[73] One of the ways in which the torture was formerly administered in Spain, was by making the patient swallow pieces of gauze in water.

Finally, the two-faced doubloon was given to Preciosa, who told her companions that she would change it, and share the amount honourably with them.  Andrew’s father intreated her to leave him in writing the words she had spoken to his son, as he wished by all means to know them.  She said she would repeat them with great pleasure; and that though they might appear to be mere child’s play, they were of sovereign virtue to preserve from the heartache and dizziness of the head.  The words were these:—­

      Silly pate, silly pate,
      Why run on at this rate? 
    No tripping, or slipping, or sliding! 
      Have trusty assurance,
      And patient endurance
    And ever be frank and confiding. 
      To ugly suspicion
      Refuse all admission,
    Nor let it your better sense twist over. 
      All this if you do
      You’ll not rue,
      For excellent things will ensue,
    With the good help of God and St. Christopher.

“Only say these words,” she continued, “over any person who has a swimming in the head, making at the same time six signs of the cross over his heart, and he will soon be as sound as an apple.”

When the old woman heard the charm, she was amazed at the clever trick played by her granddaughter; and Andrew was still more so when he found that the whole was an invention of her quick wit.  Preciosa left the madrigal in the hands of the gentleman, not liking to ask for it, lest she should again distress Andrew; for she knew, without any one teaching her, what it was to make a lover feel the pangs of jealousy.  Before she took her leave, she said to Don Juan, “Every day of the week, senor, is lucky for beginning a journey:  not one of them is black.  Hasten your departure, therefore, as much as you can; for there lies before you a free life of ample range and great enjoyment, if you choose to accommodate yourself to it.”

“It strikes me that a soldier’s life is not so free as you say,” replied Andrew, “but one of submission rather than liberty.  However, I will see what I can do.”

“You will see more than you think for,” said Preciosa; “and may God have you in his keeping, and lead you to happiness, as your goodly presence deserves.”

These farewell words filled Andrew with delight; the gitanas went away no less gratified, and shared the doubloon between them, the old woman as usual taking a part and a half, both by reason of her seniority, as because she was the compass by which they steered their course on the wide sea of their dances, pleasantry, and tricks.