“They will cost more, and not last so long.”
“I can’t help that; I can’t bear any but the lightest boots.”
Before I left him he said his daughter should dine with me that day as he was very busy.
I called on the Count of Aranda, who received me coldly, but with great politeness. I told him how I had been treated by my parish priest and by Mengs.
“I heard about it; this was worse than your imprisonment, and I don’t know what I could have done for you if you had not communicated, and obliged the priest to take out your name. Just now they are trying to annoy me with posters on the walls, but I take no notice.”
“What do they want your excellency to do?”
“To allow long cloaks and low-crowned hats; you must know all about it.”
“I only arrived at Madrid yesterday evening.”
“Very good. Don’t come here on Sunday, as my house is to be blown up.”
“I should like to see that, my lord, so I will be in your hall at noon.”