The good Morcillo was not only economical, but somewhat avaricious, and it occurred to him to use the influence of his relatives to obtain some sort of office, and with this object in view he had come to the court at Madrid. One morning he went to mass at St. Joseph’s Church, and standing near the entrance, and turning aside to let a caballero pass, he saw Doña Estrella, who was kneeling in prayer, her virgin lips moving in religious fervor, and her eyes raised to Heaven with a most sweet and tender expression. For the first time Señor Santiago felt a vivid impression, and involuntarily he made a somewhat impious comparison between the sublime young girl and an angel. He was always timid in the presence of women, but this being was not a woman, she was a cherub. Being a good Catholic, the hidalgo instantly repented of his sinful attention to worldly affairs, and turning his back upon the young lady, began to repeat his prayers; but he was unable to forget the cherub with the blue eyes, and ten minutes later, moved by an irresistible attraction, he turned and looked again. He saw her a second time, and felt his heart beating. When the mass was over, the good Morcillo could contain himself no longer. He turned quickly round and looked for her. The mother was very near her daughter, and in front, one behind the other, were her two sisters. However, in the crowd it was not easy to see that the four belonged together, and besides, the hidalgo had no eyes for any except the fair one. He tried to get nearer to her, but every one rose at the same moment, and he again lost sight of her for a few moments. He tried his best to force a way for himself through the crowd, but, being quite confused, he paid no attention as to where he planted his feet, and many of the faithful accosted him roughly, while others threw themselves against him and prevented his getting out. The poor fellow was almost suffocated, crushed and choking. He could hardly breathe, and perspired freely, while his face became livid. His stoutness was his great misfortune, and he missed the lady.
“Is it possible that I have fallen in love?” he asked himself when he got into the street.
He could not forget the fair face, and began to think the matter over with as much calmness as he could muster in his embarrassment. Having met such an angel of a woman, why should he not marry her? A bachelor’s life was very nice, but only up to a certain age. He went to mass the next day, and again he saw Estrella, and lost her in leaving the church. At last, on the day when our story begins, Morcillo, like the others, discovered by accident the residence of the charming maiden. He saw her on the balcony. Nothing else happened, but, feeling sure that he was in love, and that his will power was not strong enough to resist his passion, he made up his mind to go on with his wooing, and not to stop, unless this marvelous being with the face of an angel should prove to be a demon, which was, of course, impossible.
Now we know the three hidalgos, who did not resemble each other in the slightest degree.
(To be continued.)
QUATRAIN.
To dash irradiant on the barren shore
The wave is born; the lark to sing and soar;
To traffic with the sun upsprings the tree—