Page:Infernal secret, or, The invulnerable Spaniard.pdf/3

 THE

Madrid ; that is, every body of the least note in the capital of Spain, had been invited by the ancient and honourable family of the Antaldis, to be present at a festival, given, in consequence of the recovery of some estates in India, belonging to the widowed and only daughter of Don Alvarez; the grandees vied with each in the splendour of their dresses and equipage, and the superb illuminations of the halls, and the glitter of a gorgeous banquet—aided by the soul-inspiring sounds of the best vocal and instrumental performers, filled every heart with joy save one—and that one heart was Isidora's, for whom the feast was given, to whom every noble ent, and whom all her own sex spoke of as a glass wherein the youth of the day might see and study virtue ; yet had Isidora the high-born, the beautiful—the rich—watched an opportunity of retiring from the crowd of fashion and rank, to indulge in litary musings the sadness of her aching heart. The Dona's absence could not fail of being kown; and the youthful nobles who aspire to the lovely widow's hand, attributed her departure to the appearance of a stranger, who seemed to pursue her ery where; “ Who is he? What is he? Where are his titles? Where does he come from?" were questions in every mouth, yet could no one answer satisfactorily. The dress he was always seen in, was dark, but splendid, and his features noble,