"Your Excellency is flattering me at the expense of the Fidalguia of Portugal," answered Luis, his sense of the respect due to his class hurt by the Ministers expressions. "I speak but the truth of them, young sir," answered the Minister, "and am right in making you an exception; but in truth, I would, for another reason, be of service to any of your family, and regretted much, when the King made his gracious offer, that you did not accept it." "I have again to thank your Excellency for the interest you take in my welfare; but I should not even have returned to Lisbon so soon, were I not obliged to attend the marriage of my cousin, Donna Theresa d'Alorna, with the young Marquis of Tavora." "I forgot your connexion with that family; but beware of the Tavoras. They are haughty, ambitious, and proud; and though I fear them not myself, I would not trust those I regard with their friendship." A page now came to inform the Minister that the King was in readiness to receive him. "Farewell, Don Luis, and remember my offers and advice," he said, as he turned to follow the page to the presence of the King. As Luis was leaving the palace, he felt his arm seized in no gentle grasp, and turning round, to his great satisfaction he found his friend Captain Pinto by his side. "Ah, what! Don Luis turned courtier!" exclaimed the latter. "Well, it is one of the characters of life a gentleman ought to play, though I cannot say it is much to my taste. I cannot stand all the buckram and bowing a man has to go through, though I played my part pretty well to-day, and received all sorts of compliments for sinking the Rover; besides which, I expect to get something about as substantial, in the shape of a cross of some order or other, which, the chances are, I see the next day worn by the escudeiro of my Lord Marquis of Marialva or Tavora. But no matter! it will be intended as an honour, and I may boast how I won it, which few others can do: however, here have I been running on about my own affairs, and quite forgetting to ask you about yours. Tell me first, when did you come to Lisbon, for I have been inquiring for you, and heard that you were not even expected." "I arrived only yesterday, and remain but till my cousin Theresa's marriage takes place." "Ah! a sore subject that, I fear; but if you are the man I take you for, you will soon recover from that trifling wound; but I will not talk about it. I was wishing to see you, to deliver a message from Senhor Mendez, who desires to have some conversation with you. He has not yet recovered from his injuries, and begs you will visit him." "I will gladly do so, if you tell me where I may find him," said Luis. "I will take you with me to-night, for I do not venture to visit him by day, for reasons I will explain some time to you," answered Captain Pinto.