I'll
blow such a storm about thine ears, as to surpass all description."

"Sir," replied the valet, "if you dislike storms, I have not the
smallest affection for them, so I'll even hold my tongue."

"Roque," said Gomez Arias after a moment's silence, "I am threatened
with the loss of the rich treasure which I have so long and so arduously
toiled to obtain."

"Treasure, Senor!" cried the wondering valet. "_Cuerpo de Cristo!_
Treasure! Be pleased to explain: I was not aware that you expected a
rich treasure; from what quarter is it to come? My dear, dear master, I
suppose you will then pay me all my vails."

"Here's an infamous sinner!" exclaimed Gomez Arias; "an unconscionable
dog, to be talking of money and filthy wages when his master is
labouring under the most perplexing dilemma in which ever mortal man was
placed. Roque, I do not see what prevents me from shaking thy rascally
form to atoms."

Don Lope, in his anger, made a step in advance, while Roque prudently
made one in retrograde.

"Don Lope," cried the retreating valet, "as I hope for salvation, it is
not my wish to offend: you appear in a terrible passion, and there is
certainly some mystery at the bottom: something preys upon your mind,
and if you would make me acquainted with it, perhaps I might devise a
remedy for the evil."

"You cannot, Roque," returned his master, somewhat composed; "you cannot
contrive to defer this wedding!"

"_Virgin del tremedal_," ejaculated Roque, crossing himself, "and is it
come to this at last? So you have discovered some imperfection in the
beauteous bride; some failing of which you were ignorant; better before
the ceremony than after. But it would be a marvellous pity to spoil the
feast, after the splendid preparations made to celebrate it with the
state and decorum to which it is entitled. Lord bless us! a curious
business we should make of it. But never mind; perhaps it is for the
best after all."

"Now, Roque, hast thou finished? Who in the name of _Satanas_[37] can
hear with patience thy everlasting foolery! I do not intend to postpone
the celebration of the wedding from inclination, but because I am so
compelled by unavoidable circumstances."

"What say you, dear master? surely nothing has happened."

"Yes, something, and most extraordinary; thou wilt be astonished at what
I have to relate, Roque."

"Proceed, Senor; hold me not in suspense, and I can verily assure you,
that nothing is wonderful to me."