"Why does this shudder come over me?" said, he, half aloud. "It was thus
in that dismal hour which preceded the knowledge of my shame--the deed of
a dark revenge--the revolution of my eventful and wondrous life! Ah! how
happy was I once! a contented and tranquil student; a believer in those
eyes that were to me as the stars to the astrologer. But the golden age
passed into that of iron. And now," added Calderon, with a self-mocking
sneer, "comes the era which the poets have not chronicled; for fraud, and
hypocrisy, and vice, know no poets!"

The quick step of Fonseca interrupted the courtier's reverie. He turned,
knit his brow, and sighed heavily, as if nerving himself to some effort;
but his brow was smooth, and his aspect cheerful, ere Fonseca reached his
side.

"Give me joy--give me joy, dear Calderon! she has consented. Now, then,
your promised aid."

"You can depend upon the fidelity of your friendly porter?

"With my life."

"A master key to the back-door of the chapel has been made?"

"See, I have it."

"And Beatriz can contrive to secrete herself in the confessional at the
hour of the night prayers?"

"There is no doubt of her doing so with safety. The number of the