man. "And you must not take what I have said as a mark of contempt, for
whether humble and mean, or stately and handsome, that city will always
be very dear to me, not only is it my mother's native place, but because
there are persons living in it whom I love without seeing them. Let us
enter the august city, then."

They were now ascending a road on the outskirts of the town, and passing
close to the walls of the gardens.

"Do you see that great house at the end of this large garden whose
wall we are now passing?" said Uncle Licurgo, pointing to a massive,
whitewashed wall belonging to the only dwelling in view which had the
appearance of a cheerful and comfortable habitation.

"Yes; that is my aunt's house?"

"Exactly so! What we are looking at is the rear of the house. The front
faces the Calle del Condestable, and it has five iron balconies that
look like five castles. The fine garden behind the wall belongs to the
house, and if you rise up in your stirrups you will be able to see it
all from here."

"Why, we are at the house, then!" cried the young man. "Can we not enter
from here?"

"There is a little door, but the senora had it condemned."

The young man raised himself in his stirrups and, stretching his neck as
far as he could, looked over the wall.