l reflections, however,
were checked by the return of Ramirez, who taking the trembling hand of
Theodora, led her to Leonor's private apartment. They traversed in
silence the spacious corridors of the palace, and before Theodora had
time to collect her scattered senses, a pair of folding doors were
thrown open, and she found herself in the presence of one whom her
fervid imagination had almost portrayed as something more than mortal.

Leonor advanced gracefully to meet her guest, and observing her extreme
emotion, endeavoured to sooth it by the most friendly expressions.

"So lovely a being," she said, as she led the passive Theodora towards
a sofa, "needed not the recommendation of my noble parent, to be
received with cordial hospitality by his daughter;--but rest yourself,"
she continued, "for you must be in want of repose, after the journey you
have undergone."

Theodora, notwithstanding this reassuring tone, was unable to give
utterance to the acknowledgments of her grateful heart. There was
something in the whole appearance of Leonor that contributed to heighten
her natural timidity, and even the kindness and affability of the
daughter of Aguilar could not entirely dissipate an indefinable
sensation of awe, which Theodora felt in her presence. She had been at
first sight struck by the imposing and majestic beauty of Leonor,
together with the dazzling splendour in which she was attired. Her
senses were bewildered in the contemplation of so much grandeur and
magnificence.

Indeed Leonor de Aguilar was designed by nature to produce those
sensations in minds far more familiar with scenes of greatness and
power than the simple and unsophisticated heart of the guileless
Theodora. Leonor de Aguilar was a model of that peculiar beauty which
partakes at once of the lovely graces of her own sex, with some of the
more decided attributes of man. Her form was largely but most elegantly
framed, and exhibited a classic boldness of contour that perfectly
harmonized with her stateliness of carriage. Her complexion was of a
transparent brown, mellowed by the rich rosy tint that played over it,
and her large brilliant eyes sparkled with dazzling and energetic fire.
Dark glossy tresses overshadowed her oval face, where a beautiful shaped
aquiline nose, and lips of the deepest carnation, contributed to give
her countenance an expression of striking brilliancy. Yet there was
something stern in the resolute flash of her eye, and the