ne. "Had it been you, Senhor Conde," cried he, throwing
himself into my arms,--"you, young, handsome, and well-born as you are,
I had been happy."

"Is it too late, Don Estaban?" said I, passionately. "I have wealth
that does not yield to Don Lopez, and Maria is not--at least, she was
not--indifferent regarding me."

"Oh, it is too late, far too late!" cried the father, wringing his
hands.

"Let me speak with Maria herself. Let me also speak with this Don
Lopez. I may be able to make him understand reason, however dull his
comprehension."

"This cannot be, Senhor Caballero," said another voice. It was Fra
Miguel, who, having heard all that passed, now joined the colloquy.
"Nothing short of a dispensation from the Holy See could annul the
marriage, and Don Lopez is not likely to ask for one."

"I will not suffer it," cried I, in desperation. "I would rather carry
her away by force than permit such a desecration."

"Hush! for the love of the Virgin, Senhor," cried Don Estaban. "Don
Lopez is captain of the Alguazils of the Guard, and a Grand Inquisitor."

"What signifies that in Mexico?" said I, boldly.

"More than you think for, Senhor," whispered Fra Miguel. "We have not
ceased to be good Catholics, although we are no longer subjects of Old
Spain." There was an air of cool menace in the way these words were
spoken that made me feel very ill at ease. I soon rallied, however,
and, drawing the Friar to one side, said, "How many crowns will buy a
candelabrum worthy of your chapel?"

He looked at me fixedly for a few seconds, and his shrewd features
assumed a character of almost comic cunning. "The Virgin de los Dolores
is too simple for such luxuries, Senhor Conde," said he, with a sly
drollery.

"Would she not condescend to wear a few gems in her petticoat?" asked I,
with the easy assurance of one not to be balked.

"She has no pleasure in such vanities," said the Fra, with an
hypocritical casting down of his eyes.

"Would she not accept of an embroidered handkerchief," said I, "to
dry her tears? I have known one of this pattern to possess the most
extraordinary powers of consolation;" and as I spoke I drew forth a
bank-note of some amount, and gently drew it across his knuckles.

A slight tremor shook his frame, and a short, convulsive motion was
perceptible in the hand I had "galvanized;" but in an instant, with his
habitual calm smile and mellow Toice, he said, "Your piety will bring
a blessing upon you,