ened that we adhered constantly to the same
regular pace, we had a fair chance of going round Spain without ever
coming into contact."

"Roque, thou art a shrewd villain," said Gomez Arias, who, perplexed as
he was at the moment, could not help smiling at this conceit of his
valet; and reflecting that, with such a fellow, he was more likely to
succeed by gentle means than by actual force--

"Now, Roque," he said, "I am willing to give you credit for what you
say, and you ought to deal frankly with me in return."

"Aye, Sir," replied Roque, very coolly, "upon the matter of credit we
are even."

"Even upon credit! how, Sirrah?"

"For my wages," composedly answered the valet.

"Roque, you may one day go too far," returned Don Lope; "I may laugh at
your fooleries, but they do not always fall in accordance with my humor.
However, as to the point in question,--it appears that the Moor had
really sought your acquaintance?"

"Yes, I must allow that," replied Roque; "but with the proviso that I am
in no way accountable for the fancies that either Moor or Christian may
take to me, as long as I do not give any encouragement, which is
precisely the case in the present instance."

"Well," said Gomez Arias, "this matter shall be investigated at a future
period, for I must attend to more important affairs; and now, Roque,
tell me what your fruitful invention has conjured up to rid me of the
troublesome object of my disquietude."

"My fruitful invention, Senor, as you are kindly pleased to term that
faculty, which at other times you most unceremoniously treat with
contempt;--my fruitful invention, Don Lope, has conjured up----"

"What, my good Roque?" eagerly inquired his master.

"Nothing," drawled out the valet.

"Provoking idiot," exclaimed Gomez Arias; "I know not what induces me
to retain such a dull brute about me."

A pause followed, and Don Lope, quite at a loss on what course to
determine, seated himself on one of the stone benches concealed by the
trees that overshadowed the place. There he began to muse, whilst Roque,
unwilling to disturb his reflections, betook himself to examine the
unfortunate _gorguera_, and heave many a ludicrous sigh over its
melancholy fate.

"Roque," cried Gomez Arias, after a short lapse, "I see no remedy but
placing Theodora in a convent."

"Aye!" answered Roque, "it will all be right, provided she consents."

"Consents! By my troth, thinkest thou I shall put myself to the
inco