countenance.  Lope then related how the boys annoyed him, calling after him for the tail, and Tomas advised him not to go abroad, at least with his ass, or if he did that he should choose only the least frequented streets.  If that was not enough, he had an unfailing remedy left, which was to get rid of his business and with it of the uncivil demand to which it subjected him.  Lope asked him had the Gallegan come again to his room.  He said she had not, but that she persisted in trying to ingratiate herself with him by means of dainties which she purloined out of what she cooked for the guests.  After this conversation Lope went back to his lodgings, intending not to leave them again for another six days, at least in company with his ass.

It might be about eleven at night, when the corregidor most unexpectedly entered the Posado del Sevillano, at the head of a formidable posse.  The host and even the guests were startled and agitated by his visit; for as comets, when they appear, always excite fears of disaster, just so the ministers of justice, when they suddenly enter a house, strike even guiltless consciences with alarm.  The unwelcome visitor walked into a room, and called for the master of the house, who came tremblingly to know what might be the senor corregidor’s pleasure.  “Are you the landlord?” said the magistrate with great gravity.  “Yes, senor, and your worship’s humble servant to command,” was the reply.  The corregidor then ordered that every one else should quit the room, and leave him alone with the landlord.  This being done, he resumed his questions.

“What servants have you in your inn, landlord?”

“Senor, I have two Gallegan wenches, a housekeeper, and a young man who gives out the oats and straw, and keeps the reckoning.”

“No more?”

“No, senor.”

“Then tell me, landlord, what is become of a girl who is said to be a servant in this house, and so beautiful that she is known all over this city as the illustrious scullery-maid?  It has even reached my ears that my son Don Perequito is in love with her, and that not a night passes in which he does not serenade her.”

“Senor, it is true that this illustrious scullery-maid, as they call her, is in my house, but she neither is my servant, nor ceases to be so.”

“I do not understand you.  What do you mean by saying that she is and is not your servant?”

“It is the real truth, and if your worship will allow me, I will explain the matter to you, and tell you what I have never told to any one.”

“Before I hear what you have to say, I must first see this scullery-maid.”

Upon this the landlord went to the door and called to his wife to send in Costanza, When the landlady heard that, she was in great dismay, and began to wring her hands, saying, “Lord, have mercy on me!  What can the corregidor want with Costanza, and alone!  Some terrible calamity must surely have happened, for this girl’s beauty bewitches the men.”