ANDALUSIAN SKETCHES. 623 



and rather behind the mother. I saw she had more difficulty in con- 

 troling her feelings. At length she joined in the conversation, and 

 the purport of the few sentences she uttered, in the softest of voices 

 in the charming idiom of Andalusia is still fresh in my recollection. 



" Generous Englishman/' said she, " let me, too, express my 

 grateful sense of the invaluable service you have rendered me. But 

 for you, what would have become of me during that fearful day and 

 night ! You are a soldier. May the god of battles watch over and 

 preserve you ! May you live to be honoured and distinguished !" She 

 rose and gracefully approached. " A modo de las Inglesas (in the 

 manner of your countrywomen) I offer my acknowledgments," and 

 she held out a most exquisitely-formed, white hand, for my ready 

 clasp and pressure. I could not but retain for a moment this hand, 

 and gaze upon the interesting girl. She appeared to be about 

 eighteen, and of a singularly elegant form. A profusion of the 

 deepest jet-black hair was bound in tasteful bands around her head, 

 but leaving distinct to view her high dazzling brow and delicately 

 small ears. For a native of the south, she was remarkably fair, but 

 still the dark full eye shewed the descent from the Moorish con- 

 querors so perceptible in all the inhabitants of Andalusia. I could 

 scarcely tear myself away, but the uneasy gestures of Padre Mendez 

 and of Dona Isabel warned me it was time to depart, and I unwil- 

 lingly made my adieus. 



" Esta casa es de listed" (this house is yours), said the mother, in 

 the ordinary compliment of the country ; but I did not consider it 

 either proper or prudent again to intrude on their sorrows. I 

 remained only a few more days in Seville, and then returned to my 

 military duties at Gibraltar. 



Two years since, I again passed through Seville, and paid a visit 

 to the Convento del Carmen. Padre Mendez was still there, and I 

 was gratified to find that he immediately recognized me. From him 

 I learned that Dona Isabel and her daughter had removed to Cor- 

 doba; that Amalia had rejected several unobjectionable offers of 

 marriage, without apparent reason ; and that her mother, seeing her 

 resolution, had left Seville to avoid the importunities of the suitors. 

 Serenades were nightly performed under their windows, and various 

 duels had been fought in the street. 



" If you go to Cordoba," continued the good father, " do not fail 

 to present yourself to to the ladies. Be assured that the English 

 officer will never be forgotten will ever be welcome." I had 

 time, and did not lack inclination to look again at the mezquita (the 

 cathedral mosque). But I refrained. Amalia could never be more 

 to me than she had been an interesting acquaintance, and I knew 

 myself to be of susceptible materiel. I could not then meet again 

 this lovely girl without emotions and feelings I dared not encourage, 

 and I avoided the danger. 



I am now reaching a sober and steady age. I shall probably soon 

 resume my wanderings in Spain pay another visit to Seville, 

 and pass through Cordoba. I shall not do so without enquiries 

 for Dona Isabel and Amalia. I shall be sincerely rejoiced if I learn 

 that Amalia has blessed with her hand some worthy Spaniard. 



J. W. 



