mmoned,
therefore, all his adroitness, and with much deference and respect he
said to the father of Leonor,--

"Don Alonso, an unexpected event has just been imparted to me,--and the
distress which my feelings have sustained, has no doubt excited your
surprise,--but before the ceremony proceeds, however great my
reluctance, it is imperatively required that I should communicate with
you, and solicit your advice in this difficulty."

"Proceed, Senor," said Don Alonso; "though allow me to observe, that any
communication of importance ought to have been made before this day."

"Don Alonso," resumed Gomez Arias, with firmness, "there are
circumstances in life which are not controllable by the will of man.
Strange as the request which I am about to make may appear, it is
absolutely necessary. Sir, with all the respect which you are entitled
to command, but with all the firmness which duty requires of me, I must
throw myself on your indulgence, and pray you to defer the wedding until
to-morrow."

"What!" exclaimed Aguilar, struck with surprise at so extraordinary a
demand; "defer the wedding! Don Lope, what means this?--Surely you do
not intend to affront my house!"

"The honor of your house, Don Alonso de Aguilar," answered Gomez Arias,
with composure, "is now intimately connected with my own; and it would
be unjustifiable to suppose me guilty of such intentions."

"What am I then to think of your strange proposal?" demanded
Aguilar--his brow mantling with indignation.

"It is a request," replied Gomez Arias, "that I would never have
contemplated of my own accord; and you may well imagine what my feelings
must be when I am obliged to postpone my happiness even for one day.
Certainly it is no trivial inducement that could prompt me to such a
measure; I hope this will plead my justification. I have received a
dispatch from my valued friend Count Urena, stating that he is seized
with a mortal distemper, and conjuring me, as I esteem the blessings of
a dying man, to repair to his couch ere it be too late. He has a most
important communication which must be intrusted to no one but Gomez
Arias. The castle of the Count," added Don Lope, "is but six leagues
distant, and I shall be back by to-morrow. Now, Don Alonso, I crave your
advice: shall I disregard the last request of a man to whom my family
are under sacred obligations, or will you allow the ceremony to be
delayed till to-morrow, by which means I shall be enabled at on