It was still early when Lianor awoke; but in spite of the drowsiness overpowering her, she hastily rose, and calling her maids, bade them quickly arrange her toilet. "I am restless, and cannot stay longer indoors; I wish to be out in the fresh air," she explained to Savitre, who entered soon after. Scarcely, however, had they arrived without the palace gates, than Diniz Sampayo, his face pale and haggard, eyes full of fear and anguish, came hastily to her side. "Donna Lianor, return to your father's house; I have something to tell you which I dare not breathe here--it is too horrible! Prepare yourself for a great shock, my poor child! I wish some one else had brought the awful tidings," he cried hoarsely. Lianor stood perfectly still, and her eyes grew wide and her face blanched with awakened fear. Clasping her hands piteously together, she said: "Tell me now. I am brave--can bear anything! Is it Luiz? Is he ill--in danger? Oh, Diniz, for pity's sake tell me!" Diniz took the trembling hands in his, and quietly bidding the others follow, led her silently through the town, until they arrived at the house where Luiz had taken rooms with his friend. "Perhaps it is best you should see him. Poor Luiz! How can I break the awful truth to you? Your betrothed--the man you loved--is dead-- murdered by a cowardly hand on his way home from your father's palace!" Lianor grew deathly pale. "Dead!" she repeated, clasping her hands despairingly to her throbbing brow. "It cannot be true! My darling dead--murdered!" "My poor child, it is only too true! This morning he was found, and brought home, stabbed through the heart!" "But who could have done it?" Savitre asked in a low, hushed whisper. "I wish I knew. But, alas! that is a mystery!" Lianor gazed helplessly from one to the other, then, breaking from her friend's gentle hold, staggered forward. "Where are you going, Lianor?" Diniz asked, anxiously. "To him. I must see for myself the terrible truth." "Can you bear it?" "Yes--oh, yes!" Very tenderly Diniz took one of the trembling hands in his, and led her toward a darkened chamber, where, on the blue-draped bed, lay the still form of his young friend. A convulsive shudder shook Lianor's slender frame as she gazed on those handsome features set in death's awful calm; the closed eyes, which would never look into her own again; the cold lips which would never breathe loving words into her ear, or press her brow in fond affection. She could not weep, as Savitre wept; tears refused to ease the burning pain at her heart. Only a low moan broke from her as she threw herself suddenly over that loved body. "My love--my darling! Why did I ever let you leave me? How can I live without you?" "Hush, Lianor! Come, you can do nothing here. But one thing I promise you, I will avenge his death at any cost! The murderer will be found and punished--no matter who it is!" Diniz cried, earnestly.