uleteers went their several ways, leaving the two friends much
struck by what they had overheard of the conversation, especially
Avendano, in whom the mere relation which the muleteer had given of the
scullery-maid's beauty awoke an intense desire to see her. It had the
same effect on Carriazo, but not to an equal degree, nor so as to
extinguish his desire to reach his beloved tunny fisheries, from which
he would not willingly be delayed to behold the pyramids of Egypt, or
any or all of the other seven wonders of the world.

Repeating the dialogue between the muleteers, and mimicking their tones
and gestures, served as pastime to beguile the way until they reached
Toledo. Carriazo, who had been there before, led the way at once to the
Posada del Sevillano; but they did not venture to ask for accommodation
there, their dress and appearance not being such as would have gained
them a ready welcome. Night was coming on, and though Carriazo
importuned Avendano to go with him in search of lodgings elsewhere, he
could not prevail on him to quit the doors of the Sevillano, or cease
from hanging about them, upon the chance that the celebrated
scullery-maid might perhaps make her appearance. When it was pitch dark
Carriazo was in despair, but still Avendano stuck to the spot; and, at
last, he went into the courtyard of the inn, under pretence of inquiring
after some gentlemen of Burgos who were on their way to Seville. He had
but just entered the courtyard, when a girl, who seemed to be about
fifteen, and was dressed in working clothes, came out of one of the side
doors with a lighted candle. Avendano's eyes did not rest on the girl's
dress, but on her face, which seemed to him such as a painter would give
to the angels; and so overcome was he by her beauty, that he could only
gaze at it in speechless admiration, without being able to say one word
for himself.

"What may you please to want, brother?" said the girl. "Are you servant
to one of the gentlemen in the house?"

"I am no one's servant but yours," replied Avendano, trembling with
emotion.

"Go to, brother," returned the girl disdainfully, "we who are servants
ourselves have no need of others to wait on us;" and calling her master,
she said, "Please to see, sir, what this lad wants."

The master came out, and, in reply to his question, Avendano said that
he was looking for some gentlemen of Burgos who were on their way to
Seville. One of them was his master, and had s