"Thanks to me and my diligence," cried Isabella, "but for that he might be still at Salamanca doing the Lord knows what. The Señor Juan Baptista, who is here present, may believe me when I tell him he has a son who is more handsome than holy, and not so studious as he is gallant. Evil betide the fine ornaments and gay attire of those youths who commit such havoc in the republic; and ill betide the spurs that are not sharp, and the mules that do not bestir themselves."
Thus she ran on, stringing together all kinds of dubious words, such as might convey two meanings to those who were in the secret, and the bystanders in general. These interpreted them as they were meant. Those considered them as incoherent nonsense.
"Where did you see my son Andrew, lady?" asked Marulo; "was it at Madrid, or Salamanca?"
"It was at Illescas," said Isabella: "he was gathering cherries on the morning of St. John at day-break; but if I must speak the truth, and it is a marvel if I do so, I see him everywhere, and carry him ever in my heart."
"Better to be gathering cherries than catching fleas," replied Marulo, "for that is the common occupation of the students."
"Those creatures," she replied, "are bold, and will enter the stocking of a prince as freely as the blanket of a? hospital."
"You know everything, evil one," said the doctor; "it seems clear that you are an old hand." He spoke this to the devil, who, as he imagined, was inhabiting Isabella's body.
And now, just as if Satan had ordained it, the old uncle of Isabella entered with every mark of the greatest joy, crying out, "A reward! my niece, my beloved child; a reward for the news I bring. The Señor Andrew Marulo, son of this gentleman, Señor Juan Baptista, is just arrived; and now Heaven grant that we may see the promise accomplished, which you gave of being freed from the evil spirit at the sight of him."
Accursed demon, vade retro, exi foras, and never think of returning to this dwelling, which thou shalt see purged and purified.