. Let me alone! I cannot bear to think of the subject. It opens afresh the wounds of my heart—I have been imposed upon—I have been unjust—I have been cruel—But God knows, my intentions were upright—I have made reparation, and my soul shall rest in peace.'


Soon after this, the prince Carlos Dorando died, and was carried in great funeral pomp to the tomb of his ancestors.
The family of Arvidoso would not yet give over their designs upon the wealth of Dorando. Its prince was then in minority, and he had several guardians of high rank and character, but so extravagantly keen to aggrandize their pupil, that they grasped at a tempting appearance, without perceiving that it was only a bubble raised by the breath of malignity.—They fondly wished to commence a process of Partus Suppositio, against Don Ferdinand; and to make enquiries for it, they sent privately to Paris Don Stivalbo, a lawyer, who lay under great obligations to the family of Arvidoso, and was prevailed

with to undertake the ungracious task.
Don Stivalbo was a man of principle, and he resolved to conduct himself with the utmost impartiality; but when he arrived at Paris, he was soon surrounded by French priests, advocates, and agents of all kinds, who wished no better than so fat a subject as the domains of Arvidoso and Dorando to feed upon. The gallant Stivalbo understanding little of their language, with true Spanish generosity, trusted to the reports of these gentry; who with many bows, shrugs, and compliments, pretended they had made astonishing discoveries, till Stivalbo had his imagination so warmed, that he himself gave credit to the imposture, and a suit was immediately raised before the senate of Sevile.

In the meantime the guardians of Don Ferdinand began to be somewhat apprehensive, knowing that it was not difficult to bring very extraordinary proofs from the Gavaccios, as the Spaniards call the French, whom they detest.—The princess dowager was determined to be at the bottom of the affair, and set out herself for Paris, carrying with her several lawyers of great eminence in their profession, and remarkable for their honour as private gentlemen. She had the satisfaction to find, upon a careful enquiry, that the house of Arvidoso had been led a wild-goosechace, and that there was nothing to fear.
The Arvidoso party, however, still continued their pursuit, changing their ground, and taking up a variety of different plans; so that the princess

was obliged to make no less than three or four journeys a-cross the Pyrenees, in order to get every new story refuted; and indeed this was
