At length the traveller made up his mind to speak, and addressed the young lady, who was reclining in her chair, with her head bent on her breast and pendant arms. "My daughter," he said, in a grave voice, and speaking in Spanish, "the moment has arrived for a clear and distinct explanation between us, for we have only four leagues to travel ere we reach the end of our long journey. I intend to remain twenty-four hours in this hostelry, in order to give you time to repair your strength, and allow you to appear in a proper state before the man for whom I destine you." The young lady only replied to this dry address by a hollow groan. Her father continued, without appearing to notice the utter state of prostration in which she was-- "Remember, my daughter, that if, on the entreaty of your brothers here present, I consented to pardon the fault you have committed, it is on the express condition that you will obey my orders without hesitation, and do all I wish." "My child?" she murmured, in a voice choked by grief--"What have you done with my child?" The traveller frowned, and a livid pallor covered his face; but he immediately recovered himself. "That question again, unhappy girl?" he said, in a gloomy voice; "Do not trifle with my wrath by reminding me of your crime, and the dishonour of my house." At these words the girl drew herself up suddenly, and with a hurried gesture pulled off the velvet mask that covered her face. "I am not guilty," she said, in a haughty voice, and looking her father in the face; "and you are perfectly aware of it, for it was you who introduced the Count de Barmont to me. You encouraged our love, and it was by your orders that we were secretly married. You dare not assert the contrary." "Silence, wretch!" the traveller exclaimed, and rose passionately. "Father!" the two gentlemen, who had hitherto remained motionless and as if strangers to this stormy interview, exclaimed, as they threw themselves before him. "Well," he said, as he resumed his seat, "I will restrain myself: I will only ask you one further question, Doña Clara--will you obey me?" She hesitated for a moment, and then appeared to form a supreme resolution. "Listen to me, my father," she replied, in a hurried though firm voice; "you told me yourself that the moment for an explanation between us had arrived; very well, let us have this explanation. I, too, am your daughter, and jealous of the honour of our house; that is why I insist on your answering me without equivocation or deception."