His hesitation was not unobserved. Don Felix, watching him intently, detected it in a moment, and, seeing that he was silenced, began to fear that he would suffer Hildebrand to escape. As he thought that such an issue would be very unsatisfactory, and might involve him in some difficulty, if not actual peril, he deemed it advisable to interpose; and, by taking all blame from Gonzalez, avert any further interference of the enraged Inez. “Senhora,” he said, “thy right to receive what guests thou wilt cannot be questioned. We apprehend the stranger, not because he is thy guest, but because he is an Englishman, and a spy.” “This is the second time, Sir Spaniard,” cried Hildebrand, in Spanish, “that thou hast named me a spy. I spared thy life before; do thou look to it now!” Before any one could come between them, he dealt Don Felix a blow, on his first guard, that knocked his sword out of his hand; and then made a spring at his throat. He had hardly seized his collar, however, when he was himself laid hold of by the alguazils, who, under cover of his attack, had entered the kitchen unnoticed, and now effected his capture. But Inez, though the terror and excitement of the scene had almost overpowered her, was determined not to surrender him without a struggle. She had observed, with a quickness of perception that was not unusual in her, that her threat of retiring into a convent had not fallen on her uncle unheeded; and at this juncture, the effect of its first appliance emboldened her to recur to it. “Don Gonzalez, mind thee what I have threatened,” she said. “Let the cavalier depart, and I promise thee, afore these witnesses, to abide myself by thy disposal.” “Lady,” cried Hildebrand, “if thou wouldst do me a service, let my state be made known to the English Ambassador.” Don Felix, who, on being delivered from the grasp of Hildebrand, had shrunk a pace or two back, here stepped forward again, and darted at Hildebrand a glance of exultant enmity. “No need to trouble the lady, Sir,” he said; “we will bear thy commands to the Ambassador ourselves. But of what avail were this? The Ambassador, whom thou thinkst will succour thee, is in prison himself; and his heretic servants have been attached by the Inquisition.” “Thou liest again, knave!” exclaimed Hildebrand. “’Tis more than Spain durst venture on.” “Spain will venture more anon,” said Don Felix, sneeringly. “Thou wilt soon find her fleets in London river.”