As he was indulging in one of these evening vigils, which were complete revels of the imagination, the sound of approaching footsteps made him withdraw into the deep shadow of the ruined archway opposite to the tower.  A cavalier approached, wrapped in a large Spanish cloak.  He paused under the window of the tower, and after a little while began a serenade, accompanied by his guitar, in the usual style of Spanish gallantry.  His voice was rich and manly; he touched the instrument with skill, and sang with amorous and impassioned eloquence.  The plume of his hat was buckled by jewels that sparkled in the moon-beams; and as he played on the guitar, his cloak falling off from one shoulder, showed him to be richly dressed.  It was evident that he was a person of rank.

The idea now flashed across Antonio’s mind, that the affections of his unknown beauty might be engaged.  She was young, and doubtless susceptible; and it was not in the nature of Spanish females to be deaf and insensible to music and admiration.  The surmise brought with it a feeling of dreariness.  There was a pleasant dream of several days suddenly dispelled.  He had never before experienced any thing of the tender passion; and, as its morning dreams are always delightful, he would fain have continued in the delusion.

“But what have I to do with her attachments?” thought he; “I have no claim on her heart, nor even on her acquaintance.  How do I know that she is worthy of affection?  Or if she is, must not so gallant a lover as this, with his jewels, his rank, and his detestable music, have completely captivated her?  What idle humour is this that I have fallen into?  I must again to my books.  Study, study, will soon chase away all these idle fancies!”

The more he thought, however, the more he became entangled in the spell which his lively imagination had woven round him; and now that a rival had appeared, in addition to the other obstacles that environed this enchanted beauty, she appeared ten times more lovely and desirable.  It was some slight consolation to him to perceive that the gallantry of the unknown met with no apparent return from the tower.  The light at the window was extinguished.  The curtain remained undrawn, and none of the customary signals were given to intimate that the serenade was accepted.

The cavalier lingered for some time about the place, and sang several other tender airs with a taste and feeling that made Antonio’s heart ache; at length he slowly retired.  The student remained with folded arms, leaning against the ruined arch, endeavouring to summon up resolution enough to depart; but there was a romantic fascination that still enchained him to the place.  “It is the last time,” said he, willing to compromise between his feelings and his judgment, “it is the last time; then let me enjoy the dream a few moments longer.”

As his eye ranged about the old building to take a farewell look, he observed the strange light in the tower, which he had noticed on a former occasion.  It kept beaming up, and declining, as before.  A pillar of smoke rose in the air, and hung in sable volumes.  It was evident the old man was busied in some of those operations that had gained him the reputation of a sorcerer throughout the neighbourhood.