Beatriz yielded to the prayer of her lover; she consented to the scheme of escape and flight that he proposed.
Late at evening Fonseca sought Calderon.

The marquis was in the gardens of his splendid mansion.
The moonlight streamed over many a row of orange-trees and pomegranates--many a white and richly sculptured vase, on its marble pedestal--many a fountain, that scattered its low music round the breathless air.

Upon a terrace that commanded a stately view of the spires and palaces of Madrid stood Calderon, alone; beside him, one solitary and gigantic aloe cast its deep gloom of shade and his motionless attitude, his folded arms, his face partially lifted to the starlit heavens, bespoke the earnestness and concentration of his thoughts.
"Why does this shudder come over me ?" said, he, half aloud.

"It was thus in that dismal hour which preceded the knowledge of my shame--the deed of a dark revenge--the revolution of my eventful and wondrous life! Ah! how happy was I once! a contented and tranquil student; a believer in those eyes that were to me as the stars to the astrologer.

But the golden age passed into that of iron.