d here the cunning tooth-stopper, being close to his
patient's ear, whispers my name) 'will bring it you presently.'

'What ails la Nina?' inquires one of the nuns, bending forward; for
Cachita has uttered a cry, and swooned away.

'Nothing, senora,' says Don Francisco with the same sang-froid already
noted. 'Only a nerve which I have accidentally excited in my operation.
She will be better presently.'

The dentist desires me to bring him a certain bottle, and with the
contents of this, his patient is soon restored to consciousness.

'Keep her head firm,' says my artful friend, addressing me with a faint
smile on his countenance, 'while I put the finishing touches to my
work.'

I obey; and though my hands are far from being as steady as an
assistant's should be, I acquit myself creditably.

Cachita's mouth is again open to facilitate the dentist's operations,
but also, as it seems to me, in token of surprise at the apparition now
bending over her.

'You will find much relief in the use of this tooth-powder,' continues
my friend, in a careless tone, as though nothing had happened. 'Very
strengthening to the gums. When you have got to the bottom of the
box--just open your mouth a little wider--when you have got to the
bottom of the box--where' (he whispers) 'you will find a note--I will
send you another.'

Cachita, by this time accustomed to my presence, can now look me
fearlessly in the face with those expressive eyes of hers, which I can
read so well, and before the dentist's operations are over, we have
contrived, unobserved, to squeeze hands on three distinct occasions.

Assured by this means of my lover's constancy, I now take my leave of
her, and, advised by my friends, patiently await the term of her convent
captivity, which expires, as I have already stated, in four months and
three weeks.

Upwards of three of these months elapse and I hear nothing more of the
fair recluse, and during that long interval many strange and unexpected
events transpire as to the 'Ever-faithful Isle.'

CHAPTER XXIII.

A CRUISE IN THE WEST INDIES.

Cuban Telegraphy--The _New York Trigger_--News from Porto Rico--A
day in Porto Rico--Don Felipe--A Mail
Agent--Coasting--Aguadilla--Mayagueez--Santo
Domingo--Sight-seeing--Telegraphic News.

There has been a sad dearth of news in the tropics for many long months.
The war of Santo Domingo is at an end. The great hurricane at St. Thomas
has passed i