to
describe, were I to speak for ever. This morning I found this woman,"
(here he pointed to his wife,) "who was born for the ruin of my peace
and the destruction of my life, in the arms of a young gallant, who is
now shut up in the bed-chamber of this pestilent duena."

Carrizales had no sooner uttered these words than Leonora swooned, and
fell with her head upon his lap. Marialonso turned as white as ashes,
and Leonora's parents were so astounded that they could not utter a
word. After a short pause, Carrizales continued thus:--

"The vengeance I intend to take for this outrage shall be no common one.
As I have been singular in all my other actions, so will I be in this.
My vengeance shall fall upon myself, as the person most culpable of all,
for I ought to have considered how ill this girl's fifteen years could
assort with my threescore and ten. I have been like the silkworm, which
builds itself a house in which it must die. I do not reproach you,
misguided girl"--here he bent down and kissed his still insensible
wife--"for the persuasions of a wicked old woman, and the wheedling
tongue of an amorous youth, easily prevail over the little wit of a
green girl; but that all the world may see how strong and how true was
the love I bore you, I shall give such a proof of it here on my
death-bed, as the world has never seen or heard of;--one that shall
remain an unparalleled example, if not of goodness, at least of
singleness of heart. I desire that a notary be immediately sent for to
make my will, wherein I w