To celebrate our reunion, my mother invited us to several entertainments, which we returned; and as I had occasion for an old mouser like her to instruct my wife in the coquetries of the ladies of Seville, where the modes of gallantry differed from those at Alcala and Madrid, I proposed to her to come and live with us, representing to her how much more agreeably she might pass her time. She answered “that she could not make up her mind to desert her adopted daughter, and that she feared also she should not be able to agree long with my wife.” I endeavoured to remove the first obstacle, by consenting to receive the young lady into my family also. “You cannot think of it, my son,” said my mother. “You must know but little of women, if you think that two lively young ladies like Petronilla and Donna Maria, can live even one month together, without quarrelling themselves, and indeed setting the whole house in an uproar.” I succeeded, however, in conquering the repugnance that my mother felt to grant my request. It is true, that she yielded at last upon my assurance that she would always find in my wife a daughter submissive to her wishes. At last she came alone to reside with us, choosing rather to leave Petronilla to herself, than to be the cause of dissensions in my family. At the beginning, all went on smoothly, and the only contention was, who should be the most complaisant. Each seemed to endeavour to anticipate the desire of the other. They addressed each other affectionately, and if this good understanding had but lasted, we could not have failed in making our fortune; but unfortunately, before the expiration of three months every thing changed, and these same ladies, who had hitherto agreed so well, now began to pursue a different conduct. My mother wished to govern despotically, which my wife would not submit to. They were constantly disputing and quarrelling, and peace was entirely banished the house. Sometimes I endeavoured to reconcile them, and to act as umpire, but this only brought upon me the fury of her whom I decided against. What made matters worse, was, that the ships which were expected from India, did not come in that year. Money became scarce, and consequently the profits of my wife’s gallantries were but trifling, in comparison with the daily expense of our establishment. Donna Maria was not one who could listen to economy, and no clothes or ornaments were good enough for her. The natural consequence of all this was, that as our funds diminished, so in proportion our vexations increased. We had placed great reliance upon the merchants from Peru, who never came at all; and my wife, to whom I had given a grand idea of the opulence and generosity of these merchants, reproached me as if I had been the cause of their delay. In short every thing fell upon me.