ce. And
as Fate has willed, the lots of the lovers have been cast to correspond
in proper symmetry and proportion. Crozier is in love with the former--
Cadwallader with the latter.

Their sweethearts are both Spanish, of the purest blood, the boasted
_sangre azul_. They are, respectively, daughter and grand-daughter of
Don Gregorio Montijo, whose house can be seen from the ship: a mansion
of imposing appearance, in the Mexican _hacienda_ style, set upon the
summit of a hill, at some distance inshore, and southward from the town.

While conversing, the young officers have their eyes upon it--one of the
two assisting his vision with a telescope. It is Cadwallader who uses
the instrument.

Holding it to his eye, he says:

"I think I can see them, Ned. At all events, there are two heads on the
house-top, just showing over the parapet. I'll take odds it's them, the
dear girls. I wonder if they see us."

"I should say, not likely; unless, as yourself, they're provided with a
telescope."

"By Jove! I believe they've got one. I see something glance. My Inez
has it to her eye, I'll warrant."

"More likely it's my Carmen. Give me that glass. For all those blue
eyes you're so proud of, I can sight a sail farther than you."

"A sail, yes; but not a pretty face, Ned. No, no; you're blind to
beauty; else you'd never have taken on to the old aunt, leaving the
niece to me. Ha, ha, ha!"

"Old, indeed! She's as young as yours, if not younger. One tress of
her bright amber hair is worth a whole head of your sweetheart's black
tangle. Look at that!"

He draws out such a tress, and unfolding, shakes it tauntingly before
the other's eyes. In the sun it gleams golden, with a radiance of red;
for it is amber colour, as he has styled it.

"Look at this!" cries Cadwallader, also exhibiting a lock of hair. "You
thought nobody but yourself could show love-locks. This to yours, is as
costly silk alongside cheap cotton."

For an instant each stands caressing his particular favours; then both
burst into laughter, as they return them to their places of deposit.

Crozier, in turn taking the telescope, directs it on the house of Don
Gregorio; after a time saying:

"About one thing you're right, Will: those heads are the same from which
we've had our tresses. Ay, and they're looking this way, through
glasses; perhaps, expecting us soon. Well; we'll be with them, please
God, before many hours; or it may be minutes.