Page:Romance & Reality 3.pdf/160

158 "Don Henriquez here!—no, indeed: evil was the hour that ever I listened to any of his wild schemes! Why, the insurrection he went to head, and which was to change the whole face of affairs in Spain, was blown away like a swarm of musquitos. Zoridos has, I dare say, been killed—I have heard nothing of him—I know nothing about him." "A fortnight," said Beatrice, "has not elapsed since I heard from my father: he appointed to meet me here, as at the house of one who knew his secrets and held his property." "Property!" said the man hastily, and with a more civil manner—"I never denied it—I am a safe person to trust. So the Don has escaped? I hope he's by this time sick of conspiracies. One wax taper, two wax tapers, to the good Saint Januarius, to set me free of these luckless Carbonari! No good comes of change. How has the world gone on so long, if every thing needs altering now? But you, Senhora, what do you want with me?" "Protection in a strange city till my father's arrival—or till I can hear from my friends. Fear not that Don Henriquez will spare his reward." "Well, if this is not too bad!"