On the same day Leonella arrived at Madrid, intending to present her young husband to Elvira. Various circumstances had obliged her to defer her journey from Tuesday to Friday, and she had no opportunity of making this alteration in her plans known to her sister. As her heart was truly affectionate, and as she had ever entertained a sincere regard for Elvira and her daughter, her surprise at hearing of their sudden and melancholy fate was fully equalled by her sorrow and disappointment. Ambrosio sent to inform her of Antonia’s bequest: at her solication, he promised, as soon as Elvira’s trifling debts were discharged, to transmit to her the remainder. This being settled, no other business detained Leonella in Madrid, and she returned to Cordova with all diligence.

Oh! could I worship aught beneath the skies

That earth hath seen or fancy could devise,

Thine altar, sacred liberty, should stand,

Built by no mercenary vulgar hand,

With fragrant turf, and flowers as wild and fair,

As ever dressed a bank, or scented summer air.

Cowper