t of their
culinary fame. They do not, however, exercise this art for gain. At San
Clemente, and no doubt at all the others, the new government--besides
the confiscation of all rents and possessions in money and land--seized
the provisions of corn and fruits which they found on searching the
attics of the building.

Immediately below the ruined modern Alcazar, and facing the Expositos,
is seen a vast quadrangular building, each front of which presents from
twenty to thirty windows on a floor. It is without ornament, and is
entered by a square doorway, which leads to an interior court. It is now
an inn, called Fonda de la Caridad, but was originally the residence of
the Cid, who built it simultaneously with the erection of the Alcazar,
by Alonzo the Sixth, shortly after the taking of the town; Ruy Diaz
being at that time in high favour, and recently appointed first Alcalde
of Toledo, and governor of the palace. It was on the occasion of the
first cortez held in this town, that the hero demanded a formal audience
of Alonzo, in which he claimed justice against his two sons-in-law, the
counts of Carrion.

These were two brothers, who had married the two Countesses of Bivar. On
the occasion of the double marriage, a brilliant party had assembled at
the Cid's residence, where all sorts of festivities had succeeded each
other. The two bridegrooms, finding themselves, during their presence in
this knightly circle, in positions calculated to test their mettle,
instead of proving themselves, by a display of unequalled valour and
skill, to be worthy of the choice by which they had been distinguished,
gave frequent proofs of deficiency in both qualities; and, long before
the breaking up of the party, their cowardice had drawn upon them
unequivocal signs of contempt from many of the company, including even
their host. Obliged to dissimulate their vexation as long as they
remained at the chateau of the Cid, they concerted a plan of vengeance
to be put in execution on their departure.

They took formal leave, and departed with their brides for their
estate, followed by a brilliant suite. No sooner, however, had they
reached the first town, than, inventing a pretext, they despatched all
the attendants by a different route, and proceeded on their journey,
only accompanied by their wives. Towards evening the road brought them
to a forest, which appeared to offer facilities for putting their
project in execution. Here they quitted the