you will easily perceive shat I am that Leocadia, who, fearful lest fresh accidents and occasions should deprive me of that which is so justly mine, had no sooner learned that you had left your home than, encountering a thousand difficulties, I determined to follow you in this attire, intending to seek you all over the earth until I should find you; at which you will not be astonished, if you have ever had occasion to know the power of true love, and the rage of a deceived woman. I have experienced some troubles in this my pursuit, all which I shall consider as so many blessings now that they have brought me to you; and seeing you in the state in which you now are, if it be God's pleasure to take you from this to a better life, yet if before that departure you perform that which is due to your own character, I shall think myself but too happy, and promise to lead such a life after your death that I shall soon follow you in this last inevitable journey; and so I conjure you, first in the name of God, who is the witness of the purity of my wishes and intentions,-secondly, by what is due to your own honour-and finally, by your obligation to me, which is greater than to any other person in the world, that you receive me as your lawful wife, and do not leave it to the cold hand of justice to do that to which your conscience should so strongly urge you." Here Leocadia ceased; all present had kept perfect silence while she was speak ing, in which silence they continued, in expectation of Marco Antonio's reply, which was as follows:

"I cannot, madam, deny my knowledge of you, for your voice and face put that out of my power; as little can I deny either my obligation to you, or the respectability of your parents, as your own incomparable worth; nor do I respect you the less for having come to seek me in a garb so different from your own; I shall rather esteem you for it the more highly; but since my ill fate has, as you say, and as I believe, brought me thus suddenly to my end, and as in such moments the truth should be declared, I will tell you a truth, which, if it is not for your present gratification, may be for your future advantage. I acknowledge, fair Leocadia, that I loved you and you loved me; but I further confess, that the bond which I gave you was more to gratify your wish than my own; for some time before I had signed it, my heart was resigned to another young lady of my own town, whom you well know, named Teodosia, of birth not inferior to

your own; and if I gave you a bond signed with my own hand, to her I gave my hand itself, with such confirmation and testimony as render it impossible for me to surrender my liberty to any other in the world. The amorous intercourse between you and me was nothing more than a pastime, without, as you know, my reaping any enjoyment from it but such as was perfectly consistent with your honour and purity. That which I had with Teodosia was of a more intimate nature-she yielded me all that she had to give, on my word and assurance of becoming, as I am, her husband; and if I left you both at the same time-you confused and deceived, and her fearful, and, as she thought, dishonoured, I did so without much reflection, like an inconsiderate youth, thinking that all those matters were of little importance, and that I might do so without scruple-with other thoughts, which then came into my head and prompted me to do what I was already inclined to, namely, to go to Italy, and there spend a few of the years of my youth, and afterwards to return to Spain, and see how providence had disposed of you and of my real wife.

And

"But I verily believe it to have been the will of offended heaven that I should be brought to the condition in which you now see me, in order that, confessing these my great faults, I might render what I owed in this life, and you might remain undeceived and at liberty to dispose of yourself as you think best. should my death come to the knowledge of Teodosia, she will know from you, and from the other persons present that, in my dying moments, I fulfilled the promise which I had given her ;—and if, Senora Leocadia, in the little time which still remains to me in this world, I can render you any service, I beg you to name it, for, so that it be not to make you my wife, which I cannot do, there is nothing else in my power which I will not do to please you."

While Marco Antonio had been speaking, he had supported his head with his arm; but when he ceased, his arm fell upon the pillow, and he seemed to be fainting, as if exhausted by the effort. Don Rafael approached him, and closely embracing him, said, "Come, my dear sir, recover yourself, and embrace your friend and brother, since such you choose me to be recognize your old acquaintance, Don Rafael, who will bear true testimony to your wishes, and to the favour which you do his sister in acknowledging her to be yours."

Marco Antonio, reviving, immediately recognized Don Rafael; and after embracing him, and saluting him on the cheek, he said to him, "Sir, and my dear brother, so great is the joy which I feel in beholding you, that I fear I may reasonably expect it to be followed by some great sorrow, since they say that after pleasure comes pain; however, should such be my fate, I shall feel the happiness which I enjoy in seeing you at this moment, to be an ample compensation."

"Then," replied Don Rafael, "let me make that happiness more complete, by presenting to you your beloved wife;" and looking round for Teodosia, he found her weeping behind the rest of the people in the apartment, astonished and confused, between her grief at what she beheld, and her joy at what she had heard. Her brother took her by the hand, and she made no resistance, but let him lead her wherever he chose, which was to Marco Antonio's bed-side, who immediately recognizing her, and tenderly embracing her, mingled his tears with hers.

All present were surprised and affected at this extraordinary scene, and looked at each other without speaking a word, in expectation of the catastrophe of this singular drama.

CHAPTER V.

Hymen.-Peace, ho! I bar confusion;

'Tis I must make conclusion
Of these most strange events.

AS YOU LIKE IT.

Meanwhile, the undeceived and unhappy Leocadia, seeing what Marco Antonio was doing-beholding her whom she had thought to be Don Rafael's brother, in the arms of him whom she had considered as her own husband, and thus finding her wishes disappointed and her hopes destroyed, glided out of the room unperceived by any one, the attention of all being occupied in observing what passed between the sick man and the youth, as they supposed it to be, whom he was embracing; and as soon as she had quitted the chamber, she went out into the street, in a state of despair, intending to wander through the world, or to hide herself where none should behold her.

But she was scarcely in the street, before Don Rafael missed her, and, as if he had lost the thing dearest to his heart, inquired eagerly for her; but nobody could give him any account of her, and so he immediately went out with desperate

haste in search of her, and hurried in the first place to the inn where they told him Calvete had put up, to see if she had gone thither to procure a mule on which to travel.

Not finding her there, he ran like a madman through the streets, this way and that, to seek her; then, the thought striking him that perhaps she had gone towards the galleys, he went to the water side, and a little before he reached it, he heard some one calling with all their might from the shore for the commander's boat, and soon perceived that it was the fair Leocadia herself; who, on hearing steps behind her, fearful of some evil encounter, grasped her sword, and remained in an attitude of defence, until Don Rafael came up, whom she immediately recognized, not without some vexation at his having found her in so solitary a place, as she already understood by more than one indication which Don Rafael had given, that he did not dislike her, but on the contrary, that she would have thought herself too happy if Marco Antonio had seemed to like her as well.

What words can be found to give an adequate idea of the glowing manner in which Don Rafael now addressed Leocadia, to declare to her his passion? The language of the countenance, the silvery tones of a persuading and impassioned voice, no writing can render; the reader must therefore content himself with the words, which were nearly these:

"If, in addition to the happiness which is wanting to me, I were now so unhappy, fair Leocadia, as to want resolution to discover to you the secrets of my heart, I should be doomed to bury in purpetual oblivion the truest and most honorable attachment that can warm an enamoured breast; but, come what may, I have determined, lady, to do justice to my passion by representing to you, if indeed your precipitate resolution allows you to consider the matter, that Marco Antonio has scarcely any advantage over myself but that of being beloved by you. My birth is as good as his, and in the gifts of fortune I am scarcely his inferior; in those of nature I grant he may excel me, more especially if mine be poor in your estimation. lady, because I would fain have you accept the amends which fortune offers you for the evils which she has inflicted. You plainly see that Marco Antonio cannot be yours, because heaven gave him to my sister; and the same heaven which has taken Marco Antonio from

All this I say,

you, seeks to make you some compensation in myself, who desire nothing better in this life than to become your faithful husband. And do not think that the boldness which you have shewn in following Marco Antonio, will cause me to esteem you less than you would otherwise have merited: the moment that I resolved to put you on an equality with myself by choosing you for my lady and my wife, I could not but forget, as I have done, all that part of your conduct; for I well know that the same power which has impelled me so suddenly to become your adorer, brought you into the circumstances in which I now see you; and so, where there has been no fault, it is needless to seek any

All this while, Leocadia had stood perfectly silent, except that now and then she heaved a deep sigh, as if from the bottom of her heart. Don Rafael ventured to take one of her hands, which she wanted strength or resolution to prevent, and kissing it several times, he said to her,

"Oh! beauteous Leocadia, lady of my heart, consent now to be so for ever, with no other witness than the starry heaven above us, the hushed and listening ocean before us, and the silent shore on which we stand; give me here that consent which assuredly will not be less for your honour than for my happiness: I repeat, that I am a gentleman, as you know,---that I am not poor,---and, which you should value most of all, that I love you truly; that instead of finding yourself alone, and in a garb which is derogatory to your honour, far from your home, your parents, and kindred, without any one to assist you in case of need, without hope of obtaining that which you came in search of, you may return to your native place in your own proper and honorable attire, accompanied by as good a husband as he on whom you had fixed your choice, rich. happy, respected, and attended, and even applauded by all who shall become acquainted with the circumstances of your history. If this be so,---and so it is,---I know not wherefore you should hesitate. Vouchsafe, I once more entreat you, to raise me from the dust of my misery to the heaven of your favour, wherein you will act prudently for yourself and courteously towards me, shewing at once your gratitude and discretion."

"Well, then,"--said the hesitating Leocadia, after a pause, "since heaven has so ordained it, and it is not in my

power, nor in that of any one living, to oppose its decrees, let it dispose of me as it pleases, and as you, sir, please ;—yet that heaven well knows the shame which I feel in yielding to your suit; not that I am insensible how much I gain in granting it, but that I fear lest my compliance should make you regard me with other eyes than those with which you have hitherto, perhaps mistakenly, beheld me. But be it as it may, after all, to be called the lawful wife of Don Rafael de Villavicencio, is an advantage not to be despised, and with that title alone I shall live contented. And if my behaviour, after I am yours, should secure your esteem, I shall thank heaven for having brought me by so devious a path, and through so much suffering, to the happiness of being yours. Pledge me then your hand, Senor Don Rafael; and here I give you mine, with no other witness, as you say, than this silent shore, this tranquil sea, and this placid heaven, whose soothing serenity only my sighs and your supplications have disturbed,"

So saying, she allowed herself to be embraced, giving her hand, and receiving that of Don Rafael; this novel and nocturnal affiance being solemnised only by the tears of heartfelt happiness which, in spite of their recent sorrow, started to the eyes of both.

They then returned to the house of the gentleman who had entertained them, and who was in great anxiety during their absence, as also were Marco Antonio and Teodosia, who were already united by the hands of a priest, whom the gentleman had sent for at the desire of Teodosia, that young lady feeling what (all circumstances considered) was, perhaps, a pardonable apprehension lest any cross accident should again occur to place her honour in jeopardy. So that when Don Rafael and Leocadia entered, and Don Rafael had related what passed between them on the sea-shore, their host expressed as much satisfaction as if they had all been his near relatives; for, as Cervantes tells us, it was the natural disposition of the Catalonian noblesse to have a friendly feeling and perform friendly offices to all strangers who in any way needed their assistance.

The priest, who was still present, desired that Leocadia should change her habit and put on female attire; which the gentleman of the house immediately provided for, by furnishing them with two rich dresses belonging to his lady, who was one of the family of the Granolleques, of great fame and antiquity in

that province. He sent to inform the surgeon, (who, says our author, was charitable enough to feel for the wounded gentleman,) that they made him talk too much, and would not leave him alone; and accordingly the surgeon came, and ordered, first of all, that they should quit the chamber and leave him quiet. But it was the will of providence that, in spite of the faculty, the pleasant excitement which Marco Antonio had experienced, should contribute so much to his recovery that the next day, when the bruise was examined, he was declared out of danger; and in a fortnight, he quitted his chamber so far cured as to be able to travel with safety.

Now, the reader must know, that while Marco Antonio had been keeping his bed, he had, like a good catholic, made a vow, if God should restore him to health, to go a pilgrimage on foot to Santiago or St. James of Galicia, in which he was joined by Don Rafael, Leocadia, and Teodosia, and even by the muleteer Calvete a thing, says our author, quite extraordinary for one of his profession; but Don Rafael's kindness and affability had made him resolve not to quit him until he should return home; and seeing that they were to go on foot as pilgrims, he sent his mules, together with that which Don Rafael rode, to Salamanca, as he had no difficulty in finding a person with whom to trust them.

The day of departure having arrived, being furnished with their pilgrims' weeds and all that was necessary for their jour ney, they took leave of their hospitable and liberal entertainer, whose name was Don Sancho de Cardona, of high birth and distinguished merit; promising him to keep in perpetual remembrance, both they and their descendants, to whom they should enjoin it, the signal favours which he had bestowed upon them, that they might at least be grateful for them if they could not requite them. Don Sancho embraced them all, telling them that it was his natural disposition to do those good offices, or any others within his power, to all whom he knew or imagined to be Castilian gentlemen. Their embraces were repeated; and then with cheerfulness, not unmixed with sorrow at parting with so kind a host, they set forward on their journey, and proceeded as comfortably as the tenderness of the two unpractised female pilgrims would permit.

In three days they arrived at Montserrat, and after remaining there three days more, to perform their duty as good

catholics, they went leisurely forward, and arrived without any ill accident at Santiago. When they had fulfilled their vow with all the devotion in their power, they determined not to lay aside their pilgrims' habits until they should reach their homes, which they approached by short stages, with light hearts and without fatigue: but before they completed their journey, being within sight of Leocadia's native place, which, as has been said, was at the distance of two leagues from that of Teodosia, from the top of a rising ground they discerned them both, and could not refrain from tears of joy on first beholding them again; such, at least, was the case with the two young ladies, in whom this prospect renewed the recollection of their past vicissitudes.

A wide valley lay before them, which divided the two towns; and in it they observed, under the shade of an olive tree, a cavalier, well equipped, and mounted on a powerful horse, with a white shield on his left arm, and a large lance balanced in his right hand; and watching him attentively they soon saw two other horsemen approaching him through the trees, with the same arms, and equally well appointed. After remaining a little while together, the three cavaliers separated; one of the two who had come last, went apart with him whom they had seen first under the olive tree; and, clapping spurs to their horses, they rode furiously against each other, as if they were mortal enemies, making violent thrusts with their lances, now avoiding the stroke, and now dexterously receiving it on their shields, plainly shewing themselves to be well skilled in that exercise; the third horseman looking at them, without stirring from the spot where they had left him.

But as Don Rafael could not bear to remain so far off to behold so fierce a single combat, he ran with all speed down the hill, followed by his sister and his wife, and soon arrived close to the two combatants, at a time when they were already both of them slightly wounded. The hat of one of them having fallen off, and with it a steel casque by which his head had been defended, Don Rafael observed his face as he was turning it aside, and knew it to be his own father. Marco Antonio, too, discovered the other combatant to be his; and Leocadia, after attentively observing the third horseman, who had taken no part in the conflict, discovered with no less astonishment, that it was her parent who

wore that threatening guise. Our four pilgrims were all at first surprised and confounded at this strange encounter; but their presence of mind soon returning, the two brothers-in-law hastened to throw themselves between the two combatants, crying out, "Hold, gentlemen! it is your own sons who ask and entreat you.-I, sir, and my dear father, am Marco Antonio, I am he for whom I imagine that your grey hairs are brought into this strife and peril ;-moderate your violence, and throw aside your lance, or turn it against some other enemy; for the one you have before you must henceforward be your brother."

On the other hand, Don Rafael addressed his father nearly in the same terms; upon which the gentlemen desisted from the conflict, and began to look earnestly at the persons who had spoken to them; and turning their heads they saw that Don Enrique, Leocadia's father, had dismounted, and was embracing the other person whom they supposed to be a pilgrim; the occasion of which was, that Leocadia had gone up to him, and, making herself known, entreated him to make peace between the combatants, relating briefly how Don Rafael had become her husband, and Marco Antonio Teodosia's. On hearing this, her father alighted, and embraced her, as has been said: he now left her and hastened to put an end to the hostility of the other two cavaliers, although it was now unnecessary, for they already recognised their sons, and were standing on the ground, holding them in their arms, and shedding tears of paternal love and joy. They now all stood together, and gazed at their children again and again, unable to find words. They felt their bodies to see that they were not phantoms, their appearance being so sudden and unexpected as to authorise, thought they, the most extraordinary suspicions; but having satisfied themselves that it was reality and not illusion, they renewed their tears and embraces.

Just then there appeared in the same valley, a great number of armed people on foot and on horseback, coming to defend the gentlemen of their respective places. But when they came up and saw them embracing those pilgrims, they who were on horseback dismounted, and they all remained in suspense, until Don Enrique told them briefly what his daughter, Leocadia, had related to him. They then went up to the pilgrims, and saluted them with all the lively demon

strations of joy which are natural to the vivacity of the Andalusian character. Don Rafael repeated to them afresh, as fully as time would permit, the account of his love, and the marriage of himself with Leocadia, and of his sister Teodosia with Marco Antonio; all which increased the general rejoicing. Then, from among the horses of the people who had assembled, they took as many as were necessary for the pilgrims, and agreed to go to the residence of Marco Antonio's father, who had offered to celebrate the nuptials of both the newmarried pairs: they set out accordingly, some of the people who had been present going before them, according to the custom of the country, and asking a wedding gift from the relatives and friends of the parties.

On the way, Don Rafael and Marco Antonio learned the cause of this quarrel, which was, that Teodosia's father, and Leocadia's, had challenged Marco Antonio's, on suspicion of his having been acquainted with the conduct of his son; and having both of them come and found him alone, they would not fight him unfairly, but man to man like gentlemen, one of them waiting to see the issue of the combat with the other, which would have ended in the death of one or both of those engaged, but for the timely arrival of the young pilgrims, who now thanked God for his great mercy in having brought them thither at that critical moment.

The next day, Marco Antonio's father celebrated with great liberality and magnificence the nuptials of his son with Teodosia, and those of Don Rafael with Leocadia. "Both these gentlemen," says our author, "are said to have lived long and happily with their wives; and their names and good qualities have been long perpetuated by their offspring in those two places, which are among the best of Andalusia; and if their names are not here mentioned, it is out of delicacy to the memory of the two ladies, upon whom the tongues of the detracting or the over-nice would, perhaps, cast reproach for the impetuosity of their inclinations and the sudden change of their attire ;-but I would beg of those people not to blame such freedoms of conduct too severely, until they have examined their own breasts, if at any time they have been touched by the shafts of Cupid; for truly, the force may be called irresistible, which desire opposes to

reason.

"Calvete, the muleteer, was allowed