s not as
young as he was, though I believe donkeys live for ever."

"Now, Loretta," we said, whilst the train waited, "it is our ambition to
send you a wedding-gift. What shall it be?"

"Senor, you are too good. What have I done? I could never----"

"Loretta, the train may start at any moment."

"Senor, I have all I could wish for, excepting----" She hesitated.

"Loretta, the moments are flying."

"Senor, it is too great an object. I have not the courage----"

"Loretta, the guard signals. Another moment and you are lost."

"Well, then, senor, I long for a clock for our mantelpiece. We had made
up our minds to wait, and----"

"Loretta, the clock is yours. It shall be pure white. A golden Cupid
shall strike the bells. In his other hand he shall hold a glass which
turns with the hours, running golden sands. Fare you well, Loretta."

The engine whistled. The carriage moved. Our last look was a vision of a
comely woman standing on the platform, a tall erect figure gazing after
the train, the reflection of the afterglow lighting up her face to
something beyond mere earthly beauty.

CHAPTER XXX.

THE GARDEN OF SPAIN.

Charms of Tarragona--Dream of the past--Quasimodo comes not--Of
another world--Host's offer--Francisco inconsolable--A mixed
sorrow--No more holidays--List of grievances--Fair
scene--Luxuriance of the South--Hospitalet--Pilgrims of the Middle
Ages--Amposta--Centre of lost centuries--Historical past--Here
worked St. Paul--Our fellow-travellers--Undertones--Enter old
priest--Draws conclusions--Love's young dream--Impressions and
appearances--Not always a priest--Fool's paradise--Youth and
age--Awaking to realities--Driven out of paradise--Was it a
judgment?--Calmness returns--Judging in mercy--Nameless
grave--"Writ in water"--Withdrawing from the world--Entering the
church--Busy life--Romances of the Confessional--"To Eve in
Paradise"--Tortosa--Garden of Spain--Vinaroz--Wise mermen--Cradle
of history and romance--Gibraltar of the West--A race
apart--Benicarlo--Flourishing vineyards--"If the English only
knew"--Eve recognises priest--"I am that charming daughter"--Lovely
cousin engaged--Count Pedro de la Torre--Mutual
recognitions--Congratulations--Breaking news to H. C.--Despair--"To
Adam in Hades"--Gallant priest--Saved from temptation.

With sorrowful hearts we turned our backs one morning upon