to
some twenty paces distance, where they stopped, and the young gentleman
thus addressed them: "I am so subdued by the wit and beauty of Preciosa,
that after having in vain endeavoured to overcome my admiration, I have
at last found the effort impossible. I, senoras (for I shall always give
you that title if heaven favours my pretensions), am a knight, as this
dress may show you;" and opening his cloak he displayed the insignia of
one of the highest orders in Spain; "I am the son of----" (here he
mentioned a personage whose name we suppress for obvious reasons), "and
am still under tutelage and command. I am an only son, and expect to
inherit a considerable estate. My father is here in the capital, looking
for a certain post which by all accounts he is on the point of
obtaining. Being then of the rank and condition which I have declared to
you, I should yet wish to be a great lord for the sake of Preciosa, that
I might raise her up to my own level, and make her my equal and my lady.
I do not seek to deceive; the love I bear her is too deep for any kind
of deception; I only desire to serve her in whatever way shall be most
agreeable to her; her will is mine; for her my heart is wax to be
moulded as she pleases but enduring as marble to retain whatever
impression she shall make upon it. If you believe me I shall fear no
discouragement from any other quarter, but if you doubt me, I shall
despond. My name is----; my father's I have already given you; he lives
in such a house in such a street and you may inquire about him and me of
the neighbours, and of others also; for our name and quality are not so
obscure but that you may hear of us about the court, and every, where in
the capital. I have here a hundred crowns in gold to present to you, as
earnest of what I mean to give you hereafter; for a man will be no
niggard of his wealth who has given away his very soul."

Whilst the cavalier was speaking, Preciosa watched him attentively, and
doubtless she saw nothing to dislike either in his language or his
person. Turning to the old woman, she said, "Pardon me, grandmother, if
I take the liberty of answering this enamoured senor myself."

"Make whatever answer you please, granddaughter," said the old woman,
"for I know you have sense enough for anything." So Preciosa began.

"Senor cavalier," she said, "though I am but a poor gitana and humbly
born, yet I have a certain fantastic little spirit within me, which
moves me to g