aide-de-camp had closed the door behind him, Santa Anna
sprang up from his seat and hastily stumped it to a large cheval glass
which stood on one side of the room. Squaring himself before this he
took survey of his person from crown to toes. He gave a pull or two at
his moustaches, twisting their points, and turning them upward along his
cheeks. Then running his fingers comb-like through his hair, he gave
that also a jaunty set. In fine, straightening himself in his
gold-braided uniform frock, with a last glance down to his feet--this
resulting in a slight grimace--he returned to the state chair and
reseated himself.

With all his gallantry and politeness--and to these he made much
pretension--it was not his custom to receive lady visitors standing. In
the upright attitude the artificial leg made him look stiff, and he
preferred stowing it away under the table. Besides, there was his
dignity, as the grand figure-head of the nation, which he now wished to
have its full effect. Leaning forward, he gave a downward blow to the
spring of the table bell; then assuming an attitude of expectant
grandeur, sate expectant. This time the aide-de-camp required no
passing to and fro; and the door again opening, the ladies were ushered
into the august presence.

In their air and manner they betrayed agitation too, while the serious
expression upon their features told they were there on no trivial
errand.

"Pray be seated, ladies," said the Dictator, after exchanging
salutations with them. "'Tis not often the Condesa Almonte honours the
Palacio with her presence, and for the Senorita Valverde, were it not
for official relations with her father, I fear we should see even less
of her than we do."

While speaking he pointed to a couple of couch chairs that stood near
the table.

They sat down rather hesitatingly, and slightly trembling. Not that
either would have been at all timid had the occasion been a common one.
Both were of Mexico's best blood, the Condesa one of the old _noblesse_
who hold their heads higher even than the political chief of the State,
when he chances to be--as more than once has occurred--an adventurer of
humbler birth. Therefore, it was not any awe of the great dignitary
that now unnerved them, but the purpose for which they were seeking
speech with him. Whether Santa Anna guessed it, or not, could not be
told by his looks. An experienced diplomatist, he could keep his
features fixed and immovab