In a short time a letter was brought from the governor: an habitual expectation of customary observances, made the proud monarch start when he saw this paper.--What!--did De Castro also cease to consider him a King!--should he not have hastened to evince his unabated respect, by personally answering to his sovereign’s confidence?--Sebastian felt, that between a complete abandonment of him, and that deeper devotedness which generous pity inspires, there could be no medium:--he execrated his own hasty reliance, and believing that it had betrayed him, he opened the suspected billet. How quickly did its contents dissipate this rash pre-judgment! they were as follows:-- LETTER. “SIRE! “The first impulse of my heart is to fly to my sovereign’s feet, there to entreat him to dispose of myself and of all that is mine, but an important consideration checks me: it is this.--The creatures of Philip surround us even here; if it were known that I, the representative of that monarch, visited an unknown stranger, suspicion would follow, and the august person of my King might be endangered. “I restrain, therefore, my impatience--I do violence to my duty and my affection--I venture to risk his Majesty’s displeasure, by supplicating him to accompany the bearer of this to my residence: his loyalty, attested by months of zealous attention in Africa.”-- Sebastian dropt the letter at this sentence, and springing to the door with a flush of joy, called out--“where, where is my friend?” Gaspar was not far distant: he ran forward, and would have thrown himself at the feet of his King, but Sebastian prevented him by falling on his neck. What a sacred moment was that which re-united two friends so variously endeared, and so long separated!--their hearts were big with past events; they could not speak, but remained strained in each other’s arms, without attempting to express any part of their feelings. This silence was first broken by Sebastian: “Come, come Gaspar!” he said, catching his hand and leading him towards an interior room--“here is another joy for thee.” At sight of Kara Aziek whom the tumultuous sounds of their meeting had roused, Gaspar stood a moment, as if collecting his scattered and delightfully-amazed senses, then rushing forward, he cast himself at her feet; “What do I see?” he exclaimed, “dearest lady! am I to believe that the virgin has heard my prayers, and united two hearts equally noble--equally gifted, to bless--to attach--O joy too, too much!”