ict
observance of religious duty was really worth while to a man who had his
way to make in the world. In short, he was in the throes of reaction.
But now, in her unsuspicion, he found his hopes revive. She need never
know. The Holy Office preserved inviolate secrecy on the score of
deletions--since to do otherwise might be to discourage delators--and
there were no confrontations of accuser and accused, such as took place
in temporal courts. Don Rodrigo left the Calle de Ataud better pleased
with the world than he had been since morning.

On the morrow he went openly to visit her; but he was denied, a servant
announcing her indisposed. This fretted him, damped his hopes, and
thereby increased his longing. But on the next day he received from her
a letter which made him the most ample amends:

"Rodrigo,--There is a matter on which we must come early to an
understanding. Should my poor father be convicted of heresy and
sentenced, it follows that his property will be confiscated, since as
the daughter of a convicted heretic I may not inherit. For myself I care
little; but I am concerned for you, Rodrigo, since if in spite of what
has happened you would still wish to make me your wife, as you declared
on Monday, it would be my wish to come to you well cowered. Now the
inheritance which would be confiscated by the Holy Office from the
daughter of a heretic might not be so confiscated from the wife of a
gentleman of Castile. I say no more. Consider this well, and decide as
your heart dictates. I shall receive you to-morrow if you come to me.

"Isabella."

She bade him consider well. But the matter really needed little
consideration. Diego de Susan was sure to go to the fire. His fortune
was estimated at ten million maravedis. That fortune, it seemed, Rodrigo
was given the chance to make his own by marrying the beautiful Isabella
at once, before sentence came to be passed upon her father. The
Holy Office might impose a fine, but would not go further where the
inheritance of a Castilian nobleman of clean lineage was concerned. He
was swayed between admiration of her shrewdness and amazement at his own
good fortune. Also his vanity was immensely flattered.

He sent her three lines to protest his undying love, and his resolve
to marry her upon the morrow, and went next day in person, as she had
bidden him, to carry out the resolve.

She received him in the mansion's best room, a noble chamber furnished
with a richness such