n't you wish you
may get it? See what kind of a string he's playing on now. I would
rather be married to a dead notomy." "Oh, bother!" exclaimed Repolido;
"let us have done with this, for it is getting late; take care of being
too much puffed up at hearing me speak so gently, and seeing me so meek;
for, by the light of heaven, if my rage should get steeple-high, the
relapse will be worse than the first fit. Come down from your stilts,
let us all have done with our _tantrums_, and not give the devil a
dinner."

"I will give him a supper to boot, if he will take you from my sight to
some place where I may never set eyes on you more," exclaimed the gentle
Juliana from within.

"Haven't I told you once to beware, Madame Hemp-sack? By the powers, I
suspect I must serve out something to you by the dozen, though I make no
charge for it."

Here Monipodio interposed: "In my presence," he said, "there shall be no
violence. Cariharta will come out, not for your threats, but for my
sake, and all will go well. Quarrels between people who love each other
are but the cause of greater joy and pleasure when peace is once made.
Listen to me, Juliana, my daughter; listen to me, my Cariharta. Come out
to us, for the love of your friend Monipodio, and I will make Repolido
beg your pardon on his knees."

"Ah! if he will do that," exclaimed Escalanta, "we shall then be all on
his side, and will entreat Juliana to come out."

"If I am asked to beg pardon in a sense of submission that would
dishonour my person," replied Repolido, "an army of lansquenets would
not make me consent; but if it be merely in the way of doing pleasure to
Cariharta, I do not say merely that I would go on my knees, but I would
drive a nail into my forehead to do her service."

At these words Chiquiznaque and Maniferro began to laugh, and Repolido,
who thought they were making game of him, cried out in a transport of
rage, "Whoever shall laugh or think of laughing at anything whatsoever
that may pass between Cariharta and myself, I say that he lies, and that
he will have lied every time he shall laugh or think of laughing."

Hearing this, Chiquiznaque and Maniferro looked at each other and
scowled so sternly, that Monipodio saw things were likely to come to a
crisis unless he prevented it. Throwing himself, therefore, into the
midst of the group, he cried out, "No more of this, gentlemen! have done
with all big words; grind them up between your teeth; and since t