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site sides of the arena, and nearly at the same moment--the first by the Conde de Cantillana, and the other by Don Diego Zurate. Don Diego had a narrow escape. The horns of the bull with whom he was engaged, and whom he had smitten on the foretop with his lance, struck the troussequin at the hinder bow of his high Moorish saddle, splitting the wood into shivers, but luckily doing him no injury. A better directed stroke, however, was fatal to the steed, but Don Diego, though dismounted, avenged himself upon his foe.

Hitherto the masked picador had taken little part in the conflict. All he had done was to prick one of the bulls with his lance, as the animal passed him, but he had not stirred from his post. His quietude was so marked, that some of the spectators, who on his appearance had augured great things of him, set him down as a fainéant cavalier. But others, who judged him more accurately, felt sure he was only biding his time. And so it proved.

While the dead bulls and horses were removed, all the picadors, with one exception, quitted the arena, and the chulos and banderilleros went out. The sole occupant of the ring was now the masked cavalier, and it being seen from these arrangements that he was determined to have no assistance, the resolve at once restored him to the good opinion of the spectators.

As the trumpets sounded he careered round the arena, and tranquilly continued his course even when the bull issued from the toril. A more savage-looking monster could not have been selected. Not one of his predecessors had presented an appearance so formidable. His eyes seemed on flame, and his roar shook the arena. As he remained pawing the ground, bellowing and lashing his sides, he was a terrible picture. But the cavalier seemed not to heed him, but careered gaily on.

The bull allowed him to make half the circuit of the arena, and then dashed in pursuit. The cavalier had now got the opportunity he desired of displaying the marvellous qualities of his steed. With the greatest apparent ease he eluded every attack of the bull, led him round the ring, suddenly turning when too closely pressed, and in this manner drew him to the centre of the arena, where he compelled him, by his own active movements, to go through an extraordinary series of performances, such as no previous bull had exhibited, and which elicited plaudits from all parts of the amphitheatre.

Despite all his efforts, the bull was unable to touch either horse or rider, though he himself received repeated thrusts on either shoulder. At last, the savage nature of the animal seemed subdued. Declining to continue the contest, he quitted his opponent, and trotted off to the farther part of the ring, bedewing the sand with gore. Contrary to expectation, the cavalier did not follow him, but called for another bull. In response to the demand the trumpets sounded, and the toril sent forth another combatant. The sight of the new comer reawakened the fury of the dejected bull, and seemed at once to restore his strength and activity.

Answering the roar of defiance, which he supposed to be addressed to him, he prepared for a new conflict. But it was no part, of the cavalier's design that the bulls should engage each other. His aim was to draw their joint attack on himself, and in this he completely succeeded, to the infinite surprise and admiration of the beholders, who had never witnessed such a spectacle before, and who rewarded his prowess with thunders of applause. It seemed a miracle that he could escape destruction from two such active and fierce antagonists, and more than once the spectators gave him up for lost, and thought he was struck. But owing to his address, and the marvellous quickness of his steed, he was never even touched. So hair-breadth were his escapes, that many superstitious persons thought he must possess a charm. The bulls might have thought so too, if they could have reasoned, for he seemed to disappear as they dashed at him. So rapid were his movements, that the closest watchers could scarcely follow them. At one moment the bulls and cavalier seemed heaped together; the next, they were apart. It was an extraordinary sight, and calculated to excite the spectators to the highest pitch. "Bravo! bravo! Viva la Mascara!" resounded on all sides. It was impossible such strife could be of long duration, but how the conflict was to be terminated without mishap to the cavalier, none could conjecture.

The encounter took place in the very centre of the arena, and was confined to this spot while it lasted. A small circle might have been drawn round the combatants, and this seemed to grow narrower and narrower, until one of the bulls suddenly dropped, pierced to the heart by the lance of the horseman. The other bull did not survive his comrade many seconds, but fell in his turn with a rapier planted between his shoulders. This double victory, achieved with such apparent ease, astounded the beholders, and a perfect hurricane of applause arose. The cavalier, who, as well as his steed, was perfectly uninjured, remained motionless between the carcases of his prostrate foes.

"Unmask! unmask!" cried a thousand voices.

The cavalier complied, flung his mask to the ground, and disclosed the features of a very handsome young man of swarthy complexion.

When the curiosity of the spectators was thus gratified, there was a strange murmur among the crowd, and various exclamations were heard.

At last these confused sounds took a distinct shape, and several voices called out:

"'Tis El Cortejo!"

It is impossible to describe the effect produced upon the assemblage by this announcement. A storm of discordant noises arose,

but applause soon predominated. Amid all this disturbance, the object of it remained stationary. But he glanced anxiously towards the royal gallery, and as it was evident that he expected some decision thence, all eyes were turned in the same direction. It could then be distinctly perceived that Charles was addressing the king, and it was also quite apparent, from the looks of his majesty, which were ever and anon directed quickly towards El Cortejo, that he formed the subject of the prince's address.

The observers augured well from the king's manner. Little doubt could be entertained that he had assented to the prince's proposition, whatever it might be, and that this related to El Cortejo was equally clear. The profound interest felt in what was going on had calmed down the excitement of the spectators, and a universal silence prevailed.

Meantime, the corregidor had quitted his tribune, and was soon afterwards seen to enter the royal gallery, when he was called forward by the king.

After a short discussion, during which evident reference was made to the solitary occupant of the arena, who composedly awaited his sentence, a sheet of paper and a pen were handed to his majesty, who, without quitting his seat, wrote a few lines and signed them. This done, he gave the order to Charles, who likewise signed it. The corregidor received the document from the prince, and making a profound obeisance, quitted the royal gallery.

When this matter had been disposed of, the king and the prince entered into explanations with the queen and the Infanta, and the smiling countenances of the party left no doubt as to the decision arrived at. Nevertheless, no one ventured, even by an exclamation, to anticipate the royal decree.

The assemblage, however, was not held long in suspense. Amid loud fanfares of trumpets the corregidor rode into the arena, accompanied by the Duke of Buckingham and the Conde de Olivarez, both of whom were on horseback, and followed by an officer in the royal livery, mounted on a magnificently caparisoned charger. Having advanced to within a short distance of El Cortejo, the corregidor and those with him halted, and the trumpets ceasing their clangour at the same moment, the officer in a loud voice, distinctly heard by the whole assemblage, made the following proclamation:

"Be it known to all present, that his Most Serene Highness the Prince of Wales, in exercise of the power granted to him by our sovereign lord and master the king, has been graciously pleased to confer a full and free pardon upon the person known as El Cortejo, now before you."

Here the officer was interrupted by an irrepressible outburst of acclamations, and shouts resounded of "Dios guarde al Rey! Viva el nobil Principe de Galles. Viva! viva!"

Placing his hand upon his breast, and with a look expressive of the deepest gratitude, El Cortejo bowed towards the royal gallery, inclining himself twice to the saddle-bow.

While this took place, the torero, whom Graham had recognised, entered the arena, and stationed himself near El Cortejo, but his presence was almost unnoticed, until attention was called to him by the officer, who, as soon as silence was restored, thus proceeded:

"His Most Serene Highness the Prince has also been graciously pleased to pardon Don Gonzalez de Montalban, lately known as Lieutenant Roque, and who is now before you."

Hereupon the torero, whom we must henceforth recognise as Don Gonzalez, stepped forward, and bowed twice profoundly to the royal gallery, in token of his gratitude.

A hundred voices then cried out, "Who is El Cortejo?" "Ay, who is he?" added a hundred others.

"Be silent, and you shall learn," said the corregidor, in a voice that dominated all the others, and called immediate attention to the speaker. "Don Flores de Cuenca," he continued, addressing El Cortejo, "be pleased to come forward."

Thus enjoined, El Cortejo placed his hat on his head, to intimate that he was a grandee, and pushed his steed towards him.

"Don Flores," pursued the corregidor, "a full pardon having been accorded you by his Highness the Prince of Wales, his majesty, out of his infinite goodness and leniency, and in consideration of your youth and of extenuating circumstances that have been represented to him, is willing to forget your offences and delinquencies, and in the hope and belief of your amendment, he restores to you your title of Conde de Valverde, together with your forfeited estates. Here is the warrant," he added, delivering to him the paper signed by the king.

"I humbly thank his majesty and the prince," replied Valverde, in tones of deep emotion. "My future career shall prove me not unworthy of their goodness. If I live, I will redeem the errors of my youth."

An immense shout showed the sympathy of the spectators. "Accept my congratulations, count," said Buckingham, offering him his hand, which the other gratefully took; "when we first met, I had no suspicion of your real rank."

"There I had the advantage of your grace," replied Valverde, " for I ascertained your rank and that of the illustrious personage with you. I owe my restoration to you. Had it not been for the opportunity you have afforded me of appearing before his majesty and the prince, I should not have received a pardon, or regained my title and estates. Be assured of my eternal gratitude."

"You give me more thanks than are my due, marquis," said Buckingham. "You are more indebted to the Conde de Gondomar than to me. He acquainted the prince and myself with your real history, and it was from what he said of you that I determined to give you a chance of retrieving your tarnished character.” "You will have no cause to regret what you have done, my lord duke," said Valverde. "From this moment I am an altered man."

"You shall not want an opportunity of distinction, since you seek it, count," said Olivarez.

"That is all I desire," cried Valverde. "If your excellency will send me and Don Gonzales de Montalban to Mexico, we will not return till we have won renown."

"You shall have your wish," replied Olivarez. "You shall start to-morrow."

As Valverde bowed his thanks the trumpets sounded, and the party rode out of the arena.

With the strange occurrence just narrated, which excited the assemblage in an extraordinary manner, all interest in the bullfight seemed to cease, and it would have been well if the spectacle could then have terminated, for only a languid interest was felt in what followed. There were more courses, but they only seemed. like a repetition of those that had preceded them, and there was no achievement in any degree comparable to that of the Marquis de Valverde.

.

The fête was terminated by a grand procession of all the combatants, who marched round the arena, and saluted the royal gallery as they passed before it. Graham was much applauded, but the loudest and longest cheers were given to the Conde de Valverde, who was adjudged the hero of the day..

End of the Third Book.

.

Book the Fourth.

EL BUEN RETIRO.

I.

HOW THE NUNCIO STROVE TO CONVERT CHARLES.

NEARLY six months had elapsed since the arrival of Charles and Buckingham in Madrid, and not only was the object of the expedition unattained, but the prince and his favourite were less hopeful of its accomplishment than they had been at first. The prince's ardour had not been cooled by the delay, but he continued as passionately attached to the Infanta as ever. Neither had anything occurred to make him doubt the sincerity of the king's intentions towards him. Philip, as we have already stated, had conceived a

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