CHAPTER XL.

THE MANOEUVRING MOTHER.

"We come in sight of Seville, the high tower of the Giralda, cutting
against the blue of the sky, first won my attention; then a portion of
the old city came in view, backed by one of the finest cathedrals in the
world.

"It was just before holy week; the steamboat brought many passengers
from Cadiz, who had come to witness the ceremonies in this the second
city of Spain.

"Many persons, mostly ladies, were on the shore when our boat came up to
its landing place. Dressed in their light flowing muslins and lace
mantillas, they had a picturesque appearance quite in harmony with the
place. The moment we came in sight, a hundred pretty hands gave out
signals of welcome from the twinkle of their delicate fingers. There was
no bustle, no confusion, but a world of welcoming smiles, and soft
murmuring words, which would have filled me with a sense of loneliness,
had not all that I loved been close by. How could I miss those wreathing
welcomes, when the wealth of my whole existence went with me?

"'You are pleased. You like Seville. I can read it in your face.'

"He had not spoken to me during the last ten minutes, and I started from
the dreaming observation into which I had fallen, to answer him.

"'I was wondering if all the world could produce another spot more
lovely.'

"'And I was thinking pretty much the same thing. In a scene like this
the hard cares of life seem impossible. It is a place to live, love, and
die in.'

"I could not answer him. Indeed, his words were spoken so dreamily that
they required no response.

"We were on shore then, waiting for General and Mrs. Harrington. The
Eatons joined us, full of some important intelligence, which I saw the
elder lady was dying to communicate.

"'I told you so--never was mistaken in my life,' she whispered. 'The
captain speaks French almost as well as I do.'

"To have saved my life I could not have helped smiling. The woman had
given me a specimen of her French that day, and I could imagine how
perfect any information must be conveyed to her in that language.

"'I asked him who the gentleman was, and he told me he was the greatest
man in Seville, just then. No wonder I admired him--all the ladies did,
not excepting the Infanta herself, who would present him with a golden
key next week, in token of her high appreciation! She must be some
member of the royal family--master of the wardrobe, I suppose, by the
key. Th