AN ADVENTURE IN SPAIN. 681 



x 



evidently avoiding all the usual paths. I endeavoured several times 

 to enter into conversation with him, but in vain ; he always repulsed 

 me, growling some few words in the Catalan dialect, which I could 

 not understand, and he firmly declined to receive the two dollars I 

 offered him when we parted. 



I proceeded direct to myfo?ida, refreshed myself with a bath, and 

 sat down to my meal with no false appetite, attended, of course, by 

 Marguerita, who evinced much impatience to be made acquainted 

 with the particulars of my journey, and why I had returned so soon. 

 I recounted to her my adventure^ expressing my sincere and grateful 

 thanks for her valuable talisman, without which I considered it not 

 improbable but that I should have lost my life. Marguerita, how- 

 ever, vehemently assured me that Alonzo must have been entirely 

 in jest on that point; but she admitted I might have been stripped 

 and maltreated. 



" You will not, I am sure, betray me," continued she. " I need 

 scarcely tell you that Alonzo is my lover- that I am his affianced 

 bride. He is a Valenciano. Had he been of the violent and jealous 

 disposition of the Catalans, I dared not have aided you ; but he knows 

 my truth, and justly confides in me. He is about to give up his pre- 

 sent dangerous profession, in which he has been fortunate enough to 

 amass some doubloons. We are to go to Valencia, where he has 

 many relations, and we shall set up an inn there. If, in your travels, 

 you visit that city, you may possibly encounter us ; but I feel secure 

 in your discretion and honour. You will not forget your promise. 

 Remember, you must meet my husband as an entire stranger." 



I remained a few more days in Puebla Carmona, and then returned 

 to Barcelona. I did not part from Marguerita without repeating my 

 acknowledgments for her invaluable protection, and expressing my 

 sincere wishes for her future happiness and welfare. I also forced 

 upon her acceptance a small diamond ring, which, on my first arrival, 

 had several times attracted her notice. It was but a poor return for 

 the verv important service she had rendered me. 



y p j. w. 



