13
’»
h
l-
ie
Sr
Df
It
;e
I
10
in
w
fe
e-
ir-
ur
id
ur
re-
ia-
nd
lo-
as,
re-
ho
dl,
: I ivr
know vou. Your name is Pedro, and you arc the only foil of Juan Velez de la Mcnbrilla : whoever maintains the contrary is an impodor.” “ I believe you, Mr. Alguazil (faid the honed man Jerome de Moyadas) your evidence is facred with me, as well as that of the gentlemen merchants, who arc along with you. I am fully convinced that the young cavalier, who conduced you hither, is the only fon of my brother’s correfpondcnts : but that does not fignify, lam no longer in the mind to give him my daughter.”
“ Olio ! that’s another affair (faid the alguazil) l came hither onlv to allure you, that I know this young man. You arc matter of your child, and m body can compel vou to part with her againft your inclination.” “ Nor do I intend (faid Pedro, inter- ruDting him) to offer violence to the inclination of fiignior de Moyadas ; but he will give me leave to aik. why he has changed his fentiments, or if he has any caufe 'to compiain of me. Let me be allured, at lead, that I have not lod the fweet hope of being his fon-in-law by my own mifbehaviour.” “ I have no caufe to c >mplaiti of you (replied the old man) and will even own, that it is with regret I fee myfelf under a necelfitv of breaking my word, for which I conjure you to forgive me. I am perfuaded that you are too generous to take it amifs, that I prefer to vou a rival, who has faved my life. Here he is, (purfued he, Ihewing me to the company) this is the perfon who refeued me from the mod imminent danger ; and that my excufc may have dill more force,
I mud inform you that he is no lefs than an Italian prince.
At thefe lad words, Pedro became mute and confounded ; the two merchants hared with thc.utmoil furprize : but the alguazil, accullomed to look upon the word fide of every thing, fufpe&ed this wonderful adventure to be a trick, that might turn out to his advantage j he eyed me very attentively, and his A 6 good

