dingly, "my dear and honored master,
that it should come to this! That ever I should live to see the most
gallant cavalier in Granada undergo such a sentence!"

He then threw himself at the feet of Gomez Arias, and clasping firmly
both his knees, in a tone of keen anguish continued--

"Alas! my unfortunate master, I will not rise from the ground until you
grant me full pardon for the share I have in your death. Heaven knows
how unwillingly I have acted, and how sadly I repent the untoward
circumstances which reduced me to that fearful alternative."

"Rise, my good Roque," said Gomez Arias. "I freely forgive thee, not
only the melancholy necessity to which thou hast been compelled, but
even all the other transgressions of which thou hast been guilty in my
service, and I dare say they are not a few; however, as I am to
undertake to-morrow so long a journey in which, I suppose, thou hast no
inclination to bear me company----"

"_Virgen de las Angustias_," interrupted Roque, "how can you, Senor,
speak of such dreadful things in so light a manner?"

"Now, Roque," replied Don Lope, "thou must be silent, at least at
present, and allow me thy privilege for a time; listen with attention.
It is high time to settle my accounts. I am thy debtor, Roque."

"_Valgame Dios_!" exclaimed the valet. "Senor Don Lope, why think of
these matters at such a time?"

"The best of times," returned his master, "or you run a fair chance of
not being paid at all."

"But I do not want to be paid," cried Roque, sobbing aloud. "I am sure
you think too meanly of me, if you suppose I came here with such on
intention."

"No, Roque, I well know thy fidelity, and I mean not to offend thee; but
thou must not refuse the last bequest of thy master: here, take this,"
he said, delivering a large purse, which the valet could scarcely be
prevailed upon to accept. "And here," he continued, taking a ring from
his finger, "receive this as a token of remembrance," and as Roque
hesitated to take it, he added, smiling, "Take it, for I can now give
rings away without danger."

"Thank you, my good master, but have you no pledge of affection, no last
remembrance for _her_?"

"Why," answered Gomez Arias, with affected levity, "she will never
forget me. Besides I have nothing worthy of her acceptance--give her my
best wishes, and beseech her to pardon me as freely as I forgive her."

Having said this, he wished to turn away, but Roque again interposed,
and in