lating, to be suddenly hurled down upon the devoted head of the then noble and high-minded youth.

The sand in time's glass never can stand still, and whether the medium through which mortals view its progress invest the falling particles with a golden hue, or fashion them to the dull sluggish motion which to the impatient appears endless, nevertheless, unchecked by the one, and unpropelled by the otherTime still glides leisurely along.

We must imagine two months to have elapsed, but in that brief period what events of moment had occurred!-Adelaida, notwithstanding her entreaties and passionate supplications for mercy, had become the wedded partner of the man whom her heart told her she could never learn to love. The ambition of the parent was appeased, and the happiness of the daughter sacrificed. But two months, two short months, had rolled by, since Adelaida stood at the altar, the fairest specimen of loveliness whose slight form ever pressed the marble pavement of the house of God-beautiful, most beautiful she appeared, but there was a contraction of the mouth, a vacant look, and almost unnatural brilliancy about her eyes that could not be mistaken for a symbol of a mind at ease. There stood the victim, pale, and immovable as a statue, and when the ceremony concluded which for ever bound her in duty and obedience to the being she detested, she suffered him to lead her from the congratulatory presence of her friends, as if totally unconscious of the prominent part it had been her hapless fate to enact.

It has been stated but two short months had passed, but how changed in that brief time had Adelaida become; thoughtful, and with her brow clouded, grieving, she moved amid the living mass, among whom it was her husband's pride and chief pleasure to lead her; but the sweet smile that formerly dimpled her lovely cheek had passed away,— no jocund laugh was sent in silvery cadence from her lips; joy was a stranger to her breast; her hopes and bright anticipations of felicity were cast down, the heart of the poor girl was crushed, and Adelaida was miserable.

Wrapt as he was within himself, still it was impossible for Don Triarto otherwise than to notice the sudden change in his wife's manner, from joy to pain-from happiness to grief; neither did the quick transition administer in any degree to feed the flame of his self-love, but whatever might have been the cause from whence it originated, the true secret lay safely concealed beyond his penetration-the acuteness of which formed no prominent part of his character. Chagrined at length at the inanimate bearing of his bride, and having vainly

taxed his imagination for a clue by which to elucidate the mystery, the disconcerted bridegroom summoned to his councils one, whose superiority of intellect over that of his friend could only be equalled by his unparalleled villainy.

It so chanced that never until this powerful ally was brought into play had Don Triarto harboured the (to him) preposterous idea, that under any circumstances whatever could it have been possible that an union with himself should be contemplated by the object of his choice with any feelings save those of self-congratulation, and consequently it was with no small portion of surprise, mingled with doubt, that the gentleman first listened to his friend's insinuation, to the effect that it was within the scope of probability that the lady might have conceived an attachment for some other person considerably more congenial to her feelings than the sentiments she experienced in behalf of her husband; but, when at length the idea did take root where the adviser intended it should flourish, the facility with which it strengthened and expanded, astonished even him in whose breast so noxious a seed as jealousy had been planted. It were unnecessary to recapitulate the various and connecting hints that were dropped to substantiate the idea which, having been sedulously engrafted on a weak mind, forbade the possibility of extermination ;-circumstances which in them. selves were nothing, were readily grasped at by the worthy colleagues, and when viewed in connexion with occurrences though equally evanescent, bade fair to render the enraptured husband particularly uncomfortable indeed.

The object on whom this suspicion rested, was of course the young and handsome cousin of the lady, of whom mention has previously been made, and who, unable to tear himself from the presence of her whom he regarded as a being of a superior order, might still be found, whenever opportunity offered, within the magic influence of her power, and from whose society he had vainly struggled to withdraw, even with the consciousness that to linger near the spot once so hallowed, could tend but to bring destruction on himself, and possibly might engulph her in the same abyss. With much craft and secrecy the actions-nay the very glances of the unsuspecting parties were watched, and frequently motives were given to actions, which, in truth, had their foundation in nothing, save the erroneous conclusions which their enemies arrived at. Still nothing decisive could be gathered—no real act of impropriety was detected; and, while the jealous husband panted for an opportunity openly to avow his suspicions, he was reluctantly compelled to smother his unenviable feelings in the absence of any definite proof which could justify harsh measures in the eyes of his acquaintance.

Such was the state of affairs, when one delicious evening in summer Don Triarto led his passively obedient wife towards the accustomed promenade, and as the ill-assorted pair strolled slowly along, many were the surmises and half uttered expressions of surprise at beholding her, who but a short time since had so pre-eminently ranked amid the most beautiful woman in Malaga, saunter listlessly by the passing groups, as though unheedful of the gaiety of the scene by which she was encircled.

"Donna Adelaida," hesitatingly murmured a well known voice beside her, " if not intruding on your society, may I have the honor of joining your party in the walk?"

As the first accents fell on her ear, the young bride, taken by surprise, turned her head rapidly round, and her fine eyes encountering the ingenuous countenance of her youthful relative, the rebellious blood, rushing to her temples, rapidly suffused her handsome features with the crimson tide. Not

so her companion, who, equally and interestedly attracted by the words that dropped from the lips of the speaker, contracted his dark eyebrows into a demoniac frown, and briefly bowed that assent to the request which common courtesy, and the custom of the country, forbade him to negative.

"The Alameda appears gayer this evening than it has been for a long period," again ventured the intruder, nothing daunted by the imperious reception he encountered at the hands of him whom he imagined he had best cause to hate on earth; "but," he continued, as if determined to draw the lady into conversation-" but, if I mistake not, you can scarcely judge the difference, since I do not think you have honored the Pasado for some days with your presence.

"Donna de Salvador must feel highly gratified, Senor, at the interest you apparently take in her movements," replied the husband, with a sinister scowl on his visage, by no means indicative of the placidity of his temper.

"Oh! as for that," laughingly rejoined the other, determined not to take offence whereby he alone could be the loser" of course it is but natural one should take an interest in the welfare of his friends, among whom I hope to be ever permitted to enrol Donna de Triarto, besides which, is it possible that the brightest ornament of Malaga can withdraw herself from one of our national amusements without her absence being noticed ?"

There was nothing in the meaning which the words conveyed beyond the complimentary style so much indulged in by the Spaniards, but there was a tone in the voice, and a manner with which the remark was uttered, that struck at once to the

heart of the young girl; but what the exact nature of her feelings might have been, none can take upon themselves to aver, nor at this period of our tale is it incumbent to conjecture.

Poor Adelaida-far severer trials yet awaited you than even the persecuting supplications of one whose very name you strove to erase from your recollection, and the odious endearments of him whose jealous presence your very soul abhorred and detested.

In course of time the trio were joined by various groups bent on the twofold errand of enjoying the delicious coolness of the evening, and detracting from the character of all who came under their notice. In the animated conversation and agreeable sallies which without a pause enlivened the stroll, Adelaida took no part, but with a tact befitting a more experienced manœuvrer, the young cousin left the side of his fair relative, yet not relinquishing his claim as one of her party, joined with apparent zest in the mirth of the merriest of the group.

This line of conduct not a little puzzled the suspicious husband, and he was revolving in his own mind whether it would be better to withdraw his wife homeward, under the plea of lateness of the hour, and thus get rid of the noxious presence of his persecutor, when he encountered an old and much esteemed friend in the centre of a party then passing.

In an instant his doubts and jealousies vanished into air, and anxious, for many important reasons, not to miss the opportunity thus offered, Don Triarto, acting on the impulse of the moment, resigned his wife into the care of her companions, and pursued his friend who had already passed him some paces.

No sooner had his rival resigned the place he had tenaciously kept during the walk, than the cause of all the husband's jealous fears stood there in his stead.

"Adelaida," whispered the enamoured boy, "Adelaida, for the love of Heaven speak to me,-one word,-one look of kindness from you, Adelaida, and I am content; but oh! cast me not thus from you,—do not avoid me as you have lately done,— tell me, I implore you, tell me, how and in what way I offended you-you for whom I would gladly sacrifice existence, if it were possible, ten thousand times ?"

"Hush! for mercy's sake, hush!" replied the trembling girl, persecute me no further. It is useless to revert to what might have been; let us now view calmly what we are, if you regard me, never see me more; your presence but adds to my misery, which, God knows, needs not any aggravation now."

Anything! everything will I do as you command, Adelaida,” he exclaimed, "but drive me not away thus in anger! If I must leave you, give me a glove—a fan-some trifle, to doat on in my

madness when distant from you—perhaps, for ever! and, Adelaida, God grant that you may never feel remorse at having broken that heart which ever has been, and, by Heaven, ever shall be yours, and yours alone."

"This is cruel and ungenerous, Giberto; leave me, oh! leave me, I implore you," sobbed the terrified wife, "my husband will return instantly," and here her excessive agitation precluded further utterance; but stretching forth her hands in the most energetic manner, she motioned him to comply with her request.

Had not the presence of so many spectators brought the half distracted boy to reason, he would have clasped his beloved Adelaida to his breast, and dared the universe to force her from him-but he so far restrained the mad impetuosity of his nearly ungovernable feelings, sufficiently to check the first insane promptings of his thoughts; yet, notwithstanding the evident distress under which his cousin suffered, and although her supplications for his departure still rang in his ear, could he avoid the supposition that her out-stretched arm, holding within the small transparent hand, the very boon he had so earnestly craved, was voluntarily proffered for his acceptance,-here was proof sufficient of her regard-the confession, though not in words, which he had so frequently and almost hopelessly prayed for-acknowledged by one simple act.

But an instant elapsed, while these thoughts rushed hurriedly through his brain, and in the next he had secured the coveted fan, and concealed the treasure in his bosom.

Rapid as the act was, yet not adroitly was it executed as to elude all notice, and he whose eyes were the least desirable as a witness, returned to his wife's side in sufficient time to observe that something had been delivered to the other, without being able precisely to ascertain what the gift might have been, and lest any doubt on the subject could remain, the dreadfully agitated countenance of the lady plainly betrayed that some circumstance of no trivial import had occurred.

At the moment no remark escaped, on either side, and in a few minutes the cause of all this mischief mingled with another group, hurried rapidly to his home, there to brood over hopes which, however erroneously encouraged, he dared to cherishwhile the enraged husband communed within himself what possibly could have been the transfer so suddenly bestowed upon his rival, and having minutely reckoned over in silence what trinkets or ornaments his wife had that evening worn, he discovered, before he reached his mansion, that that indispensable accompaniment to a Spanish lady's costume was missing;-the fan, the fatal fan.