ly characteristic.

* * * * *

It was one of those delightful February afternoons, when the freshness of
the Mexican winter blends with the approaching summer heat which is so
soon to succeed it, when the sun begins to resume its power, and the
heavens appear so pure and deep, and so transparent in the brilliancy of
their golden-tinted azure, that the eye seems to penetrate beyond them
into infinite space. From the _mirador_, or balcony, of the house of St
Simon Stilitta, whence they commanded a view of the cathedral, of several
palaces, and for nearly a mile down the long Tacuba street, three pairs of
dark eyes were flashing bright glances through the gilt trellis-work. It
was a stately and right Catholic-looking mansion, that Casa de San
Simon--which was so called because its front was adorned with the image of
the aforesaid patron. An image of St. Francisco was his companion, and
between the two was the balcony, occupied by three young girls, whose
blooming beauty contrasted strongly with the harsh-featured and
indifferently carved and painted effigies of the two holy men.

Although none of the three damsels were more than half through their
teens, they had not the less attained the full perfection and ripeness of
Mexican womanhood. First, there was the Senorita Dona Celestina, daughter
of the intendant of Valladolid, a little round-faced beauty, with some
tendency to _embonpoint_, lips rather too full, eyes black and brilliant,
although somewhat prominent, a well-turned waist, and a healthy Spanish
complexion--that is to say, bordering on the yellow--of which hue her
teeth, thanks to the filthy cigar, also participated. Dona Ximene,
daughter of Senor Vivar, one of the _oidores_ of the Audiencia, was of
more slender form than her above-named companion, her lips also rather too
thick--a defect modified, however, by the grace with which they
occasionally parted, and disclosed a symmetrical row of teeth. Her eyes,
although not sufficiently deep-set, sparkled like diamonds, and she smoked
her _pajita_ with an elegance that was quite enchanting. Laura, a
round-chinned, plump-cheeked damsel, youngest daughter of the
vice-president of the Hacienda Real, made up the trio. All three had the
smallest possible feet, the most fairy-like hands, the blackest eyes, and
the best Woodville cigars; and all three were suffering from a most
extravagant fit of ennui. It was to get rid of this last, that th