n't be alarmed, senora," said Costanza, "I will go and see what the
senor corregidor wants, and if anything bad has happened, be assured the
fault is not mine;" and without waiting to be called a second time, she
took a lighted candle in a silver candlestick, and went into the room
where the corregidor was. As soon as he saw her, he bade the landlord
shut the door, and then taking the candle out of her hand; and holding
it near her face, he stood gazing at her from head to foot. The blush
which this called up into Costanza's cheeks, made her look so beautiful
and so modest that it seemed to the corregidor he beheld an angel
descended on earth. After a long scrutiny, "Landlord," he said, "an inn
is not fit setting for a jewel like this, and I now declare that my son
Don Perequito has shown his good sense in fixing his affections so
worthily. I say, damsel, that they may well call you not only
illustrious, but most illustrious: but it should not be with the
addition of scullery-maid, but with that of duchess."

"She is no scullery-maid, senor," said the host; "her only service in
the house is to keep the keys of the plate, of which, by God's bounty, I
have some quantity for the service of the honourable guests who come to
this inn."

"Be that as it may, landlord," returned the corregidor; "I say it is
neither seemly nor proper that this damsel should live in an inn. Is she
a relation of yours?"

"She is neither my relation nor my servant; and if your worship would
like to know who she is, your worship shall hear, when she is not
present, things that will both please and surprise you."

"I should like to know it. Let Costanza retire, and be assured she may
count on me in all things, as she would upon her own father; for her
great modesty and beauty oblige all who see her to offer themselves for
her service."

Costanza replied not a word, but with great composure made a profound
reverence to the corregidor. On leaving the room she found her mistress
waiting in great agitation. She told her all that had passed, and how
her master remained with the corregidor to tell some things, she knew
not what, which he did not choose her to hear. All this did not quite
tranquilise the landlady, nor did she entirely recover her equanimity
until the corregidor went away, and she saw her husband safe and free.
The latter meanwhile had told the corregidor the following tale:--

"It is now, by my reckoning, senor, fifteen years, one mon