h stood on a
slight elevation above the river. It was a thatched one-storied
building, with a walled-in courtyard on one side, and surrounded by a
garden of considerable extent, as far as I could judge by the
torchlight.

He at once ushered us into a good-sized room, furnished with a large
table and benches, and a ponderous arm-chair at one end. The table was
covered with various substantial viands, as well as delicacies and
fruits of all sorts, showing that the padre was given to hospitality,
and that he was at all times prepared for the unexpected arrival of
guests.

"I sent up to order supper to be got ready for you, and I see that my
people have not been dilatory," he observed as we entered the room.
"Perhaps we shall have other guests, and I only hope they may be such as
we desire to see. Sometimes the Spaniards come this way, and I am
compelled, though much against the grain, to be civil to them. However,
before you sit down, you may desire to wash the dust off your hands and
faces; and if you will accompany me, I will show you where you can do
so.--Here, Candela, bring a torch, and towels for the caballeros."

As he spoke, an intelligent-looking black servant led the way into the
courtyard, where we saw a fountain falling into a stone basin, the water
afterwards serving to irrigate the garden. We quickly performed our
ablutions, especially refreshing after the heat of the day, and then
returned with the padre into the supper-room. We were on the point of
sitting down, when the sound of horses' hoofs coming along the path from
the southward reached our ears.

"Grant Heaven that they are friends!" said the padre, looking grave.
"Should they be Royalists, you will guide your conversation accordingly,
Senor Concannan," he observed.--"Here, Candela, go out and welcome the
cavaliers, whoever they may be."

The black, relighting his torch, hurried out; and soon we heard his
voice calling to the other servants to hold the cavaliers' horses, and
in a loud voice welcoming the travellers. One of them spoke a few words
in return, whereupon the padre started up and rushed out to the front of
the house. I followed him, and saw him clasping the hand of a tall
cavalier, who had just dismounted from a powerful horse, which one of
the servants was holding. On another steed of more delicate proportions
sat a lady, who, as the light of the torch fell on her countenance,
appeared to be young and unusually beautiful. A