At our
alighting out of the coaches, the Duke led me up into my apartment,
with an infinite number of noblemen and gentlemen, his relations;
there they took their leave of me, conducting my husband to his
quarter, with whom they stayed in visit about half an hour, and so
returned to his house. After I had been there three hours, the Duchess
of Alcala sent a gentleman to say her Excellency welcomed me to the
place, and that, as soon as I was reposed after my long voyage, she
would wait upon me: in like manner did the Marquis of Bayona and his
lady, and their son with his lady.
I must not pass by the description of the entertainment, which was
vastly great, tables being plentifully covered every meal for above
three hundred persons. The furniture was all rich tapestry,
embroideries of gold and silver upon velvet, cloth of tissue, both
gold and silver, with rich Persia carpets on the floors: none could
exceed them. Very delicate fine linen of all sorts, both for table and
beds, never washed, but new cut out of the piece, and all things
thereunto belonging. The plate was vastly great and beautiful, nor for
ornament were they fewer than the rest of the bravery, there being
very fine cabinets, looking-glasses, tables, and chairs.
On Thursday, at two in the afternoon, the Duchess of Alcala came to
visit me; she had lain in but three weeks of a daughter.
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