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the dazzling whiteness of their costumes； as they moved about in
the sunlight； being still more accentuated by their swarthy faces
and long black hair。 Everybody was fascinated by the grave dignity
with which they moved through the intricate figures of the dance；
and by the elaborate grace of their slow gestures； and stately
bows； and when they had finished their performance and doffed their
great plumed hats to the Infanta； she acknowledged their reverence
with much courtesy； and made a vow that she would send a large wax
candle to the shrine of Our Lady of Pilar in return for the
pleasure that she had given her。
A troop of handsome Egyptians … as the gipsies were termed in those
days … then advanced into the arena； and sitting down cross…legs；
in a circle； began to play softly upon their zithers； moving their
bodies to the tune； and humming； almost below their breath； a low
dreamy air。 When they caught sight of Don Pedro they scowled at
him； and some of them looked terrified； for only a few weeks before
he had had two of their tribe hanged for sorcery in the market…
place at Seville； but the pretty Infanta charmed them as she leaned
back peeping over her fan with her great blue eyes； and they felt
sure that one so lovely as she was could never be cruel to anybody。
So they played on very gently and just touching the cords of the
zithers with their long pointed nails； and their heads began to nod
as though they were falling asleep。 Suddenly； with a cry so shrill
that all the children were startled and Don Pedro's hand clutched
at the agate pommel of his dagger； they leapt to their feet and
whirled madly round the enclosure beating their tambourines； and
chaunting some wild love…song in their strange guttural language。
Then at another signal they all flung themselves again to the
ground and lay there quite still； the dull strumming of the zithers
being the only sound that broke the silence。 After that they had
done this several times； they disappeared for a moment and came
back leading a brown shaggy bear by a chain； and carrying on their
shoulders some little Barbary apes。 The bear stood upon his head
with the utmost gravity； and the wizened apes played all kinds of
amusing tricks with two gipsy boys who seemed to be their masters；
and fought with tiny swords； and fired off guns； and went through a
regular soldier's drill just like the King's own bodyguard。 In
fact the gipsies were a great success。
But the funniest part of the whole morning's entertainment； was
undoubtedly the dancing of the little Dwarf。 When he stumbled into
the arena； waddling on his crooked legs and wagging his huge
misshapen head from side to side； the children went off into a loud
shout of delight； and the Infanta herself laughed so much that the
Camerera was obliged to remind her that although there were many
precedents in Spain for a King's daughter weeping before her
equals； there were none for a Princess of the blood royal making so
merry before those who were her inferiors in birth。 The Dwarf；
however； was really quite irresistible； and even at the Spanish
Court； always noted for its cultivated passion for the horrible； so
fantastic a little monster had never been seen。 It was his first
appearance； too。 He had been discovered only the day before；
running wild through the forest； by two of the nobles who happened
to have been hunting in a remote part of the great cork…wood that
surrounded the town； and had been carried off by them to the Palace
as a surprise for the Infanta； his father； who was a poor charcoal…
burner； being but too well pleased to get rid of so ugly and
useless a child。 Perhaps the most amusing thing about him was his
complete unconsciousness of his own grotesque appearance。 Indeed
he seemed quite happy and full of the highest spirits。 When the
children laughed； he laughed as freely and as joyously as any of
them； and at the close of each dance he made them each the funniest
of bows； smiling and nodding at them just as if he was really one
of themselves； and not a little misshapen thing that Nature； in
some humourous mood； had fashioned for others to mock at。 As for
the Infanta； she absolutely fascinated him。 He could not keep his
eyes off her； and seemed to dance for her alone； and when at the
close of the performance； remembering how she had seen the great
ladies of the Court throw bouquets to Caffarelli； the famous
Italian treble； whom the Pope had sent from his own chapel to
Madrid that he might cure the King's melancholy by the sweetness of
his voice； she took out of her hair the beautiful white rose； and
partly for a jest and partly to tease the Camerera； threw it to him
across the arena with her sweetest smile； he took the whole matter
quite seriously； and pressing the flower to his rough coarse lips
he put his hand upon his heart； and sank on one knee before her；
grinning from ear to ear； and with his little bright eyes sparkling
with pleasure。
This so upset the gravity of the Infanta that she kept on laughing
long after the little Dwarf had ran out of the arena； and expressed
a desire to her uncle that the dance should be immediately
repeated。 The Camerera； however； on the plea that the sun was too
hot； decided that it would be better that her Highness should
return without delay to the Palace； where a wonderful feast had
been already prepared for her； including a real birthday cake with
her own initials worked all over it in painted sugar and a lovely
silver flag waving from the top。 The Infanta accordingly rose up
with much dignity； and having given orders that the little dwarf
was to dance again for her after the hour of siesta； and conveyed
her thanks to the young Count of Tierra…Nueva for his charming
reception； she went back to her apartments； the children following
in the same order in which they had entered。
Now when the little Dwarf heard that he was to dance a second time
before the Infanta； and by her own express command； he was so proud
that he ran out into the garden； kissing the white rose in an
absurd ecstasy of pleasure； and making the most uncouth and clumsy
gestures of delight。
The Flowers were quite indignant at his daring to intrude into
their beautiful home； and when they saw him capering up and down
the walks； and waving his arms above his head in such a ridiculous
manner； they could not restrain their feelings any longer。
'He is really far too ugly to be allowed to play in any place where
we are；' cried the Tulips。
'He should drink poppy…juice； and go to sleep for a thousand
years；' said the great scarlet Lilies； and they grew quite hot and
angry。
'He is a perfect horror！' screamed the Cactus。 'Why； he is twisted
and stumpy； and his head is completely out of proportion with his
legs。 Really he makes me feel prickly all over； and if he comes
near me I will sting him with my thorns。'
'And he has actually got one of my best blo