CHAPTER XXVII

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LORETTA.

Our ubiquitous host--Curious mixture of nations--Francisco--His enthusiasm carries the point--French lessons--English prejudice--Landlord's lament--Days of fair Provence--Francisco determines to be in time--Presidio--Tomb of the Scipios--Fishing for sardines--Early visit to cathedral--Still earlier sacristan--Francisco's delight--Freshness of early morning--Reus--Bark worse than bite--Where headaches come from--An evil deed--Valley of the Francoli--Moorish remains--Montblanch--The graceful hills of Spain--Espluga--Francisco equal to occasion--Beseiged--Donkeys versus carriage--Interesting old town--Decadence--Singular woman--Loretta's escort--Strange story--Unconscious charm--What happened one Sunday evening--Caro--"The right man never came"--Comes now--How she was betrothed--Primitive conveyance--Making the best of it--Wine-pressers--Loving cup--Nectar of the gods--Fair exchange--Rough drive--Scene of Loretta's adventures 405

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