u are indeed the poet of whom I spoke."

"I am: I neither can nor will deny it. Possibly it may be that where I
thought myself lost I have come right to port, if, as you say, there is
fidelity in the forests, and hospitality in the mountains."

"That there is, beyond doubt," said Andrew; "and among us gipsies the
strictest secrecy in the world. On that assurance, senor, you may
unburden your breast to me: you will find in mine no duplicity whatever.
The gitanilla is my relation, and entirely under my control. If you
desire her for a wife, myself and all other relations will be quite
willing; and if for a mistress, we will not make any squeamish
objections, provided you have money, for covetousness never departs from
our ranchos."

"I have money," the youth replied; "in the bands of this frock, which I
wear girt round my body, there are four hundred gold crowns."

This was another mortal blow for Andrew, who assumed that the stranger
could carry so large a sum about him for no other purpose than to
purchase possession of the beloved object. With a faltering tongue he
replied, "That is a good lump of money; you have only to discover
yourself, and go to work: the girl is no fool, and will see what a good
thing it will be for her to be yours."

"O friend," exclaimed the youth, "I would have you know that the power
which has made me change my garb is not that of love, as you say, nor
any longing for Preciosa; for Madrid has beauties who know how to steal
hearts and subdue souls as well as the handsomest gitanas, and better;
though I confess that the beauty of your kinswoman surpasses any I have
ever seen. The cause of my being in this dress, on foot, and bitten by
dogs, is not love but my ill luck."

Upon this explanation, Andrew's downcast spirit began to rise again; for
it was plain that the wind was in quite a different quarter from what he
had supposed. Eager to escape from this confusion, he renewed his
assurances of secrecy, and the stranger proceeded thus:--

"I was in Madrid, in the house of a nobleman, whom I served not as a
master but as a relation. He had an only son and heir, who treated me
with great familiarity and friendship, both on account of our
relationship, and because we were both of the same age and disposition.
This young gentleman fell in love with a young lady of rank, whom he
would most gladly have made his wife, had it not been for his dutiful
submission to the will of his parents, who desir