m endowed with a degree of
courage and resolution of which I was far from imagining that I was
possessed. And now," he added, drawing near the dame, "now will you
condescend to favour me with the particulars of your apostacy from our
holy religion. What, in the name of infatuation, could entice you to
take a step so detrimental to the interests of your soul? _Virgen
Santa!_ once no one was to be found more assiduous at the ceremonies of
our religion; you were in very troth the most devout _beata_[44] of the
whole parish, and now here's a change, in the name of _Satanas_! Oh,
Maria Rufa, you have surely been bewitched."

"Alas!" cried the crone, ludicrously rolling her eyes in attempting the
pathetic, "you say right, Roque; I was verily bewitched."

"_Santa Barbara!_" exclaimed Roque crossing himself, "and by whom were
you bewitched?"

"By that most powerful tyrant."

"What tyrant?" demanded Roque, drawing closer, and casting a suspicious
glance around. "What tyrant, Rufa?"

"Guess, Roque, and spare my confusion."

"Spare my guessing," returned the valet, "and with respect to your
confusion, I dare say it will not overwhelm you. Now, tell me the name
of the terrible tyrant."

"Love," replied Marien Rufa, affecting much disorder.

Roque forthwith burst into an immoderate fit of laughter that startled
the cavalcade.

"Love! the Lord defend us!--how could such a guest enter so homely an
habitation! Love! here's a pretty object for Cupid to exercise his
pranks upon. Now, I do verily believe there is witchcraft in the tender
passion. _Miserere! Miserere!_ and who was the happy mortal attracted by
your matured charms?--whence came the man blessed with the good taste
necessary to set a just value on your miraculous attractions? That most
beautiful elongated chin--that capacious mouth--those lack-lustre eyes,
and shrivelled complexion--that most polite and well-educated nose,
which is continually bowing to the neighbouring chin; in fine, those
long shaggy tresses of hair, which, if we must judge by their
consistency, bespeak thee endowed with the strength of Sampson."

Scarcely had Roque made a stop in his harangue, in order to take breath,
than Marien Rufa, exasperated beyond bearing at the caricature he was
drawing, with a wonderful alacrity lifted her clenched hand, and dealt
the facetious valet such a tremendous blow on the ear, that he fell
stunned from the donkey which he bestrode, and lighted on the ground
wi