The big "Gorda" had just rung, deafening the bystanders.

A few moments afterwards, from the front of the Alcazar, came the sound of martial music, trumpets, and drums.
"Let us go," said Gabriel.

"Really, Mariano might have warned us and spared us this surprise." And he added, smiling ironically: "It is always the same; it is the parasites who shine the most and make the most noise; they make up in noise what they lack in utility." The festival of Corpus drew near without anything occurring to ruffle the quiet life of the Cathedral.

Sometimes in the upper cloister they spoke of His Eminence's health.

His serious quarrels with the Chapter had obliged him to keep his bed, and he had just had an attack which made them fear for his life.
"It is his heart," said the Tato--who was usually very well informed about things in the palace--"Dona Visita is weeping like a Magdalen and cursing the canons, seeing Don Sebastian so ill." As Wooden Staff sat down to table with his family he began to speak of the decadence of the feast of Corpus, which had been so famous in Toledo in former times.