ld it be otherwise?
Inconstancy is the very soul of love."

"I will not attempt to argue that point with so great an adept; my
remonstrances are merely limited to the results, and I can truly aver
that my life in time of peace is, if possible, more miserable than in
war; for what with carrying love-letters, bribing servants, attending
serenades, watching the movements of venerable fathers, morose duennas,
and fierce-looking brothers, I cannot enjoy a moment's rest."

"Why, 'tis true," said Don Lope, "my life is solely devoted to love and
war."

"I rather think it a continual war," retorted the valet. "It may be much
to your taste, Sir, but I, that am neither of so amorous a temperament,
nor of so warlike a disposition, cannot enjoy the amusement so well.
Instead of passing the nights quietly in bed, as good Christians should
do, we employ them in parading the silent streets, putting in
requisition all the established signals of love, and singing amorous
songs to the tender cadences of the love-inspiring guitar. Even this I
might endure with Christian resignation, were it not for the
disagreeable results which generally terminate our laudable occupations.
It often happens that whilst you are dying with love, and I with fear
and apprehension, we meet with persons who unfortunately are not such
decided amateurs of music. Some surly ill-disposed brother, or
unsuccessful lover of the beauty, is invariably sure to come and
disturb our harmony; then discord begins--swords are drawn--women
scream--alguazils pounce upon us, and thus the sport goes on, till one
of the _galanes_[11] is dead or wounded, or till the alguazils are so
strong as to render a prudent retreat advisable. Then by some ill
fortune I am sure to be collared by the brother or the alguazils in
question, and without further ceremony, by way of remunerating merit and
encouraging a servant for faithfully serving his master, I am
entertained with sundry hearty cudgellings, liberally bestowed on my
miserable hide. When they have not left a single sound bone in my skin,
they kindly permit me to go, telling me, for consolation, to thank my
stars, and that another time I shall not escape so easily. With this
pleasing assurance, I creep home as well as I can, and then my humane
and grateful master, by way of sympathising with the misfortunes I
suffer on his account, fiercely demands--'Roque! where have you been
loitering, Sir?' Calls me a most negligent rascal, and ot