S.: (Throwing himself upon the viceroy.) Do not touch her; look at her--she is innocent! Love has robbed me of my prey. I love her so much that my love conquered my vengeance. (Joy appears on the face of the viceroy.) But do not rejoice, Viceroy. You who rob women of their honor, and assassinate old men, do not rejoice. Only God and you and I know that she is pure. I have not dared to outrage her by a single glance; but, tomorrow---- V.: Ah! S.: Tomorrow the whole court shall know that she’s your daughter. V.: No! S.: And that she passed the night here. (Pointing to the inner rooms.) V.: Thou shalt die. S.: My squire knows it---- V.: (Drawing his sword.) Enough!--blood!--what thirst so frightful----! S.: (Unsheathing.) ’Tis less than mine! B.: Señors, hold! Sancho, is this possible? S.: Her voice again--again the cry of her love here in my heart! Withdraw your glance from me Blanca, since at its influence my heart fails and the coward steel trembles in my hand. B.: Sancho! enough! S.: Hear it----! Hear it, my father! She asks it----! Have pity on me, since, now that the hour has come for avenging thee, the pardon struggles to issue from my lips! My father, pardon! V.: Your father, you have said! Who was your father? What is your name? S.: My name is Juan de Paredes. V.: You--you are the son of Don Diego and Doña Mencia? S.: Why do you remind me of it? Why do you summon before me their bloody spirits? Yes, I am--I am he, whom you have robbed of all. V.: You, who dishonored _her_! S.: Yes. V.: It seems as if Satan possesses you and hell inspires your words! B.: What does he say? S.: What do you say? V.: Unhappy being, know that those secret _amours_ with Doña Mencia bore fruit and that fruit is---- S.: She! oh cursed love! She is my sister----! Oh, almighty God! * * * * * JOSÉ MARÍA ROA BÁRCENA. [Illustration] José María Roa Bárcena was born at Jalapa, State of Vera Cruz, on September 3, 1827. His father, José María Rodriguez Roa, was long and helpfully engaged in local politics. The son entered upon a business life, and literary work was, for him, at first, but a relaxation. His youthful writings, both in prose and poetry, attracted much attention. In 1853 he removed to the City of Mexico, at that time a center of great political and literary activity, where he devoted himself to a politico-literary career. As a contributor or editor he was associated with important periodicals,--_El Universal_, _La Cruz_, _El Eco Nacional_ and _La Sociedad_. He favored the French Intervention and the Imperial establishment. Soon disapproving of Maximilian’s policy, he came out strongly against that ruler and refused appointments at his hands. When the Empire fell, he returned to business life, but was arrested and detained for several months in prison.