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insisted upon Leonella's breaking her promise to the Cavaliers。
A sigh； which on hearing this order escaped from Antonia；
confirmed the wary Mother in her resolution。
Through this resolution Leonella was determined to break： She
conceived it to be inspired by envy； and that her Sister dreaded
her being elevated above her。 Without imparting her design to
anyone； She took an opportunity of dispatching the following
note to Lorenzo； It was delivered to him as soon as He woke。
'Doubtless； Segnor Don Lorenzo； you have frequently accused me of
ingratitude and forgetfulness： But on the word of a Virgin； it
was out of my power to perform my promise yesterday。 I know not
in what words to inform you how strange a reception my Sister
gave your kind wish to visit her。 She is an odd Woman； with many
good points about her； But her jealousy of me frequently makes
her conceive notions quite unaccountable。 On hearing that your
Friend had paid some little attention to me； She immediately took
the alarm： She blamed my conduct； and has absolutely forbidden
me to let you know our abode。 My strong sense of gratitude for
your kind offers of service； and 。 。 。 Shall I confess it？ my
desire to behold once more the too amiable Don Christoval； will
not permit my obeying her injunctions。 I have therefore stolen a
moment to inform you； that we lodge in the Strada di San Iago；
four doors from the Palace d'Albornos； and nearly opposite to the
Barber's Miguel Coello。 Enquire for Donna Elvira Dalfa； since in
compliance with her Father…in…law's order； my Sister continues to
be called by her maiden name。 At eight this evening you will be
sure of finding us： But let not a word drop which may raise a
suspicion of my having written this letter。 Should you see the
Conde d'Ossorio； tell him 。 。 。 I blush while I declare it 。 。 。
Tell him that his presence will be but too acceptable to the
sympathetic Leonella。
The latter sentences were written in red ink； to express the
blushes of her cheek； while She committed an outrage upon her
virgin modesty。
Lorenzo had no sooner perused this note than He set out in
search of Don Christoval。 Not being able to find him in the
course of the day； He proceeded to Donna Elvira's alone； to
Leonella's infinite disappointment。 The Domestic by whom He
sent up his name； having already declared his Lady to be at home；
She had no excuse for refusing his visit： Yet She consented to
receive it with much reluctance。 That reluctance was increased
by the changes which his approach produced in Antonia's
countenance； nor was it by any means abated when the Youth
himself appeared。 The symmetry of his person； animation of his
features； and natural elegance of his manners and address；
convinced Elvira that such a Guest must be dangerous for her
Daughter。 She resolved to treat him with distant politeness； to
decline his services with gratitude for the tender of them； and
to make him feel； without offence； that his future visits would
be far from acceptable。
On his entrance He found Elvira； who was indisposed； reclining
upon a Sopha： Antonia sat by her embroidery frame； and Leonella；
in a pastoral dress； held 'Montemayor's Diana。' In spite of
her being the Mother of Antonia； Lorenzo could not help expecting
to find in Elvira Leonella's true Sister； and the Daughter of 'as
honest a painstaking Shoe…maker； as any in Cordova。' A single
glance was sufficient to undeceive him。 He beheld a Woman whose
features； though impaired by time and sorrow； still bore the
marks of distinguished beauty： A serious dignity reigned upon
her countenance； but was tempered by a grace and sweetness which
rendered her truly enchanting。 Lorenzo fancied that She must
have resembled her Daughter in her youth； and readily excused the
imprudence of the late Conde de las Cisternas。 She desired him
to be seated； and immediately resumed her place upon the Sopha。
Antonia received him with a simple reverence； and continued her
work： Her cheeks were suffused with crimson； and She strove to
conceal her emotion by leaning over her embroidery frame。 Her
Aunt also chose to play off her airs of modesty； She affected to
blush and tremble； and waited with her eyes cast down to receive；
as She expected； the compliments of Don Christoval。 Finding
after some time that no sign of his approach was given； She
ventured to look round the room； and perceived with vexation that
Medina was unaccompanied。 Impatience would not permit her
waiting for an explanation： Interrupting Lorenzo； who was
delivering Raymond's message； She desired to know what was become
of his Friend。
He； who thought it necessary to maintain himself in her good
graces； strove to console her under her disappointment by
committing a little violence upon truth。
'Ah！ Segnora；' He replied in a melancholy voice 'How grieved will
He be at losing this opportunity of paying you his respects！ A
Relation's illness has obliged him to quit Madrid in haste： But
on his return； He will doubtless seize the first moment with
transport to throw himself at your feet！'
As He said this； his eyes met those of Elvira： She punished his
falsehood sufficiently by darting at him a look expressive of
displeasure and reproach。 Neither did the deceit answer his
intention。 Vexed and disappointed Leonella rose from her seat；
and retired in dudgeon to her own apartment。
Lorenzo hastened to repair the fault； which had injured him in
Elvira's opinion。 He related his conversation with the Marquis
respecting her： He assured her that Raymond was prepared to
acknowledge her for his Brother's Widow； and that till it was in
his power to pay his compliments to her in person； Lorenzo was
commissioned to supply his place。 This intelligence relieved
Elvira from an heavy weight of uneasiness： She had now found a
Protector for the fatherless Antonia； for whose future fortunes
She had suffered the greatest apprehensions。 She was not sparing
of her thanks to him who had interfered so generously in her
behalf； But still She gave him no invitation to repeat his visit。
However； when upon rising to depart He requested permission to
enquire after her health occasionally； the polite earnestness of
his manner； gratitude for his services； and respect for his
Friend the Marquis； would not admit of a refusal。 She consented
reluctantly to receive him： He promised not to abuse her
goodness； and quitted the House。
Antonia was now left alone with her Mother： A temporary silence
ensued。 Both wished to speak upon the same subject； but Neither
knew how to introduce it。 The one felt a bashfulness which
sealed up her lips； and for which She could not account： The
other feared to find her apprehensions true； or to inspire her
Daughter with notions to which She might be still a Stranger。 At
length Elvira began the conversation。
'That is a charming young Man； Antonia； I am much pleased with
him。 Was He long near you yesterday in the Cathedral？'
'He quitted me not for a moment while I staid in the Church： He
gave me his seat； and was very obliging and attentive。'
'Indeed？