"And then?" asked Fernan, with impatient curiosity.
"Nothing more. How could I hear what they were saying inside?"
"I swear that the story of this fool is rather interesting," remarked Fernan.
"I could not hear what they were saying in the house, but I remained concealed behind the fence fully an hour, to see if the cavalier would come out, and if I could discover who he was by what he might say before his departure. At last I heard the door opening. Beatrice was holding a candle in the porch, and, thanks to its light, I was enabled to see what took place there. Pero and his wife embraced the cavalier, Beatrice was weeping, and I distinctly heard the name of Martin pronounced. The stranger crossed the threshold at last and mounted his horse. The young girl gave the candle to her mother, followed him a short distance from the house, and said to him, 'Martin, since you are resolved not to abandon this vengeance, do not forget that if you die in carrying it out, I also shall die of grief.' 'Trust to my love, Beatrice, and it will bring you happiness,' replied the cavalier, and he disappeared like a flash of lightning."
"And how long is it since that happened?" asked Fernan.
"I remember it as if it only happened yesterday, for I have a good memory. Memory is a valuable"—
"Alvar! make use of your memory to remember how I punish stupidities. Is it long since that happened?"
"I don't remember the exact time; but I know it was at the period when the band of the Vengador was proceeding to Burgos."
"And now that you mention the band of the Vengador," said one of the squires, "do you know the news that is going about concerning it?"