THE WATCH-TOWER OF KOAT-YEU. 07 



coat and waistcoat, white leather breeches, and high loose boots, which 

 sat tight round the knee. The only sign of servitude which he bore 

 was an armorial plate which secured a belt of green and red fringed 

 with gold, in which was hung a hunting-knife ; the same crest was 

 also seen upon the studs of the bridle and upon the black pummel of 

 the saddle. 



His horse was followed by an enormous shaggy greyhound. When 

 the duchess was within a short distance of the gate Perez gave the 

 rein to his courser, raised his hat on passing by the side of his mis- 

 tress, and hastened to announce her arrival to the servants. 



Her servants were clad in mourning, and bore upon the left 

 shoulder an epaulette of green and red ribbons fringed with gold. 



The old esquire gave up the horses to the charge of the grooms, 

 but went himself to the stables to see] that Coronella was carefully 

 attended to. 



When he had satisfied himself that nothing was neglected for the 

 well-being of his favourite palfrey he returned, aud rested near the 

 bridge which separates the grand court-yard from the outer court. 



" God save you, Donna Juanna," said the esquire to a woman 

 about his'own agejdressed in the Spanish costume mantle, petticoat, 

 and monillo of black cloth. 



" Good day, Perez. What news?" 

 " None." 



u Ever at yon rock?" enquired Juanna, stretching her hand to- 

 wards the west. 



" For ever. The duchess alights from her horse behind a huge 

 mound, follows a narrow path between the rocks, and disappears. 

 I wait an hour, sometimes two; but, by St. James, never so long as 

 to-day." 



' God bless us! Perez, I believe you, for I too suffered a mortal 

 anxiety. But what can mean these solitary walks on the sea-coast ? 



Her grace had not this taste before the day when 



" You know, Juanna," replied the old man, interrupting his wife, 

 somewhat impatiently, I conceal nothing that concerns myself from 

 you, but the secret of mistress is not mine ; indeed I do not possess 

 it, and though it needed merely to turn my head to know all I would 

 not do it." 



" St. Viergi ! I believe you. Ever since we have been married, 

 Perez, you have never trusted me with a single confidence ; and no 

 more about his late grace the duke 



'* Than you have me of her grace the duchess isn't that it Juanna ?" 

 added the old man. So we combine our double silence to keep sacred 

 the secrets of the house of Almeda if the house of Alm6da have 

 any secrets," added he suddenly, after a pause* 



And, offering his arm to Juanna, they reached the castle, for the 

 night was dark and gloomy. 



" I will return to you presently, Perez,** said Juanna/as she quitted 

 her husband to cross the gallery, " I must prepare for the retirement 

 <of her grace the duchess." 



