The doomed victim was the Countess of Rionuevo.
“Three hours!” thought Tito.
“I must speak to you,” continued Mirabal, to whom had occurred the idea of purchasing the young physician’s secret.
But a glance and smile from Tito, who had divined his thoughts, so disconcerted him that he drew back.
The look and smile were the same which that morning had conquered Philip V.
During Mirabal’s confusion, Tito made a great step in his career, and established his reputation at Court.
“Sir,” said he to the Archbishop of Toledo, “the Countess of Rionuevo, whom you see seated alone in that corner” (we already know that Death was visible only to Tito), “will die in the course of three hours. Advise her to prepare for her last moments.”
The Archbishop recoiled with horror.
“What is it?” asked Don Miguel de Guerra.