This determination, as it rather endangered his own security, than involved that of others, was equally the effect of reason as of feeling: he was no longer able to dwell in obscurity, since half Europe knew of his existence, and should he let this favorable crisis escape him, Spain would have time to win away his adherents, and might finally end by extirpating him and his race. Again, therefore, must he repose his only child on the affection of the Duchess Medina Sidonia. Adopted by her, and known but as the offspring of Don Emanuel De Castro, should Providence ordain her parents to perish or to fail, she might pursue her blameless life in retirement, striving to forget that she had ever dreamed of power or of distinction. Kara Aziek felt the urgency of this reasoning too strongly not to acquiesce in its decision: the safety of Blanche was far dearer to her than her own gratification; but the lover of her youth, the tender friend and long-endeared companion of her maturity, had claims on her heart which not even her child could weaken. “I share thy fate, my Sebastian!” she said, as he spoke to her of remaining in Sicily, “time has not changed thy Aziek’s soul: dost thou believe her less thine, or more capable of outliving thy loss, than when she drooped for thee to the tomb in Africa?--Ah, know her still!” “I do, I do know thee still!” exclaimed Sebastian, with an overflowing heart,--“and it is only my anxious care for thy safety, that makes me apprehend any danger where I expect none for myself. We go then, together, My Aziek! May the Almighty grant that this may be the last, the decisive struggle!” CHAP. IV. Prosperous as were the views before them, Sebastian and Kara Aziek did not leave their Blanche a second time without a trying conflict; but they left her in the hands of another mother, and a short voyage wafted them into scenes of most momentous interest. Signor Morosini received them at his mansion in Venice, with a vivacity of joy: and the Doge evinced his respect, by paying the homage of a first visit to his illustrious supplicant. In this interview the terms of their future alliance were specified and fixed, and the mode of their proceedings settled. Morosini was appointed to repair immediately to Madrid, with a formal notification to Philip III. of his royal relation’s existence, he was to assert the identity of Don Sebastian, and to demand the restitution of Portugal; should Philip hesitate, he was then empowered to announce the Republic’s intention to maintain the rights of their ancient ally. Armed with the assurance of aid from England, France, and the Low Countries, the Venetians feared not to embark in a cause so ably supported; a sense of recent injuries from the proud house of Austria, contributed to inflame their zeal.