The night-smelling flowers in Lucila's window were already beginning to emit their refreshing perfume when Fadrique, leaning in the shadow of the angle of an old church opposite, began to tune his guitar.

Heimbert had stationed himself not far from him, behind a pillar, his drawn sword under his mantle, and his clear blue eyes, like two watching stars, looking calmly and penetrating around.

Fadrique sang: "Upon a meadow green with spring, A little flower was blossoming, With petals red and snowy white; To me, a youth, my soul's delight Within that blossom lay, And I have loved my song to indite And flattering homage pay.
"Since then a wanderer I have been, And many a bloody strife have seen; And now returned, I see The little floweret stands no more Upon the meadow as before; Transplanted by a gardener's care, And hedged by golden trellis there, It is denied to me.
"I grudge him not his trelllsed guard, His bolts of iron, strongly barred; Yet, wandering in the cool night-air, I touch my zither's string, And as afore her beauties rare, Her wondrous graces sing, And e'en the gardener shall not dare Refuse the praise I bring." "That depends, Senor," said a man, stepping close, and as he thought unobserved, before Fadrique; but the latter had already been informed of his approach by a sign from his watchful friend, and he was therefore ready to answer with the greater coolness, "If you wish, Senor, to commence a suit with my guitar, she has, at all events, a tongue of steel, which has already on many occasions done her excellent service.
With whom is it your pleasure to speak, with the guitar or the advocate ?" While the stranger was silent from embarrassment, two mantled figures had approached Heimbert and remained standing a few steps from him, as if to cut off Fadrique's flight in case he intended to escape.

"I believe, dear sirs," said Heimbert in a courteous tone, "we are here on the same errand--namely, to prevent any intrusion upon the conference of yonder knights.

At least, as far as I am concerned, you may rely upon it that any one who attempts to interfere in their affair will receive my dagger in his heart.