I applied myself assiduously to study the humour and disposition of the Knight, and it was not long ere I was beloved by him, and even esteemed, galley-slave as I was. He felt pleasure in conversing with me, and I appeared to him to possess such good sense, that he sometimes consulted me on the most important occasions. One day he entered his chamber with a thoughtful and melancholy countenance. “My friend,” said he, “one of my uncles has written me a letter which has put me exceedingly out of humour, in which he urges me, if I wish to be heir to all his property, to marry. He has himself grown idle at the Court, without having dared to take that yoke upon himself, which he wishes me to submit to. I know not what answer to make; for I have no inclination at present for matrimony.” “Sir,” replied I, jesting, “were I in your place, I would write word back, that nothing could please me more than to comply with his wishes, provided it were with one of his daughters.” My master laughed most heartily at this advice, which was only meant by me as a joke, and declared that he would write those very words, which he doubted not would rid him of any further importunity. CHAP. LV. _Guzman finds himself in the most cruel situation of his life; but it pleases Heaven suddenly to put an end to his troubles, and he recovers his liberty._ I had every reason to be content with the life I led in the service of the young Knight, who kept so good a table that I had frequent opportunities of treating my comrades; in which I should not have forgotten Soto, notwithstanding what had passed between us; but this rascal, who had never forgiven me, took great pains to nourish my hatred by constantly speaking ill of me before my master’s servants as well as those of the Captain. These servants, who none of them liked me, listened to him with pleasure, and did not fail to report every thing to their patrons; and, among other slanders, that I was only waiting for an opportunity to make some good hit, and that, sooner or later, the Knight would know me for the rogue I really was.