THE MAYFLIES 107 



just below the largest window spans the 

 angle, capped by a pent roof of hchen- 

 covered stone. Yet all the windows are 

 unexpected, there are not two alike. For 

 the most part they are shutterless, un- 

 screened ; but here and there are wooden 

 shutters rain-washed, faded to the colour 

 of hedge-sparrows' eggs, still hanging 

 athwart the rich glow of the mellow 

 brickwork. You reach the main portal 

 in the tower by three great foot-worn 

 steps of stone. You will find upon its 

 lintel rudely cut its date, 1601. Can't you 

 see our Spaniard the first evening of his 

 residence carving in the soft sandstone 

 those figures with bejewelled punal? 

 Suppose him swarthy, long, and lean. 

 Give him a pointed beard, black as his 

 eyes, a trick of glancing o'er his shoulder 

 with a wild and hunted look, a dress of 

 laced velvet, fine, but a trifle tarnished 

 and travel-worn. You must know he 

 built this house and sojourned in these 

 parts, so rumour has it, pour la chasse. 

 Yet surely the Spanish sierras held better 

 game, and were not so far afield for 

 purposes of sport. The peasants can 



