ney,
who could alone understand him, "permit me to offer you a cigar--your
comrade also--with my apologies for having forgotten that you smoked.
Here are both Havannahs and Manillas, several brands of each. So choose
for yourself."

The mayor-domo, who attended him, carrying a huge mahogany case, had
already placed it upon one of the rustic benches, and laid open the lid.

"Thanks, holy father," responded Kearney, with a peculiar smile. "If
you have no objection, I'll stick to the Imperadoes. After smoking one
of them a man need have no difficulty as to choice."

At which he took an "Emperor" out of the case.

"I'm glad you like them," observed the generous donor, helping him to a
light. "They ought to be of good quality, considering what they cost,
and where they come from. But, Don Florencio, don't let the question of
expense hinder you smoking as many as you please. My outlay on them was
_nil_--they were a contribution to the monastery, though not exactly a
charitable one."

He said this with a sort of inward laugh, as though some strange history
attached to the Imperadoes.

"A forced contribution, then," thought the Irishman, the remark having
made a strange, and by no means pleasant impression upon him.

The Texan had not yet touched the cigars, and when with a gesture the
invitation was extended to him, he hung back, muttering to Kearney--

"Tell him, Cap, I'd purfar a pipe ef he ked accomerdate me wi' thet 'ere
article."

"What says the Senor Cristoforo?" asked the Abbot.

"He'd prefer smoking a pipe, if you don't object, and there be such a
thing convenient."

"Oh! _un pipa_. I shall see. Gregorio!"

He called after the mayor-domo, who was returning toward the house.

"Never mind, reverend Father," protested Kearney; "content yourself with
a cigar, Cris, and don't give trouble."

"I'm sorry I spoke o' it," said the Texan. "I oughter be only too gled
to git a seegar, an' it may be he wudn't mind my chawin', stead o'
smokin' it! My stammuck feels starved for a bit o' bacca. What
wouldn't I gie jest now for a plug o' Jeemes's River!"

"There, take one of the cigars and eat it if you like; I'm sure he'll
have no objection."

Availing himself of the leave thus vicariously accorded the Texan picked
out one of the largest in the collection, and, biting off about a third,
commenced crunching it between his teeth, as though it was a piece of
sugar-stick. This to the no small amusement of t