and the rather as you have war enough at home, considering all the
amorous conflicts that are raging in your bosom. Gently, gently with
you, madcap! Look what you are doing before you marry; and now give us a
little dole for God's sake and for the name you bear; for truly I
believe you are well born, and if along with this you are loyal and
true, then I will sing jubilee for having hit the mark in all I have
said to you."

"I told you before, nina," said Don Juan, otherwise Andrew Caballero,
"that you were right on every point except as to the fear you entertain
that I am not quite a man of my word. In that respect you are certainly
mistaken. The word that I pledge in the field I fulfil in the town, or
wherever I may be, without waiting to be asked; for no man can esteem
himself a gentleman, who yields in the least to the vice of falsehood.
My father will give you alms for God's sake and for mine; for in truth I
gave all I had this morning to some ladies, of whom I would not venture
to assert that they are as obliging as they are beautiful, one of them
especially."

Hearing this, Christina said to her companions, "May I be hanged, girls,
if he is not talking of the three pieces of eight he gave us this
morning."

"No, that can't be," one of them observed; "for he said they were
ladies, and we are none; and being so true-spoken as he says he is, he
would not lie in this matter."

"Oh, but," said Christina, "that is not a lie of any moment that is told
without injury to anybody, but for the advantage and credit of him who
tells it. Be that as it may, I see he neither gives us anything, nor
asks us to dance."

The old gipsy now came into the room and said, "Make haste,
granddaughter; for it is late, and there is much to be done, and more to
be said."

"What is it, grandmother?" said Preciosa, "A boy or a girl?"

"A boy, and a very fine one. Come along, Preciosa, and you shall hear
marvels."

"God grant the mother does not die of her after pains," said the
granddaughter.

"We will take all possible care of her. She has had a very good time,
and the child is a perfect beauty."

"Has any lady been confined?" said Andrew's father.

"Yes, senor," replied the old Gitana: "but it is such a secret, that no
one knows of it except Preciosa, myself, and one other person. So we
cannot mention the lady's name."

"Well, we don't want to know it," said one of the gentlemen present;
"but God help the lady who trusts her