We had nearly done with him now; but after regaining my feet, I addressed myself once more to the heavy pendules, which hung down almost under his arm. I lifted one of these, meaning to feel its weight between my fingers; but unfortunately I gave a lurch, probably through the motion of the boat, and still holding by the button, tore it almost off from our friend’s coat. “Oh, I am so sorry,” I said, in broad English. “It do not matter at all,” he said, bowing, and speaking with equal plainness. And then, taking a knife from his pocket, he cut the pendule off, leaving a bit of torn cloth on the side of his jacket. “Upon my word, I am quite unhappy,” said I; “but I always am so awkward.” Whereupon he bowed low. “Couldn’t I make it right?” said I, bringing out my purse. He lifted his hand, and I saw that it was small and white; he lifted it and gently put it upon my purse, smiling sweetly as he did so. “Thank you, no, señor; thank you, no.” And then, bowing to us both, he walked away down into the cabin. “Upon my word he is a deuced well-mannered fellow,” said I. “You shouldn’t have offered him money,” said Johnson; “a Spaniard does not like it.” “Why, I thought you could do nothing without money in this country. Doesn’t every one take bribes?” “Ah! yes; that is a different thing; but not the price of a button. By Jove! he understood English, too. Did you see that?” “Yes; and I called him an ass! I hope he doesn’t mind it.” “Oh! no; he won’t think anything about it,” said Johnson. “That sort of fellows don’t. I dare say we shall see him in the bull-ring next Sunday, and then we’ll make all right with a glass of lemonade.” And so our adventure ended with the man of the gold ornaments. I was sorry that I had spoken English before him so heedlessly, and resolved that I would never be guilty of such gaucherie again. But, then, who would think that a Spanish bull-fighter would talk a foreign language? I was sorry, also, that I had torn his coat; it had looked so awkward; and sorry again that I had offered the man money. Altogether I was a little ashamed of myself; but I had too much to look forward to at Seville to allow any heaviness to remain long at my heart; and before I had arrived at the marvellous city I had forgotten both him and his buttons.