Was it remorse that made Don Ramirez tremble for the moment, and draw back involuntarily? The king made a movement of impatience, and the count drew with some precipitation a roll of parchment from his bosom, and kneeling, presented it to the king, who received it, saying: "To sign these letters patent shall be our first public act to-day. Treason has been already punished by the executioner--it is time for the monarch to reward his faithful servant." As the king unrolled the parchment, a scroll fell from it on the ground. With an involuntary cry, Don Ramirez sprang forward to seize it, but at a sign from the king, a page picked it up, and it was already in the hands of the king. Another moment, and the monarch's face gloomed wrathfully, his eye flashed fire, and he furiously exclaimed: "Holy Virgin, what is this!" MORE THAN ONE CHECKMATED. The game of chess was now over. Don Guzman had beaten Ruy Lopez--his triumph was complete, and he rose, saying to Calavarez-- "I am ready to meet the wishes of my king, as becomes one who has never swerved from his allegiance to him. My God, may this deed of foul injustice fall only upon him who has been the instigator of it, but may my blood never call down vengeance upon my king. I blame him not for my untimely fate." The executioner was now preparing the block, while Ruy Lopez, kneeling in a corner, and hiding his face in his mantle, recited the Office for the Dying. Calavarez laid his hand on the duke's shoulder to remove his ruff. Don Guzman drew back. "Touch not a Guzman with aught belonging to thee, save this ax!" said he, and tearing off the collar, he placed his head upon the block. "Now strike," added he; "I am ready!" The executioner raised the ax, and all would have been over, when shouts, and the noise of hasty steps, and a confused murmur of voices, arrested the arm of Calavarez. The door was flung open, and D'Ossuna threw himself between the victim and the executioner. "We are in time!" "Is he alive?" exclaimed Tarrasez. "He is safe!" cried D'Ossuna. "My dearest friend and cousin, I had not hoped ever to see you again. God would not suffer the innocent to perish for the guilty. His holy name be praised!" "God be praised!" exclaimed all present, and among them all, and above them all, was heard Don Ruy Lopez. "You have indeed arrived in time--dear friend," said Don Guzman to his cousin, "for now, I have not strength left to die." He fainted on the block--the revulsion was too mighty.