If there be no trace of him in either path, hie thee to his mansion; but return not without news.

Impalpable evil is ever worse than the tangible and real." Don Alonzo scarcely waited the conclusion of the King's speech, so eager was he to depart; and the longing looks cast after him betrayed how many would have willingly joined him in his search.
"His wife ?" repeated the King, in answer to some suggestions of his kinsman's.

"Nay, man; hast thou yet to learn, that Morales' heart would break ere he would neglect his duty?
No: physical incapacity would alone have sufficient power to keep him from us--no mental ill." If the effort to continue indifferent conversation had been difficult before, it now became impossible.

The very silence felt ominous.

What evil could have befallen?
was asked internally by each individual; but the vague dread, the undefined horror of something terrible impending, prevented all reply; and so nearly an hour passed, when, far removed as was the council-room from the main body of the castle, a confusion as of the entrance of many feet, and the tumultuary sound of eager voices, was distinguished, seeming to proceed from the great hall.
"It cannot be Don Alonzo so soon returned," remarked the Duke of Murcia; but even as he spoke, and before the King had time to make an impatient sign for silence, so intently was he listening, the Lord of Aguilar himself re-entered the apartment.
"Saints of heaven!" ejaculated the King, and his exclamation was echoed involuntarily by all around.