a--"

"Oh! Senor Duke," interrupted Despilfarro, in a humble voice, "permit
me--but--I--"

"I have not yet finished," calmly continued the Spaniard; "when you have
heard all, you will no longer doubt my words. Notwithstanding your
mistrust, senor, I am still nothing more than the secret agent of a
prince, and I desire to remain in your eyes, as ever, the simple
gentleman Don Estevan de Arechiza--nothing more. It is necessary,
however, that this distrust of me should not manifest itself again; for
since you are presently to know the object which I am pursuing, you will
be privy to my most secret thoughts."

The Senator continued to listen in the most respectful silence.

"As I have said, then, I followed ambition for twenty years for its own
sake; or to speak more truly, I passed twenty years of my life to
destroy a painful souvenir, at the same time that I was pursuing the
path to fame. I fancied that in the middle of a turbulent life, this
souvenir would in time be effaced from my memory. The favourite of a
prince, the expectant heir to one of the first thrones in Christendom--
elevated to the highest places of power--wealth prodigally lavished upon
me--I hoped to be able to forget that terrible souvenir. Vain hope!"
added the speaker in a solemn voice: "Alas! Nothing can banish remorse.
The bloody sword of Saint James was no idle symbol in my hands; for
remorse lends to ambition a fearful activity--like a voice continually
crying, `On--on forever!'"

Don Estevan paused, and for a time remained silent, during which the
Senator regarded him with a timid look, at the same time admiring the
imposing and solemn dignity of his countenance.

"But where to go on?" continued the speaker; "what object to follow
next? Into what new course might I precipitate this torrent of ambition
that was boiling within me? At length a new incident offered itself,
and gave me a fresh opportunity for action--an opportunity to strive and
combat--for in my case, to struggle and fight is to forget.

"In all likelihood you have scarce heard of our political troubles, Don
Vicente? I am aware that all the kingdoms of Europe might be shaken to
their bases, without your knowing anything of the matter, in this out of
the way corner of the world. Well, then, I shall make known to you what
occurred.

"It is now about two years since the king of Spain--by a total violation
of the Salic law, hitherto observed by all his ancestors--viole