As the adventure respecting the nosegay had commenced just under the place where the queen was seated, it had not escaped her notice; and curious to know all the circumstances of it, she took an opportunity, the very same evening, to request a detail of them from the beautiful Moor and Donna Elvira de Padilla, who had been together during the solemnity. Daraxa, thinking it more prudent to allow Elvira to speak, however much better she herself might have afforded the explanation, said, that she had paid but little attention to what had passed. Donna Elvira then was obliged to relate what she had heard and seen; but her recital rather heightened than satisfied the Queen’s curiosity; no sooner, therefore, was Don Alonso sufficiently recovered of his wound to receive visitors, than she requested the old Marquis d’Astorgas to call upon him, in the hope of obtaining from him the information she desired. The Marquis, who was a pleasant humorous man, was ushered into Don Alonso’s chamber, and thus acquitted himself of his commission. “Well Signor Knight without fear,” said he to Zuniga, “what think you now of these vile horned animals, who have so little respect for such fine sparks as you? You will allow that it is better to have nothing to do with them.” “You could have informed me this, from experience, long since,” replied Don Alonso, smiling. “But,” continued the Marquis, with a serious air, “will you not inform me who was the valiant man that advanced so apropos to your rescue? It is most surprising that amongst all the heroes of our Court, there was not one sufficiently your friend, to venture to dispute that honor with him: and yet it is asserted that you were on the point of fighting with this noble cavalier.” “I know better than any body my obligations to him,” answered Zuniga, “and the little cause I had given him to deliver me from so great a danger. All that I regret,” added he, “is that I do not know him; I am so charmed with his bravery, and his noble behaviour towards me, that I shall never be satisfied until I have found some means of ascertaining who he is, and of convincing him of my gratitude.”