your fair guest, as
you are pleased to call the lady-love of this unseemly knight, is most
to blame. What, in the name of Lucifer, could possess a woman of noble
family to elope with a base menial? Was she devoid of all shame?

"I suppose so," replied Leonor: then, in an expressive tone, she added,
"But shame has been completely set aside in all the turnings of this
iniquitous affair."

She fixed a significant look on Gomez Arias, whilst the astounded
cavalier, aware of the perilous nature of his situation, merely assented
to the truth of her observation. Leonor, eager to pursue her clue in
ascertaining how far Don Lope was implicated in the transaction,
continued,--

"But is it not surprising, Don Lope, that this groom of Roque should in
every respect so much resemble you?"

"My dear Leonor," replied Gomez Arias, laughing loudly, and affecting
good humour, "it is certainly a sad misfortune to have so
unprepossessing a likeness, but we must submit with a good grace to that
which is out of our power to remedy. But I dare say the rascally groom
is not after all so perfect a resemblance of your devoted admirer as the
besotted gardener would make us believe; how could the old dotard
distinguish objects so well, at the distance he confesses, and at night?
It would seem more probable, by his prowling abroad at such an hour,
that a free potation of wine had so far acted upon his senses, that he
saw the marvellous story he has related, in a reverie whilst sleeping
under the friendly shelter of a ditch."

"Nay, Sir," replied Leonor, "we have no reason to doubt the testimony of
an honest and faithful servant, who has no interest in the invention of
a tale to deceive his benefactor."

"Well," returned Gomez Arias, "I will prolong the discussion no further
than to express my concern that you should bestow your affections on one
who has the ill-fortune to resemble a vulgar groom. But I hope this
circumstance will not abate the tender regard with which you have
condescended to honour one who lives but in your smiles."

Here Gomez Arias attempted to pour forth the most ardent protestations
of unalterable attachment; but he was shortly interrupted by Leonor,--

"Nay, Don Lope," she cried, "spare yourself the trouble of uttering a
single word more, either to convince me of the sincerity of your love,
or in extenuation of your conduct, for I can very well imagine
before-hand what you would say."

"That is no miracle," replied