Their alarm did not last long; for almost immediately after they perceived that the noise had been caused by Castrillo, the guide—who, in the next moment, stepped forward into the glade.
“Well, Castrillo! what have you seen?” demanded his fellow-servants.
“Enough to make it necessary that I should at once communicate with our master,” and Castrillo passed on towards the litera, leaving his companions to form their conjectures about what he had seen as best they might.
Chapter Seventy Three.
The Invalid.
On perceiving the approach of the domestico, Don Mariano silently closed the curtains of the litera, in order that the slumbers of Gertrudis might not be disturbed.
“Speak softly!” said he to the man, “my daughter is asleep.”
The domestic delivered his report in an undertone.