My mother and Clara thanked me when I had concluded my narrative, and we remained unto a late hour entering upon family affairs, and planning for the future.  My mother informed me that upon the estates she had only a life interest, as they were entailed, and would revert to a cousin; but that she had laid by a considerable sum of money, intending it as a dowry for my Clara, and that she hoped to increase it before she died.  As I was anxious to quit Seville, where I feared daily discovery, I proposed that we should retire to the estate near Carthagena, by which not only a considerable expense would be saved, but I should feel more happy in the company of Clara and herself.  My mother and my intended gladly consented to the proposal, not only for the above reasons, but because she was aware that the questions which might be asked about me would tend to the injury of her character.  In less than a fortnight the establishment at Seville was broken up, and we retired to the country, where I was made happy by the possession of my Clara.  I now considered myself as secure from any discovery, and although I had led a life of duplicity, meant by future good conduct to atone for the past.  Whether Donna Celia was my mother or not, I felt towards her as if she was, and after some time from habit considered it an established fact.  My Clara was as kind and endearing as I could desire, and for five years I was as happy as I could wish.  But it was not to last; I was to be punished for my deceit.  My marriage with Clara, and the mystery attached to my birth, which was kept secret, had irritated the heir of the estate, who had been in hopes, by marrying Clara himself, to secure the personal as well as the real property.  We occasionally met, but we met with rancour in our hearts, for I resented his behaviour towards me.  Fearful of discovery, I had never paid any attention to music since my marriage; I had always pretended that I could not sing.  Even my wife was not aware of my talent; and although latterly I had no fear of the kind, yet as I had always stated my inability, I did not choose to bring forth a talent, the reason for concealing which I could not explain even to my wife and mother, without acknowledging the deception of which I had been guilty.

It happened that one evening at a large party I met my cousin, the heir of the entailed estates.  We were very joyous and merry, and had drunk a good deal more than usual.  The wine was powerful, and had taken effect upon most of us.  Singing was introduced, and the night passed merrily away, more visitors occasionally dropping in.  My cousin was much elated with wine, and made several ill-natured remarks, which were meant for me.  I took no notice for some time, but, as he continued, I answered with such spirit, as to arouse his indignation.  My own blood boiled; but the interference of mutual friends pacified us for the time, and we renewed our applications to the bottle.  My cousin was called upon for a song; he had a fine voice and considerable execution, and was much applauded.