"Oh! do not leave me," she exclaimed. "I dread the thoughts of again parting from you: I know not what may occur: I fear some danger may happen to you, or I may again be committed to a convent. Come to my father, and he will thank you for having again saved his child!" "You had better first go alone and see the senhor your father," interrupted the nurse. "There is a vile story told of Don Luis, which I know is not true, but which makes your father dislike to see him." "Senhora Gertudes speaks rightly," said Luis. "Go, beloved one, alone to meet your father, and I doubt not he will soon learn to think more justly of me. I will not quit the palace." Persuaded by this assurance, Clara accompanied the nurse to the shed in which the fidalgo was lying. Gertrudes first prudently entered, to advise the father of his daughter's safety and return, but soon again came out and beckoned her to approach. No sooner did he behold her, than raising himself from his couch as she stooped to meet him, he pressed her in his arms, sobbing like a child the while. "Thank Heaven that you are restored to me, my Clara!" he exclaimed; "for I could not bear the double loss I thought I was doomed to suffer,--two children within two days!--it was a heavy blow; but now you are recovered, I must, if so I can, be reconciled to your brother's death." "My brother dead?" responded Clara, in a tone of sadness. "Alas! I heard, but did not believe, the tale." "It is but too true, I fear," said the Fidalgo. "He was slain by one you must in future learn to hate,--Don Luis d'Almeida!" "Oh, do not, do not believe that one so brave, so noble, could be guilty of such a deed! Twice, at the hazard of his life, since we first met, has he saved me from destruction. At that dreadful time, when all others were flying for their lives, forgetful of parents, children, and all the nearest ties of kindred, he rushed among the falling ruins, braving a horrid death to rescue me! In every way has he proved his love,--and he surely could not have slain my brother. Oh, do not, my father, believe that lying tale which says so; for I, whatever befalls, can never cease to love him." "At the moment you are restored to my heart, I cannot speak a harsh word, my child," said the Fidalgo; "but remember that you are vowed to the service of Heaven; and were you not, you could not wed one whose hands are stained with a brother's blood, although guiltless of the intention of shedding it. That Don Luis has risked his life to save one dear child from destruction, disarms me of my revenge; but from henceforth you must be as strangers to each other."