Page:Madrid shaver's singular adventures, and wonderful escape from the Spanish Inquisition (3).pdf/19

19 his sensations. Ah, Sir, cried Don Manuel, turning to Pedrosa, who at that moment entered the cabin, this gentleman, whom 1 take to be a Spaniard, may have heard the name of Donna Leonoro de Casafonda; if he has been at Madrid, it is possible he may have seen her; should that be the case, he can testify to her external charms; I alone can witness the perfections of her mind.- Senior Don Manuel, replied Pedrosa, I have seen Donna Leonora, and your Excellency is warranted in all you can say in her praise, these words threw the uxorious Spaniard into raptures; his eyes sparkled with delight; the blood rushed into his emaciated cheeks, and every feature glowed with unutterable joy : he pressed Pedrosa with a variety of rapid enquiries, all which he evaded saying that he had only a casual glance of her. The embarrassment, however, which accompanied these answers, did not escape the English captain, who, shortly after, drawing Pedrosa aside into the surgeon’s cabin, was by him made acquainted with the melancholy situation of that unfortunate lady, nay, the very vial was produced, with its contents, as put into the hands of Pedrosa by the Inquisitor. My heart bleeds said the British Captain, for this unhappy husband; assuredly that monster has destroyed Leonora; as for thee, Pedrosa, whilst the British flag flies over your head, neither Spain, nor Portugal, nor Inquisitors, nor devils, shall annoy thee under its protection; but if thou ever venturest over the side of this ship, and rashly settest thy foot upon Catholic soil, when we arrive at Lisbon, thou art a lost man.-