er of your interesting
pilgrimage hereafter. At present my daughter awaits us to place this
humble roof at your disposal. I am a widower, Don Alexandro, like
yourself. When I say that, like you, I have an only child, and that
I love her, you will understand how earnest is my sympathy. This way,
gentlemen. (Leading to door in corridor, and awaiting them.)

Starbottle (aside). Umph! an interview with lovely woman
means--er--intoxication, but--er--er--no liquor. It's evident that the
Don doesn't drink. Eh! (Catches sight of table in corridor, and bottle.)
Oh, he does, but some absurd Spanish formality prevents his doing the
polite thing before dinner. (Aloud, to DON JOSE.) One moment, sir, one
moment. If you will--er--er--pardon the--er--seeming discourtesy,
for which I am, I admit--or--personally responsible, I will for a few
moments enjoy the--er--er--delicious air of the courtyard, and the
beauties of Nature as displayed in the--er--sunset. I will--er--rejoin
you and the--er--er--ladies a moment later.

Don Jose. The house is your own, senor: do as you will. This way, Don
Alexandro. [Exit, in door L., DON JOSE and MORTON, sen.

Starbottle. "Do as you will." Well, I don't understand Spanish ceremony,
but that's certainly good English. (Going to table.) Eh! (Smelling
decanter.) Robinson County whiskey! Umph! I have observed that
the spirit of American institutions, sir, are already penetrating
the--er--er--superstitions of--er--foreign and effete civilizations.
(Pours out glass of whiskey, and drinks; pours again, and observes
MANUELA watching him respectfully.) What the Devil is that girl looking
at? Eh! (Puts down glass.)

Manuela (aside). He is fierce and warlike. Mother of God! But he is not
so awful as that gray-haired caballero, who looks like a fasting St.
Anthony. And he loves aguardiente: he will pity poor Diego the more.
(Aloud.) Ahem! Senor. (Courtesies coquettishly.)

Col. Starbottle (aside). Oh, I see. Ged! not a bad-looking girl,--a
trifle dark, but Southern, and--er--tropical. Ged, Star, Star, this
won't do, sir; no, sir. The filial affections of Aeneas are not to be
sacrificed through the blandishments of--er--Dodo--I mean a Dido.

Manuela. O senor, you are kind, you are good. You are an Americano, one
of a great nation. You will feel sympathy for a poor young man,--a mere
muchacho,--one of your own race, who was a vaquero here, senor. He has
been sent away from us here disgraced, alone, hungry, perh