"Pardon me, beautiful one!" said the officer; "and remember, that if I had not visited you thus, I might never have seen you at all."
"And what then, senor?"
"Cruel Olivia! can you trifle with a passion so earnest as mine?"
"A pretty fellow, to visit me like a bravo by the window, with a sword in your hand. This will teach me to bolt my shutters more securely. Come now, senor, I have heard quite enough of this: you must retire. O santos! should you be seen!"
"Heartless Olivia! and you bid me leave you thus?"
"Heartless? You are mighty gallant, mi amigo!"
"Remember that we march to-morrow, and I may never see you again."
"Well, I suppose I shall not want for a husband. The Condé of Truxillo, Pedro de Esquivias, or Carlos Avallo will, any of them, be glad to have me when I choose. O 'tis a gay thing to be loved by many cavaliers! But leave me, I intreat—no, command you!" said the lady, curling up her black tresses with her white slender fingers.
"Grant me but a single kiss, Olivia, and I will retire never to trouble you again. I will seek death in our first encounter with the enemy."
"You love yourself too well for that."