eing surprised.

McKay expected nothing less than coarse abuse, but no honey could be
sweeter than the old people's accents and words.

"Do not mind us," said La Zandunga, coaxingly.

"A pair of turtle-doves," said Tio Pedro: "bashful and timid as
birds."

"Sit down, good sir," went on the old woman: "you can see Mariquita
again. Let us talk first of this business."

"You want horses, I believe?" said Tio Pedro. "I can get you any
number. What price will you pay?"

"What they are worth."

"And a little more, which we will divide between ourselves," added the
old man, with a knowing wink.

"That's not the way with British officers," said McKay, sternly.

"It's the way with ours in Spain."

"That may be. However, I will take five hundred from you, at twenty
pounds apiece, if they are delivered within three days."

Tio Pedro got up and walked towards the door.

"I go to fetch them. I am the key of Southern Spain. When I will,
every stable-door shall be unlocked. You shall have the horses, and
more, if you choose, in the stated time."

"One moment, Senor Pedro; I want something else from you, and you,
senora."

They looked at him with well-disguised astonishment.

"I have long loved your niece; will you give her to me in marriage?"

"Oh! sir, it is too great an honour for our house. We--she--are all
unworthy. But if you insist, and are prepared to take her as she is,
dowerless, uncultured, with only her natural gifts, she is yours."

"I want only herself. I have sufficient means for both. They may still
be modest, but I have good prospects--the very best. Some day I shall
inherit a great fortune."

"Oh! sir, you overwhelm us. We can make you no sufficient return for
your great condescension. Only command us, and we will faithfully
execute your wishes."

"My only desire is that you should treat Mariquita well. Take every
care of her until I can return. It will not be long, I trust, before
this war is ended, and then I will make her my wife."

McKay's last words were overheard by a man who at this moment entered
the shop.

It was Benito, who advanced with flaming face and fierce, angry eyes
towards the group at the counter.

"What is this--and your promise to me? The girl is mine; you gave her
to me months ago."

"Our promise was conditional on Mariquita's consent," said La
Zandunga, with clever evasion. "That you have never been able to
obtain."

"I should have secured it in time but for this