"You told me in your last breath that he had not returned. You are playing me false, Florinda. You have a lover, and a favored one."
"No, no!" cried the agonized girl. "It is nothing, believe me—trust not appearances. I will explain all."
But at this moment the distant clang of trumpets and kettledrums was heard, announcing the governor's return.
"I must begone!" cried Florinda; "believe me, I am faithful;" and with these words she fled into the house.
"The dream is over!" said Cesareo. "But I will have vengeance on my rival;" and he left the garden, muttering curses, and grasping the cross hilt of his sword.
Florinda flew to her chamber.
"Fly!" she cried to Landon. "I have sheltered you at the risk of my reputation—my father is returning, and you must leave this house. A jealous lover may denounce me, and both of us be ruined forever. Farewell; climb the wall at the back of the garden, and take refuge in the next house. I will still watch over you."
Landon obeyed, and made his escape from the governor's garden just as Don Rodrigo was entering his court yard. He crossed another small garden, and entered a small house at the extremity, the door of which was unbarred, and again found refuge in a room on the first floor, where he concealed himself behind a screen.
He had not been here long before he heard footsteps entering the room, and the voices of two persons in conversation, one of whom was evidently a female, and the other an old man.
"Dear father!" said the female, "I am rejoiced to see that you are returned. You never go forth in this city that you do not leave me trembling for your safety."