The dark complexion was as smooth as a perfect peach, and tinged with warm colour, and her eyes could be like black opals, and no woman in Spain or Andalusia could match her for grace of figure and lightness of step.
Others came after in the long train.

Then, last of all, at a little distance from the rest, the jester entered, affecting a very dejected air.

He stood still a while on the platform, looking about as if to see whether a seat had been reserved for him, and then, shaking his head sadly, he crouched down, a heap of scarlet velvet with a man's face, just at Don John's feet, and turning a little towards him, so as to watch his eyes.

But Don John would not look at him, and was surprised that he should put himself there, having just been dismissed with a sharp reprimand for bringing women's messages.
The ceremony, if it can be called by that name, began almost as soon as all were seated.

At a sign from the King, Don Antonio Perez rose and read out a document which he had brought in his hand.