n, thou sinner."

"That is easily said," mumbled out the valet; "but, consider, good Sir,
that my sins cannot find utterance, as long as you obstruct their
natural egress in this most unchristian manner. In pity, gentle Senor,
unloose your grasp a little, or I shall die without confessing at all."

Indeed, the poor valet's face afforded an incontrovertible proof of the
sincerity of his expostulations; for his master, though perfectly
elegant in all his movements and demeanor, was at no particular pain in
observing the strictest rules of politeness when he chanced to handle
his luckless attendant. Roque's face appeared by this time in its
colour no bad specimen of a well burnished pan--his loquacious tongue
protruded from its natural dwelling, and the little buried eyes started
out with an unusual degree of animation.

Don Lope, observing his distress, released him with a few hearty
shakings; and Roque, after taking two or three deep and lengthened
respirations, began to examine his person, to assure himself he had
sustained no damage, and then applying his hand to his collar--

"_Virgen Santa!_" he cried, "here are fine doings! Oh, my honored
master, what have you done! There is my beautiful--my best
_gorguera_[40] completely destroyed--torn to tatters--absolutely spoilt
for ever--past remedy. Oh Lord! Oh Lord! Such a fine _gorguera_, too, of
the very best lace, and worked by the pretty and dignified fingers of
Lisarda--and what will she say? What will she say when her loquacious
abilities are called into action by no less a subject than the total
destruction of her superb _gorguera_?"

"By all the powers of darkness, Roque," cried Gomez Arias, "but I would
confidently match thee against all the Lisardas in the world."

"Senor Don Lope, a fine _gorguera_ is perhaps unworthy of your
eloquence; for, in sooth, you reserve your powers of tongue for more
deserving objects. But consider, Sir----"

"Sirrah!" interrupted Gomez Arias, "I have no time to waste upon your
foolery. I perceive your drift; you want to elude my examination; but
now, Roque, be explicit or---- how often have you seen that Moor?"

"Much oftener than I could wish," answered Roque.

"Then he wished to form an acquaintance with you?"

"Apparently he did; but you know, Senor, we must not always trust to
appearances."

"How did you meet his advances?"

"I did not meet them at all, Don Lope, for I kept advancing myself all
the time, and as it happ