ing Tomas sorely
distressed, but somewhat comforted at finding that his secret remained
safe confined to Costanza's bosom; for as she had not divulged it to her
master, he reckoned that at least he was in no danger of being turned
out of doors. He considered also, that in having taken the first step,
he had overcome mountains of difficulties, for in great and doubtful
enterprises the chief difficulty is always in the beginning.

Whilst these things were happening in the posada, Asturiano was going
about the market in search of an ass. He examined a great many, but did
not find one to his mind; though a gipsy tried hard to force upon him
one that moved briskly enough, but more from the effects of some
quicksilver which the vendor had put into the animal's ears, than from
its natural spirit and nimbleness. But though the pace was good enough,
Lope was not satisfied with the size, for he wanted an ass big and
strong enough to carry himself and the water vessels, whether they were
full or empty. At last a young fellow came up, and whispered in his ear,
"If you want a beast of the right sort for a water-carrier's business, I
have one close by in a meadow; a bigger or a better you will not find in
Toledo. Take my advice, and never buy a gipsy's beast, for though they
may seem sound and good, they are all shams, and full of hidden defects.
If you want to buy the real thing, come along with me, and shut your
mouth."

Lope consented, and away went the pair shoulder to shoulder, till they
arrived at the King's Gardens, where they found several water-carriers
seated under the shade of a water wheel, whilst their asses were grazing
in an adjoining meadow. The vendor pointed out his ass, which took
Lope's fancy immediately, and was praised by all present, as a very
strong animal, a good goer, and a capital feeder. The bargain was soon
struck, and Lope gave sixteen ducats for the ass, with all its
accoutrements. The bystanders congratulated him on his purchase, and on
his entrance into the business, assuring him that he had bought an
exceedingly lucky ass, for the man who had sold him had, in less than a
year, without over-working himself, made enough to buy two suits of
clothes, over and above his own keep, and that of the ass, and the
sixteen ducats, with which he intended to return to his native place,
where a marriage had been arranged with a half kinswoman of his. Besides
the water-carriers who assisted at the sale of the ass,