determined that he should be pardoned by others also or that she
would share his disgrace. I recognised the nobleness of this at the
moment; but, nevertheless, I was so sore that I would almost have
preferred that she should have disowned me.

The marquis immediately lifted his cap with his left hand while he
gave me his right. "I have already had the pleasure of meeting this
gentleman," he said; "we had some conversation in the boat together."

"Yes," said I, pointing to his rent, "and you still bear the marks of
our encounter."

"Was it not delightful, Donna Maria," he continued, turning to her;
"your friend's friend took me for a torero?"

"And it served you properly, senor," said Donna Maria, laughing, "you
have no right to go about with all those rich ornaments upon you."

"Oh! quite properly; indeed, I make no complaint; and I must beg your
friend to understand, and his friend also, how grateful I am for
their solicitude as to my pecuniary welfare. They were inclined to
be severe on me for being so extravagant in such trifles. I was
obliged to explain that I had no wife at home kept without her proper
allowance of dresses, in order that I might be gay."

"They are foreigners, and you should forgive their error," said she.

"And in token that I do so," said the marquis, "I shall beg your
friend to accept the little ornament which attracted his attention."
And so saying, he pulled the identical button out of his pocket, and