If in a most assured reality

He should return, and see a brother's infant

Smile at him from my arms?

Oh what a thought!

VALDEZ.

[Clasping her forehead.

A thought? even so! mere thought! an empty

thought.

The very week he promised his return-
TERESA. (abruptly.)

Was it not then a busy joy? to see him,

After those three years travels! we had no fears-
The frequent tidings, the ne'er failing letter,
Almost endeared his absence! Yet the gladness,
The tumult of our joy! What then if now-

VALDEZ.

O power of youth to feed on pleasant thoughts,
Spite of conviction! I am old and heartless !
Yes, I am old-I have no pleasant fancies-
Hectic and unrefreshed with rest-

TERESA. (with great tenderness.)
My father !

VALDEZ.

The sober truth is all too much for me!
I see no sail which brings not to my mind
The home-bound bark in which my son was captured
By the Algerine-to perish with his captors!

TERESA.

Oh no! he did not!

VALDEZ.

Captured in sight of land!

From yon hill point, nay, from our castle watch-tower

We might have seen

TERESA.

His capture, not his death.

VALDEZ.

Alas! how aptly thou forget'st a tale

Thou ne'er didst wish to learn ! my brave Ordonio

Saw both the pirate and his prize go down,

In the same storm that baffled his own valour,
And thus twice snatched a brother from his hopes :
Gallant Ordonio! (pauses, then tenderly) O beloved

Teresa,

Would'st thou best prove thy faith to generous Alvar,
And most delight his spirit, go, make thou
His brother happy, make his aged father
Sink to the grave in joy.

TERESA.

For mercy's sake

Press me no more! I have no power to love him.
His proud forbidding eye, and his dark brow,
Chill me like dew damps of the unwholesome night:
My love, a timorous and tender flower,

Closes beneath his touch.

VALDEZ.

You wrong him, maiden !

You wrong him, by my soul! Nor was it well
To character by such unkindly phrases
The stir and workings of that love for you
Which he has toiled to smother. 'Twas not well,

Nor is it grateful in you to forget

His wounds and perilous voyages, and how
With an heroic fearlessness of danger

He roam'd the coast of Afric for your Alvar.

It was not well-You have moved me even to tears.

TERESA.

Oh pardon me, Lord Valdez! pardon me!
It was a foolish and ungrateful speech,
A most ungrateful speech ! But I am hurried
Beyond myself, if I but hear of one
Who aims to rival Alvar. Were we not

Born in one day, like twins of the same parent?
Nursed in one cradle? Pardon me, my father!
A six years' absence is a heavy thing,

Yet still the hope survives

VALDEZ. (looking forward.)

Hush! 'tis Monviedro.

TERESA.

The Inquisitor! on what new scent of blood?

Enter MONVIEDRO with ALHADRA.

MONVIEDRO. (having first made his obeisance to

VALDEZ and TERESA.)

Peace and the truth be with you! Good my Lord,

My present need is with your son.

[Looking forward.

We have hit the time. Here comes he! Yes, 'tis he.

Enter from the opposite side Don ORDONIO.

My Lord Ordonio, this Moresco woman
(Alhadra is her name) asks audience of you.

ORDONIO.

Hail, reverend father! what may be the business?

MONVIEDRO.

My lord, on strong suspicion of relapse
To his false creed, so recently abjured,
The secret servants of the inquisition

Have seized her husband, and at my command
To the supreme tribunal would have led him,
But that he made appeal to you, my lord,
As surety for his soundness in the faith.
Though lessened by experience what small trust
The asseverations of these Moors deserve,
Yet still the deference to Ordonio's name,
Nor less the wish to prove, with what high honour
The Holy Church regards her faithful soldiers,
Thus far prevailed with me that-

ORDONIO.

Reverend father,

I am much beholden to your high opinion,

Which so o'erprizes my light services.

[then to ALHADRA.

I would that I could serve you; but in truth

Your face is new to me.

MONVIEDRO.

My mind foretold me,

That such would be the event. In truth, Lord Valdez,

'Twas little probable, that Don Ordonio,

That your illustrious son, who fought so bravely

Some four years since to quell these rebel Moors,
Should prove the patron of this infidel!

The guarantee of a Moresco's faith!
Now I return.

ALHADRA.

My Lord, my husband's name

Is Isidore. (ORDON IO starts.) - You may remember it:

'hree years ago, three years this very week,

You left him at Almeria.

MONVIEDRO.

Palpably false!

This very week, three years ago, my lord,
(You needs must recollect it by your wound)

You were at sea, and there engaged the pirates,
The murderers doubtless of your brother Alvar!

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