[*] This order still exists, and is possessed of fifty-six commanderies, and sixteen priories in Spain.
"A base rogue," was Seaton's comment, "and one who kissed King Joseph's hand, the day before he fled to Valencia. You, as a true knight of Santiago, should certainly break his head for him, Stuart."
"Thank you: I shall not take the trouble. Read on, Macdonald."
"The very noble cavalier,--what a most unpronouncible name,--Don Zunasbul Ascasibur de Yñürritegui."
"A fellow as mad as Cuesta himself! Invite him, by all means."
"He is my _patron_," said Ronald, "a fine old fellow,--a true Spaniard of the old school; and, like Cuesta, sticks to the plumed beaver and slashed doublet of his grandfather's days. Who comes next?"
"Pshaw!" said Seaton, "an _abogado_; in other words, a rogue. _Astuto?_ ah, he is well named; that is Spanish for craft or chicanery, of which he has as much, I believe, as any Edinburgh W.S."
"Donna Elvira Moro, _Calle Mayor_. Any scandal about her, Seaton?"
"Plenty, and to spare. The town is full of strange stories about her and her _escudero_, or gentleman-usher, an office to which she suddenly raised him from being a _moco de mulas_.[*] His goodly proportions pleased the eye of the widow."
"Scandal again! The Duke of Alba de T---- and his two daughters,--Donna Olivia and Donna Virginia."
"Three separate cards must be sent to them," said Stuart, inditing them while he spoke.
"The duke is supposed to be a traitor, and in the French interest."
"I assure you, Seaton, his daughters are not," replied Ronald, writing the while. "They are very beautiful girls, and Lisle is a lucky dog to have his billet in the palace of De T----. He is continually with them, either among the gardens, riding on the Prado, or flirting at home, I believe. The young senoras are never to be seen, either at church or _la Posada de los Representes_, without their most faithful cavalier and _escudero_, the Honourable Louis Lisle."
"The mess get very little of his company just now. He never appears among us but at parade; and when the word "dismiss" is given, he vanishes like a ghost at cock-crow. I wonder what the Duke thinks of the matter?"
"I believe, Alister, he never thinks of it at all," replied Seaton. "He is too proud to hold communication with any one, and sits in his library smoking Guadalaxara cigars and drinking sherry from dawn till sunset, keeping every one at an awful distance."