Don Diego de la Vega rode through the streets of Madrid. The young university student carried a letter of introduction from his professor to the British Ambassador, asking the Ambassador to allow Diego to access the books in his library. The University library had only a small English section, and had no books by the British natural philosophers whom Diego was currently obsessed with. After Diego's incessant questions on natural philosophy and contemporary English literature, his professor had decided that a larger library would keep him occupied for at least a few weeks.
Diego was soon through the main city, and riding towards the mansion of the British Ambassador. As he rode around the last turn, quite a sight met his eyes. A magnificent carriage drawn by two horses was standing near the gates. A young girl – maybe fifteen or sixteen, guessed Diego, held the reins, while a middle aged man sat next to her, watching her with an appraising look. The carriage was almost as wide as the opening in the gates, and Diego saw that it would not be possible for him to enter the gates as long as the carriage stood there. He stopped by the side of the track, watching the carriage move through the gates without a hitch. However, before he started on the track, the carriage came out again, stopping in front of the gates.
A tall, dignified man came out from the house. "Not enough, Sophy!" he said, in a disapproving voice.
"But Sir Horace, it was perfect" protested the girl driving the carriage.
"No, you passed just a little closer to the right gate, not right through the middle. Do it again."
"I am not going to do it again, because I know you're just trying to be difficult." said the girl, "Besides, John is too tired to continue. Aren't you, John?" she said, turning to her groom.
"He's not tired. It's you who is tired, and that's because I happen to have the laziest girl in Europe for my daughter."
Diego, who was listening to the interchange, stiffened a little. The girl drove in a manner that would do anyone proud, and she was much younger than most of the caballeros who terrorized the streets of Madrid, giving the excuse of being young for being reckless. To accuse such a good driver of being lazy!
However, the girl now spoke in a whiny voice "No, Sir Horace, I'm afraid of spoiling my complexion, and my nails." She went on "And my pretty gown – do you know that Senora de Rios told me never to let my silks out in the sun for more than an hour. She also said that I have a lot to learn before I become a perfect lady and that she would be pleased to advice you on raising a daughter, Pa-pa!"
She said the last word in the same whiny voice, but in a much higher pitch. Her father let out a number of oaths, before saying "Sophy, you're going to pass through those gates ten more times without a mistake before I let you dismount from that carriage, and that's final."
"Oh, very well" said the girl in a resigned voice, with a sigh.
"That's my little Sophy" the man said, and leaned his shoulders on the edge of the gates.
As Diego watched, the girl manoeuvred her carriage through the gates again. A few minutes later, the carriage came out, and started moving towards Diego. He let the carriage pass, and then rode on down the trail. He had moved a few feet before he heard horses' hooves bearing down on him, faster and faster.
Diego turned to see the carriage rushing towards him, the horses in a dead gallop. He pulled off the trail just in time for the carriage to dash past him, straight through the gates without slacking.
Diego urged his horse forward, for it seemed impossible for the carriage not to overturn at the speed at which it had turned. However, when he entered the gates, he saw that the carriage was unharmed. The girl and the groom were fine too, though the groom was looking quite pale.
As Diego rode up to the carriage, the girl addressed him, saying "Have you come to meet the ambassador? I am his daughter, Sophy. Pardon me, but I cannot stop, I have to drive through the gates again"
"Miss Sophy, stop it please. Right now" said her groom, trying to snatch the reins from her hand.
"No, John, you may dismount if you want, I'm not going to stop" said Sophy.
"Sophy, stop it. I concede, you can drive as well as anyone I know" said her father, who had now walked up beside the carriage.
Immediately, Sophy jumped down to her father, who caught her in an embrace. He kissed her forehead, and put an arm around her shoulders.
"That's my little girl. Be sure to take up Francis today, and try to get him as pale as John. And if the road is so bad that you must overturn the carriage, break his neck."
As Sophy ran into the house, Sir Horace turned to Diego, who had dismounted and tied his horse to the post in front of the house. He gave a questioning look, at which Diego bowed and introduced himself. "A University student, eh?" Sir Horace read through the letter of introduction. "Very well, my boy, I will ask my butler to show you to my library. You're welcome to whatever you can find."
Very soon, Diego was seated in one of the armchairs in the library, engrossed in a thick volume, when Sir Horace entered the room.
"Did you find anything useful, Senor de la Vega"
"Yes, Sir Horace. There are several interesting works here"
"You are welcome to borrow any of the books you need. I will send Sophy in – you may inform her about the books you wish to take with you." he said "You met Sophy already, didn't you?"
"Yes sir, a wonderful driver, from what I saw." Diego said, but couldn't quite suppress a grin.
"Well, she has to take care of herself, and should be able to ride and drive anywhere, being the daughter of an ambassador. I dare say you do not spend much time in riding and driving, Senor de la Vega? I can never quite understand how a scholar's mind works" Sir Horace said, his warm smile removing any hint of malice in the words.
"Oh, I am not quite a scholar, Sir Horace. I do ride a little, and shoot and fence a bit."
"Fencing, hmmm? How well would you rate yourself?"
"Quite fair, Sir Horace"
"You will be taking part in the championships next year or so, perhaps"
"I am already competing, Sir Horace. I am due to fight Don Esteban Alvarez in the semifinals tomorrow"
"Isn't this your first year here"
"Yes"
"The semifinals?" said Sir Horace, "I know about the competition in the University, Don Diego. If you have really made it that far, I cannot resist doing this."
Sir Horace took a few steps towards Diego, who looked up in surprise. He tapped Diego's cheek with his glove. Diego grinned. "Can I finish this chapter, Sir Horace? The concept is very intriguing, and if I die, I will never understand it."
"Well, since I do not want my library to be haunted by a soul with an unfulfilled wish..." said Sir Horace, and moved to one of the large armchairs, where he sat down and crossed his legs.
A few minutes later, Diego put down his book. "Ready when you are, Sir Horace" he said with a bow.
