Chapter XXXI: Love's Young Dream

First impressions--Devoted to pleasure--Peace-loving--Climate makes gay and lively--New element--Few traces of the past--Old palaces--Steals into the affections--City of the Cid--Ecclesiastical attractions--Archbishopric--University--Homer must nod sometimes--Comparative repose--De Nevada carries us off--Admirable host--Conversational--Grave and gay--Mercy, not sacrifice--Library--At Puzol--Exacting a promise--The hour sounds--Count Pedro appears--Fragrant coffee--Served by magic--Specially prepared temptation--Perverting facts--Land flowing with milk and honey--Inquiring mind--Mighty man of valour--Cid likened to Cromwell--Retribution--Ibn Jehaf the murderer--Reign of terror--The faithful Ximena--Cid's death-blow--Priest turns schoolmaster--"Beware!"--Earthly paradise--Land of consolation--System of irrigation--Famous council--Poetical Granada--No appeal--Apostles' Gate-way--Earth's fascinations--Picturesque peasants--Pretty women--Countess Pedro shakes her head--Leave-taking--Next morning--Quiet activity--Market-day--Splendours of flower-market--Lonja de Seda--Vanishing dream--Audiencia--San Salvador--Antiquity yields to comfort--Convent of San Domingo--Miserere--Impressive ceremony--City of Flowers--Without the walls--Famous river--Change of scene 458