From Ramon Comments

Shortly before noon of the following day they reached Cordoba, where they stopped to change horses. The old ones were happy, recognizing the inn and whinnied loudly, feeling a bath and a dinner in store. A concierge pulled open the door and Señora Salomin stepped down, preceded by lengths of taffeta. She meant to soften the rigors of travel by resting a few days in town, she said, with friends. Thus, she could avoid fatigue and arrive at Madrid fresh. The fat man had wakened and the three got off to stretch and wish Señora Salomin godspeed, as was proper. Each embraced her and kissed her lightly on either cheek; she was well-kissed by the time the fat man finished. She nodded stiffly to Senior Perez and wished him well, as if to say she was unimpressed by his argument but un-offended. He bowed cooly in return, their debate ending a draw. But she bid Ramon a warm goodbye and gave him the address of her casa in Madrid.

'Come to opening night', she urged, 'as my personal guest', citing the date.
...
Read full text