It was
while casting about for the chief instrument that he fortuitously
met Espinosa in the streets of Madrigal. Espinosa had been a
soldier, and had seen the world. During the war between Spain and
Portugal he had served in the armies of King Philip, had
befriended Frey Miguel when the friar's convent was on the point
of being invaded by soldiery, and had rescued him from the peril
of it. Thus they had become acquainted, and Frey Miguel had had
an instance of the man's resource and courage. Further, he was of
the height of Don Sebastian and of the build to which the king
might have grown in the years that were sped, and he presented
other superficial resemblances to the late king. The colour of
his hair and beard could be corrected; and he might be made to
play the part of the Hidden Prince for whose return Portugal was
waiting so passionately and confidently. There had been other
impostors aforetime, but they had lacked the endowments of
Espinosa, and their origins could be traced without difficulty.
In addition to these natural endowments, Espinosa should be
avouched by Frey Miguel than whom nobody in the world was better
qualified in such a matter--and by the niece of King Philip, to
whom he would be married when he raised his standard.
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