FUERTEVENTURA 21 



at once that this was a crucial point, the more so as they 

 were all regarding me with great expectancy. I was 

 apparently to stand or fall in their estimation according 

 as I recognised the likeness or not. 



"La Marqiiesa" I said. 



They were delighted, and all got up and walked 

 about the room, seemingly highly pleased with me, while 

 every now and then I could hear above the clack of con- 

 versation, the words Amiga de la Marquesa. Presently 

 the black-bearded son approached me stealthily and sat 

 himself down about three chairs off. He then leaned 

 towards me, put his hand slowly up to his mouth, and 

 shouted out a sentence in a stentorian voice. I nodded, 

 and said 5^ a great number of times, but I am afraid 

 he was not satisfied, for he came a chair nearer and 

 repeated his remark, finally shouting it down my ear 

 from the chair next to me. This was disconcerting, 

 and I wished Lorenzo had been present at the moment 

 to be the recipient of his confidences. However, they 

 left me in good time, with murmured blessings, and 

 hoping that I should sleep well. 



