secret love affair, it is I who hide her indiscretion; I consult the future for her, I help her to atone the past, I doctor her for imaginary ailments, and often enough I cure her of real ones.  Half the secrets of Seville are in my hands; did I choose to speak I could set a score of noble houses to broil and bloodshed.  But I do not speak, I am paid to keep silent; and when I am not paid, still I keep silent for my credit’s sake.  Hundreds of women think me their saviour, I know them for my dupes.  But mark you, I do not push this game too far.  A love philtre—­of coloured water—­I may give at a price, but not a poisoned rose.  These they must seek elsewhere.  For the rest, in my way I am honest.  I take the world as it comes, that is all, and, as women will be fools, I profit by their folly and have grown rich upon it.

     * About sixty-three pounds sterling.

’Yes, I have grown rich, and yet I cannot stop.  I love the money that is power; but more than all, I love the way of life.  Talk of romances and adventure!  What romance or adventure is half so wonderful as those that come daily to my notice?  And I play a part in every one of them, and none the less a leading part because I do not shout and strut upon the boards.’

’If all this is so, why do you seek the help of an unknown lad, a stranger of whom you know nothing?’ I asked bluntly.

‘Truly, you lack experience,’ the old man answered with a laugh.  ’Do you then suppose that I should choose one who was not a stranger—­one who might have ties within this city with which I was unacquainted.  And as for knowing nothing of you, young man, do you think that I have followed this strange trade of mine for forty years without learning to judge at sight?  Perhaps I know you better than you know yourself.  By the way, the fact that you are deeply enamoured of that maid whom you have left in England is a recommendation to me, for whatever follies you may commit, you will scarcely embarrass me and yourself by suffering your affections to be seriously entangled.  Ah! have I astonished you?’

‘How do you know?’ I began—­then ceased.

’How do I know?  Why, easily enough.  Those boots you wear were made in England.  I have seen many such when I travelled there; your accent also though faint is English, and twice you have spoken English words when your Castilian failed you.  Then for the maid, is not that a betrothal ring upon your hand?  And when I spoke to you of the ladies of this country, my talk did not interest you overmuch as at your age it had done were you heart-whole.  Surely also the lady is fair and tall?  Ah!  I thought so.  I have noticed that men and women love their opposite in colour, no invariable rule indeed, but good for a guess.’

‘You are very clever, senor.’

’No, not clever, but trained, as you will be when you have been a year in my hands, though perchance you do not intend to stop so long in Seville.  Perhaps you came here with an object, and wish to pass the time profitably till it is fulfilled.  A good guess again, I think.  Well, so be it, I will risk that; object and attainment are often far apart.  Do you take my offer?’