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The Queen and her "dear uncle" gradually settled down in Spain. François got acquainted with all the courtiers and, since he had spoken tolerably Spanish since the time of the Algerian captivity, he soon spoke easily with many of them. François enjoyed a special favor with a friend and adviser to the king, Don Ruy de Silva, the first prince of Eboli.

Receptions and celebrations at the court were rare, and games were the favorite pastimes of the courtiers. They played everything: balls and skittles during the day, chess and cards in the evening.

One evening, Francois sat down to play "Seven" in a pair with Ruy de Silva's close associate, Don Alvarez de Montoya, with whom Romagnac had an excellent relationship. The lovely Dona Lucia de Sepúlveda, a young lady-in-waiting to the queen, was to play against them, she came with a tall, thin seigneur of about fifty, whom she immediately introduced:

- Don Rodrigo de Carreras, came to us for consultations with the Council of Castile. I will pla