thou walkest, many a snare
For the feet of pretty ladies
Naughty gallants lay: beware!

Other things still more surprising
Shall on Friday next be told,
Things to startle and delight thee,
When I've crossed thy palm with gold.

Preciosa having finished this oracular descant for the lady of the
house, the rest of the company were all eager to have their fortunes
told likewise, but she put them off till the next Friday, when they
promised to have silver coin ready for crossing their palms. The senor
lieutenant now came in, and heard a glowing account of the charms and
accomplishments of the leading gitana. Having made her and her
companions dance a little, he emphatically confirmed the encomiums
bestowed on Preciosa; and putting his hand in his pocket he groped and
rummaged about in it for a while, but at last drew his hand out empty,
saying, "Upon my life I have not a doit. Give Preciosa a real, Dona
Clara; I will give it you by and by."

"That is all very well, senor," the lady replied; "but where is the real
to come from? Amongst us all we could not find a quarto to cross our
hands with."

"Well, give her some trinket or another, that Preciosa may come another
day to see us, when we will treat her better."

"No," said Dona Clara, "I will give her nothing to-day, and I shall be
sure she will come again."

"On the contrary," said Preciosa, "if you give me nothing. I will never
come here any more. Sell justice, senor lieutenant, sell justice, and
then you will have money. Do not introduce new customs, but do as other
magistrates do, or you will die of hunger. Look you, senor, I have heard
say that money enough may be made of one's office to pay any mulets that
may be incurred,[70] and to help one to other appointments."

[70] It was formerly the custom in Spain that a civil officer on giving
up his post, should remain for a certain time in the place where he had
served, to answer any charges of maladministration that might be brought
against him.

"So say and do those who have no conscience," said the lieutenant; "but
the judge who does his duty will have no mulet to pay; and to have well
discharged his office, will be his best help to obtain another."

"Your worship speaks like a very saint," replied Preciosa; "proceed
thus, and we shall snip pieces off your old coats for relics."

"You know a great deal, Preciosa," said the lieutenant; "say no more,
and I will contrive that th