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ly, replied he, for he allures me that the affair will admit of no delay.” At thefe words I got up, and putting on my breeches and doublet only, went to the door curling all the way.—“ Friend, faid I to the young man who waited for me, let me know, if you pleafe, what prelling affair procures me the honour of feeing you fo early in the morning?” “ I have, an- fwertd he, a letter for Don Matthias, to be delivered into his own hand. He mull read it immediately, for it is of-the uimoft confcquence to him ; I beg you will therefore (hew me into his chamber.” Thinking it treated of fome very important affair, I took the liberty of waking my mafter. “ I afk pardon, faid I to him, for interrupting your repofc; but the importance—” “ What wouldft thou have?” ciied he haftily. Upon which the young man who accompanied me faid, “ My lord, I have a letter for you from Don | Lope de Vclafco.” Don Matthias took, opened, and having read it, faid to Don Lope’s valet, “ Harkec, child, I would not get up before noon to make one in the beft party of pleafure that ever was propofed; judge then, if I (hall rife at fix o’clock in the morning to fight.—Thou may’ll tell thy mafter, if he will be in the fame place half an hour after twelve, I will meet him there.” So faying, he funk down in his bed, and fell afleep again with great expedition.
Between eleven and twelve he got up, and drefiing with great compofure, went out, telling me he would difpenfe with my attendance: but I was too curious to know the confcquence to obey him in this, and therefore walked at fome diflance behind him to St. Jerome’s meadow, where I perceived Don Lope de Vclafco waiting for him in a lefolute manner. The better to obferve them, 1 concealed myfelf, and from afar, could fee them meet, and begin to fight a moment after. The combat was long, each in his turn having pufhed his antagonifl with great vigour and addrcfs; but viilory declared for Don Lope, \vh® run my mafter through the body, and leaving him E 6 ftrctched