"Ah," he added, leaning over Clarence, and scanning his work hastily, "Good, very good! And now, possibly," he continued, passing his hand like a damp sponge over his heated brow, "we shall reverse our exercise.

I shall deliver to you in Spanish what you shall render back in English, eh?
And--let us consider--we shall make something more familiar and narrative, eh ?" To this Clarence, somewhat bored by these present solemn abstractions, assented gladly, and took up his pen.

Father Sobriente, resuming his noiseless pacing, began: "On the fertile plains of Guadalajara lived a certain caballero, possessed of flocks and lands, and a wife and son.

But, being also possessed of a fiery and roving nature, he did not value them as he did perilous adventure, feats of arms, and sanguinary encounters.

To this may be added riotous excesses, gambling and drunkenness, which in time decreased his patrimony, even as his rebellious and quarrelsome spirit had alienated his family and neighbors.