He was a great proficient with the small sword, an accomplishment, which of course had been neglected in my education, and which I accounted for by stating that until the death of my elder brother, I had been intended for the church.  I accepted his offer to be my instructor, and my first rudiments in the science were received from him.  Afterwards I applied to a professor, and, constantly practising, in the course of a few months, I knew, from occasional trials of skill with the officer, that I was his superior.  My revenge, which hitherto had been controlled was now ripe.

But in narrating my adventures abroad, it must not be supposed that I neglected every thing that prudence or caution could suggest, to avoid discovery.  On the contrary, now that I had the means of enjoying myself, I was more careful that I did not by any indiscretion excite surmises.  I generally devoted four days out of the seven in the week to the convent and to my professional occupation as music-master.  To increase the difficulty of identification, I became more serious in my manner, more dirty in my person, as the brother Anselmo.  I pretended to have imbibed a fancy for snuff, with which I soiled my face and monastic attire, and seldom if ever spoke, or if I did, in a very solemn voice.  So far from suspicion, I every day gained more and more the good will of the superior.  My absence in the day-time was not noticed, as it was known that I gave lessons in music, and my irregularity during the night was a secret between the porter and myself.

I hardly need observe that, as Don Pedro, I always lamented not having been gifted with a voice, and have even in the presence of my companions, sent a billet to brother Anselmo to serenade a lady whom I courted as Don Pedro.  I do not believe until ulterior circumstances, that there was ever in the mind of any the slightest idea that, under my dissimilar habits, I was one and the same person.

But to continue:  one day the young officer, whose name was Don Lopez, informed me that he did not know how to act; he was so pestered with the jealousy and reproaches of his mistress; and requested my advice as to how to proceed.  I laughed at his dilemma.  “My dear Lopez,” replied I, “introduce me to her, and depend upon it, that she will give you no more trouble.  I will make love to her, and, pleased with her new conquest, she will soon forget you.”

“My good fellow,” replied he, “your advice is excellent:  will you come with me this afternoon?”

Once more I was in the presence of her whom I had loved, but loved no more, for I now only felt and lived for revenge.  She had not the most distant recognition of me.  Piqued as she was with Don Lopez, and fascinated with my exertions to please, I soon gained an interest; but she still loved him, between the paroxysms of her hate.  Trying all she could to recover him at one moment, and listening to my attentions at another, he at last accused her