until I came to a town called Osuna; and there taking a place in a wagon, I arrived in two days at Seville, where I felt perfectly secure of not being found, although they should have sent in search of me.

"There I bought other clothes and a mule, and with some gentlemen who were going to Barcelona with speed, for fear of losing the opportunity of embarking in some galleys which were going to Italy, I travelled until yesterday, when I met with the adventure which you already know, of the robbers, who took all that I had with me, and, amongst other things, the treasure which supported my hopes and alleviated my troubles Marco Antonio's contract, with which I intended to go to Italy, and when I should find Marco Antonio, to present it to him, as the witness of his bad faith, and myself as the voucher for my constancy; and so to make him fulfil his promise. But at the same time I have considered, that he who denies the obligations which ought to be engraven on his heart, would not hesitate to deny the words he had written upon paper; for it is clear that if he have with him the incomparable Teodosia, he will not look upon the unhappy Leocadia ; and yet, unless death should prevent me, I mean to put myself in the presence of them both, that the sight of me may disturb their happiness. Let not that enemy of my tranquillity think of enjoying so easily that which is mine; I will seek her, I will find her—and if I can, I will take her life."

"But how is Teodosia to blame?" asked Teodoro, "supposing that she too was deceived by Marco Antonio, as you yourself have been, senora Leocadia."

"It might have been so," said Leocadia, "but as he took her with him, these lovers being gone together, what deception can there be between them? None, certainly. They are happy, since they are together, whether, as the poets say, it be in the remote and burning deserts of Lybia, or in the solitary and frozen wilds of Scythia. She is no doubt enjoying his presence, be it wherever it may; and she must atone for what I suffer until I find him."

"Perhaps, after all," replied Teodoro, "you are mistaken; for I am well acquainted with this enemy of yours, and I am sure, from the modesty of her disposition, and the care with which she has been brought up, that she would never venture to leave her home, nor resign herself to the disposal of Marco Antonio; but even should she have done so, as she was not acquainted with you, nor had any knowledge whatever of your engagements

with him, she did you no injury; and where there has been no injury, it were fit there should be no revenge.'

"As for the care and reserve in which she might be educated," said Leocadia, "'tis vain to speak to me of that, for I myself was as reserved and modest as a young woman could possibly be, and yet I acted as I have told you. That he has taken her with him there is no doubt; and that she has not wronged me, considering the matter coolly, I must confess; but the jealousy which torments me, continually presents her to my mind as a sword that has pierced my heart, which it is not surprising, that I should endeavour to pluck from it and break in pieces. It is surely natural to hate and strive to destroy whatever brings us harm, or prevents us from attaining good."

"Be it as you say, senora Leocadia," said Teodoro; "I see that, as the passion which possesses you, does not allow you to reason more coolly, you are not at present in a mood to listen to salutary counsel. For myself, I can only say to you what I have already said, that I am ready to serve and assist you in anything that is just, and is within my power; and I promise you the same on the part of my brother, for his noble blood and generous disposition will not let him do otherwise. We are on the way to Italy; if you choose to go with us, you already know pretty well what sort of companions we should make. What I have to ask of you is, that you will give me leave to tell my brother what I know of your affairs, in order that he may treat you with the courtesy and respect that are your due, and afford you the care and protection which you need. At the same time I think it is better that you should not change your garb; and if we can get clothes for you in this town, I will in the morning purchase the best and the fittest for you which are to be had; and as for your other affairs, you must for the present leave them to Time, who often brings relief even to the most desperate cases.'

Leocadia thanked Teodoro, as she supposed Teodosia to be, for his offers of service, and gave him leave to tell his brother whatever he chose, and entreat him not to leave her unprotected, as he would see to how many dangers she would be exposed were she discovered to be a woman. They then separated to retire to rest; Teodosia going to her brother's apartment, and Leocadia to one adjoining it.

Don Rafael was not yet gone to sleep, waiting to know what had passed between his sister and the person whom she thought to be a woman; which, imme

diately on her entering, he desired her to tell him. She related to him every particular of what Leocadia had told her -whose daughter she was-her love af fair-Marco Antonio's bond-and her present intention; all which excited Don Rafael's wonder; and he said to his sister

"If she be the person she says, I can tell you, sister, she is of one of the principal families of that place, and one of the noblest in all Andalusia. Our father is well acquainted with hers, and the beauty which we have seen in her countenance, corresponds with the great fame of it which had come to our hearing; from all which it appears to me, that we must proceed with caution, that she may not have an opportunity of speaking to Marco Antonio before we do; for I confess that the bond which she says he gave her, makes me a little uneasy, notwithstanding that she has lost it. But compose yourself, sister, and go to rest, and we will endeavour to set all these matters right."

Teodosia did as her brother desired her, in going to rest; but as for composing herself, that was not in her power; for the raging fever of jealousy had already taken possession of her. How much did she magnify to herself the beauty of Leocadia, and the faithlessness of Marco Antonio! How often did she read, or fancy she read over, the bond which he had given her! How many words and expressions did she add to it, which rendered it clear and binding! How many times did she imagine that even if it were so, Marco Antonio would still fulfil his promise to Leocadia, unmindful of his obligations to herself!

In this manner she passed the greater part of the night without sleeping; nor did Don Rafael pass it much more tranquilly than his sister; for he had no sooner heard who Leocadia was, than he was as violently in love with her as if he had known her sex for ever so long; for such, says my author, is the force of beauty, that it awakens in a moment the desire of him who beholds it; and if it does but hold out the smallest chance of possession, it sets the whole soul on fire, even as a single spark kindles the whole combustible train. His imagination represented her, not bound to the tree in the ragged habiliments in which the thieves had left her, but in her proper female attire, and in the house of her noble and wealthy parents. He did not pause, nor did he wish to pause, to think of the occasion of his thus becoming acquainted with her. He longed for the

daylight to arrive, that he might continue his journey, and find Marco Antonio, not so much that he might make him his brother-in-law, as to prevent him from being Leocadia's husband; and love and jealousy already possessed him to such a degree, that he could have borne to see his sister lose the redress he was seeking for, and Marco Antonio his life, so that he himself might not lose the hope which he already entertained of obtaining Leocadia, by means of those assiduities and attentions which time and occasion would afford him opportunities of paying. This latter consideration set his mind somewhat at rest; and soon afterwards the day began to break, and they arose to prepare for their departure.

Don Rafael called to the host, and asked him if any clothes could be obtained in that place to dress a page whom the banditti had stripped. The host answered, that he himself had a pretty good dress of that kind to dispose of; he brought it to them, and they found that it would fit Leocadia tolerably well. Don Rafael paid him for it. She put on the dress, and girded on a sword and dagger with so much grace and gallantry, that even in that garb she increased the admiration of Don Rafael, and doubled the jealousy of Teodosia. Calvete saddled the mules, and at eight o'clock they set out for Barcelona, without staying at that time to ascend to the famous monastery of Montserrat, leaving it for a future time, should heaven vouchsafe to bring them back in greater tranquillity to their native province.

It is difficult to describe the different thoughts of the brother and sister as they proceeded on their way, and with what different feelings each of them regarded Leocadia; Teodosia wishing that she might die, and Don Rafael that she might live; both of them jealous and impassioned: Teodosia seeking for defects in her, wherewith to sustain her own hopes; Don Rafael finding new perfections in her, which obliged him to love her the more. They did not, however, lose any time on the way, but reached Barcelona a little before sunset.

blank shot from one of the guns, as a signal that unless they desisted from the affray, the next fire should be in

earnest.

At this time Don Rafael was attentively observing the furious and obstinate conflict; and among those who were most actively engaged on the side of the galleys, he observed a young man of little more than twenty, dressed in green, with a hat of the same colour, decorated with a rich trencillo or jewelled ornament, apparently of diamonds. The dexterity with which the youth handled his weapon, and the elegance of his dress, drew upon him the eyes of all who were watching the affray, and among the rest, Teodosia and Leocadia observed him so well, that they both exclaimed nearly at the same instant, "Good heaven! either my eyes deceive me, or he in green is Marco Antonio," and so saying, they both sprang from their mules, and both, laying their hands on their swords, made their way boldly through the crowd, and placed themselves on either side of Marco Antonio, for such the young gentleman really

was.

"Fear not, Senor Marco Antonio," said Leocadia, as soon as she reached him, "for you have one at your side who will make a shield of his own life to de

fend yours.

"Who doubts it," said Teodosia, "since I am here?"

Don Rafael, seeing and hearing this, followed the two disguised damsels, and ranged himself on the same side.

Marco Antonio, busied in attacking his antagonists and defending himself, paid no attention to what his new allies said to him, his whole soul seeming to be absorbed in the fight, in which he was performing astonishing feats of swordsmanship and intrepidity: but as the crowd from the town was constantly increasing, the people from the galleys were obliged to retreat to the water's edge, and even into the water itself. Marco Antonio retreated with great reluctance, the two amazons still keeping close at his side.

There now came upon the ground a Catalonian gentleman, of the celebrated family of Cardona, mounted on a powerful horse; and riding in between the two parties, he made those of the city retire; being a man whom they held in great respect; but some of them, from a distance, threw stones at those who had retreated into the water, one of which, unfortunately struck Marco Antonio on

the breast, with such violence that he would have fallen flat in the water, in which he had already been standing kneedeep, but that Leocadia on one side, and Teodosia on the other, caught and supported him in their arms.

Don Rafael was a little nearer the land, defending himself as well as he could from the shower of stones which assailed him; but was now hastening to the assistance of his beloved Leocadia, of his sister, and of his brother-in-law, when the Catalonian gentleman interposed, saying to him, "I pray you, sir, by your duty as a good soldier, to keep quiet, and I will protect you from the insolence of this unruly rabble."

"I entreat you, sir," replied Don Rafael, "to let me pass; for there I see the lives of those who are dearest to me in imminent peril."

The gentleman let him pass, but still he did not come up until the boat of the commander's galley had taken in Marco Antonio and Leocadia, who would never quit her hold of him; but when Teodosia would have entered the boat along with them, whether it was from unusual fatigue, or from grief at seeing Marco Antonio wounded, or from chagrin at seeing her rival accompany him, she had not strength to get into the boat, and she would doubtless have swooned in the water, but for the timely arrival of her brother, who was no less pained than herself at seeing that Leocadia was gone with Marco Antonio, whom he also had recognised.

The Catalonian gentleman, pleased with the genteel and agreeable appearance of Don Rafael and his brother, as he supposed it to be, called to them from the shore, and asked them to come with him; and they, compelled by the necessity of their situation, and fearful lest the people, who were not yet quiet, should do them some mischief, accepted the gentleman's offer. The latter then alighted; and taking them at his side, with his sword drawn, he passed through the midst of the rioters, desiring them at the same time to disperse, which they accordingly did. Don Rafael looked on all sides, to see if he could discover anything of Calvete and the mules; but the muleteer was nowhere to be found, for as soon as his masters had alighted, he had taken the animals by the bridles, and gone with them to an inn where he had been accustomed to put up.

The gentleman brought his guests to his house, which was one of the best in the town; and having asked Don Rafael

in which galley he had come, the latter answered, in none, for that he had arrived at the town by land at the very moment that the affray was beginning; that it was only because he had recognised in the midst of it the gentleman whom they had carried away in the boat wounded by the blow of a stone, that he had put himself in that danger; and he entreated him to give orders that the wounded person in question might be brought on shore, since it was a matter that concerned his happiness and his life.

"That I will do with great pleasure," said the gentleman; "and I know the commander will not object to it; for he is a gentleman of honour, and a relative of mine;" and without more ado he went back to the galley, where he found them attending to Marco Antonio's wound, which the surgeon considered as dangerous, on account of its being on the left breast. He prevailed on the commander to let him be carried ashore, and attended there; and accordingly he was placed with great care in the boat, Leocadia still keeping close to him, and embarking along with him, as following the star of her hopes. When they arrived on shore, the gentleman had a chair brought from his house, in which to convey him thither. While this was passing, Don Rafael had sent after Calvete, who was staying at the inn, anxious to learn the fate of his masters; and when he learned that they were safe, he was extremely rejoiced, and went to the house where Don Rafael was staying.

The master of the house now arrived with Marco Antonio and Leocadia, and he provided for the accommodation of them all with great kindness and liberality. He immediately ordered a celebrated surgeon of the city to be called in, to examine Marco Antonio's wound afresh. The surgeon came, but would not apply anything to the wound until the next day, saying, that army and marine surgeons were more capable of treating such cases, on account of the number and variety of wounds that were constantly coming under their hands, and so that it was better he should not do any thing until the next day. He only ordered them to put him in a chamber as far removed from noise as possible, and there to leave him quiet; but at that moment the surgeon from the galleys arrived, and gave him of the town an account of the wound, and how he had treated it, and of the danger in which he considered the wounded man's life to be.

All which satisfied the other surgeon that the case had been properly treated. Now, also, he spoke more decidedly of Marco Antonio's danger.

Leocadia and Teodosia heard this as if they had heard their sentence of death; but the circumstances obliged them to repress their grief, and they were silent. Leocadia resolved, however, to do what appeared to her to be necessary for the satisfaction of her honour: and accordingly, when the surgeons were gone, she entered the chamber in which Marco Antonio lay, and in the presence of the master of the house, of Don Rafael, of Teodosia, and of some other persons, she approached the wounded man's pillow, and, taking his hand, addressed him thus:

"You are not at present in a state, Marco Antonio Adorno, in which many words can or ought to be spoken to you; and so I only wish you to hear from me a few, which, if they will not contribute to the health of your body, will at least be for the good of your soul; but, before I say them, you must tell me if it be your pleasure to hear me, as it is not fit, seeing that ever since I have known you I have endeavoured to please you in all things, that I should, in these moments, which I conceive to be your last, do anything to your displeasure."

At these words Marco Antonio opened his eyes, gazed earnestly at Leocadia, and having recognised her, more by her voice than by looking at her, he said to her in a faint and mournful tone, "Say what you like, sir; for I am not yet too far gone to listen to you, nor is that voice so displeasing to me that I should find the sound of it irksome."

Teodosia listened with the greatest attention to this dialogue: every word that Leocadia said, struck her to the heart, and had scarcely less effect on Don Rafael, who was also present. Leocadia continued:

"If, Senor Marco Antonio, the blow which your breast has received has not driven from your memory the image of her whom, but a little time ago, you called your glory and your heaven, you must remember Leocadia, and the word which you gave her, confirmed by a deed in your own handwriting; nor will you have forgotten her honourable parentage, the propriety of her conduct and behaviour, and the obligation which you lie under to her, for having in every particular yielded to your wish. If you have not forgotten all this, then, although you now behold me in so different a garb,