restoration, yet no Spaniard was ever more tenacious of plighted word
than this inconsistent pupil of the profound Florentine. And Randal's
probity being now clear to him, he repeated, with stately formalities,
his previous offer of Violante's hand.

"But," still falteringly sighed the provident and far-calculating Randal
--"but your only child, your sole heiress! Oh, might not your consent to
such a marriage (if known before your recall) jeopardize your cause?
Your lands, your principalities, to devolve on the child of an humble
Englishman! I dare not believe it. Ah, would Violante were not your
heiress!"

"A noble wish," said Riccabocca, smiling blandly, "and one that the Fates
will realize. Cheer up; Violante will not be my heiress."

"Ah," cried Randal, drawing a long breath--"ah, what do I hear?"

"Hist! I shall soon a second time be a father. And, to judge by the
unerring researches of writers upon that most interesting of all
subjects, parturitive science, I shall be the father of a son. He will,
of course, succeed to the titles of Serrano. And Violante--"

"Will have nothing, I suppose?" exclaimed Randal, trying his best to look
overjoyed till he had got his paws out of the trap into which he had so
incautiously thrust them.

"Nay, her portion by our laws--to say nothing of my affection--would far
exceed the ordinary dower which the daughters of London merchants bring
to the sons of British peers. Whoever marries Violante, provided I
regain my estates, must submit to the cares which the poets assure us