This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1833 edition. Excerpt: ...pearl and tortoise-shell hung by the window, near a large and splendid mirror; on one side was a small Saint Catherine, a masterpiece of Lionardo, and on the other that inimitable Madonna of Raffaelle, called for its surpassing beauty the Pearl; and costly hangings of damask shaded an alcove and bed, where, supported by a duena, lay a lady, who, but for the stifled and just audible sobs which proceeded from her, would have seemed, from the motionless repose of her form and of her beautiful but pallid features, to be past all art of the leach, and all resources of human skill. A moment's glance at the apartment sufficed to show its contents to El Valenciano; and he had but a moment wherein to observe them; for the fearful voice of the cavalier hastily commanded him to perform his office on the arm of the lady. Gil Cano started: --was it a work of cure, or of death, which he was called upon to execute? The mysterious secrecy of his introduction; the statue-like stillness of his patient, and yet the unambiguous accents of mortal sorrow, which broke from that young and lovely being; the stern bearing of the masked cavalier;--these were elements of speculation, which forced upon his mind the suspicion that he was to be made the instrument of some cruel husband, perhaps, to disguise to the world, under the forms of medical aid, the murder of an erring or it might be an injured wife. His soul revolted at the act; he fell on his knees before his conductor; he begged, he prayed, to be released from the task to which he was ordered. But what availed words? He addressed a being deaf to pity, incapable of being shaken by remonstrance or petition; and he was compelled to apply the lancet to the veins of the passive victim, as victim he could no longer..