ct
of my desires; nor would I aspire to have any blessing besides, save
that of heaven."

"Now for this good spirit you have shown, Senor Don Juan de Carcamo, I
will in fitting time make Preciosa your lawful wife, and at present I
bestow her upon you in that expectation, as the richest jewel of my
house, my life, and my soul; for in her I bestow upon you Dona Constanza
de Acevedo Menesis, my only daughter, who, if she equals you in love, is
nowise inferior to you in birth."

Andrew was speechless with astonishment, while in a few words Dona
Guiomar related the loss of her daughter, her recovery, and the
indisputable proofs which the old gipsy woman had given of the
kidnapping. More amazed than ever, but filled with immeasurable joy, Don
Juan embraced his father and mother-in-law, called them his parents and
senores, and kissed Preciosa's hands, whose tears called forth his own.
The secret was no longer kept; the news was spread abroad by the
servants who had been present, and reached the ears of the alcalde, the
dead man's uncle, who saw himself debarred of all hope of vengeance,
since the rigour of justice could not be inflicted on the corregidor's
son-in-law. Don Juan put on the travelling dress which the old woman had
preserved; his prison and his iron chain were exchanged for liberty and
chains of gold; and the sadness of the incarcerated gipsies was turned
into joy, for they were all bailed out on the following day. The uncle
of the dead man received a promise of two thousand ducats on condition
of his abandoning the suit and forgiving Don Juan. The latter, not
forgetting his comrade Clement, sent at once in quest of him, but he
was not to be found, nor could anything be learned of him until four
days after, when authentic intelligence was obtained that he had
embarked in one of two Genoese galleys that lay in the port of
Cartagena, and had already sailed. The corregidor informed Don Juan,
that he had ascertained that his father, Don Francisco de Carcanio, had
been appointed corregidor of that city, and that it would be well to
wait until the nuptials could be celebrated with his consent and
approbation. Don Juan was desirous to conform to the corregidor's
wishes, but said that before all things he must be made one with
Preciosa. The archbishop granted his license, requiring that the banns
should be published only once.

The city made a festival on the wedding-day, the corregidor being much
liked, and there wer