Five of the vassals immediately mounted the pilgrims on their own horses, and the whole party set out for the house of Marco Antonio’s father, where it was arranged that the two weddings should be celebrated.  On the way Don Rafael and Marco Antonio learned that the cause of the quarrel which had been so happily ended was a challenge sent to the father of the latter by the fathers of Teodosia and Leocadia, under the belief that he had been privy to the acts of seduction committed by his son.  The two challengers having found him alone would not take any advantage of him, but agreed to fight him one after the other, like brave and generous knights.  The combat, nevertheless, must have ended in the death of one or all of them but for the timely arrival of their children, who gave thanks to God for so happy a termination of the dispute.

The day after the arrival of the pilgrims, Marco Antonio’s father celebrated the marriages of his son and Teodosia, Don Rafael and Leocadia, with extraordinary magnificence.  The two wedded pairs lived long and happily together, leaving an illustrious progeny which still exists in their two towns, which are among the best in Andalusia.  Their names, however, we suppress, in deference to the two ladies, whom malicious or prudish tongues might reproach with levity of conduct.  But I would beg of all such to forbear their sentence, until they have examined themselves and seen whether they too have not been assailed some time or other by what are called the arrows of Cupid, weapons whose force is truly irresistible.  Calvete was made happy with the gift of the mule which Don Rafael had left at Salamanca, and with many other presents; and the poets of the time took occasion to employ their pens in celebrating the beauty and the adventures of the two damsels, as bold as they were virtuous, the heroines of this strange story.

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LONDON:  PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.