If I can be of any service, you cannot honour or oblige me more than by permitting me to be of use to you.'-- 'Surely,' said He to himself, 'She cannot answer that by a monosyllable; now She must say something to me.' Lorenzo was deceived, for the Lady answered only by a bow.
By this time He had discovered that his Neighbour was not very conversible; But whether her silence proceeded from pride, discretion, timidity, or idiotism, He was still unable to decide.
After a pause of some minutes--'It is certainly from your being a Stranger,' said He, 'and as yet unacquainted with our customs, that you continue to wear your veil.

Permit me to remove it.' At the same time He advanced his hand towards the Gauze: The Lady raised hers to prevent him.
'I never unveil in public, Segnor.' 'And where is the harm, I pray you ?' interrupted her Companion somewhat sharply; 'Do not you see that the other Ladies have all laid their veils aside, to do honour no doubt to the holy place in which we are?
I have taken off mine already; and surely if I expose my features to general observation, you have no cause to put yourself in such a wonderful alarm! Blessed Maria! Here is a fuss and a bustle about a chit's face! Come, come, Child! Uncover it; I warrant you that nobody will run away with it from you--' 'Dear aunt, it is not the custom in Murcia.' 'Murcia, indeed! Holy St.Barbara, what does that signify?
You are always putting me in mind of that villainous Province.

If it is the custom in Madrid, that is all that we ought to mind, and therefore I desire you to take off your veil immediately.

Obey me this moment Antonia, for you know that I cannot bear contradiction--' Her niece was silent, but made no further opposition to Don Lorenzo's efforts, who, armed with the Aunt's sanction hastened to remove the Gauze.

What a Seraph's head presented itself to his admiration! Yet it was rather bewitching than beautiful; It was not so lovely from regularity of features as from sweetness and sensibility of Countenance.