. He
has called me his bane! the source of his sorrows, the cause of his destruction!
Ah! God! he little knew how much keener were my own heart's reproaches! He was
ignorant that I suffered trebly, for myself, for my children, and for him! 'Tis
true that his anger seldom lasted long: his sincere affection for me soon
revived in his heart, and then his repentance for the tears which he had made me
shed, tortured me even more than his reproaches. He would throw himself on the
ground, implore my forgiveness in the most frantic terms, and load himself with
curses for being the murderer of my repose. Taught by experience, that an union
contracted against the inclinations of families on either side must be
unfortunate, I will save my daughter from those miseries which I have suffered.
Without your uncle's consent, while I live, she never shall be yours.
Undoubtedly he will disapprove of the union; his power is immense, and Antonia
shall not be exposed to his anger and persecution.«
    »His persecution? How easily may that be avoided! Let the worst happen, it
is but quitting Spain. My wealth may easily be realised. The Indian islands will
offer us a secure retreat. I have an estate, though not of value, in Hispaniola:
thither will we fly, and I shall consider it to be my native country, if it
gives me Antonia's undisturbed possession.«
    »Ah! youth, this is a fond, romantic vision. Gonzalvo thought the same. He
fancied that he could leave Spain without regret; but the moment of parting
undeceived him. You know not yet what it is to quit your native land: to quit
it, never to behold it more! You know not what it is to exchange the scenes
where you have passed your infancy, for unknown realms and barbarous climates! -
to be forgotten, utterly, eternally forgotten by the companions of your youth! -
to see your dearest friends, the fondest objects of your affection, perishing
with diseases incidental to Indian atmospheres, and find yourself unable to
procure for them necessary assistance! I have felt all this! My husband and two
sweet babes found their graves in Cuba: nothing would have saved my young
Antonia, but my sudden return to Spain. Ah! Don Lorenzo, could you conceive what
I suffered during my absence! Could you know how sorely I regretted all that I
left behind, and how dear to me was the very name of Spain! I envied the winds
which blew towards it: and
