Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 232: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE SPANIARD 215 the legitimate heir, were it not that all I possessed devolved to the Crown, as I was a condemned traitor and an outlaw. Then was it that the kind feeling of the Governor of Cadiz again made itself apparent; and when Spain once more became comparatively tranquillized, he exerted all possible interest on my behalf. But matters of this kind drag them- selves slowly along in my native country, and it was only a few weeks back that one morning my generous and well- meaning relative brought me the announcement that I had received a full pardon, that my title of count was re- stored to me, and that I was allowed to take possession of the large fortune whereof I have spoken. I myself would have asked no favour of those in power, but I was not insane enough to reject the boons which had thus been secretly procured for me. Besides, during my long imprisonment at Cadiz, I had learned sufficient of the true character of Don Carlos. I had heard so much from my fellow captives respecting his bigotry, his selfishness, and his narrow- mindedness, that I came to loathe the cause which I had formerly served. But while having been brought to this abhorrence of Carlism, I was not changed into an admirer of the queen’s monarchy. My studies had converted me into a Republican, and on the day that I issued from the prison at Cadiz, | vowed that never again would I draw my sword on behalf of royalty, but only to aid in emancipat- ing the Spanish people from the thraldom of tyrants, should the opportunity for such redemption ever present itself. | ‘“‘ Business affairs, connected with my newly inherited fortune, compelled me to visit Madrid; but no sooner were those matters settled, when I set out on my journey to Eng- land. I travelled alone, without ceremony, without attend- ants; my purpose was to proceed as rapidly as possible, avoiding encumbrances of all kinds. A post-chaise bore me to the Pyrenees. Oh, with what mingled feelings of hope and fear did I enter upon this journey. The mountainous boundary being crossed, I hurried on through France. The nearer I approached to England, the more torturing became my suspense. Sometimes I was buoyed up with enthusiastic hopes; at others I was a prey to the most torturing appre- hensions. But all these had I likewise experienced during my captivity at Cadiz. Now, however, as I approached Gomichdoo <S (C(O)