504 The Maid of Covadonga. [ Nov. 
« Well, well, if his Satanic majesty got hold of his promising subject, 
and carried him to the tegions below, it is not likely he should send him 
back to a place where his first mission was attended with such indifferent 
success. Besides, the strange being to whom I allude is neither old, 
ugly, nor, do I believe, mischievous—but a young, beautiful female, 
whose suddeti apparition in these wild passes, no less than the strange- 
ness of her demeanour, have naturally excited my deepest interest and 
curiosity to learn the particulars of her history.” : 
The son retreated in visible dismay as I pronounced these words. I 
perceived that I had touched upon a very tender topic, and this cireum- 
stance only tended to heighten my curiosity. 
« Ah! Senor,” cried the young goatherd, crossing himself, “ Dios nos 
defrenda! when did you meet with her? was she very near this 
place?” 
« Not far, certainly ; perhaps a mile or so.” 
« A mile? only a mile? Good Heavens! Why, she approaches 
nearer évery day.— Father, what shall we do?” ; 
The old goatherd neither answered nor moved a muscle, but preserved 
a most profound gravity. 
« Now, young friend,” said I, “ your suspicious and awful looks 
appear to me singularly out of time and place: I see no cause for such 
demonstrations. What, in the name of wonder, can you apprehend 
from a poor female? Do you know any thing of her?” 
« No, Seror ; we know nothing ; and there precisely lies the mis- 
chief. How came she here ?—what does she want? No good, I trow! 
Depend upon it, my very honoured master, she is possessed—she has an 
evil spirit. Yes, yes! I would take my oath she has a demon in her 
body.” 
«Indeed ! that’s a Curious guest, to be sure. I suppose you have some 
very powerful proof to support your opinion ?” ; 
« She has often been heard communing with some one, very myste- 
riously, when no living soul was near. Perico Matos, a shrewd fellow, 
saw her twice; and I think that I once heard her myself. Now, it is 
very clear, Senor, that she was communing with the wicked sprite. Oh! 
never go near that horrid woman—that malignant being, I should say! 
for the female form is only a deceit; and I would swear that she is no 
more a woman than I am myself.” 
_ “ Hush! Anton, thon foolish boy !” interposed the father, in a reprov- 
ing tone, “how long wilt thou indulge in that silly belief? I have often 
told thee she is no devil, but a poor woman out of her wits—a wild 
maniac, who has no doubt committed some grievotis crime, for which she 
is tormented only by the demon of remorse. Perhaps she wanders in 
these solitudes to do penance for her sin, and obtain mer¢y from 
above.” 
I thought the father’s account of the female the most reasonable of the 
two ; but the son favoured us with a very incredulous shake of the head, 
accompanied by a sagacious smile, which, translated into words, I believe 
meant—“ Oh! but I know better.” 
“ Besides,” resumed the old goatherd, “how can she be thought a 
wicked, unearthly thing, being, as she is, so young and handsome?” _ 
- I considered-this argument none of the worst ; and I certainly admired’ 
the ingenious method which the old man had of guiding his judgment in’ 
