to darker reports concerning one on whom the eyes of all Spain were
fixed. It was supposed that he had some motive beyond that of shame at
their meanness, to conceal his real origin and name. What could be that
motive, if not the dread of discovery for some black and criminal offence
connected with his earlier youth, and for which he feared the prosecution
of the law? They who affected most to watch his exterior averred that
often, in his gayest revels and proudest triumphs, his brow would lower
--his countenance change--and it was only by a visible and painful effort
that he could restore his mind to its self-possession. His career, which
evinced an utter contempt for the ordinary rules and scruples that curb
even adventurers into a seeming of honesty and virtue, appeared in some
way to justify these reports. But, at times, flashes of sudden and
brilliant magnanimity broke forth to bewilder the curious, to puzzle the
examiners of human character, and to contrast the general tenor of his
ambitions and remorseless ascent to power. His genius was confessed by
all; but it was a genius that in no way promoted the interests of his
country. It served only to prop, defend, and advance himself--to battle
difficulties--to defeat foes--to convert every accident, every chance,
into new stepping stones in his course. Whatever his birth, it was
evident that he had received every advantage of education; and scholars
extolled his learning and boasted of his patronage. While, more
recently, if the daring and wild excesses of the profligate prince were,
on the one hand, popularly imputed to the guidance of Calderon, and
increased the hatred generally conceived against him, so, on the other
hand, his influence over the future monarch seemed to promise a new lease
to his authority, and struck fear into the councils of his foes. In
fact, the power of the upstart marquis appeared so firmly rooted, the
career before him so splendid, that there were not wanted whisperers who,
in addition to his other crimes, ascribed to Roderigo Calderon the
assistance of the black art. But the black art in which that subtle