620 ANDALUS1AN SKETCHES. 



" He is dead !" said she, with frightful calmness, falling on her 

 knees beside Amalia. " I knew his weak frame could not endure 

 this journey could not bear the parting with Pepe. But he would 

 undertake it, and why was I not permitted to accompany him instead 

 of this dear child?" She paused for an instant, and tears came to her 

 relief; then addressing herself to the old nurse, who stood by wring- 

 ing her hands, and uttering piteous exclamations of " Ay de mi ! 

 Misericordia !" "Go, Margarita," said she, "to the convent; 

 call Padre Mendez." The domestic went away, and I stood aloof 

 from the maternal attentions and assistance which were so requisite. 



At the expiration of a few minutes, a priest entered the room an 

 aged man, of a mild, benignant countenance, dressed in a long black 

 robe, his waist encircled by a white cord, from which was suspended 

 a large silver crucifix. He had gathered but little information as to 

 what had occurred, from the nurse, during their rapid walk from the 

 convent ; and he turned his expressive, inquiring eye upon me, soli- 

 citing some explanation. I whispered to him the particulars of the 

 melancholy event I had witnessed. 



" God will reward you, generous foreigner," said he ; " but let us 

 leave the ladies to their affliction let us proceed to the river-side 

 our way lies by my convent, where we must obtain further assist- 

 ance." 



I followed the friar. At the end of the street he rang the bell at a 

 convent-door. 



" Tell Manuel," said he to the porter, " to follow us to the quay, 

 with the bearers, and let them bring the bier there has happened a 

 death/' 



We passed on and reached the vessel. The captain was rejoiced 

 to be rid of the corpse he " was apprehensive of detention, and 

 must start again for Cadiz at day-break." The bier soon arrived, 

 and the body of Don Carlos was placed upon it. 



" Now," said the priest to me, " retire to your inn ; but first let me 

 give you my benediction, although, perhaps, you are not of the true 

 church." 



Involuntarily, almost, I removed my hat. He placed his hand 

 lightly upon my head, and uttered a latin prayer, and then con- 

 tinued, in Spanish, " God be with you ! Come to-morrow to the 

 Convento del Carmen enquire for me for Padre Mendez. You 

 must hear the story of this unfortunate." 



I repaired to my old quarters, at the Fonda del Leon de Oro. 

 Supper was placed before me, but the well-dressed olla and the 

 olives (acey tunas de la Reyna] were removed untasted. I threw myself 

 upon my couch, disturbed and in low spirits, but at length slept/ On 

 the following morning I was sitting in the refectory of the convent 

 with the padre. 



" I have," said he, " passed nearly the entire night with the 

 family. Dona Isabel, the mother, is a pious woman. She is 

 already tolerably reconciled to the will of the Deity. Amalia is 

 young, and will be more composed anon but she has told us of the 

 sad scene of yesterday, and of your invaluable assistance. They are 

 an unhappy family. Don Carlos de R , and Dona Isabel, are 



