ockingly pale. Well, it is all your fault for being set
against taking counsel; now if you could but be persuaded to admit the
visit of Samuel Mendez, God knows how much you would profit by his
advice; for believe me, lady, the iniquitous Jew cures better than most
of our good Christians."

"I assure you," interrupted Theodora, "that my unwillingness to
acquiesce with your wishes does not arise from the circumstance of the
doctor being a Jew, but merely because my indisposition can receive no
benefit from medicine, whether it be administered by an infidel or a
true believer.--So, I pray you mention no more this Samuel Mendez, but
rather tell me the name of the future partner of Leonor."

"Aye, fortunate indeed, Senora, you may well call him fortunate, for
Dona Leonor is a most accomplished lady, a beautiful lady; and were it
not that she is----"

"She is most accomplished," interrupted Theodora.

"She is in troth," retorted Lisarda, "and so dutiful a daughter withal.
She is now going to meet her noble father in his triumphant entry into
the city, and she will be accompanied by her future husband, and a
numerous and splendid retinue.--But, hark! hear you not the tramp of
horses, and the sound of trumpets?"

She flew to the window, and Theodora, in breathless anxiety, followed.

"There!" cried Lisarda, with glee, "they are about to depart. Now, see,
my lady, Leonor mounts--the bridegroom holds the stirrup."

Theodora cast a terrified look, which shot a pang to her inmost
heart--It was Gomez Arias who helped Leonor to mount. Theodora saw
enough--but one glance, and all the horrors of her fate were revealed.
The deluding smile which had seduced her heart, the traitor eloquent eye
which wrought her ruin, were now devoted to another.

Theodora uttered no piercing shriek; neither did sigh or groan escape
her; but she silently sank backwards in the tranquillity of horror. She
had now nothing else to hope or fear; no throbbing anxiety to
forego,--no further perils to dread--the sum of her misery was complete,
and dauntless she might encounter any disaster; for this last blow had
imparted to her the passive courage of indifference and despair.

Lisarda, occupied with the dazzling objects which moved beneath, did not
perceive Theodora's situation, and without taking her eyes from the
cavalcade pursued her remarks:--

"Now they go--the Lord bless them, how handsome they look! Well, I do
not blame my lady's taste, for cer