Roque led
her towards the place appointed; nor could he suppress a tear, as he
listened to the artless language in which her full heart indulged during
the way, in the fond expectation of being again united to her lover, and
obtaining the forgiveness of her beloved parent. They arrived at length
at the place. It was a beautiful night, unsullied by a breath of wind.
The eager eyes of Theodora were strained to catch as soon as possible a
sight of the dear object of her solicitude. She perceived at the further
extremity a man enveloped in a cloak, and standing beside three horses.
She gazed intensely; her bosom throbbed with emotion,--forward she
hurried--she flew; and in a moment, with all the enthusiasm of her fond
nature, threw herself into the arms of her lover.

Gomez Arias received the tender pressure with feelings hard to be
defined. Distracted with conflicting passions, he appeared unable to act
the part which he had judged necessary in this critical moment, while
the loving Theodora, despite of her infatuation, could not but observe
the coldness and restraint evident in his manner.

"What ails you, Lope?" she said, soothingly "are you not happy?"

"Happy! yes, Theodora, I am happy; but be not astonished at my
disquietude: for alas! in my distracting situation I can feel no
otherwise; the step which I am about to take----"

"Oh! I am sensible!" cried Theodora, earnestly, "of the extent of the
sacrifice; I know the glorious prospects you relinquish by renouncing
the hand of Leonor. Yes, I am indeed, aware of all the distressing
circumstances that may ensue from the resolution you have taken. But,
oh, Lope! will not the unutterable love, the fervid devotion of your
poor Theodora, afford you some requital for the advantages which your
honor obliges you to abandon?"

She looked fondly in his countenance. A tear stood trembling upon her
eye, but in her lover's she beheld no sign of mutual tenderness. He
coldly assisted her to mount, and bidding Roque follow, for some time
they continued their route in silence. Theodora, however, in the
gentleness of her nature, was disposed to deceive herself, and without
hesitation attributed her lover's strange behaviour to the difficult
situation in which he was placed. Nor could she feel hurt when she
considered that it was for her sake that Gomez Arias exhibited this
disquietude. She had secured the most important object of her life, and
was not so selfish or unfeeling as to