After a brief conversation with the strangers, which it is scarcely needful to say was conducted in French, the countess led them into the house, where, she again bade them welcome, and signing to Trioche, who was standing among the other servants in the hall, directed him to conduct Don Fortunio to a chamber which she designated in the great gallery.
Her next thought was for Engracia, and being aware that Gertrude Rosworm spoke French, she begged her to take charge of the fair Spanish damsel and her attendant, and find them a suitable bed-chamber.
This was soon done, and Gertrude was about to leave them in the room she had chosen, when Engracia besought her to remain.
“Do stay with me a few minutes,” she said. “I am sure you are very amiable, and will not refuse to give me some information respecting the castle and its inmates.”
“Excuse me, señorita,” replied Gertrude. “I am forbidden to talk on such subjects. Lathom House is a garrison.”
“Yes, I quite understand,” said Engracia. “I have no curiosity to learn how many soldiers it contains—how many cannon—or the amount of its stores. I merely seek a little information on one or two points. First of all I will venture to inquire whether there is a priest in the castle? I am accustomed to have a confessor.”
“The countess has two domestic chaplains—Doctor Rutter and Doctor Brideoake, both worthy and excellent men—and service is performed twice a day in the chapel. But these are Protestant clergymen.”
“So I supposed,” sighed Engracia. And she added in Spanish to her attendant, “You must do without a priest, Maria. There is none here.”
Maria uttered an ejaculation of despair.
“There may be a priest for aught I know,” remarked Gertrude. “If so, you will soon hear of him. Two of the officers and several of the men are Papists.”
“I hope the caballero who brought us here is not a heretic?” cried Engracia.
“Captain Standish is a Protestant,” rejoined Gertrude.
“Ay de mi!” ejaculated the devout Spanish damsel, clasping her hands.
“What matters his faith to you?” cried Gertrude, sharply.
“Nothing,” replied Engracia.
But her looks contradicted her words.
“If you would stand well with the countess do not talk to her on matters of religion,” said Gertrude. “She is not tolerant. With this piece of advice I leave you.”
And she quitted the room.
“I do not like that damsel,” observed Engracia to her attendant, as soon as they were alone. “Nor do I think she likes me.”
“The señorita is right,” replied Maria. “The maiden’s eyes had a jealous sparkle in them. Do not trust her. She regards you as a rival.”
“As a rival!” exclaimed Engracia.
“As sure as I was born in Cordova, she is in love with the handsome caballero,” pursued Maria.
“It may be so,” said Engracia, colouring deeply.
“The señorita need not trouble herself about that,” cried Maria. “She is preferred, I am certain. I saw enough during the journey to convince me the caballero is desperately enamoured of her.”
“But he is a heretic, Maria.”
“The señorita will convert him.”
“The difficulty is great—but perhaps it may be got over,” said Engracia.
“No doubt of it,” replied Maria.
“De paso, what have you done with the casket, Maria?” inquired Engracia. “I hope you have not lost it?”
“Lost it! Saints forbid! It is here,” cried Maria, producing it.
Engracia was gladdening her eyes with a sight of its glittering contents, when a tap was heard at the door, and some girlish voices called out in French, “May we come in?”
Conjecturing who were her visitors, Engracia opened the door herself, and beheld the young ladies Stanley, who had brought her some articles of attire, thinking she might need them.
“I am sure my dresses will fit you,” cried Lady Henriette Marie. “We are about the same height.”
“You are a little taller, but they will fit me perfectly,” replied Engracia.
“They will become the señorita maravillosamente,” cried Maria, as she took the dresses.
“How can I thank you for this great attention!” cried Engracia.
“We want no thanks—we want no thanks,” cried all three girls. “It is a pleasure to us to serve you.”