We, the Villalpandos, are made of iron; for, of course, we are descended from that famous Villalpando who made the screen of the high altar, the custodia, and an innumerable quantity of other things.

He really must have been a giant, to judge by the ease with which he twisted and moulded every sort of metal." Gabriel's ill-health awoke in her the deepest compassion, but all the same not quite free from malicious suggestions.
"How much you must have amused yourself about the world, eh, nephew?
But that war was your perdition; without it you would now have had your stall in the choir, and who knows if you might not have come to be another Don Sebastian.

The truth is, that from his childhood no one spoke half as much about him in the seminary as they did of you, and he certainly was no prodigy of learning.

But you saw the world, and you took a fancy to those countries where they say the ladies are very pretty, and wear hats as large as parasols.

You are a monster of ugliness now, but you were very smart, though I, who am your aunt, say so.