His words were very few, and he uttered them in a loud and clear
tone, before giving the word of command to his executioners. This, and
his receiving the fire without turning his back, were the only incidents
worthy of remark.

One of the two sentries stationed at the door of the Queen's anteroom
when I arrived, happened to have played a conspicuous part on the
eventful night. The Queen was defended by the guard of hallebardiers,
which always mounts guard in the interior of the palace. This sentinel
informed me that he was on guard that night, on the top step of the
staircase, when Leon, followed by a few officers, was seen to come up.
Beyond him and his fellow-sentry there were only two more, who were
posted at the door of the Queen's anteroom, adjoining her sleeping
apartment. This door faces the whole length of the corridor, with which,
at a distance of about twenty yards, the top of the staircase
communicates. In order to shield himself from the fire of the two
sentinels at the Queen's door, Leon grasped my informant by the ribs
right and left, and, raising him from the ground, carried him, like a
mummy, to the corridor; and there, turning sharp to the left, up to the
two sentries, whom he summoned to give him admittance in the name of the
absent Christina.

On the soldiers' refusal, he gave orders to his battalion to advance,
and a pitched battle took place, which was not ultimately decided until
daybreak--seven hours after. The terror of the little princesses, during
this night, may be imagined. Two bullets penetrated into the bed-room;
and the holes made by about twenty more in the doors of some of the
state apartments communicating with the corridor, are still preserved as
souvenirs of the event. The palace contains some well-painted ceilings
by Mengs, and is worthy of its reputation of one of the finest
residences in Europe. The staircase is superb. It was here that
Napoleon, entering the palace on the occasion of his visit to Madrid, to
install Joseph Buonaparte in his kingdom, stopped on the first landing;
and, placing his hand on one of the white marble lions which crouch on
the balustrades, turned to Joseph, and exclaimed, "Mon frere, vous serez
mieux loge que moi."

There is no road from Madrid to Toledo. On the occasions of religious
festivities, which are attended by the court, the journey is performed
by way of Aranjuez, from which place a sort of road conducts to the
ancient capital of Spain. There