does not think I am such a stranger to filial tenderness as not to
resent the boldness of that audacious youth, and that it is
impossible for me ever to feel any affection for one who dared to
lift his arm against the author of my being. No, Matilda, my heart
abhors him; and if you still retain the friendship for me that you
have vowed from your infancy, you will detest a man who has been on
the point of making me miserable for ever."

Matilda held down her head and replied: "I hope my dearest
Isabella does not doubt her Matilda's friendship: I never beheld
that youth until yesterday; he is almost a stranger to me: but as
the surgeons have pronounced your father out of danger, you ought
not to harbour uncharitable resentment against one, who I am
persuaded did not know the Marquis was related to you."

"You plead his cause very pathetically," said Isabella,
"considering he is so much a stranger to you! I am mistaken, or he
returns your charity."

"What mean you?" said Matilda.

"Nothing," said Isabella, repenting that she had given Matilda a
hint of Theodore's inclination for her. Then changing the
discourse, she asked Matilda what occasioned Manfred to take
Theodore for a spectre?

"Bless me," said Matilda, "did not you observe his extreme
resemblance to the portrait of Alfonso in the gallery? I took
notice of it to Bianca even before I saw him in armour; but with
the helmet on, he is the very image of that picture."