attempt to pursue. They were not cavalry; and only mounted men could
overtake that landau with its curious load, soon to vanish from their
sight. So they stood gazing after it in helpless bewilderment, their
faces showing a variety of expressions, surprise, anger, fear, mingled
in a most ludicrous manner. Deserting their posts they had gathered
into a knot, and it was some time before they had so far recovered their
senses as to think of despatching one of their number to the Plaza
Grande after cavalry sure to be there.

It was a fine opportunity for others of the gaol-birds to make a bolt;
but for the obstructive coupling-chains no doubt some would avail
themselves of it. These, however, hindered the attempt. There were no
more restive horses, nor blundering coachmen to bring another carriage
near enough for a rush.

But the most interesting group now on the ground was that which had
collected round the ladies left carriage-less; some offering services,
others speaking words of sympathy. "_Las senoritas pobres_!"

"_Pobrecitas_!"--("The poor young ladies!" "Poor things!") were
exclamations uttered over and over again.

It was a trying situation for the "poor things" to be in, sure enough.
But they acquitted themselves admirably; especially the Condesa, who,
young though she was, for courage and coolness had few to equal her. In
that emergency no man could have shown himself her superior. Her look
of still untranquillised terror, the intermittent flashes of anger in
her eyes as she loudly denounced the ruffians who had carried off their
carriage, was a piece of acting worthy of a Rachel or Siddons. He would
have been a keen physiognomist who could have told that her emotions
were counterfeit. Little dreamt the sympathising spectators that while
being pushed out of the carriage she had contrived to whisper back to
the man so rudely behaving: "Look under the cushions, _querido_! You'll
find something. _Dios te guarda_!"

Still less could they have supposed that the other young lady, looking
so meek, had at the same time spoken tender words to the second ruffian
who had assailed them.

The part the _pobrecitas_ were playing, with the sympathy they received,
seemed to themselves so comically ludicrous that, but for its serious
side, neither could have kept countenance. Alone the thought of the
lovers not yet being beyond danger hindered their bursting out into
laughter.

And lest this, too, might cea