“ ‘Sire, your Majesty and I, are we not sufficient to vanquish two hundred Moors?’
“ ‘You left my camp a soldier, you will return as Duke of Albe.’ ”
“You see, Don Frederico,” remarked Raphael, “that this popular legend arranges duels at midnight, and creates dukes by the word of mouth.”
“Hold your tongue, Raphael, for the love of God,” said the countess, “and leave us this belief. Besides, this history pleases me.”
“Yes,” replied Raphael; “but the Duke of Albe will not be very grateful to your mother for the illustration which she would confer upon him. You will see if I am not right.”
Upon this, the young man left precipitately, and soon returned, carrying a folio volume in parchment which he had taken from the library of the count.
“Here,” said he, “are the origins, privileges, and antiquities of Castilian titles, by Don José Barni y Catalo, advocate to the Royal Councils. Page 140—‘Count of Albe, now duke. The first was Don Fernando Alvarez de Toledo, created Count of Albe by Juan II., in 1439. Don Enrique IV. was created duke in 1469. This illustrious and noble family is of royal blood. It has always occupied the first employments in Spain, whether in war or in politics. The Duke of Albe commanded in chief the army during the conquest of Flanders, and during that of Portugal, where he did wonders. This celebrated family shines with so much distinction, and possesses so much merit, that one must write volumes to enumerate them.’
“You see, aunt, that your history, however good, is not the less apocryphal.”
“I do not know from whence this word comes, I believe from the Greek,” continued the marchioness; “but to return to Santa-Maria, this name was given them because that—”
“Aunt! aunt!” said Rita, “stop, I pray you, our genealogical history. Have we not had enough of the Cabeza de Vaca, and the Dukes of Albe? When you think of entering upon a second marriage you can parade these glorious genealogies before your favorite.”