"I climbed aboard without hesitation, and was followed by my strange friend; the postillion whipped up and we were soon under weigh.
"'Now,' resumed my companion, 'in reply to your first and oft-repeated inquiry, I have the honor to inform you that the lady is my only sister. As to your second question—I beg you won't get out—sit still, my dear sir, I will drive you to the café—your second question I cannot so well answer. It would seem that my sister herself is nothing loth—sit easy, sir, the carriage is perfectly safe—but unfortunately it happens that the gentleman who has the control of her actions, her guardian, dislikes Americans extremely; and I have reason to believe that he has taken a particularly strong antipathy to you. Indeed, I have heard him swear that he'll cut your throat—pardon me, Mr. Stewart, for the expression, it is not my own.'
"Surprise overcame my confusion. 'Señor,' cried I, interrupting him, 'it seems you know my name, and—'
"'Certainly I do—Mr. Benjamin Stewart, of the ship John Cabot.'
"'Señor,' I cried, half angrily, 'since you know my address so well, will you not be so kind as to favor me with yours?'
"'Mine! oh yes, with pleasure, though I now recollect that I have omitted to state my sister's name—hers first, if you please; it is Donna Clara Garcia.'
"'And yours is Pedro Garcia.'
"'Exactly, with a Don before it, which my poor father left me. You perceive, Mr. Stewart, by what means I knew you after your warning about the kicking, eh? I suspected it was yourself, when I saw an American gentleman with his arm in a sling, and so I made bold to accost you in the midst of your rhapsody about angels—'
"'Ah! Don Pedro,' I stammered in confusion, when I recalled the ludicrous scene, 'how foolish I must appear to you.'
"'For what, señor—for thinking my sister handsome? You do my taste injustice. I think so myself.'