There was no marquis there then, and we were the only Englishmen on
board."

"It was on Thursday, certainly, because it was well known in Seville
that he arrived on that day. You must have remarked him because he
talks English perfectly--though by-the-bye, these men would go on
chattering before him about himself as though it were impossible that
a Spaniard should know their language. They are ignorant of Spanish,
and they cannot bring themselves to believe that any one should be
better educated than themselves."

Now the blow had fallen, and I straightway appreciated the necessity
of returning immediately to Clapham where my family resided, and
giving up for ever all idea of Spanish connections. I had resolved
to assert the full strength of my manhood on that tower, and now
words had been spoken which left me weak as a child. I felt that I
was shivering, and did not dare to pronounce the truth which must be
made known. As to speaking of love, and signifying my pleasure that
Don Tomas should for the future be kept at a distance, any such
effort was quite beyond me. Had Don Tomas been there, he might have
walked off with her from before my face without a struggle on my
part. "Now I remember about it," she continued, "I think he must
have been in the boat on Thursday."

"And now that I remember," I replied, turning away to hide my
embarrassment, "he was there. Your friend down below in the plaza
seems to have made out a grand story. No doubt he is not fond of the
English. There was such a man there, and I did take hold--"

"Oh, John, was it you?"