The Bishop no longer occupied the great episcopal palace. This was turned into the post-office building. But he had a large house not far from the Cathedral, which had been presented by the faithful.
Ramón and Cipriano found the thin old man in a dusty, uninteresting library, waiting. He wore a simple black cassock, not too clean, with purple buttons. He received Ramón, who was in a black town suit, and Cipriano, who was in uniform, with an affable manner and suspicious looks. But he played at being the lively, genial old bird.
‘Ah, Don Ramón, it is long since I saw you! How goes it, eh? Well, well? That is good! That is very good!’ And he patted Ramón on the sleeve like a fussy old uncle. ‘Ah, my General, much honour, much honour! Welcome to this poor house of yours. It is the house of
