le or simple,
fair or dark, I know not."

"A very mysterious character!" cried Juanita, laughing, "like unto the
bravo of some Italian tale. Jesu Maria!" she exclaimed, springing to
the window, "what goodly cavalier rides hither? His mantle is of
three-pile velvet, and he wears golden spurs upon his heels. And with
what a grace he sits and manages his fiery genet! Pray Heaven your
suitor be as goodly a cavalier."

Magdalena gazed forth upon the horseman, and her heart silently
confessed that the praises of her cousin were well bestowed. As the
cavalier approached the goldsmith's house, he checked the impatient
speed of his horse, and gazed upward earnestly at the window where the
young girls sat.

"Magdalena!" cried the mischievous Juanita, "old Margarita is not here
to document us, and I declare your beauty shall have one chance." As
she spoke she threw open the blind, and exposed her lovely and
blushing cousin to the gaze of the cavalier.

Ardently and admiringly he gazed upon her dark and faultless features,
and then raising his plumed hat, bowed to his very saddle bow, and
rode on, but turned, ever and anon, till he was lost in the distance
and gradual darkening of the street.

"Mutual admiration!" cried the gay Juanita, clapping her hands. "Thank
me for the stratagem. Yon cavalier is, without a doubt, the mysterious
admirer of San Ildefonso."

Don Julio Montero--for that was the name of the cavalier--returned
again beneath the casement, and again saw Magdalena. He also made some
purchases of the old goldsmith, and managed to speak a word with his
fair daughter in the shop; and in spite of the duenna, billets were
exchanged between the parties. The very secrecy with which this little
intrigue was managed, the mystery of it, influenced the imagination of
Magdalena and increased the violence of her attachment, and loving
with all the fervor of her meridian nature, she felt that any
disappointment would be her death.

One evening, as her secret suitor was passing along a narrow and
unfrequent street, a light touch was laid upon his shoulder, and
turning, he perceived a tall figure, muffled in a long, dark cloak.

"Senor Montero," said the stranger, "one word with you." And then,
observing that he hesitated, he threw open his cloak, and added, "Nay,
senor, suspect not that my purpose is unfriendly; you see I have no
arms, while you wear both rapier and dagger. I merely wish to say a
few words on a matter of d