e of censers, the red robes of acolytes, mingled with
the throng, and the deep chanting of the liturgies was blended with the
laughter of children and the merry sounds of light-hearted joy. "I have
come in the very nick of time," thought I, "to complete this scene of
festivity;" and finding that my carriage could only advance slowly along
the crowded avenue, I descended, and proceeded on foot, merely attended
by two lacqueys to make way for me in front.

A lively controversy ran among the spectators at each side of me, of
which I was evidently the subject, some averring that I was there as a
portion of the pageant, an integral feature in the procession; others,
with equal discrimination, insisting that my presence was a polite
attention on the part of Our Lady de "Los Dolores," who had sent an
illustrious personage to grace the festival as her representative. On
one point all were agreed,--that my appearance amongst them was a favor
which a whole life of devotion to me could not repay; and so rapidly
was this impression propagated that it sped up the long approach through
various groups and knots of people, and actually reached the villa
itself long before my august person arrived at the outer court.

Never was dignity--at least such dignity as mine--intrusted to better
hands than those of my "Cacadores." They swaggered along, pushing back
the crowds on each side as though it were a profanation to press too
closely upon me. They flourished their great gold-headed canes as if
they would smash the skulls of those whose eager curiosity outstepped
the reverence due to me; and when at length we reached the gates of the
court-yard, they announced my name with a grandeur and pomp of utterance
that, I own it frankly, actually appalled myself! I had not, however,
much time given me for such weaknesses, as, directly in front of the
villa, at a table spread beneath an awning of blue silk, at a goodly
company, whose splendor of dress and profusion of jewellery bespoke them
the great guests of the occasion. The host--it was easy to detect him
by the elevated seat he occupied--rose as I came forward, and, with a
humility I never can praise too highly, assured me that if any choice
were permitted him in the matter, he would prefer dying on the spot, now
that his worldly honors could never exceed the triumph of that day;
that all the happiness of the festivity was as gloom and darkness to his
soul, compared to the brilliancy my presenc