"Proceed, Señor; hold me not in suspense, and I can verily assure you, that nothing is wonderful to me."
"I have seen," continued Gomez Arias, in a solemn tone,—"I have seen Theodora!"
"Theodora!" echoed Roque, affecting surprise. "Seen Theodora! in your dreams, perchance, my good master."
"I have seen her," returned Don Lope, "as plainly as I now see thee. Nay, I have spoken with her."
"Where, Señor Don Lope?"
"Here, in this very apartment."
"You astonish me," proceeded Roque, "and yet I cannot say it is so very strange, neither; for I, myself, saw her—that is, I dreamt I saw her—and dreams, you know, my honored master, are often the precursors of realities."
"Enough," cried Gomez Arias; "we must now think on the means of averting the danger."
"The danger!" quoth Roque; "in the name of San Pablo, what danger do you apprehend?"
"Oh, Roque! I am threatened with the worst of evils."