At this relation, all the neighbours laughed heartily at the expence of the scrivener, whom they knew to be but newly married: but, although they were so glad to find that this limb of the law had been duped, they did not the less applaud his vengeance on that account, so true is it that nobody ever pities persons who are detected in dishonesty. It seemed even a most agreeable comedy for the witnesses of this adventure, when they saw the Alguazil and his officers leading to prison the lady all in disorder, accompanied by her gallant well bound with cords. For my own part, though I could not well forget her scurvy treatment of me in the tub, yet I could not feel any pleasure in seeing this miserable woman in her present deplorable situation: I was the only one of all the spectators who felt any pity for her, though I had most reason to feel none. Rejoiced, however, that I could no longer be her dupe, I returned to my inn, fool enough still to flatter myself that the other lady would not deceive me; but I waited, in vain, the whole of the next day at home for her: I did not even see her servant again: so that being no longer able to doubt that I was also gulled in that quarter, I resolved that in future I would be more upon my guard against the fair sex.
_Guzman takes a false alarm, and leaves Toledo precipitately. Another gallantry. Origin of the proverb, “at Malagon, a thief in every house, but in that of the Alcaid two, the father and the son.”_
Thus ended my gallantries at Toledo; and to complete my misfortunes, when I arrived at my inn, I met an Alguazil there, who, I was informed, had just arrived from Madrid, and had been making very particular inquiries of the landlord for a certain _quidam_, of whom he was in search. I did not hear this without uneasiness; nevertheless, alarmed as I was, I managed to put a bold face on the matter; but I was so agitated the whole of the night that I could not get a wink of sleep. I rose early the next morning, still thinking of this cursed Alguazil, and went out to walk in the Zocodover. I had not gone once round the square, before I heard a man crying, _Two mules returning to Almagro_.
I determined to avail myself of this opportunity, and resolved in a moment to hire these two mules, as though I had foreseen that I should find a company of soldiers at Almagro on the point of departure for Italy. I spoke to the crier, and we soon agreed; after which I sent my lackey to pay my landlord, and to fetch my baggage, which consisted of a portmanteau, in which was my fashionable dress, some fine linen, and what remained of my money. As soon as he rejoined me, I gave him one of the mules, mounted myself on the other, and rejoiced at having found so favourable an opportunity of leaving Toledo, where I could no longer remain in peace, I took the route towards Orgas, where I slept that night.