“Would you like a piece of loin with gravy, and a slice of roast lamb?”
“Yes.”
The innkeeper went out, and Señor Alonso, taking off his coat, sat down at the table with the lamplight full in his face. He was, as we have already said, tall and spare, and we will now add that he was about thirty, was well dressed, and that there was nothing extraordinary in his manners except, perhaps, the keen glance of his small round gray eyes. His movements were energetic, and he seemed endowed with a great deal of muscular force. The length of his arm would have made him a dangerous opponent with a sword in his hand, if he had known how to use it.
While the keeper was away someone else knocked at the door, and a few minutes later, another person entered the room. There was no reason why he should not stay, and so he stayed. Giving a “Good evening” to Señor Alonso, and taking off his coat, he also sat down, at the other end of the table, saying to the landlord,
“I leave the supper to your discretion, but the wine—”
“Shall be an old one and pure, Señor Hidalgo.”
“That is the kind I want.”
This second person was the one who had been following the first. He looked about twenty-five and his face was aquiline, swarthy and bilious, with a clear forehead, black hair, wide black eyes with long lashes, and a glance fiery and expressive, sometimes penetrating, sometimes melancholy. He showed much intelligence, not a little cunning, valor, and courage. While taking his seat he glanced at Señor Alonso, who was also watching him, and both frowned slightly.
The landlord went out to get the supper, but soon returned without it, bringing with him another guest, apparently also a hidalgo, short and bulky, with an apoplectic complexion, shining eyes and a large mouth which was slightly opened in a pleasant smile. He might have been about twenty-eight, his clothing was good and new although dark, contrasting with that of the second arrival, whose clothes were not only bright colored, but adorned with all the ornaments that were permitted to people of his class. He saluted very politely, took off his coat, ordered his supper, and sat down, whereupon the looks of the other two were centered upon him, while he examined them alternately.