"'I will not, however, remain in uncertainty. Let us hasten, Don Juan, to follow her; I will at once order our horses.' 'I would advise you,' said the Toledan, 'to seek her alone; if it be as you think, witnesses are worse than needless.' 'Don Juan cannot be unwelcome,' replied Mendoza; 'Donna Theodora is aware that you know all that passes in my heart: she esteems you; and far from being in my way, you will assist me to appease her anger against me.'
"'No, no, Fabricio,' replied the Toledan, 'my presence will avail you nothing. Take my advice, and go alone, I conjure you!' 'Again no, my dear Don Juan,' interrupted Mendoza, 'we will go together; I expect this kindness of your friendship.' 'What tyranny! exclaimed the Toledan, with evident vexation; 'why ask you of my friendship what that very feeling should deny you most?'
"These words, which Don Fabricio could not comprehend, and the tone in which they were uttered, surprised him greatly. He looked at his friend for some time without speaking. At last, he said to him gravely: 'Don Juan, what mean you? What horrible suspicion breaks upon my mind? Ah! it is too much, to wound me by your terrible constraint! Speak! Whence arises this unwillingness to accompany me to Donna Theodora?'
"'I would have concealed it from you,' replied the Toledan, 'but, since you compel me to disclose the truth, I will dissimulate no longer. Let us, my dear Mendoza, no more rejoice in the similarity of our dispositions; it is but too perfect: the shafts which wounded you, have neither spared your friend. Donna Theodora----' 'What! you my rival?' interrupted Don Fabricio, turning pale as death. 'From the instant that my love for the widow of Cifuentes became apparent to myself,' replied Don Juan, 'I strove to stifle the passion. I have, as you know, sedulously avoided her sight: I at least triumphed over my feelings, if I could not destroy them.
"'Yesterday, however, Donna Theodora sent word that she desired to see me. I went to her; when she asked me why I seemed to shun her. I endeavoured to excuse myself as well as I was able; but, as my excuses did not satisfy her, I was compelled at last to avow the real cause of my absence. I imagined that, after this declaration, she would have approved the motives of my apparent neglect; but my unlucky star had decreed--shall I tell you? yes, Mendoza, it is useless attempting to deceive you,--I found Theodora disposed to favour my love.'