'I tell thee, Sancho, thou art a blockhead,' said Don Quixote. 'Pardon me, we have had enough of it.'
'Enough, indeed,' said Don Fernando, 'and let me entreat you to say no more of it. Seeing my Lady the Princess says she will go away to-morrow, as it is too late to depart to-day, let us agree to spend this evening in pleasant discourse, and to-morrow we will attend the worthy Knight, Don Quixote, and be eye-witnesses of the valorous feats of arms he shall do in carrying out this adventure.'
It was now time for supper, and they all sat down at a long table, for there was not a square or round one in the whole house. And they gave the principal end to Don Quixote, though he did all he could to refuse it; but when he had taken it, he commanded that the Lady Micomicona should sit at his elbow, as he was her champion. The others being placed in due order, they all enjoyed a pleasant supper, listening to the wise, strange discourse that Don Quixote held upon his favourite subject of knightly adventures.
CHAPTER XXVII
Of the strange Enchantment of the Unfortunate Knight
After supper it appeared that there were not sufficient rooms in the house for all the company, so the ladies retired to the best apartments, whilst the gentlemen sought rest where they could get it with the least discomfort. Sancho Panza found a bed on his Ass's harness, where he was soon fast asleep, and Don Quixote satisfied his sense of duty by arming himself, mounting Rozinante, and riding round the Inn, that he might act as sentinel of this imaginary Castle.
In a short time all the Inn was drowned in a deep silence. Only the Innkeeper's daughter and Maritornes were not asleep, but knowing very well Don Quixote's humour, and that he was armed on horseback outside the Inn keeping guard, the two agreed to play him some trick, or at least to pass a little time listening to his nonsense.
THE ENCHANTMENT OF DON QUIXOTE