"I am very sorry to refuse you, señor," the officer replied, "but my orders prohibit me from letting anyone into the palace before eight o'clock; if the reason that brings you here is serious, be kind enough therefore to return at that hour, and nobody will oppose your entrance."
"Pardon me, Captain," the horseman continued; "one word more, if you please."
"It is unnecessary for anyone but yourself to hear it."
"Nothing is easier, señor," the officer replied, as he came near enough to touch the stranger; "now speak." The horseman leaned down, and murmured in a low voice a few words, which the officer listened to with marks of the most profound surprise.
"Perfectly, señor;" and turning to the sergeant, who was standing a few yards off, he said "open the gate."
"It is unnecessary," the stranger remarked; "with your permission I will dismount here, and a soldier can hold my horse."
The horseman dismounted, and threw the bridle to the sergeant, who held it till a private should come to take his place.
"Now, Captain," the stranger continued, "if you wish to set the seal on your kindness by leading me yourself to the person who expects me, I am at your orders."
"I am at yours, señor," the officer replied, "and since you desire it, I shall have the honour of accompanying you."
They then entered the palace, leaving behind them the sergeant and two sentries in a state of the utmost surprise. Preceded by the captain, the horseman passed through several rooms, which, in spite of the early hour, were always crowded, not by visitors, but officers of all ranks, senators and councillors of the Supreme Court, who seemed to have spent the night at the palace. A great agitation prevailed among the groups, among which were blended officers, members of the clergy, and the chief merchants; they were conversing with considerable animation, but in a low voice; the general expression of faces was gloomy and anxious. The two men at length reached the door of a study guarded, by two sentries; an usher, with a silver chain round his neck, was slowly walking up and down; at the sight of the two men he hurried up to them.
"You have arrived, señor," said the captain.
"I have now only to take my leave of you, señor, and offer you my thanks for your politeness," the horseman answered.