I sprang up and rushed through the wicket, which the ladies closed again from the outside; then, couching breathlessly by the door, I listened. In a moment I heard the gruff voices of my pursuers, evidently asking the ladies whether they had seen me. What answer was returned I could only guess at, from hearing the disappointed exclamations and the retiring footsteps of the Spaniards. Then I fell upon my knees, and called God to bless the kind hearts which had saved a flying man from his deadly foes. I was in a garden. The high wall seemed to shut out the clamour of my pursuers, which had, however, doubtless, died away, as the search seemed to be unsuccessful. Around me were rich trees and shrubs, and gaudy flowers. Fresh from the tumult of a street scuffle, how peaceful a spot it seemed! The fireflies shot amid the bushes like sparks from anvils. The hum of the wings of night insects sounded like the low breathing of Nature sleeping. The cooling dews fell balm-like upon my hot, wet forehead. I sank back, leaning against the wall, exhausted and utterly worn by the excitement, the pain, and the great fatigue of the day. I felt, even before I had been ten minutes couched amid the sweet smelling and clustering shrubs, a sweet lethargy come over me, and stretching my overwrought limbs among the herbage, I fairly fell into a deep, calm sleep. CHAPTER XXII. THE FAMILY OF THE SPANISH MERCHANT. I was wakened by some one flashing a lantern in my face, and hastily starting to my feet, for I feared that I might have been discovered, I found myself standing beside a personage well-stricken in years, of grave but pleasant aspect, and soberly clad, as one of those old decent serving men, who become, as it were, members of the family on whom they attend. ‘Fear for nothing, young man,’ said the servitor, seeing, I suppose, the momentary flurry and tremor in which I was; ‘you are in a very secure asylum. My good mistress, whom heaven preserve! is known for her charity, and the Virgin directed the steps which led you here to-night.’ This discourse, you may be sure, was very pleasant to me; and while I was blessing my stars for my good luck, the old man, who was sufficiently garrulous, went on praising his mistress and the Virgin alternately, so that it became difficult to determine which he held in the greatest respect.