instilled new horrors into the confused minds of the affrighted lovers.
The brave, the royal Alonzo heard not the voice of his enchanting dulcinea;
he, poor fellow, with difficulty supported his trembling frame against an
ancient _memento mori_, which reared its tristful crest within a whisper
of the lattice of the lovely Carlotta. Large globules of transparent
liquid adorned his pallid brow, and his convulsed knees sought each other
with mechanical solicitude. It was a moment pregnant with the gravest
misery to poor Alonzo; not a star was seen to enliven the murky night, and
the wind whistled most lugubriously. He was in a state of insensibility,
and would have fallen to the cold earth, but luckily for the valiant youth,
the melodious voice of the enchanting girl again breathed the tenderest
hopes for the safety of her adored Alonzo. He sprang upon his legs and
drew a pistol from his girdle, which he discharged with unerring aim at
the dreaded goblin. A horrible groan followed this murderous act, which
was succeeded by a confused noise, and a solemn silence ensued! "It's
vanished, Carlotta! I have hurried the intruding demon to the nether
world!" exclaimed the valorous guardsman. "Heavens be praised," cried the
superstitious girl, "but hasten, my love--quit this spot directly--my
father has alarmed his people--away, away!"

The worthy maker of guns approached the scene of carnage, accompanied by
the inmates of his dwelling, with rueful countenances, illumined by tapers,
when the cause of their disquietude was soon discovered. No apparition or
sprite forsooth, but a full grown _donkey_ of the Andalusian breed, lay
weltering in gore, yet warm with partial life! By timely liberality the
valorous Alonzo escaped detection, though the heroic deed is still
remembered in merry Valencia, and often cited as an instance of glorious
(?) _chivalry_.

GRADIVUS.