"Marry Mayorica, before their wedding, and see if our lord and lady will give you as valuable gifts as they will give to that youth."
"They would give them to me, for they are liberal to those who serve them faithfully."
"Well, if it is so, why don't you marry?"
"I shall do so very soon, Alvar: yesterday I promised Mayorica, who is mad to be married, for she says that if she cannot get me to church now, while she is still young and comely, she won't be able to do so later on. Her complaints almost upset my patience."
"And will you keep your promise to her?"
"I have made it, and I shall keep it, although I was never so much against it as now."
"May the Moors kill me if I understand you! Why should you be unwilling to get married, when you are well off, when you can have a gentle and loving bride, and hopes of rich presents? Is not Mayorica pleasing to you?"
"She pleases me as much as ever, Alvar, but—listen, for I am about to confide a great secret to your discretion."
Fernan looked round to see if there was anyone present who might hear him, and, not seeing anyone, he continued—
"You must know, comrade, that some time ago I saw a girl whose charms would set a heart of stone on fire."