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an hour, and then expired in the arms of him he had so cruelly abandoned. At this moment Count Ambrosio entered with a physician, whose services, alas! were no longer of avail, and seeing the kindness offered by a stranger to his father, requested him to remain in the house until the ceremony of consigning his remains to the tomb were fulfilled. During the interim, Filippo spoke to his brother respecting the discarded one; and finding the hatred of the father grafted also in his heart, he gave up all idea of disclosing himself to him. Ambrosio had been married several years, and had an only son. Filippo loved the boy, which pleased the Count so much, that he requested Filippo to remain in his service. His means being restricted, he consented.

"A few years passed. The Count now resided at Madrid, occupying an important post in the Cabinet, leaving the care of his son to Filippo, who grew more and more attached to him. In the meantime the boy became a man. He formed acquaintances, who, notwithstanding the virtuous sentiments his mother had implanted in his breast, and the kind advice of his

friend and mentor Filippo, succeeded in weaning him from the paths of honour. Amongst his victims was Eunice Monfore!"

Orlando groaned.

"After abandoning Eunice, he married a richer, but not a fairer, bride. Ere which Filippo also had been some time a husband, and had become the parent of a son. A malignant fever raging in Madrid robbed Alcantara of his Countess, but not before she had given birth to a son, who, being by his father's dissipated habits consigned entirely to the care of Filippo and his wife, and dying early, his loss was never revealed to the Count Orlando-Filippo having replaced the dead infant by his own, now motherless, boy, while the true father, still in the guise of an inferior, performed all the duties of a parent."

Here Herrera looked on Fernando, who eagerly devoured his words, impatiently awaiting the denouement. He felt eager to throw himself into Herrera's arms, but Filippo averted his face and continued his narrative.

"Chance led the supposed son to the Netherlands, where he was wounded, and received

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under an hospitable roof. To his astonishment Filippo saw the long missing Eunice!"

Orlando started convulsively and breathed quicker; but Herrera continued his story, and drawing it to a close, exclaimed with vehemence, "Count Orlando, behold thy daughter! Fernando, my son, embrace thy father! I! Herrera!-the outraged, the banished son of Count Gerard, invite thee to my arms!!!"

Dolores, forgetting and forgiving, flew to her father. The native feeling implanted in her breast conquered, and the dying man, extending his arms, pressed her to his bosom. Fernando did not hesitate obeying the parental summons, and pressing the hoary warrior to his heart, spoke volumes in a word-Twas "Father!!!" Tears of joy chased down his cheeks, mingling with those of his best and truest friend. Fray Antonio and Ruperto participated their emotions. At last, Fernando, tearing himself from the embrace of his father, turned towards his wife, with joy that he could call her so; while she, not knowing half what he had feared, fell proudly upon his breast and wept a flood of tears.

As soon as the first emotions of such a meeting were partially subsided, Fray Antonio requested his friends to retire, whilst he confessed the exhausted Count.

Dolores, anxious for her father's life, implored Ruperto to seek a surgeon, and the noble youth hastened to execute her dictates. In breathless anxiety they awaited his return, and the signal from the monk to attend Don Orlando's bed-side. At last the summons

came.

"Father," said the affectionate daughter, "I have sent for a Leech. I still hope he may save you!"

"Alas! my daughter, my days-perhaps my hours-are numbered. Forgive me-pardon my misdeeds. A mysterious attraction drew me towards thee. The problem is solvedEunice is avenged-I go to meet her!" "Father, forbear!" exclaimed Dolores. "Nay, Dolores-I am a wretch, overwhelmed with guilt and despair!"

"Son!" said the friar, "Your Judge is merciful! Thou hast confessed and art repentant!!"

"Oh! Father, sin weighs me down; and yonder glides the spirit of Eunice. Yes, Dolores; thy mother smiles upon thee!"

"Let us invoke that gentle spirit to forgive thee and bless our children!" said Herrera, whilst Dolores tremblingly strained her eyes to look upon a phantom, visible only to the dying Orlando.

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Approach, my children," said he, "that I may bless you, and invoke Heaven's favour!

Kneel beside me!-And thou, holy fatherdictate the words-and I will think onEternity!"

Placing a hand on each head, he repeated the prayer offered by the good monk, who stood before a crucifix.

Scarcely had the last words of the prayer been uttered, Amen still echoing hallowedly through the chamber, when the Duke of Alba, followed by his son Don Frederick, Romero, Lodrona, D'Avila, La Torre, and Ruperto, accompanied by a surgeon, crossed the threshold. The Duke and his attendants had met Ruperto, running for medical aid, and they lost no time

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