r the
story. Another, and a strange feeling, too, influenced me. My imaginary
rank, birth, and station had, from the mere force of repetition, grown
to be a portion of myself. I had played the part with such applause
before the world that I could not find in my heart to retire behind the
scenes and resume the humble dress of my real condition.

By way of distracting my gloomy thoughts, I made little excursions in
the surrounding country, in one of which I contrived to revisit the
"placer," and carry away all the treasure which I had left behind me.
This was much more considerable than I had at first believed, the gems
being of a size and beauty far beyond any I had ever seen before; while
the gold, in actual coined money, amounted to a large sum.

Affecting to have changed my original intention of investing a great
capital in the mines of Mexico, and resolved instead to return to
Europe, I consulted Don Estaban as to the safest hands in which to
deposit my money. He named a certain wealthy firm at the Havannah, and
gave me a letter of introduction to them, requesting for me all the
attention in their power to bestow; and so we parted.

It was with sincere sorrow I shook his hand for the last time; his
cordiality was free-hearted and affectionate; and I carry with me,
to this hour, the memory of his wise counsels and honest precepts, as
treasures, not the least costly, I brought away with me from the New
World.

I arrived safely at the Havannah, travelling in princely state with
two carriages and a great baggage-wagon guarded by four mounted
"carabinieros" who had taken a solemn oath at the shrine of a certain
Saint Magalano to eat any bandits who should molest us,--a feat of
digestion which I was not sorry their devotion was spared.

The bankers to whom Don Estaban's letters introduced me were most
profuse in their offers of attention, and treated me with all the
civilities reserved for the most favored client. I only accepted,
however, one invitation to dinner, to meet the great official
dignitaries of the place, and the use of their box each evening at
the opera, affecting to make delicacy of health the reason of not
frequenting society,--a pretext I had often remarked in use among people
of wealth and distinction, among whose privileges there is that of being
sick without suffering.

There was a French packet-ship to sail for Malaga in about ten days
after my arrival; and as I knew that Don Lopez intended to l