ike fire from beneath the long white
mantilla that swept over her person as sweeps the blue of a summer sky.
The veil was fastened to her graceful head by a tiara of the same pure
gems, which twinkled through it like starlight on frost. Her walk was
queenly, her look full of sweet womanliness. They tell me she is
prettier and more popular than the queen, and I can readily believe it,
for this young creature is very lovely.

"The steps of the royal balcony descended directly to the pavement. The
Infanta mounted them, gliding upward with the grace of a bird of
paradise, followed by her train-bearers. Directly after she was seated,
the balcony filled from a room beyond it, into which the royal party had
assembled. Le Duc de Montpensier, his sister, Princess Clementina, and
her husband, the Duke of Saxe Coburg, the cousin of Prince Albert of
England, and two or three pretty children, mingled with the group,
giving it a domestic grace pleasant to contemplate."

CHAPTER XLV.

THE PROCESSION OF THE MADONNAS.

"Now the procession commenced. Lines of solemn monks, with their gray
gowns fastened at the waist with rope girdles, came out of their
monasteries and reverently followed the particular Madonna worshipped by
their order, as she was carried around, standing on a platform carpeted
with velvet, dressed sumptuously, like a woman of the world. Some of
these Madonnas were covered with jewels richer and in greater profusion
than those worn by the Infanta herself. One, our Lady of Montes Serat,
was elevated on a platform ten feet long, carried by eight stalwart
priests. The platform was carpeted with crimson velvet, ornamented at
the sides with heavy bullion fringe. Her black velvet robe was studded
with diamonds over the whole length of its ample and flowing train. This
swept back to the verge of the platform in heavy folds, while adown the
front was one maze of jewels, covering the velvet so thickly that you
could scarcely see it. A mantilla of such lace as cannot be bought for
gold, fell over her shoulders, and in her stiff hand she carried a
marvel of point lace which, with a living person, would have answered
for a pocket handkerchief.

"Six tall tapers of white wax shed their refulgence over the image,
lighting up all its wealth of jewels, and its sweeping draperies into
wonderful magnificence. The platform was strewn with garlands and
freshly gathered roses, which perfumed the air as she passed through
thousa