A few sharp cuts with the whip he held in his
hand distributed promiscuously among them, without distinction between
the innocent and the guilty ones, quieted this uproar as if by magic,
and the aggressive hounds, taking refuge under the benches ranged along
the walls, curled themselves round on the floor and went comfortably
to sleep, or lay panting, with their red tongues hanging out of their
mouths and heads reposing on their fore-paws--not daring to stir.
The obstreperous dogs thus disposed of, the cavalier advanced into the
room, with the calm assurance of a man who feels perfectly at his ease;
his spurs ringing against the stone floor at every step. The landlord
followed him obsequiously, cap in hand, cringing and bowing in most
humble fashion--having entirely laid aside his boasting air and
evidently feeling very ill at ease--this being a personage of whom he
stood in awe. As the gentleman approached the table he politely saluted
the company, before turning to give his orders to Maitre Chirriguirri,
who stood silently awaiting them.
The newcomer was a handsome man of about thirty, with curly light hair,
and a fair complexion, somewhat reddened by exposure to the sun. His
eyes were blue, and rather prominent, his nose slightly retroussi; his
small blond mustache was carefully turned up at the ends, and scarcely
shaded a well-formed but sensual mouth, below which was a small, pointed
beard--called a royal in those days, an imperial in these.
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