should vouchsafe me the happiness of beholding her. She looked at me
half smiling, half sadly, and said, 'Yes.' And she has kept her word
and has appeared almost daily, without our having yet spoken much to
each other. For although she has been sometimes quite alone, I
could never begin any other topic but that of the happiness of
walking by her side. Often she has sung to me, and I have sung to
her also. When I told her yesterday that our departure was so near,
her heavenly eyes seemed to me suffused with tears. I must also have
looked sorrowful, for she said to me, in a consoling tone, 'Oh,
pious, childlike warrior! one may trust you as one trusts an angel.'
After midnight, before the morning dawn breaks for your departure, I
give you leave to take farewell of me in this very spot. If you
could, however, find a true and discreet comrade to watch the
entrance from the street, it would be well, for many a soldier may be
passing at that hour through the city on his way from some farewell
carouse. Providence has now sent me such a comrade, and at one
o'clock I shall go joyfully to the lovely maiden."

"I only wish the service on which you require me were more rich in
danger," rejoined Fadrique, "so that I might better prove to you that
I am yours with life and limb. But come, noble brother, the hour for
my adventure is arrived."

And wrapped in their mantles, the youths walked hastily toward the
city, Fadrique carrying his beautiful guitar under his arm.




CHAPTER II.