ving groups were talking of the melancholy event. She beheld the
troops that were collecting and marching about to insure the public
tranquillity, and this testimony of the hopeless situation of her
husband filled her bursting heart with new terrors. How dismally sounded
the trumpets and clarions! And now the ponderous bell of the cathedral
sent forth its reverberating tones, and it sounded like the summons of
death to Theodora. It struck eight, and in two hours Gomez Arias would
cease to exist. A chill seized on the very soul of Theodora, at each
stroke of the dreadful monitor, and as if its terrors had not been
sufficiently multiplied, a hundred different clocks, with their boding
voices, repeated the same sad tale to the agonizing heart of the
wretched girl.

Next came the sight of the ministers of religion hurrying about; sad
heralds of mortality, in Christian charity, earnestly wishing to offer
their prayers for the departing soul, or holding out the example of the
approaching execution to the young and inexperienced.

Theodora shuddered at every object she saw--at every sound that struck
her ear, and in this state she reached the mansion of Don Antonio de
Leyva, which happily was situated at a short distance. She trembled with
emotion as she found herself before young De Leyva, nor was her
appearance productive of less astonishment to Don Antonio. They were
both much altered--she by intense suffering--he by his wounds and
lingering sickness. Don Antonio, extremely faint, was reclining on a
couch, from which he attempted to rise when he saw his kinsman enter,
but was prevented by Monteblanco. The countenance of the gallant young
man seemed suddenly to brighten up.

"Theodora," he kindly said, "tremble not thus, for you are in the
presence of a friend, a sincere friend; one who bitterly laments having,
though unconsciously, been instrumental in your misfortunes. Alas! dear
lady, had you placed more confidence in me, perchance so much misery had
been prevented. However, this is no time for reproach; the moments speed
swiftly away, and we have none to spare. Had you not at this moment
arrived, weak and wounded as I am, I was about to be carried to your
habitation, though the exertion had proved fatal to my recovery.
Theodora, look upon me as a friend--as a dear valued friend, and receive
the greatest proof a man can give of pure disinterested regard. Here,"
he then added, presenting a little casket to Theodora, "tak