From one subject to another, the host fell at last upon the praises of the first comer; told how he had fainted, how he had gone to bed without supper, and had locked himself in; and spoke of his well-filled saddle-bags, the goodness of his nag, and the handsome travelling-dress he wore, all which made it strange that he travelled without any attendant.  The cavalier felt his curiosity piqued anew, and asked the landlord to contrive that he might sleep in the second bed, for which he would give him a gold crown.  The landlord’s fingers itched to take the money; but he said the thing was impossible, for the door was locked inside, and he durst not wake the sleeper, who had paid so well for both the beds.  The alguazil, however, got over the difficulty.  “I’ll tell you what is to be done,” said he.  “I will knock at the door, and say that I am an officer of justice; that I have orders from the senor alcalde to see this cavalier accommodated in this inn; and that as there is no other bed, he must have one of those two.  The landlord will cry out against this, and say it is not fair, for the second bed is already engaged and paid for; and so he will clear himself of all responsibility, while your honour will attain your object.”  This scheme of the alguazil’s was unanimously approved, and the cavalier rewarded him for it with four reals.  It was carried into effect at once; the first guest was compelled, with manifest reluctance, to open the door; the second entered the room with many apologies for the intrusion, to which the first made no reply, nor did he even show his face; for instantly hastening back into bed, he turned to the wall, and pretended to be asleep.  The last comer also went to bed, hoping to have his curiosity satisfied in the morning when they both got up.

The night was one of the long and weary ones of December, when the cold and the fatigues of the day should naturally have disposed the two travellers to sleep; but they had not that effect on the first of the pair, who not long after midnight began to sigh and moan as if his heart would break.  His lamentations awoke the occupant of the other bed, who distinctly overheard the following soliloquy, though uttered in a faint and tremulous voice, broken by sighs and sobs.

“Wretch that I am!  Whither is the irresistible force of my destiny hurrying me?  What a path is mine; and what issue can I hope for out of the labyrinth in which I am entangled?  O my youth and inexperience!  Honour disregarded!  Love ungratefully repaid!  Regard for honoured parents and kindred trampled under foot!  Woe is me a thousand times to have thus given the reins to my inclinations!  O false words which I have too trustingly responded to by deeds!  But of whom do I complain?  Did I not wilfully betray myself?  Did not my own hands wield the knife that cut down my reputation, and destroyed the trust which my parents reposed in my rectitude?  O perjured Marco Antonio!  Is it possible that your honeyed words concealed so much of the gall of unkindness and disdain?  Where art thou, ingrate?  Whither hast thou fled, unthankful man?  Answer her who calls upon thee!  Wait for her who pursues thee; sustain me, for I droop; pay me what thou owest me; succour me since thou art in so many ways bound to me!”