You are charged with the crime of desertion." "Thou liest, knave! I had the general's free permission to quit the camp." "We have said all--follow!" Fonseca, naturally of the most impetuous and passionate character, was not, in that moment, in a mood to calculate coldly all the consequences of resistance.

Arrest--imprisonment--on the eve before that which was to see him the deliverer of Beatriz, constituted a sentence of such despair, that all other considerations vanished before it.

He set his teeth firmly, drew his sword, dashed aside the alguazil who attempted to obstruct his path, and strode grimly on, shaking one clenched hand in defiance, while, with the other, he waved the good Toledo that had often blazed in the van of battle, at the war-cry of "St.Iago and Spain!" The alguazils closed round the soldier, and the clash of swords was already heard; when suddenly torches borne on high threw their glare across the moonlit street, and two running footmen called out, "Make way for the most noble the Marquis de Siete Iglesias!" At that name, Fonseca dropped the point of his weapon; the alguazils themselves drew aside; and the tall figure and pale countenance of Calderon were visible amongst the group.
"What means this brawl in the open streets at this late hour ?" said the minister, sternly.
"Calderon!" exclaimed Fonseca; "this is indeed fortunate.

These caitiffs have dared to lay hands on a soldier of Spain, and to forge for their villany the name of his own kinsman, the Duke de Lerma." "Your charge against this gentleman ?" asked Calderon, calmly, turning to the principal alguazil, who placed the writ of arrest in the secretary's hand.

Calderon read it leisurely, and raised his hat as he returned it to the alguazil: he then drew aside Fonseca.
"Are you mad ?" said he, in a whisper.