“Convince me that I can accept your favours without dishonour, and there is no man in the world to whom I am more willing to be obliged.”

“Probably, you have already heard your sister mention the name of Alphonso d’Alvarada?”

“Never. Though I feel for Agnes an affection truly fraternal, circumstances have prevented us from being much together. While yet a child she was consigned to the care of her aunt, who had married a German nobleman. At his castle she remained till two years since, when she returned to Spain, determined upon secluding herself from the world.”

“Good God! Lorenzo, you knew of her intention, and yet strove not to make her change it?”

“Marquis, you wrong me. The intelligence, which I received at Naples, shocked me extremely, and I hastened my return to Madrid for the express purpose of preventing the sacrifice. The moment that I arrived, I flew to the convent of St.