the door, and called out,
"Young men, if you want to hear some fine music, go to the window of the
next room, which looks on the street; it is not occupied."

They got up and opened the door, but the person who had spoken was gone.
The music still continuing, however, they went in their shirts, just as
they were, into the front room, where they found three or four other
lodgers, who made place for them at the window; and soon afterwards an
excellent voice sang a sonnet to the accompaniment of the harp. There
was no need of any one to tell Carriazo and Avendano that this music was
intended for Costanza, for this was very clear from the words of the
sonnet, which grated so horribly on Avendano's ears, that he could have
wished himself deaf rather than have heard it. The pangs of jealousy
laid hold on him, and the worst of all was, that he knew not who was his
rival. But this was soon made known to him when one of the persons at
the window exclaimed, "What a simpleton is the corregidor's son, to make
a practice of serenading a scullery-maid. It is true, she is one of the
most beautiful girls I have ever seen, and I have seen a great many; but
that is no reason why he should court her so publicly."

"After all," said another, "I have been told for certain that she makes
no more account of him than if he never existed. I warrant she is this
moment fast asleep behind her mistress's bed, without ever thinking of
all this music."

"I can well believe it," said the first speaker, "for she is the most
virtuous girl I know; and it is marvellous that though she lives in a
house like this, where there is so much traffic, and where there are new
comers every day, and though she goes about all the rooms, not the least
thing in the world is known to her disparagement."

Avendano began to breathe more freely after hearing this, and was able
to listen to many fine things which were sung to the accompaniment of
various instruments, all being addressed to Costanza, who, as the
stranger said, was fast asleep all the while.

The musicians departed at the approach of dawn. Avendano and Carriazo
returned to their room, where one of them slept till morning. They then
rose, both of them eager to see Costanza, but the one only from
curiosity, the other from love. Both were gratified; for Costanza came
out of her master's room looking so lovely, that they both felt that all
the praises bestowed on her by the muleteer, fell immeasurably short o