-appearance confirmed her
in her resolution, and then accompanied Don Gaston into Spain. Theodore was now
set at liberty. He hastened to Munich, where I had promised to let him hear from
me; but finding from Lucas that I never arrived there, he pursued his search
with indefatigable perseverance, and at length succeeded in rejoining me at
Ratisbon.
    So much was I altered, that scarcely could he recollect my features: the
distress visible upon his, sufficiently testified how lively was the interest
which he felt for me. The society of this amiable boy, whom I had always
considered rather as a companion than a servant, was now my only comfort. His
conversation was gay, yet sensible, and his observations shrewd and
entertaining. He had picked up much more knowledge than is usual at his age; but
what rendered him most agreeable to me, was his having a delightful voice, and
some skill in music. He had also acquired some taste in poetry, and even
ventured sometimes to write verses himself. He occasionally composed little
ballads in Spanish. His compositions were but indifferent, I must confess, yet
they were pleasing to me from their novelty; and hearing him sing them to his
guitar was the only amusement which I was capable of receiving. Theodore
perceived well enough that something preyed upon my mind; but as I concealed the
cause of my grief even from him, respect would not permit him to pry into my
secrets.
    One evening I was lying upon my sopha, plunged in reflections very far from
agreeable: Theodore amused himself by observing from the window a battle between
two postillions, who were quarrelling in the inn-yard.
    »Ha! ha!« cried he, suddenly, »yonder is the Great Mogul.«
    »Who?« said I.
    »Only a man who made me a strange speech at Munich.«
    »What was the purport of it?«
    »Now you put me in mind of it, Segnor, it was a kind of message to you, but
truly it was not worth delivering. I believe the fellow to be mad, for my part.
When I came to Munich in search of you, I found him living at the King of the
Romans, and the host gave me an odd account of him. By his accent he is supposed
to be a foreigner, but of what country nobody can tell. He seemed to have no
acquaintance in the town, spoke very seldom, and never was seen to smile. He had
neither servants nor baggage; but his purse seemed well furnished, and he did
much good in the