nd such was his good humour, that even the gitanos took most
kindly to him.

These ceremonies being ended, an old gipsy took Preciosa by the hand,
and setting her opposite Andrew, spoke thus: "This girl, who is the
flower and cream of all beauty among the gitanas of Spain, we give to
you either for your wife or your mistress, for in that respect you may
do whatever shall be most to your liking, since our free and easy life
is not subject to squeamish scruples or to much ceremony. Look at her
well, and see if she suits you, or if there is anything in her you
dislike; if there is, choose from among the maidens here present the one
you like best, and we will give her to you. But bear in mind that once
your choice is made, you must not quit it for another, nor make or
meddle either with the married women or the maids. We are strict
observers of the law of good fellowship; none among us covets the good
that belongs to another. We live free and secure from the bitter plague
of jealousy; and though incest is frequent amongst us there is no
adultery. If a wife or a mistress is unfaithful, we do not go ask the
courts of justice to punish; but we ourselves are the judges and
executioners of our wives and mistresses, and make no more ado about
killing and burying them in the mountains and desert places than if they
were vermin. There are no relations to avenge them, no parents to call
us to account for their deaths. By reason of this fear and dread, our
women learn to live chaste; and we, as I have said, feel no uneasiness
about their virtue.

"We have few things which are not common to us all, except wives and
mistresses, each of whom we require to be his alone to whom fortune has
allotted her. Among us divorce takes place, because of old age as well
as by death. Any man may if he likes leave a woman who is too old for
him, and choose one more suitable to his years. By means of these and
other laws and statutes we contrive to lead a merry life. We are lords
of the plains, the corn fields, the woods, mountains, springs, and
rivers. The mountains yield us wood for nothing, the orchards fruit, the
vineyards grapes, the gardens vegetables, the fountains water, the
rivers fish, the parks feathered game; the rocks yield us shade, the
glades and valleys fresh air, and the caves shelter. For us the
inclemencies of the weather are zephyrs, the snow refreshment, the rain
baths, the thunder music, and the lightning torches. For us the hard