and most noble
mistress, the lady Dona Leonor."

"She well deserves a gentle bridegroom," observed Theodora, with
affability.

"She does in troth," replied Lisarda; "and how should she not, being as
she is? We have had no lack of suitors--aye, and the noblest. Good
Heavens! what ado there has been about it--gallants we have had,
clustering about us like bees when they flock around their queen. The
bridegroom is indeed a most deserving and accomplished cavalier; and so
he should, to be the favored choice of Dona Leonor. However, he is not
the one I patronized, and who I hoped at one time would marry my
lady--he, alas! was prevented from proceeding in so desirable an
engagement, not from any fault of his or mine either, but from an
unexpected event that presented the most insurmountable impediment to
the marriage."

"And that was--?" inquired Theodora.

"Death!" replied Lisarda: "it being rumoured and readily believed, that
the unfortunate caballero was murdered by those blood-thirsty Moors of
the Alpujarras; and indeed his long disappearance from Granada makes the
unwelcome intelligence to rest on no shallow foundation."

Theodora felt an involuntary chill at this part of her attendant's
narration; for the similarity of fate between Leonor's lover and her own
could not but be productive of a most harrowing sensation. Lisarda,
however, continued, unconscious of the pang she had inflicted.

"And it was a marvellous pity," said she, "for a more gallant and
generous cavalier was not easily to be met with in all Spain. So gentle,
so brave, so rich, and so generous withal;--now, never did he appear
before me, but he needs must force some present or other upon me; and,
indeed, spite of my shyness, I found the greatest difficulty in
resisting the acceptance of gifts which were offered in so delicate a
manner: peace be to his soul! it was always a ring, a gem, a pair of
pendants, or----"

"And what is the name of the present bridegroom?" interrupted Theodora.

"Certainly he is a sweet gallant too, and in great estimation at
court----"

"And his name is--?" inquired Theodora.

"Though, to say the truth, there are many others equally meritorious. It
is not the Maestre de Calatrava; oh, no; his attractions are rather too
mature to suit the taste of Dona Leonor."

"Who is he?" again demanded Theodora "A most handsome man, certainly;
now--but do not suppose it is Don Felix de Almagro, or young Garcilaso,
or Don Juan de-