“I was in Madrid, in the house of a nobleman, whom I served not as a master but as a relation.  He had an only son and heir, who treated me with great familiarity and friendship, both on account of our relationship, and because we were both of the same age and disposition.  This young gentleman fell in love with a young lady of rank, whom he would most gladly have made his wife, had it not been for his dutiful submission to the will of his parents, who desired him to marry into a higher family.  Nevertheless, he continued furtively to pay court to the lady of his choice, carefully concealing his proceedings from all eyes but mine.  One night, which ill luck must have especially selected for the adventure I am about to relate to you, as we were passing by the lady’s house, we saw ranged against it two men of good figure apparently.  My kinsman wished to reconnoitre them, but no sooner had he made a step towards them than their swords were out, their bucklers ready, and they made at us, whilst we did the same on our side, and engaged them with equal arms.  The fight did not last long, neither did the lives of our two opponents; for two thrusts, urged home by my kinsman’s jealousy and my zeal in his defence, laid them both low—­an extraordinary occurrence, and such as is rarely witnessed.  Thus involuntarily victorious, we returned home, and taking all the money we could, set off secretly to the church of San Geronimo, waiting to see what would happen when the event was discovered next day, and what might be the conjectures as to the persons of the homicides.

“We learned that no trace of our presence on the scene had been discovered, and the prudent monks advised us to return home, so as not by our absence to arouse any suspicion against us.  We had already resolved to follow their advice, when we were informed that the alcaldes of the court had arrested the young lady and her parents; and that among their domestics, whom they examined, one person, the young lady’s attendant, had stated that my kinsman visited her mistress by night and by day.  Upon this evidence they had sent in search of us; and the officers not finding us, but many indications of our flight, it became a confirmed opinion throughout the whole city, that we were the very men who had slain the two cavaliers, for such they were, and of very good quality.  Finally, by the advice of the count, my relation, and of the monks, after remaining hid a fortnight in the monastery, my comrade departed in company with a monk, himself disguised as one, and took the road to Aragon, intending to pass over to Italy, and thence to Flanders, until he should see what might be the upshot of the matter.  For my part, thinking it well to divide our fortunes, I set out on foot, in a different direction, and in the habit of a lay brother, along with a monk, who quitted me at Talavera.  From that city I travelled alone, and missed my way, till last night I reached this wood, when I met with the mishap you know.  If I asked for La Pena de Francia, it was only by way of making some answer to the questions put to me; for I know that it lies beyond Salamanca.”