holy man,
on seeing that he was awake. "I hope that the pure atmosphere of this,
our mountain home--so different from that you've been so lately
breathing--will have proved conducive to your slumbers."

"Indeed, yes," rejoined he inquired after, conscious of having slept
well. "I've had a good night's rest--the best allowed me for a long
time. But where--"

While speaking, he had dropped his feet to the floor, and raised himself
erect on the side of the bed, thus bringing him face to face with the
friar. What caused him to leave the interrogatory unfinished was a
recognition. The countenance he saw was a familiar one, as might be
expected after having been so close to his own--within a few feet of
it--for days past. No disguise of dress, nor changed tonsure, could
hinder identification of the man who had partaken of his chain in the
Acordada; for he it was.

"Oh! 'tis you, Don Ruperto!" exclaimed Kearney, suddenly changing tone.

"The same, my son," rejoined the other, with an air of mock gravity.

At which the young Irishman broke out into a loud guffaw, saying:--

"Well, you're the last man I should ever have supposed to be a monk!"

He recalled some strong denunciations of the Holy Brethren he had heard
pass the lips of his late fellow-prisoner.

"Ah! Senor Don Florencio, in this our world of Mexico we are called
upon to play many parts, and make out home in many places. Yesterday,
you knew me as a prisoner, like yourself in a loathsome gaol; to-day,
you see me in a monastery. And no common monk, but an Abbot, for know,
_amijo mio_, that I am the head of this establishment. But come! As
your host I am not now playing the part I should. You must be half
famished; besides, your toilet needs attending to. For the first,
breakfast will be ready by the time you have looked to the last. Here,
Gregorio!" this was a call to the mayor-domo outside, who instantly
after appeared at the door. "Conduct this gentleman to the lavatory,
and assist him in making his ablutions." Then again to Kearney: "If I
mistake not, you will find a clean shirt there, with some other changes
of raiment. And may I ask you to be expeditious? It has got to be
rather a late hour for breakfast, and the Holy Brethren will be getting
a little impatient for it. But, no doubt, your appetite will prompt
you. _Hasta Luega_!"

With which salutation--the Mexican custom at parting for only a short
while--he passed out of the room,