e Monteblanco, who was already on the
alert, received information that a party of horsemen were rapidly
approaching the mansion. The old cavalier hastened to a spot whence he
could descry his visitors, and form a judgment of their quality. The
party consisted of an armed knight, and about half a dozen men-at-arms,
bounding over the elastic turf, with the greatest buoyancy of spirits.
Don Manuel, who stood watching their advance, was soon able to
recognize, in the martial figure and gallant carriage of the knight, his
young friend and kinsman, Don Antonio de Leyva, of whose arrival he had
been in daily expectation. The youthful warrior was clad in a suit of
polished steel armour, inlaid with silver; a quantity of massy and
waving red plumage almost overshaded his shining helmet, and threw a
crimson flush over his manly countenance, in which an expression of
resolute courage was blended with an air of gaiety and frankness. The
colour of his cheek was heightened by exercise, and the brilliancy of
his dark blue eyes expressed an unusual degree of animation, whilst his
blooming age and the gracefulness of his carriage tended to increase the
interest of his commanding appearance. He was mounted on a fiery and
slender barb, decorated with the most costly trappings, which appeared
to participate in the buoyancy of the rider; for he champed the bit and
shook off the white foam, requiring all the dexterity of his master to
restrain the impetuosity of his nature.

The small party which accompanied the youthful warrior were arrayed in
the military costume of the period. They served Don Antonio as an
escort, and belonged to the body of which he was the leader. Upon their
arrival the massy doors of the mansion were thrown open, and the
venerable Monteblanco stood at the entrance ready to receive his noble
visitor. The next moment Don Antonio, springing from his steed, threw
himself into the arms that hospitably invited him to their embrace.

"Welcome, Don Antonio, thrice welcome to the abode of your old friend
and kinsman."

"Save you, noble Don Manuel; it rejoices me to see that the hand of time
has made so little impression upon you; your spirits are still young and
ardent. How does the fair Theodora?"

"Blooming as the rose of summer, fair as the lily of the valley, and
blithesome as the free tenant of the air," replied the fond father; "but
come in," he continued, with joyful accents; "come and refresh yourself.
Pedro," he th