A domestic, richly dressed, dismounted, and asked the old priest to give him a glass of water for his master.
"Carlos," said the priest to the younger boy, "give this nobleman a glass of water, and add to it a glass of wine, if he will accept it. Be quick!"
The gentleman alighted from the coach. He seemed about fifty.
"Are the children your nephews?" inquired he.
"Much better," said the priest, "they are mine by adoption, be it understood."
"How so?"
"I shall tell you, for I can refuse nothing to such a gentleman; for poor and inexperienced in the world as I am, I need good advice, how best to provide for these two boys."
"Make ensigns of them in the king's guards, and in order to keep up a suitable appearance, he must allow them a pension of six thousand ducats."
"I ask your advice, my lord, not mockery."
"Then you must have your church rebuilt, and by the side of it, a pretty parsonage house, with handsome iron railings to inclose the whole. When this work will be complete, it shall be called the church of the Vasa d'Agua, (Glass of Water.) Here is the plan of it, will it suit you?"