mediately, and it would be highly imprudent
to hazard the chance of being seen with Theodora, for reasons of which
thou must be well aware. A separation, therefore, becomes at this
moment indispensable. When I am gone, thou shalt awaken yon sleeping
beauty, and accompany her thyself to the said city, where I shall
precede you in order to make arrangements for her reception. There is a
nunnery, of which my cousin Ursula is the Lady Abbess, where she shall
for the present find an asylum. Thou hast only to inform Theodora, that
I thought it most advisable to ride in advance to prepare our retreat.
Upon thy arrival at the _Torre del Aceytuno_ a man will join thee, to
whom thou must look for further instruction, and whose direction thou
art to follow with confidence. Thy reward shall be proportioned to the
magnitude of the service; so now get me my horse, and let me begone ere
she awake."

Roque remained thunderstruck as his master revealed to him his cruel
intentions; the poor fellow drew his hand across his eyes, as if to
ascertain whether or no he was under the delusion of a dream; but as his
master in a more imperative voice repeated his injunctions, the reality
of his barbarous purpose burst upon his mind.

"No, no, Don Lope," he said in a supplicating tone, "such surely cannot
be your intentions; abandon the poor girl! no, you only wish to trifle
with my credulity."

"I must begone," resolutely retorted Gomez Arias.

"Why, Sir, assuredly you loved her?"

"I loved her once, but that is passed."

"_Holy Virgin del tremedal!_ What say you, Senor? What has the poor lady
done? How has she offended you, unless it be in loving you too well?"

"Aye, Roque, thou art a shrewd fellow; she has indeed loved me too
well."

"But consider, my honored master, she is more like an angel than a
woman; never before did I see a being so kind, so tender and devoted."

"Roque, Roque, be not sententious; I have no time to listen to thy
sentimental cant; the qualities which thou praisest in Theodora are
precisely those that withdraw me from her.--Haste thee, I say--What is
the fool staring at?"

"But, Senor Don Lope Gomez Arias," solemnly said Roque, "consider that
common humanity----"

"Humanity!" interrupted his master, "how am I deficient in humanity,
when I place her in the only situation that becomes her, since a
marriage between us is utterly impossible. But enough; a truce with your
remarks; prepare to obey my orders, and t