force upon her. He seemed wretched with despair, and implored her with all the deep and restless eloquence of true affection to comply with his wishes, and he would then ever love her, truly and fondly ;-saying, also, that he had in his power every means of happiness, without the assistance ofthose which her guardian might unjustly withhold from her. And he concluded by requesting that if she consented to his dearest desires, to postpone with some plausible excuse the dreaded ceremony for a day, and he would be at her window on the succeeding night, ready to convey her with all possible speed to where the holy sacredóte should be in waiting to unite them forever.
After he was gone she returned and read and re-read those sweet lines, which seemed to her like a reprieve from a doom worse than even death itself, until every letter was engraven upon her memory- never to be effaced ; and then she folded it upon her heart and held it there, while she dreamed all that blissful night of love again and her dear " Velasco."
The next day an unfortunate accident, as it was understood, delayed the arrival of Senor Lopez's expected guest ; for which occurrence Dona Constanza felt duly thankful, while she made secret preparation for her intended flight. She did not feel any regret at the step she was taking, for she was bound by no ties to Senor Lopez, and he had ever been to her a cold-hearted and selfish oppressor. It was the climax of this course of conduct that now drove her forth, to find a protector in one who loved her, and to seek a refuge from bitter oppression ; but as the evening approached, she felt nervous and sick at heart through doubt and anxiety. She had, however, a trusting confidence in the honor of Velasco, for every gesture and every word of his which she had read or listened to, bore the impress of love and sincerity. True, her acquaintance with him was very slight ; but she was rendered desperate through love and constraint, and therefore proceeded to an extremity, which under other circumstances she would have hesitated in doing. While awaiting the arrival of " Velasco," she labored under the most gloomy forebodings, and half repented her hasty promise ; but then as she thought of her hopeless situation, an occasional shudder would thrill over her frame, and renew again her failing resolution. It was about nine o'clock in the evening, that she heard the whispered signal underneath her window, while her heart seemed ready to leap from her throat with trepidation. Summoning up, however, the little energy she could command at the moment, she stepped timidly forth over the balcony, and thence descended into her lover's arms, who quickly placed her on the boat in waiting, and pushed from the shore. He seated himself by her side and pressed her to his heart without speaking, while they were rowed swiftly toward the Villa in
whose suburbs her guardian's residence was situated ; but had not proceeded far ere lights were seen and voices heard in pursuit, and they knew their flight had been discovered. Too frightened to speak, Constanza clung closer to her lover, as if to implore his protection ; but he merely smiled, in derision of their danger, and bade her fear nothing, for all would yet be well. They were too far advanced to be immediately overtaken, and thus reached the church in safety, where the reverend priest was in waiting to perform the nuptial rite. He commenced in haste, well knowing the urgency of the case ; but the ceremony was soon interrupted by the stentorian voice of Senor Lopez, echoing in thunder to the lofty dome of the church, and reverberating amid those deserted aisles, as he shouted, "Hold ! on your life, holy father ! and beware how you profane thus your sacred office !" Then, drawing his sword, advanced to confront the bold abducter of his ward , who stood calm and unmoved, supporting her fainting form ; but paused in utter amazement as he recognized his features, exclaiming, "Good God, Don Emanuel ! Is it possible that you have resorted to such ignoble means to win your lady ?" "It is, Senor," replied Don Emanuel, smiling, "for I despaired of winning her otherwise. You know that she refused the proposal made through her guardian ; therefore, I deemed it proper to gain my desires in the best manner possible. She is mine now, by her own free will ; and I love her none the less, for thus proving to me the faith of her affection." "Well, as you have won the perverse maiden against her desires, even though with her own free consent, the ceremony may proceed ; and I wish my dear ward much pleasure, in thus having her own way in this important matter." The parties were married ; and then of course came an explanation ofthe mystery to Dona Constanza. Don Emanuel de Velasco, having seen her, as before stated, was immediately captivated with her beauty and sweetness ; but being imperatively called away to Madrid, he was obliged to submit by letter, a proposal for addressing her, to Senor Lopez, who closed at once with his desires ; and unexpectedly, even went so far as to fix upon a day for the marriage, which he seemed to think, without doubt, would follow in a very short period. This surprised, while it gave him much pleasure, and he joyfully acquiesced in the arrangement ; but when he understood that she firmly opposed the union, shrewdly deeming that she might be ignorant of his latter title, and encouraged by her seeming gratification at the previous manifestation of his love, he resolved to win her, if possible, under that name alone ; and thereby assure himself not only of her free will, but of her affection for him also. The good priest was his only confidant,
