u may have suffered in the company of---- But do you allow me to
abuse your husband safely?"

"As much as you please," answered the gentle spouse.

"Well," resumed Roque, "all the torments which that most abominable,
ugly scarecrow of a rascally unbeliever has made you endure, are nothing
in comparison to the tortures you are doomed to suffer when you are
compelled to leave that miserable carcase, and that time you must be
aware cannot be far off. Then consider what a life you will lead in
those dark regions, where, by the bye, you will be eternally tormented
with the sight and company of your ungracious consort."

"I am sensible of my errors, but if I have sought your confidence, it
was with the view of exciting your compassion, not your reproaches."

But Roque had insensibly got into a very oratorical mood, and, without
heeding the hag's remonstrances, proceeded:--

"Now, Rufa, consider for a moment, who but the devil could tempt a
matron full half a century old, without a sound tooth in her head, the
head itself being unsound, to look kindly on the most perfect sample of
ugliness, and a ruffian Moor to boot: this is enough to make you despair
of salvation--But no, the blessed Virgin forbid! I think, and charitably
hope, that by a vigorous course of penance, and wholesome castigation,
properly and soundly administered, by a frequent use of discipline,
constant fasts, devout prayer, donations to the poor, of whom I am one,
and the like pious exercises, I really think your sinful soul may be
snatched from the perdition to which it has been brought by that
infernal Aboukar, your most confounded lord and master; therefore--"

"Roque," interrupted ruefully Marien Rufa, "whether you are in right
earnest or only playing the fool with me, I cannot determine; but my
situation is such as to deserve the pity of every good Christian."

Roque had, indeed, a peculiar inclination to a ludicrous banter, even
when dwelling on the gravest subjects, which might put on his guard a
person of quicker intellects than the dame of Aboukar.

"Rufa," he said, "pardon me if, in my admonitions, I cannot impart to
your troubled spirit that unction which becomes the important subject
that dictates them. Now, provided you will tell me the manner in which
you intend to proceed, perhaps I may be able to help you with my good
advice."

"Well, child," replied Marien Rufa, "I wish heartily to be reconciled to
the church, and for this purpose we