Orbajosa one of the finest libraries that is to be
found in all Spain, and among his books he passed long hours of the day
and of the night, compiling, classifying, taking notes, and selecting
various sorts of precious information, or composing, perhaps, some
hitherto unheard-of and undreamed-of work, worthy of so great a mind.
His habits were patriarchal; he ate little, drank less, and his only
dissipations consisted of a luncheon in the Alamillos on very great
occasions, and daily walks to a place called Mundogrande, where were
often disinterred from the accumulated dust of twenty centuries, medals,
bits of architecture, and occasionally an amphora or cubicularia of
inestimable value.

Don Cayetano and Dona Perfecta lived in such perfect harmony that the
peace of Paradise was not to be compared to it. They never disagreed. It
is true that Don Cayetano never interfered in the affairs of the house
nor Dona Perfecta in those of the library, except to have it swept and
dusted every Saturday, regarding with religious respect the books and
papers that were in use on the table or anywhere else in the room.

After the questions and answers proper to the occasion had been
interchanged Don Cayetano said:

"I have already looked at the books. I am very sorry that you did not
bring me the edition of 1527. I shall have to make a journey to Madrid
myself. Are you going to remain with us long? The longer the better,
my dear Pepe. How glad I am to have you here! Between us both we will
arrange a part of my library and make an index of the writers on the Art
of Horsemanship. It is not always one has at hand a man of your talents.
You shall see my library. You can take your fill of reading there--as
often as you like. You will see marvels, real marvels, inestimable
treasures, rare works that no one but myself has a copy of. But I think
it must be time for dinner, is it not, Jose? Is it not, Perfecta? Is it
not, Rosarito? Is it not, Senor Don Inocencio? To-day you are doubly a
Penitentiary--I mean because you will accompany us in doing penance."

The canon bowed and smiled, manifesting his pleased acquiescence. The
dinner was substantial, and in all the dishes there was noticeable the
excessive abundance of country banquets, realized at the expense of
variety. There was enough to surfeit twice as many persons as sat down
to table. The conversation turned on various subjects.

"You must visit our cathedral as soon as possible," said