One of his occasional haunts was the fountain of
Avellanos, in the valley of the Darro. It is one of the popular
resorts of Granada, and has been so since the days of the Moors; and
here the student had an opportunity of pursuing his studies of
female beauty, a branch of study to which he was a little prone.
Here he would take his seat with his guitar, improvise
love-ditties to admiring groups of majos and majas, or prompt with his
music the ever ready dance. He was thus engaged one evening, when he
beheld a padre of the church advancing at whose approach every one
touched the hat. He was evidently a man of consequence; he certainly
was a mirror of good if not of holy living- robust and rosy-faced, and
breathing at every pore, with the warmth of the weather and the
exercise of the walk. As he passed along he would every now and then
draw a maravedi out of his pocket and bestow it on a beggar, with an
air of signal beneficence. "Ah, the blessed father!" would be the cry;
"long life to him, and may he soon be a bishop!"
To aid his steps in ascending the hill he leaned gently now and then
on the arm of a handmaid, evidently the pet-lamb of this kindest of
pastors. Ah, such a damsel! Andalus from head to foot: from the rose
in her hair to the fairy shoe and lacework stocking- Andalus in
every movement; in every undulation of the body- ripe, melting
Andalus! But then so modest!- so shy!- ever, with downcast eyes,
listening to the words of the padre; or, if by chance she let flash
a side glance, it was suddenly checked and her eyes once more cast
to the ground.
Pages:
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455