t the same moment
several other persons came up; and the tall cavalier having now assisted
the lady to dismount, advanced towards the house--the rest of the party,
throwing themselves from their horses, following.

On entering, the cavalier cast a suspicious glance at my uncle and me.

"Who are these?" he asked of Padre Pacheco in a low voice.

"They are English--friends to the cause; you can trust them," answered
the padre; and he mentioned our names. On this the new-comer advanced
towards my uncle, and taking his hand, shook it warmly; afterwards doing
me the same favour.

"The English are always my friends," he said,--"a noble nation, who love
liberty; and especially are you so, gentlemen, who belong to such an
esteemed family. Would that we had many more like them. But our cause
will triumph; everywhere the tyrant Gothos are yielding to our arms
whenever we can catch them in the open country; and as hornets are
burned out of their nests, we must expel them from the cities in which
they have taken refuge, and then not sheathe the sword till we have cut
them to pieces or driven them before us into the ocean.--Say I not well,
Donna Paola?" he added, turning to the young lady.

A rich colour mounted to her brow, as with kindling eye she
replied,--"Heaven will favour the righteous cause, and aid you, General
Bermudez, and your brave followers, in the glorious undertaking."

She spoke in a firm yet sweet and melodious voice, and I at once saw
that she was an enthusiast in the cause. My uncle regarded her with a
look of surprise and admiration, and bowing, said,--"I have often heard
of you, Donna Paola Salabriata, and rejoice to have the opportunity of
meeting you."

Donna Paola smiled and bowed gracefully; and the padre, who had been
giving directions to his servants, then appearing, requested her to take
possession of the only private room in his house which he could offer;
"Though," he added, "it is unworthy of one to whom is due all the honour
we can pay."

The young lady smiled. "I am accustomed to rough lodging," she
answered, "and will gratefully accept your kindness, Senor Padre."

I judged from the appearance and manners of the other persons who
entered that they were officers on the staff of General Bermudez. Two,
however, appeared to be of rank; and one I soon discovered to be an
Irishman, from the rich brogue in which he addressed me on hearing my
name. He had been long in the service, but had