ed, and I am on
the point of succeeding to my heart's fondest wishes, when----"

"Surely, Lope," interrupted Leonor, with emotion, "your rashness has not
again placed you in the peril from which you have so lately escaped--and
yet your dress and deportment bespeak something disastrous--Speak--say,
Don Lope--let me know the worst."

"Calm yourself, dearest Leonor; there is no danger to apprehend."

He then, in a few words, explained what he had already said to her
father, and in soothing terms solicited her consent to what he proposed.

"What need is there of my consent," she said, whilst her countenance
betrayed the mortification she experienced, "to a measure that meets the
approval of the Queen and my father! Certainly," she continued, "let us
defer the ceremony."

There was something in the tone in which these words were delivered,
that thrilled to the heart of Don Lope; for the sarcastic smile and the
forced tranquillity which Leonor had assumed, plainly indicated that her
pride had been deeply wounded, though she affected to treat the affair
with indifference. Gomez Arias had recourse to all his eloquence in
order to smooth the resentment awakened by his proposal, but Leonor
repelled his advances with a resolute dignity of manner.

"Go, Don Lope," she said, proudly, "you are losing time here--consider
the state of the Count; and unless you make good speed, he may never
know the kind and valuable friend he possesses."

She then called her attendants, and with the most perfect indifference
began to divest herself of her ornaments, urging all the time to her
future husband the necessity of immediate departure.

Gomez Arias, though reluctantly, was compelled to leave his bride, and
hurried away further to promote the accomplishment of the plots which
distracted his attention.

Leonor was soon disrobed of her bridal garments, and the disconcerted
maids were lost in astonishment at the extraordinary change which had
taken place. Nor could they explain the cheerfulness of manner visible
in their mistress, when she announced that the wedding was to be
deferred. But under the apparent indifference of Leonor, rankled a deep
feeling of injury. The same pride that resented her lover's
determination, forbade her to exhibit any degree of concern; but though
the feeling was repressed, its effects would be more lasting than if
expended in reproaches and complaints.

Don Alonso de Aguilar signified the unexpected delay t