The door opened, and a servant appeared.
"Mi amo," he said, after bowing respectfully; "two travellers, surprised by the storm, ask leave to take shelter in the house."
At the same time a vivid flash rendered the candles pale, and a tremendous peal of thunder burst forth. The ladies uttered a cry of alarm, and crossed themselves.
"Santa Virgin!" Señora Soto-Mayor exclaimed, "do not receive them, for these strangers might bring us some misfortune."
"Silence, madam," the old gentleman answered; "the house of a Spanish noble must ever be open to the unfortunate."
And he left the room, followed by the domestic. The Señora hung her head at her husband's reproach, but being enthralled by superstition, she kept her eyes anxiously fixed on the door through which the strangers would enter. In a few minutes the general re-appeared, conducting Delbès and Diego el Vaquero.
"This house is yours, gentlemen; enter, in Heaven's name;" he said to them, affably.
Leon bowed gracefully to the ladies, then to the two officers, and thanked the general for his cordial reception.
"So long as you deign to honour my poor house with your presence, gentlemen," the latter replied, courteously, "we are entirely at your service; and if it please you to drink maté with us, we shall feel flattered."
"I accept your proposal, sir, with thanks."