beard.

By the time that I had finished these observations my feet had brought
me almost to the stranger's side, and for the first time he caught sight
of me. Instantly his face changed, the sneer left it, and it became
kindly and pleasant looking. Lifting his bonnet with much courtesy he
stammered something in broken English, of which all that I could catch
was the word Yarmouth; then perceiving that I did not understand him, he
cursed the English tongue and all those who spoke it, aloud and in good
Castilian.

'If the senor will graciously express his wish in Spanish,' I said,
speaking in that language, 'it may be in my power to help him.'

'What! you speak Spanish, young sir,' he said, starting, 'and yet you
are not a Spaniard, though by your face you well might be. Caramba! but
it is strange!' and he eyed me curiously.

'It may be strange, sir,' I answered, 'but I am in haste. Be pleased to
ask your question and let me go.'

'Ah!' he said, 'perhaps I can guess the reason of your hurry. I saw
a white robe down by the streamlet yonder,' and he nodded towards the
park. 'Take the advice of an older man, young sir, and be careful. Make
what sport you will with such, but never believe them and never marry
them--lest you should live to desire to kill them!'

Here I made as though I would pass on, but he spoke again.

'Pardon my words, they were well meant, and perhaps you may come to
learn their truth. I will detain you no more. Will you graciously direct
me on my road to Yarmouth, for I am not sure of it, having ridden by
another way, and your English country is so full of trees that a man
cannot see a mile?'

I walked a dozen paces down the bridle-path that joined the road at
this place, and pointed out the way that he should go, past Ditchingham
church. As I did so I noticed that while I spoke the stranger was
watching my face keenly and, as it seemed to me, with an inward fear
which he strove to master and could not. When I had finished again he
raised his bonnet and thanked me, saying,

'Will you be so gracious as to tell me your name, young Sir?'

'What is my name to you?' I answered roughly, for I disliked this man.
'You have not told me yours.'

'No, indeed, I am travelling incognito. Perhaps I also have met a lady
in these parts,' and he smiled strangely. 'I only wished to know the
name of one who had done me a courtesy, but who it seems is not so
courteous as I deemed.' And he shook his horse's rei