fear you would not benefit our unhappy countrymen by remaining
among them. The spirit of evil has gained the supremacy; and while he
reigns, with the sanguinary inquisitors as his ministers, the truth can
never make progress in the country. Go, then, Don Francisco; my
prayers, day and night, will be offered up to the throne of mercy that
you may be protected from the dangers of your journey, and safely reach
the haven of rest. It is mockery to speak of joy, but such joy as I am
now capable of feeling will be mine when I hear that you have safely
reached your destination. And oh, Don Francisco, pray for me, not that
my life may be prolonged, but that I may have courage and support in the
trials I may be called upon henceforth to bear; and that it may be God's
will that I may, ere long, be emancipated from my bondage, not to go
forth into the world, but to be raised on wings of light to join my
martyred husband, now singing praises with the heavenly choir before the
great white throne of our loving Father."

"Dona Leonor, your wishes shall ever be a law to me," answered Don
Francisco. "I shall see you no more on earth. Even should I be
successful in escaping from this unhappy country, I believe that I shall
never again return to it; and even if I did, I should not be permitted
to see you. I hear that many Spanish Protestants are assembled at
Genoa, among whom are several who were once monks at San Isidoro.
Thither I have resolved to bend my steps, that I may worship with them,
and gain from them instruction and counsel."

"I thank our Heavenly Father that you have resolved on this step,"
answered Leonor, "and I pray that you may be more successful than were
my beloved Herezuelo and myself. Oh, that I had not believed the
falsehoods that were told me before that dreadful day when I last met
him on earth! Bitterly have I repented my weakness and want of faith.
I should have known that no human power would have induced him to deny
his Lord and Master, even for the sake of saving his life and being
reunited with me. Ah, how weak and faithless was I! but I thank my God
that, through the influence of the Holy Spirit, I had strength and power
given me boldly to declare my faith in the truth, even though my so
doing has brought me into this dungeon, and will ere long cast my body
amid those flames which consumed the mortal frame of my husband. Oh,
believe me, Don Francisco, to that day I look forward with eagerness and