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The first day Frank had no fears, but the next, a vague thought came over his mind, that they might be too late, and that, in consequence, they would miss the bull-fight. This idea was so disappointing to him, that he was but dull company; and when Saturday came, and the hour he had thought proper to fix in his own mind for their return, passed away, he sat down by Ellen, so utterly desparing, that she could not help smiling, though she was careful not to let him see her. "Your fears are all vain," she said; "I know papa would make every exertion rather than disappoint you; and then there is Edward, whose heart is as intent on this murdering concern as your own; and would rather travel all night than be too late for to-morrow."

“But Edward is a philosopher, and I—”

"Am not one, I suppose you would say, Frank,” said his mother: “and, indeed, after the doleful dumps you have been in these last three days, I confess I think you cannot fairly lay claim to that distinction."

"There!" said Ellen, as the clatter of a mule's hoof suddenly ceased on the pavement; "there they are! Edward first, and papa more soberly."

She was right; her brother was in the room a second afterwards, but too hot to be kissed, or even shook by the hand: glowing crimson were cheeks,

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AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.

forehead, and eyes; and panting and breathless he threw himself on the sofa.

"My dear boy," said his mother, taking the hot hand, "you alarm me: have something to drink; but it must be warm: a cup of chocolate; and lie down."

But no: Edward was quite well, and strong, only dry and thirsty; and the heat so terrible; for he had ridden too fast to hold an umbrella.

An hour afterwards, in came Mr. Delville himself, comparatively cool, and appearing as pale as Edward looked flushed. He looked at his son with alarm; there was no diminution of the crimson hue on his skin, and he now began to complain of his head. Mr. Delville insisted on the chocolate being taken, and his fairly undressing and going to bed this proposal was now less distasteful to him than it had been. His mother had not been unmindful of the increasing fever: hot water was prepared, and she had his feet put into it; and cold vinegar cloths, very well wrung, applied to the top of his head. In half-an-hour, these remedies were successful. The hot, red skin, became soft and moist; and he was soon asleep upon his mattress, looking pale and exhausted, but totally free from any symptom of illness.

It was astonishing, that during the hour of suspense about Edward, the bull-fight never once

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crossed Frank's mind: it was a circumstance remarked by every one but himself, and endeared him yet more to his family.

By tea-time, Edward was able to join them; with no other indication of his past imprudence than a total loss of colour.

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Edward," said his mother, "your pale cheeks are really grateful to my eyes. What induced you to ride so hard ?"

"We were detained for mules, till the sun was too hot to ride in comfort; and I thought, if I gallopped over the ground I should get in quicker, and experience less inconvenience. I had no idea of the effect heat might have."

""

"I hope it will be a caution to you," said his Father. Many a man has lost his life from a less exciting cause. I was most seriously alarmed when I first saw you."

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'Now, papa,” said Ellen, “we are quite anxious to hear about Toledo. Did not we decide wisely not to go there ?”

"I did not think so, Ellen, when I saw the Cathedral: we were told it had no rival but that of Seville. All the cathedrals I have ever seen shrink into insignificance before this grand object. The interior is four hundred and eight feet long, and two hundred and six feet wide. The height of the aisles is one hundred and sixty feet. The columns that run along the aisles are forty

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eight feet round. There are sixty-eight painted windows, and one hundred and fifty-six marble and porphyry pillars. But this will not give you an idea of the solemn and inexpressible grandeur of it as a whole: it almost seemed a fit reception for the Deity. We saw, also, many relics, and a profusion of gold and silver, and precious stones; which made no other impression on me than regret at so injudicious a use for so much wealth. While we remained I went twice a-day to the Cathedral: the more I contemplated its vastness, its immensity and grandeur, the more I was lost in astonishment, that it should be the work of man. Time has no effect on such a structure, but to hallow it." "Oh! papa," said Ellen, "I wish, oh, how I wish we had gone with you !"

"You may yet have an opportunity: we shall return to Madrid from the south, and I am most anxious to enjoy the pleasure of a second view with your mother."

"Thank you, papa: then Frank and I will go also but you know, we are to question you till you are weary. What did you do the first day?"

"We went," said Edward, " to a tertulia; such a stupid concern: a little talk, a little card-playing, some cold water, and farewell to you."

Mrs. Delville laughed. "So you cannot reconcile yourself to the cold water ?"

"No, not even with those sugar-loaves in it."

PAST GRANDEUR.

"But, papa," reiterated Ellen, general impression of the city?"

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"what was your

"That past magnificence, my dear, and present poverty, are written in legible characters in every part of it. It is impossible to walk a step in Toledo, or to turn the eye any where, without perceiving ruins in every direction. The remains of former grandeur, and the indication of present decay, are present every where. The Alcayer, that immense pile, once the residence of Moors, and subsequently of the kings of Spain, forms one. corner of the city. The irregular and picturesque line of buildings, at least one half of them convents, each with its tower, and terrace, and hanginggarden, stretches along the summit of the hill towards the west; and mingled with them are the remains of the Roman walls that once entirely enclosed the city: parts of it are still perfect.

"Toledo contained two hundred thousand inhabitants; now they do not exceed sixteen or seventeen thousand: but throughout this progressive decay, the convents and churches, the priests and the friars, have continued in undiminished numbers. Bigotry and fanaticism, nowhere exert so powerful an influence as at Toledo. The geographical position of Toledo is highly favourable to the success of priestcraft; for, with sufficient resources in the territory that lies along the Tagus,

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