He was in disgrace with his family--almost disinherited; the country was on the point of war, and its fortunes might give him some opportunities no one now foresaw.

But if Isabel's mother had once declared that she would "never sanction the marriage," Antonia knew that, however she might afterwards regret her haste and prejudice, she would stand passionately by her decision.

Was it not better, then, to prevent words being said which might cause sorrow and regret in the future?
But as regarded Isabel's father, no such reason existed.

The happiness of his children was to him a more sacred thing than his own prejudices.
He liked Don Luis, and his friendship with his mother, the Senora Alveda, was a long and tried one.

The youth's political partialities, though bringing him at present into disgrace, were such as he himself had largely helped to form.