Camaʹcho

“richest of men,” makes grand preparations for his wedding with Quiteʹria, “fairest of women”; but, as the bridal party were on their way, Basilʹius cheats him of his bride by pretending to kill himself. As he is supposed to be dying, Quiteria is given to him in marriage as a mere matter of form; but, as soon as this is done, up jumps Basilius, and shows that his wounds were a mere pretence. (Cervantes: Don Quixote, pt. ii. bk. 2, ch. 3, 4.)

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.