proposed by her brother; and the
innkeeper coming in, they ordered breakfast, intending to depart
immediately.

Before all was ready another traveller arrived. This was a gentleman who
was known to Don Rafael and Teodoro, and the latter, to avoid being
seen by him, remained in the chamber. Don Rafael, having embraced the
newcomer, asked him what news he brought. His friend replied that he had
just come from the port of Santa Maria, where he had left four galleys
bound for Naples, and that he had seen Marco Antonio Adorno, the son of
Don Leonardo Adorno, on board one of them. This intelligence rejoiced
Don Rafael, to whom it appeared that since he had so unexpectedly
learned what it was of such importance for him to know, he might regard
this an omen of his future success. He asked his friend, who knew his
father well, to exchange the hired mule he rode for his father's nag,
giving him to understand, not that he was coming from Salamanca, but
that he was going thither, and that he was unwilling to take so good an
animal on so long a journey. The other obligingly consented, and
promised to deliver the nag to its owner. Don Rafael and he breakfasted
together, and Teodoro alone; and finally the friend pursued his journey
to Cazallo, where he had an estate, whilst Don Rafael excused himself
from accompanying him by saying that he had to return that day to
Seville.

As soon as the friend was gone, and the reckoning paid, Don Rafael and
Teodoro mounted and bade adieu to the people of the inn, leaving them
all in admiration of the comeliness of the pair. Don Rafael told his
sister what news he had received of Marco Antonio, and that he proposed
they should make all haste to reach Barcelona; for vessels on their way
to or fro between Italy and Spain usually put in at that port; and if
Marco Antonio's ship had not yet arrived there, they would wait for it,
and be sure of seeing him. His sister said he should do as he thought
best, for his will was hers. Don Rafael then told the muleteer who
accompanied him to have patience, for he intended to go to Barcelona,
but would pay him accordingly. The muleteer, who was one of the merriest
fellows of his trade, and who knew Don Rafael's liberality, declared
that he was willing to go with him to the end of the world.

Don Rafael asked his sister what money she had. She told him she had not
counted it; all she knew was that she had put her hand seven or eight
times into her father's stro