Introductions 



of this, he sat down again on the sofa from which he had 

 risen to make me welcome, and opened the conference by 

 offering me a cigar. 



As we sat smoking, another gentleman came in, and was 

 introduced to me as the Marques de Esquibel, the vice- 

 president of the Casino or club, who promised to send me a 

 card of presentacion^ whereby the person presented becomes 

 a member by invitation for twenty days, after which time, 

 if he continues in Seville, he is balloted for, and becomes a 

 subscribing member at about six shillings a month. 



When our cigars were ended, I took my leave ; on which 

 the marques placed his house at my disposal, and I replied 

 that he also possessed a house at the Fonda de Madrid. 



In a day or two he called, and told me that he was now 

 in mourning for his father (who had died a few months 

 ago), and therefore went about but little ; also having a 

 great deal of business, settling his mayorazgo (entail), and 

 paying off his brother's and sister's fortunes. He would 

 therefore present me to a great friend of his, who was 

 " moving in circles," and could introduce me to his friends 

 at the club and opera. 



We went out together, and arrived at a stately marble 

 gateway of a large house, just opposite the Museum, in the 

 Calle de las Armas. Here, through the slender and grace- 

 ful tracery of the reja or filigree gate, could be seen a 

 marble-floored and pillared and fountained patio. We rang. 

 " Quien es ? " was exclaimed, in the shrill voice of the 

 portress. (Who is it?) " Gente de paz" (People of 

 peace), I replied, to show I knew what to say ; on which 

 the door opened by a hidden spring, and the marques 

 laughed, and wondered where I got that old-fashioned 

 answer. I said I had a red book full of cosas (T Espana. 



Don Jose Laso de la Vega was finishing a small concert, 



68 



