ty does, on treasure trove. They are,
moreover, men of singular integrity and rectitude. They lead a
respectable life, and enjoy a good reputation, fearing God and regarding
the voice of their consciences, insomuch that not a day passes over
their heads in which they have not heard mass with extraordinary
devotion. There are, indeed, some of them so conscientious, that they
content themselves with even less than by our rules would be their due.
Those just gone are of this number. We have two others, whose trade it
is to remove furniture; and as they are daily employed in the conveyance
of articles for persons who are changing their abode, they know all the
ins and outs of every house in the city, and can tell exactly where we
may hope for profit and where not."

"That is all admirable," replied Rinconete, "and greatly do I desire to
be of some use to so noble a confraternity."

"Heaven is always ready to favour commendable desires," replied
Monipodio.

While the two were thus discoursing, a knock was heard at the door, and
Monipodio went to see who might be there. "Open, Sor[36]
Monipodio--open," said a voice without; "it is I, Repolido."

[36] _Sor_ the contraction of Senor.

Cariharta hearing this voice, began to lift up her own to heaven, and
cried out, "Don't open the door, Senor Monipodio; don't let in that
Tarpeian mariner--that tiger of Ocana."[37]

[37] "Ocana" is a city at no great distance from Madrid; and if the lady
has placed her tiger there, instead of in Hyrcania, as she doubtless
intended, it is of course because her emotions had troubled her memory.
The "Tarpeian mariner" is a fine phrase surely, but its meaning is not
very clear.

Monipodio opened the door, nevertheless, in despite of her cries; when
Cariharta, starting to her feet, hurried away, and hid herself in the
room where the bucklers were hung up. There, bolting the door, she
bawled from her refuge, "Drive out that black-visaged coward, that
murderer of innocents, that white-livered terror of house-lambs, who
durst not look a man in the face."

Repolido was meanwhile kept back by Maniferro and Chiquiznaque, as he
struggled with all his might to get into the room where Cariharta was
hidden. But when he saw that to be impossible, he called to her from
without, "Come, come, let us have done with this, my little sulky; by
your life, let us have peace, as you would wish to be married."
"Married!" retorted the lady, "married to you too! Do