"The fair girl caught the line as handily as—as—a monkey, I suppose I must say.
"'Now, haul away,' I said; 'there is a ladder bent on to the other end, which you must make fast to the balustrade.'
"'What!' cried Clara, quite aloud, 'a ladder!—a real, live rope-ladder! how delightfully romantic!'
"'Hush! hush! you lunatic!' said Pedro, in a hoarse whisper.
"'Oh, Pedro!' continued his sister, 'just think how droll it is to run away with one's lover, and one's brother standing by aiding and abetting! Oh, fie! I'm ashamed of you! There, now, I've fastened this delightful ladder—what next?'
"I ascended, and taking her in my arms, prepared to assist her to the ground.
"'Am I not heavy?' she asked, as she put her arms about my neck.
"My God! boys, I could have lifted twenty of her as I felt then.
"'This is the second time, señor, that you have helped me to the ground within a week; now get me on the water, and I will thank you for all at once.'
"'In a few moments more all danger will be behind us, dearest.'