"
As they strolled along the ramparts, Don Alonso, with a strange
forgetfulness of events within the year, lauded the impregnable
strength of the works, as if Badajoz were still a virgin fortress.
Cranfield, by way of rebuking him, pointed out to Lady Mabel the
restorations he had made of the breached walls. She replied that "the
patchwork character of his repairs were but too evident, as he had
invariably omitted to use materials of the same color with the
original works."
As they rambled through the city, Don Alonso failed not to point out
the superior size and style of the buildings over those of Elvas, and
Lady Mabel remarked that "in cleanliness, too, it far surpassed its
neighbor." Leading them to the cathedral, their guide compelled them
to inspect minutely this heavy and cumberous building, while he
eulogized it in terms that might have been suitable to St. Peter's, at
Rome. "I am sorry," said he, "you cannot see it in all its splendor;
but the gorgeous furniture of the altar and the rich ornaments of the
shrines are not now exhibited."
"Why not?" asked Lady Mabel.
"In these troubled, sacrilegious times, the clergy think it best not
to display the wealth of the church.
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