ed him to marry into a
higher family. Nevertheless, he continued furtively to pay court to the
lady of his choice, carefully concealing his proceedings from all eyes
but mine. One night, which ill luck must have especially selected for
the adventure I am about to relate to you, as we were passing by the
lady's house, we saw ranged against it two men of good figure
apparently. My kinsman wished to reconnoitre them, but no sooner had he
made a step towards them than their swords were out, their bucklers
ready, and they made at us, whilst we did the same on our side, and
engaged them with equal arms. The fight did not last long, neither did
the lives of our two opponents; for two thrusts, urged home by my
kinsman's jealousy and my zeal in his defence, laid them both low--an
extraordinary occurrence, and such as is rarely witnessed. Thus
involuntarily victorious, we returned home, and taking all the money we
could, set off secretly to the church of San Geronimo, waiting to see
what would happen when the event was discovered next day, and what might
be the conjectures as to the persons of the homicides.

"We learned that no trace of our presence on the scene had been
discovered, and the prudent monks advised us to return home, so as not
by our absence to arouse any suspicion against us. We had already
resolved to follow their advice, when we were informed that the alcaldes
of the court had arrested the young lady and her parents; and that among
their domestics, whom they examined, one person, the young lady's
attendant, had stated that my kinsman visited her mistress by night and
by day. Upon this evidence they had sent in search of us; and the
officers not finding us, but many indications of our flight, it became a
confirmed opinion throughout the whole city, that we were the very men
who had slain the two cavaliers, for such they were, and of very good
quality. Finally, by the advice of the count, my relation, and of the
monks, after remaining hid a fortnight in the monastery, my comrade
departed in company with a monk, himself disguised as one, and took the
road to Aragon, intending to pass over to Italy, and thence to Flanders,
until he should see what might be the upshot of the matter. For my part,
thinking it well to divide our fortunes, I set out on foot, in a
different direction, and in the habit of a lay brother, along with a
monk, who quitted me at Talavera. From that city I travelled alone, and
missed my way, till