nder this
impression Don Alonso now turned his thoughts solely to the object that
was ever in his mind, and engrossed his every sentiment. Two or three
days more and he would be marching against the enemies of his country,
and adding new laurels to the flourishing branches that already graced
his glorious name.

Meantime his daughter Leonor evinced an equal anxiety for the return of
her lover, not so much for any selfish gratification of feeling as for
the more noble ambition of claiming the prerogative to call by the
endearing names of father and husband, the two first warriors of the
land.

Thus impressed, both father and daughter awaited with impatience the
following day, which, beyond the possibility of doubt, was to bring
Gomez Arias to the city.

CHAPTER V.

_Sterling._ True, True; and since you only transfer from one
girl to another, it is no more than transferring so much stock,
you know.

_Sir John._ The very thing.

_Sterling._ Odso! I had quite forgot. We are reckoning
without our host here.

_Clandestine Marriage._

"What is to be the wonder now?" asked Gomez Arias, as he observed his
valet and confidant, Roque, approaching, with an unusual expression of
gravity upon his countenance, such indeed as was seldom discernible in
the features of the merry buffoon.

"What is it you want?"

"I wish to leave your service, Senor."

"Leave my service! Surely, Roque, you are not tired of so indulgent a
master?"

"Yes, Sir," answered Roque, "I am; and what is more, I have been so
these three years--may I speak out?"

"Why," said Don Lope, "you never till now asked leave to be
impertinent--but let me hear your complaints."

"In the first place you are not rich--a grievous fault."

"How can I help that?" demanded Gomez Arias.

"Senor, you could have helped it once; but that is passed. Then you
play----"

"Here's the devil preaching morality," exclaimed his master, with a
laugh. "Oh! most conscientious Roque, what are thine objections to this
amusement?"

"To the amusement in itself, none; I am only discontented with the
consequences. If you gain, you very composedly enjoy the whole fruits of
your success; if, on the contrary, you lose, I get more than a
reasonable share of your ill-humours, with which you most liberally
indulge me. Now, Don Lope, I should like fair play, if play you will;
to feel a little more the effect of the fir