tainly Don Lope is the most gallant of
cavaliers. What think you, my sweet lady? Well, certainly they do say
he has many a grievous sin to answer for, in the list of innocent girls
he has seduced and undone: the Lord defend them, poor creatures; I pity
them. But it was surely their fault:--more fools they for trusting to
the fair promises of such a man--what think you gentle lady, am I not
right?"

Happily the cavalcade was now out of sight, and Lisarda's observations
were accordingly cut short. But she immediately turned to Theodora, who
had sat motionless on her couch from the first glance that had
acquainted her with the full extent of her wretchedness.

"Well," said the loquacious waiting maid, "what shall I do to divert
you, lady? Really I am at a loss. If you are not moved by the splendid
sight you have just now witnessed, I cannot imagine what will affect
you. Mayhap I might afford some consolation, since you are so strongly
bent against the assistance of Samuel Mendez."

"Thank you," said Theodora, raising her eyes towards the speaker, "thank
you for your kind intentions, but if anything could tend to the
alleviation of my sorrows, it would be perhaps a free and unmolested
indulgence of them."

"Oh, dear lady, but we must have no sorrowful faces at the wedding.
_Virgen de las Angustias!_ that would be dreadfully ominous. Cheer up,
sweet lady; there is nothing in the world like a good example, and when
you see every one rejoice, I am sure you will not mar the general joy.
Cheer up, good lady--better days will come. To-morrow, at the wedding
festival, your thoughts, I engage, will be fixed on other objects; such
indeed as are interesting to every female who, like ourselves, is yet
blessed in the primeval season of youth. Am I not right?"

"Happy!" cried Theodora, in a thrilling tone, "happy!" Then as if to
veil the effect which her exclamation might produce, she added, "who
can promise themselves happiness in this world?"

"Alack, and that is true!" responded Lisarda, "for many, many are the
lovers who are born to be unfortunate and die of broken hearts." She
strove to swell her own with a mighty sigh: "And even those who marry,
how oft do they curse the day that--but this is neither here nor there."

"To-morrow! and is it really to-morrow, that the ceremony is to take
place?" demanded Theodora.

"There is no doubt of it. God have mercy, the ceremony has been already
delayed too long. The young lovers wou