"It rained in torrents, when my hero wrapped his long cloak about him and set out. The tormenting drops ran the length of his nose and poured into his bosom, they crawled damply down his boots, they trickled grievously into his ears, they clung to his long black hair, and soaked through his sombrero; yet did the brave Spaniard press onward, as a hero advances to the breastworks amid a storm of shot and shells. Love had cast its thickest blanket about his heart, and a flame burned glaringly there that nothing but matrimony and maravedis could quench. Arriving in front of his mistress's abode, my hero picked up a handful of sand, and threw it lightly against a window pane, such being the signal by which he was to make known his presence when Miguel was at home. Almost immediately a lattice was opened, and a woman's head, ornamented with a scarlet cap _de nuit_ was thrust out. "'Who's that?' demanded the duenna, snappishly. "'It's only me,' responded Don Bobadil, in low tones. "'And who's _me_?' asked the amiable woman. "'Don Bobadil Banco.' "'Don Bobadil Banco had better go home, if he don't want to have his head broken with a flowerpot,' snarled the duenna. "'Now, my dear Laura.' "'Don't 'dear' me! Are you drunk?' "'I must see Donna Leonora,' said Bobadil. "'You _are_ drunk!' screamed the lady. "'No, I am not; but, pray, make less noise, my good Laura, or you will have the alguazils about my ears. Tell your lady that I am here, and you shall have a purse of ducats.' "'Oh! ah! I will,' replied the mercenary woman, retiring quickly from the window and again closing the lattice. "The adventurous Spaniard stood in soak for half an hour, at the end of which Dame Laura, cautiously admitted him at the door, and he soon knelt before his mistress. Donna Leonora was a charming little brunette, with raven curls and sparkling black eyes full of mirth. "'Sancta Maria! what is the matter, Don Bobadil?' she exclaimed, eyeing the kneeling personage with surprise. "'Dearest Leonora, idol of my heart!' replied Bobadil, clasping her waist, 'here on my knees let me implore you to become mine forever, and make me happier than the angels. Recent events, which I cannot explain at present, have rendered it necessary for me to thus intrude upon you at an unseasonable hour, and implore that your promise to become my bride may be at once fulfilled.' "'But this is so sudden,' murmured the lady. "'Pardon my haste, dear Leonora,' answered Don Bobadil. 'I know how exquisitely sensitive your nature is; but heaven destined us for each other, and when I leave you, I leave a part of myself.' "'The gentleman speaks wisely,' interrupted the duenna. 'Your father has smoked his opium and will sleep until after meridian to-morrow. Go with Don Bobadil, Senora, and Miguel shall learn all from me when he awakes.'