I cannot, like the Duke of Lerma, detest my nearest relative if his shadow cross the line of my interests.

I am of the race of Pelayo, not Oppas; and my profession, rather that of an ancient Persian than a modern Spaniard, is to manage the steed, to wield the sword, and to speak the truth." There was an earnestness and gallantry in the young man's aspect, manner, and voice, as he thus spoke, which afforded the strongest contrast to the inscrutable brow and artificial softness of Calderon; and which, indeed, for the moment, occasioned that crafty and profound adventurer an involuntary feeling of self-humiliation.
"But," continued Fonseca, "let this pass: I come to my story and my request.

Do you, or do you not know, that I have been for some time attached to Beatriz Coello!" "Beatriz," replied Calderon, abstractedly, with an altered countenance, "it is a sweet name--it was my mother's!" "Your mother's! I thought to have heard her name was Mary Sandalen ?" "True--Mary Beatriz Sandalen," replied Calderon, indifferently.

"But proceed.

I heard, after your last visit to Madrid, when, owing to my own absence in Portugal, I was not fortunate enough to see you, that you had offended the duke by desiring an alliance unsuitable to your birth.