1829:] a Tale of the South. 589 
desired that they should remain quiet ; and going into the little hall, he 
took down a buckler, and having his sword in his hand, he approached 
to the gate, demanding, in a hoarse and fearful tone, who was there? 
“It is I, Senor Monopadis,” was replied from without, “ there is no 
one else; I am Faganto, the sentinel of the day, and run to tell you that 
Juanna Cariharte is coming along the street all torn and crying, as if 
something had happened to her.” She came up at the moment. Mono- 
padis hearing her, opened the gate, and ordered Faganto to return 
to his post, and henceforth to give his notice without making such an 
outcry. He promised obedience, and Cariharte entered. It was a 
young woman of the same style asthe others: her hair was loose—her 
face was marked with blows—and no sooner did she enter the court than 
down she dropt in a fit. Esculante and Gamenciosa went to her assist- 
ance, and having unlaced her boddice, found her all black and blue with 
blows. They threw water in her face, upon which, returning to herself, 
she cried out aloud, “ May the justice of Heaven and the king fall 
upon the villain—the robber—the thief of a pickpocket—the miserable 
coward, that I have saved from the whip as many times as he has hairs 
on his chin. Wretch that I am—see for what I have lost, and past the 
flower of my youth and of my tender years: for a scoundrel—a cheat— 
an assassin—a_ good-for-nothing !’—“ Tranquillize thee, Cariharte,” said~ 
Monopadis to her “ I am here to render thee justice—tell us the wrongs 
that have been done thee—thou shalt be longer in recounting them than 
I in revenging them. . Who has failed in respect to thee? If thou wilt 
have vengeance there is no need to call twice for it.”—* Respect,” 
replied Cariharte, “ there would be more respect for me in hell than 
with that coward who acts the lion among lambs—and the lamb among 
men. I, to drink, eat, live, with such a vagabond—sooner would I 
throw myself to the dogs, than stay to be used in this manner, you 
shall see.” So saying, she lifted her coats to the knee, discover- 
ing the marks of the whip that had been laid on her, “ There,” 
exclaimed she, “ see there how that ungrateful Repolido has treated me— 
he who owes more to me than the mother who bore him. And would 
you guess why he didit? I dare say. you think he had at least some cause, 
though ever so little; devil a bit, as you shall hear :—all this is because 
having lost at play, he sends Cabrillos, his boy, to ask me for thirty 
reals, and I had only twenty-five to give him. Heaven knows, and I 
hope it will keep count of the labour and pain I had to get them. In 
revenge for my civility and trust in him, fancying that I hid from him 
some of what he chose to imagine I had gained, he led. me this 
morning bebind the royal garden, and there, among the olives, without 
rhyme or reason—and may the same send him to the galleys—he whips 
off my gown-—and gives me such a flogging with his leather belt, 
_ that he left me for dead—in witness of which you see the marks.” She 
then recommenced crying and demanding justice, which Monopadis 
forthwith promised her, as did also the two bravos who were listening. 
Gamenciosa took her by the hand to console her, saying that she would 
give the last jewel she possessed that the same thing might happen 
between her and her husband—* for you must know, sister Cariharte,” 
added she, “ if youdo not already know it, that who loveth well chasteneth 
well. When these wretches thump, flog, and kick us about, it is then 
they are fondest ofus. Tell me, in conscience, after Repolido had thus 
flogged and bruised thee, did he not offer to give thee a kiss?” 
