sort
bring their own penance with them."

"Whether it was without benefit of clergy I cannot say," replied the
Alferez; "but I can safely aver that it was not without benefit of
physic. Such were the torments of body and soul which my marriage
brought upon me, that those of the body cost me forty sudations to cure
them, and, as for those of the soul, there is no remedy at all that can
relieve them. But excuse me, if I cannot hold a long conversation in the
street; another day I will, with more convenience, relate to you my
adventures, which are the strangest and most singular you ever heard in
all the days of your life."

"That will not do," said the licentiate; "I must have you come to my
lodgings, and there we will do penance together.[59] You will have an
olla, very fit for a sick man; and though it is scantly enough for two,
we will make up the deficiency with a pie and a few slices of Rute ham,
and, above all, with a hearty welcome, not only now, but whenever you
choose to claim it."

[59] A common form of invitation, meaning we will partake of a poor
repast.

Campuzano accepted the polite invitation. They turned into the church of
San Lorente and heard mass, and then Peralta took his friend home,
treated him as he had promised, repeated his courteous offers, and
requested him after dinner to relate his adventures. Campuzano, without
more ado, began as follows:--

You remember, Senor Licentiate Peralta, how intimate I was in this city
with Captain Pedro de Herrera, who is now in Flanders. "I remember it
very well," replied Peralta. Well, one day when we had done dinner in
the Posada della Solana, where we lived, there came in two ladies of
genteel appearance, with two waiting women: one of the ladies entered
into conversation with the Captain, both leaning against a window; the
other sat down in a chair beside me, with her veil low down, so that I
could not see her face, except so far as the thinness of the texture
allowed. I entreated her to do me the favour to unveil, but I could not
prevail, which the more inflamed my desire to have sight of her; but
what especially increased my curiosity was that, whether on purpose, or
by chance, the lady displayed a very white hand, with very handsome
rings.

At that time I made a very gallant appearance with that great chain you
have seen me wear, my hat with plumes and bands, my flame-coloured
military garments, and, in the eyes of my own folly, I seemed so
engagi