se droll beasts of prey, and they clutched at an
oval frame ruthlessly, as though to shatter it and get at a certain bird
within. Poor bird, his shelter looked very fragile, and he about to be
smothered under an enormous diadem as under an extinguisher. He was none
other than the Mexican eagle perched on his own native cactus, and he
desired only peace and quiet while he throttled the snake of ignorance
in his talons, which snake had been his worry ever since the Aztec
hordes from the north had first caged him in. Beneath the Imperial arms
was the motto, "Equidad en la Justicia," but it seemed an idle promise.

In the huge traveling coach, with a greyhound at his feet, sat one lone
man. He had a soft skin, rosy like a baby's, and blue eyes, and what
some called a beautiful golden beard. The huzzas swelled and surged from
all sides, and he smiled on the people. But he gazed beyond them, and
into the blue eyes came the light of exaltation such as is inspired by
music that starts a heartstring in vague trembling.

The Cortege followed in carriages one hundred paces apart. The first
held the First Grand Dignitary, the only Dignitary of Third Category
rank, and hence the only one who could stand near the throne after
Highnesses, Grand Collars, and Ambassadors. He was the Grand Marshal of
the Court and Minister of the Imperial Household. His privileges
consisted of seeing "His Majesty when called for," and of "communicating
with Him in writing." But he could not see Him when not called for. In
reality the Grand Marshal was a quiet old Mexican gentleman who seemed
ill at ease. He was General Almonte, one of those conservatives who had
sought their country's tranquillity in foreign intervention. But
Maximilian had bespangled him into a Dignidad, and thus lost to himself
an able politician's usefulness. The real man of affairs was an obscure
Belgian who openly and insolently despised everything Mexican. He also
sang chansonettes. He was the sour-browed Monsieur Eloin already
mentioned.

Dignidades enough to make up the Lesser Cortege were not lacking. Riding
alone was the Chief of the Military Household, who could return no
salutes when near His Majesty except from First and Second Category
personages. Under the circumstances, recognition of his own father would
have been rank heresy. Then there was the Grand Physician, the Grand
Chaplain, and Honorary Physicians and Chaplains, who could wear Grand
Uniforms and a Cordon and ea