tal encounter as a God-send, and that you will
give me something to buy--"

"Oh, sir," interrupted the Countess, "we will give you that. Luisa,
have you any money in your purse? I haven't in mine--nothing to
signify."

"Nor I either--how unfortunate! We must--"

"Never mind money, your ladyships; money's worth will do quite as well.
A _reloja_, rings, anything in the way of jewellery. I chance to know a
place in the village where I can convert them into cash."

"Here, take this!" cried the Countess, handing him her watch, the same
which had been hypothecated to Jose, but redeemed by a money payment.

"And this!" said the Dona Luisa, also holding out a watch, both of which
he speedily took possession of.

"'Tis very generous of your ladyships," he said, stowing them away among
his rags; "the proceeds of these ought to support us for a long time,
even allowing for the reduced rate I'll have to accept from the
pawnbroker. Afterwards we must do the best we can."

As he spoke, his little sparkling eyes were avariciously bent upon
certain other objects he saw scintillating in the moonlight--bracelets,
rings upon their fingers and in their ears. The hint was hardly needed.
Enough for them the thought that more help might be required by those
dear to them, and at a time when they could not extend it.

In less than five minutes after both had divested themselves of every
article in the way of gold or gems adorning them. They even plucked the
pendants from their ears, thrusting all indiscriminately into the
outstretched hands of the hunchback.

"_Gracias!--mil gracias_!" he ejaculated, crowding everything into his
pocket. "But your ladyships will scarce care to accept thanks from me.
'Twill be more to your satisfaction to know that your generosity will be
the saving of valuable lives, two of them, if I mistake not, very dear
to you. Oh! won't the Senores Don Ruperto and Don Florencio be
delighted at the tale I shall take back--the Virgin seeing me safe! Not
for the provisions I may carry, but how I obtained the means of
purchasing them. But as time's pressing, Senorita, I won't say a word
more, only _Adios_!"

Without waiting for permission to depart, or rejoinder of any kind, he
slipped down from the wall, and disappeared on its other side.

It was an abrupt leave-taking, which alike surprised and disappointed
them. For they had many questions to ask, and intended asking him--many
anxieties they wished s