s it that you don't know many thousand things about the Romans,
brother? Do you think they tell you all their affairs?'

'Married Ursula! married! Well, I declare!'

'You seem disappointed, brother.'

'Disappointed! Oh! no, not at all; but Jasper, only a few weeks ago,
told me that you were not married; and, indeed, almost gave me to
understand that you would be very glad to get a husband.'

'And you believed him? I'll tell you, brother, for your instruction,
that there is not in the whole world a greater liar than Jasper
Petulengro.'

'I am sorry to hear it, Ursula; but with respect to him you married--who
might he be? A gorgio, or a Romany chal?'

'Gorgio, or Romany chal? Do you think I would ever condescend to a
gorgio? It was a Camomescro, {75} brother, a Lovell, a distant relation
of my own.'

'And where is he, and what became of him? Have you any family?'

'Don't think I am going to tell you all my history, brother; and, to tell
you the truth, I am tired of sitting under hedges with you, talking
nonsense. I shall go to my house.'

'Do sit a little longer, sister Ursula. I most heartily congratulate you
on your marriage. But where is this same Lovell? I have never seen him:
I should wish to congratulate him, too. You are quite as handsome as the
Meridiana of Pulci, Ursula, ay, or the Despina of Riciardetto.
Riciardetto, Ursula, is a poem written by one Fortiguerra, about ninety
years ago, in imitation of the Morgante of Pulci. It treats of the wars
of Charlemagne and his Paladins with various barbarous nations, who came
to besiege Paris. Despina was the daughter and heiress of Scricca, King
of Cafria; she was the beloved of Riciardetto, and was beautiful as an
angel; but I make no doubt you are quite as handsome as she.'

'Brother,' said Ursula--but the reply of Ursula I reserve for another
chapter, the present having attained to rather an uncommon length, for
which, however, the importance of the matter discussed is a sufficient
apology.

CHAPTER XI

URSULA'S TALE--THE PATTERAN--THE DEEP WATER--SECOND HUSBAND

'Brother,' said Ursula, plucking a dandelion which grew at her feet, 'I
have always said that a more civil and pleasant-spoken person than
yourself can't be found. I have a great regard for you and your
learning, and am willing to do you any pleasure in the way of words or
conversation. Mine is not a very happy story, but as you wish to hear
it, it is quite at your se