er
between the two pairs gives promise to mar the happy intercourse of the
hour.

"They'll meet--they must!" says Carmen, apprehensively.

"Let them!" rejoins Inez, in a tone of nonchalance. "What if they do?"

"What! They may quarrel. I'm almost sure they will."

"No fear for that; and, if they should, where's the danger? You, such a
believer in the romantic--stickler for old knight-errantry--instead of
regretting it, should be glad! Look there! Lovers coming from all
sides--suitors by land and suitors by sea! Knights terrestrial, knights
aquatic. No lady of the troubadour times ever had the like; none ever
honoured by such a rivalry! Come, Carmen, be proud! Stand firm on your
castle-keep! Show yourself worthy to receive this double adoration!"

"Inez, you don't know the danger."

"There is none. If they should come into collision, and have a fight,
let them. I've no fear for mine. If Willie Cadwallader isn't a match
for Faustino Calderon, then he's not match, or mate, for me--never shall
be."

"_Sobrina_! you shock me. I had no idea you were such a _demonia_. The
Moorish blood, I suppose. Your words make me almost as wicked as
yourself. It isn't for that I'm afraid. I've as much confidence in my
lover as you in yours. No fear that Senor Crozier will cower before
Francisco de Lara. If he do, I shall take back my heart a second time,
and carry it unscathed to Cadiz!"

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

A SWEET PAIR OF SUITORS.

While the young ladies upon the house-top are discussing the characters
of De Lara and Calderon, these worthies, in return, are conversing of
them, and in a strain which bodes little good to Inez, with much evil to
Carmen. That the visit designed for them is of no ordinary nature, but
for an all important purpose, can be gleaned from the speech passing
between the two horsemen as they ride along the road.

De Lara commences it by remarking:--

"Well, friend Faustino, from something you said before setting out, I
take it you're going to Don Gregorio's on an errand very similar to my
own? Come, _camarado_! declare it!"

"Declare yours!"

"Certainly. I shall make no secret of it to you; nor need I. Why
should there be any between us? We've now known one another long
enough, and intimately enough, to exchange confidences of the closest
kind. To-day mine is--that I mean proposing to Don Gregorio's
daughter--offering her my hand in marriage."

"And I," returns Caldero