The Prince of Spain stood on the spot, and his feet were dabbled in the blood of the virgin martyr.
The moonlight alone lighted that spectacle of crime and death; and the faces of all seemed ghastly beneath its beams.

Beatriz turned her eyes upon her lover, with an expression of celestial compassion and divine forgiveness; then sinking upon Calderon's breast, she muttered, "Pardon him! pardon him, father! I shall tell my mother that thou hast blessed me!" It was not for several days after that night of terror that Calderon was heard of at the court.

His absence was unaccountable; for, though the flight of the novice was of course known, her fate was not suspected; and her rank had been too insignificant to create much interest in her escape or much vigilance in pursuit.

But of that absence the courtier's enemies well availed themselves.

The plans of the cabal were ripe; and the aid of the Inquisition by the appointment of Aliaga was added to the machinations of Uzeda's partisans.