t can wash their faces in those waters just as the cathedral
bell tells midnight; for at that precise moment they have a
beautifying power. The student, having nothing to do, suffered
himself to be carried away by the holiday-seeking throng until he
found himself in the narrow valley of the Darro, below the lofty
hill and ruddy towers of the Alhambra. The dry bed of the river;
the rocks which border it; the terraced gardens which overhang it,
were alive with variegated groups, dancing under the vines and
fig-trees to the sound of the guitar and castanets.

"The student remained for some time in doleful dumps, leaning
against one of the huge misshapen stone pomegranates which adorn
the ends of the little bridge over the Darro. He cast a wistful
glance upon the merry scene, where every cavalier had his dame; or,
to speak more appropriately, every Jack his Jill; sighed at his
own solitary state, a victim to the black eye of the most
unapproachable of damsels, and repined at his ragged garb, which
seemed to shut the gate of hope against him.

"By degrees his attention was attracted to a neighbor equally
solitary with himself. This was a tall soldier, of a stern aspect
and grizzled beard, who seemed posted as a sentry at the opposite
pomegranate. His face was bronzed by time; he was arrayed in
ancient Spanish armor, with buckler and lance, and stood immovable
as a statue. What surprised the student was, that though thus
strangely equipped, he was totally unnoticed by the passing throng,
albeit that many almost brushed against him.

"'This is a city of old time peculiarities,' thought the student,
'and doubtless this is one of them with which the inhabitants are
too familiar to be surprised.' His own curiosity, however, was
awakened, and being of a social disposition, he accosted the
soldier.

"'A rare old suit of armor that which you wear, comrade. May I ask
what corps you belong to?'

"The soldier gasped out a reply from a pair of jaws which seemed to
have rusted on their hinges.

"'The royal guard of Ferdinand and Isabella.'

"'Santa Maria! Why, it is three centuries since that corps was in
service.'

"'And for three centuries have I been mounting guard. Now I trust
my tour of duty draws to a close. Dost thou desire fortune?'