The only sensible course was to take things good-naturedly and as all in the song! The worst that might happen would be that he must proceed to France afoot, without a penny, lacking weapons, Don Fernando's cloak--all things, in short, but the bare clothing he stood in.

To make loss as small as possible there were in order suavity, coolness, even gaiety! And still appeared the perplexing something he could not resolve.

The over-fine cloak, the horse now in good condition, might have something to do with it, contrasting as they certainly did with the purse in the last stages of emaciation.

And there seemed a studying of his general appearance, of his features, even.

Two men in especial appeared detailed to do this.