CHAPTER VIII.
O gran contrasto in giovenil pensiero, Desir di laude ed impeto d'Amore; Ne chi piu vaglia ancor si trova il vero, Che resta or questo, or quello superiore.
_Ariosto._
At first a vague suspicion, a blind dread, Then a quick feeling of the fatal truth Instinctive flashed across her mind.
_Wiffin's Tasso._
The first rosy tints of morning at length began to appear, and the heavyclouds of night were gradually rolling away before the splendour of theapproaching sun, when Don Manuel de Monteblanco, who was already on thealert, received information that a party of horsemen were rapidlyapproaching the mansion. The old cavalier hastened to a spot whence hecould descry his visitors, and form a judgment of their quality. Theparty consisted of an armed knight, and about half a dozen men-at-arms,bounding over the elastic turf, with the greatest buoyancy of spirits.Don Manuel, who stood watching their advance, was soon able torecognize, in the martial figure and gallant carriage of the knight, hisyoung friend and kinsman, Don Antonio de Leyva, of whose arrival he hadbeen in daily expectation. The youthful warrior was clad in a suit ofpolished steel armour, inlaid with silver; a quantity of massy andwaving red plumage almost overshaded his shining helmet, and threw acrimson flush over his manly countenance, in which an expression ofresolute courage was blended with an air of gaiety and frankness. Thecolour of his cheek was heightened by exercise, and the brilliancy ofhis dark blue eyes expressed an unusual degree of animation, whilst hisblooming age and the gracefulness of his carriage tended to increase theinterest of his commanding appearance. He was mounted on a fiery andslender barb, decorated with the most costly trappings, which appearedto participate in the buoyancy of the rider; for he champed the bit andshook off the white foam, requiring all the dexterity of his master torestrain the impetuosity of his nature.
The small party which accompanied the youthful warrior were arrayed inthe military costume of the period. They served Don Antonio as anescort, and belonged to the body of which he was the leader. Upon theirarrival the massy doors of the mansion were thrown open, and thevenerable Monteblanco stood at the entrance ready to receive his noblevisitor. The next moment Don Antonio, springing from his steed, threwhimself into the arms that hospitably invited him to their embrace.
"Welcome, Don Antonio, thrice welcome to the abode of your old friendand kinsman."
"Save you, noble Don Manuel; it rejoices me to see that the hand of timehas made so little impression upon you; your spirits are still young andardent. How does the fair Theodora?"
"Blooming as the rose of summer, fair as the lily of the valley, andblithesome as the free tenant of the air," replied the fond father; "butcome in," he continued, with joyful accents; "come and refresh yourself.Pedro," he then added, turning to his major-domo, a long, thin, gravelooking personage, "mind that these cavaliers," pointing to DonAntonio's attendants, "are well entertained."
Then taking his relative by the hand, he led him into the mansion.
"Theodora," he then resumed, "is as yet at her morning orisons, in thecompany of good Martha, but on an occasion like the present, there wouldbe no great sin in shortening her devotions."
"By no means," replied Don Antonio, smiling; "it is not my maxim todisturb fair ladies when so laudably occupied."
"Well, my young friend, as you please; but, good heavens!" continued he,surveying his guest from head to foot, with much complacency, "how youare altered! It is a goodly and consoling sight to see the improvementa few years bestow on a young man. You have distinguished yourself atthe games," said Don Manuel; "this is a source of unspeakable joy to me,the more so, as it appears that the queen has been pleased to rewardyour merit. I have heard that you are entrusted with the command of aparty of those gallant men, that are destined to chastise the rebelliousMoors of the Alpujarras."
"In truth," modestly answered Don Antonio, "our great queen hascondescended to honor me far above my deserts; but I trust that myfuture conduct will make me worthy of the confidence she has reposed inme."
"I suppose, then," said Don Manuel, "that your stay at Guadix will bebut short?"
"Very short; as I am only allowed to wait the arrival of my party, andmust then set off immediately to join the army under the command of thenoble Aguilar."
"Then, my dear kinsman," observed Monteblanco, smiling, "the object ofyour visit must be accomplished without further delay."
"I shall never complain of too much expedition when the happiness of mylife is so intimately concerned."
At this moment the door of the saloon was thrown open, and Theodora wasceremoniously ushered in by the stately duenna, who, after making astiff and formal courtsey, sunk back, and kept a respectful distance.
"Dear child," said Don Manuel, "here is your kinsman, Don Antonio deLeyva, with whom you are already acquainted. He appears in our house asbest becomes a gallant knight; his brow adorned with the wreath oftriumph for the skill and prowess he has displayed in the games, a sureomen of his future glory in the field."
Theodora offered her hand to the salutation of her kinsman, with anattempt at cordiality; but it was evidently an effort to hide the realcoldness she felt; for an involuntary tremor crept gradually over her,and her countenance betrayed strong symptoms of emotion, as she beganto suspect the object of Don Antonio's visit. Indeed, the tone of easeand affection, in which her father and young de Leyva conversed, tendedto confirm those suspicions, the truth of which she so much dreaded tolearn.
As soon as Don Antonio withdrew, Monteblanco requested to speak with hisdaughter in his apartment. The trembling girl obeyed with a falteringstep, looking like a criminal about to receive the sentence that is toseal her fate. The duenna remained somewhat surprised at this mysterioustransaction, in which her family counsel and approbation had been sounceremoniously dispensed with. Her pride was mortified; in highdudgeon, she crossed herself with fervour; and then departed, mutteringsomething between a prayer and a malediction.
A short time after, the conference broke up, and Theodora came forth,her eyes swimming in tears, and evincing the most lively emotion. Shehied to her own chamber, and fastening the door, she gave a free vent toher grief.
"Alas!" she exclaimed, "the dreadful suspicion is confirmed, and theresolute manner in which my father has enforced his commands, affords meno room to hope for any alteration--any delay. Not a month--not even aweek is allowed me to prepare--the measure of my misfortune isfull--Lost! lost!--Oh! Lope! Lope!----"
She could proceed no further; the tumult of sorrow impeded herutterance, and she gave loose to her feelings in sighs and tears.
Presently, however, a comforter came to proffer advice andassistance--in the shape of the duenna. As we have already seen, she wasruffled by Don Manuel's want of confidence, and proper regard for herjudgment; and she had resolved to tender her assistance to anotherquarter. It is to be observed the duenna was of a most obligingdisposition. She bestowed her good advice most liberally, and she had aninexhaustible fund of pious exclamations and admonitions at the serviceof her friends. She could not forego the idea of being serviceable, andtherefore very properly desired to be consulted on all occasions. Yetwith all these amiable qualities, the duenna, in the opinion of mostpeople, would be entitled to no better appellation for her pains thanthat of a busy body.
"_Nina_,[21] how's this?" she cried--"What mean these tears?--Aye! aye!I see that your father has been guilty of some preposterous andtyrannical measure; I suspected as much from his carefulness in keepingthe secret from me.--God bless the man!--what is the matter withhim?--he will never be advised, and really I cannot imagine why I remainin his house. Well, child, unfold your sorrows and grievances to yourkindest friend; you know nothing delights me so much as consoling theafflicted, and offering service to the unprotected."
"Yes, good Martha," replied the sorrowing girl; "I am fully sensible ofyour goodness, and I do trust you will not deny me your compas
sion.Alas! without your valuable advice and assistance, I shall neversurmount the difficulties with which I am surrounded. I must see him--Imust see Don Lope this very night!"
She then explained to Martha the nature of her distress, and the duenna,glad to find an opportunity of being serviceable, readily promised herco-operation in the accomplishment of her charge's wishes.