these godless times! I have just come from his Majesty, and in what did
I find him occupied? Turning over music with Maestro Gombert--of course,
for a female voice. Besides, he looked as if he had just defeated the
Turks and Frenchmen at once. As for the gout, he'll be dancing the
'hoppedei' with the peasants presently."

"Day before yesterday he surprised us by wearing satin shoes," remarked
Quijada. "May I congratulate you on the really magical effect of your
Majesty's prescription?"

"Continue to think so, if it suits you," cried the Queen gaily. "Only
a few powerful drops from elsewhere have probably fallen into the potion.
But how stupidly artless you can look when you feign ignorance, Luis!
In this case, however, you need not let your breathing be oppressed by
the mask. I bow to your masculine secrecy--but why did my worldly-wise
brother mingle a petticoat in this delicate business if he wishes to keep
it hidden?"

"The Marquise Leria!" cried the major-domo, shrugging his shoulders
angrily, as if against an inevitable misfortune.

"My, senior lady in waiting," said the regent in assent to this
conjecture. "Make haste to bestow a stately candle, because it is she,
and no one else. You might spare yourself that smile; I know her better
than you do. If she had as many teeth as she possesses vices, she might
be happy; yet one admirable quality mingles with the evil traits in her
character."

"And that?" asked Quijada, as if he deemed a satisfactory answer
impossible.