We knew we had one friend at least in the garrison, who
would be in our favor, the bright-eyed little Dolores, whose good
graces we had propitiated on our first visit, and who hailed our
return to the palace with her brightest looks.
All, however, went smoothly. The good Tia Antonia had a little
furniture to put in the rooms, but it was of the commonest kind. We
assured her we could bivouac on the floor. She could supply our table,
but only in her own simple way- we wanted nothing better. Her niece,
Dolores, would wait upon us and at the word we threw up our hats and
the bargain was complete.
The very next day we took up our abode in the palace, and never
did sovereigns share a divided throne with more perfect harmony.
Several days passed by like a dream, when my worthy associate, being
summoned to Madrid on diplomatic duties, was compelled to abdicate,
leaving me sole monarch of this shadowy realm. For myself, being in
a manner a haphazard loiterer about the world and prone to linger in
its pleasant places, here have I been suffering day by day to steal
away unheeded, spellbound, for aught I know, in this old enchanted
pile. Having always a companionable feeling for my reader, and being
prone to live with him on confidential terms, I shall make it a
point to communicate to him my reveries and researches during this
state of delicious thraldom. If they have the power of imparting to
his imagination any of the witching charms of the place, he will not
repine at lingering with me for a season in the legendary halls of the
Alhambra.
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