for ever of his native land.

Unhappy exiles are we, señor, who seek to find in Lisbon protection and a home. And if, as thou sayest, Don Peter de Caelho, Count d'Ercillia, is well known to thee, I have said enough to explain the reason of my silence respecting him; since, were my father's ire provoked against that powerful Portuguese, all hope of a resting place in his country were at an end.

"Doest thou then believe that thy sire's indignation could reach so lofty a spot as that occupied by the dreaded favourite of Alphonso?"

A bright flush passed over the lady's features, and Heaven's lightning flashed from her dark eyes, as gazing haughtily on the closed vizor beside her, she replied," Aye, sir knight, or to the very throne whereon that monarch sitteth. He who dreams that Don Sebastian de but hold." She suddenly paused,-the curved lip resumed its wonted expression of tranquil sadness,—the beautiful cheek lost its brightness, and the eye its fire.

"Alas!" she murmured, "what avails the

pride of birth and glorious ancestry?-we are only exiles now!" After a moment's pause, she continued,—“Ah, senor, my feelings would have hurried me to the utterance of my father's name; forgive me if—though nothing doubting thee I am silent on all that concerneth him."

"It was not of Don Sebastian I sought to speak,” replied the knight; "rather would I learn what claims Caelho hath on the regards of Donna Inez."

"None, señor; none, save those of a discarded suitor,” replied the lady earnestly. "It is true that my father willed me to be his, provided he won my esteem; but no feeling could he awaken in this heart save dislike and fear."

"Fear!"

"Aye, señor, strange as it may seem to thee, that a lover could alarm the woman he professed to adore,—it was even so. A shuddering horror ever drove me from his presence, and all my efforts sufficed not to prevent his perceiving the

extreme abhorrence in which I held him. Oh, gladly did I hear of the long deferred departure of Donna Constanza to her betrothed lord, for the count was one of the embassy who came to escort her to Lisbon. But on the eve-ah, what a fearful sigh !—Señor, thy wound afflicts thee !" suddenly exclaimed Inez, as a half-smothered groan burst from the bosom of her companion.

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No, lady," he faintly answered; "my trifling hurt was well nigh forgotten. I pray thee resume thy recital,-it renders me oblivious of cares that weigh heavily on my spirit."

A glance of wondering pity rested for a moment on the closed helmet of the knight, as though it would fain have read the stranger's heavy thoughts, even through his mask of steel,— then with a sigh Donna Inez continued: "On the eve of Caelho's departure for Lisbon, he made a last but vain attempt to change my fixed resolve ; and as he quitted my bower, dared to murmur indistinct threats. I well remember that I

smiled at his dark hints of vengeance, scorning that he should behold my father's child moved by the frenzy of his wounded pride; but so fearfully were his words enforced by the fiendish look with which he left my presence, that never afterwards could I recall their threatening import without a shudder. Nor can I forget that from the time when the Princess wedded the Infant of Portugal, my father's favour with his suzerain began to wane. But I dare not say more, señor. I have told thee all that concerns myself alone,the remainder of my history is also my father's." "Knowest thou, lady, that this foe,-whose will to work thee wrong hath been plainly manifested this day, hath by his cunning, flattery, and obsequiousness, obtained the entire confidence of his sovereign? Alas, that it should be the fate of Portugal to quail beneath the will of a base minion! but true it is, señora,-even those of royal blood, care not to thwart the imperious favourite. Surely Lisbon is, of all places, the one least likely to afford thee a peaceful abiding place?"

"Yet to change my father's purpose I must discover his foe, and that would be to risk his life, on which mine own doth hang. Ah, señor, it surely will not be difficult for us to dwell in a populous city unobserved: Yes, rather than peril my father's safety, I will adventure it: Good angels be my guard!"

"Should thy resolve hold, señora, thou wilt find it not difficult to secure the protection of the queen; she is most easy of access, and the beloved of all hearts. Believe me, thou mayest yet need powerful aid :-Caelho is not the man to entertain a design about the success of which he is indifferent; or to relinquish a pursuit that he has thought proper to commence. Think of this, Donna Inez, for in thus advising thee, I am not without hopes of being able to secure thee the notice of Donna Beatrix. But behold, Don Sebastian addresses us."

During the prolonged conversation between Inez and her champion, the country through