dly offer, lest they should suffer some
injury from the people, who were not yet pacified. Thereupon, the knight
dismounted, and with his drawn sword in his hand, led them through the
tumultuous throng, who made way at his command. Don Rafael looked round
to see if he could discover Calvete with the mules; but he was not to be
seen, for the moment his employers dismounted, he had gone off to an inn
where he had lodged on previous occasions. On their arrival at the
knight's abode, which was one of the principal houses in the city, he
asked them in which of the galleys they had arrived. Don Rafael replied
that they had not come in any, for they had arrived in the city just as
the fray began; and it was because they had recognised the gentleman who
was wounded with a stone that they had involved themselves in danger.
Moreover, he entreated the knight would have the gentleman brought on
shore, as he was one on whom his own dearest interests depended. "I will
do so with great pleasure," replied the knight, "and I am sure the
general will allow it, for he is a worthy gentleman and a relation of
mine." Thereupon he went at once to the galley, where he found Marco
Antonio under the hands of the surgeon, who pronounced his wound
dangerous, being near the heart. With the general's consent he had him
brought on shore with great care, accompanied by Leocadia, and carried
to his own house in a litter, where he entertained the whole party with
great hospitality.

A famous surgeon of the city was now sent for, but he would not touch
the patient's wound until the following day, alleging that it had no
doubt been properly treated already, army and navy surgeons being always
men of skill, in consequence of their continual experience in cases of
wounds. He only desired that the patient should be placed in a quiet
room and left to rest. Presently the surgeon of the galley arrived, and
had a conference with his colleague, who approved of what he had done,
and agreed with him in thinking the case highly dangerous. Leocadia and
Teodosia heard this with as much anguish of heart as if it had been a
sentence of death upon themselves; but not wishing to betray their
grief, they strove to conceal it in silence. Leocadia, however,
determined to do what she thought requisite for her honour, and as soon
as the surgeons were gone, she entered Marco Antonio's room, where,
going up to his bed side, and taking his hand in presence of the master
of the ho