s the mystery of love! My heart
had already made its choice.

I was suddenly aroused by the voice of Don Cosme, who had risen, and was
inviting myself and comrades to join the ladies in the drawing-room.

I started up so suddenly as almost to overturn one of the tables.

"Why, Captain, what's the matter!" said Clayley. "Don Cosme is about to
introduce us to the ladies. You're not going to back out?"

"Certainly not," stammered I, somewhat ashamed at my _gaucherie_.

"He says they're in the drawing-room," whispered the major, in a voice
that betokened a degree of suspicion; "but where the plague that is,
Heaven only knows! Stand by, my boys!--are your pistols all right?"

"Pshaw, Major! for shame!"

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

A SUBTERRANEAN DRAWING-ROOM.

The mystery of the drawing-room, and the servants, and the dishes, was
soon over. A descending stairway explained the enigma.

"Let me conduct you to my cave, gentlemen," said the Spaniard: "I am
half a subterranean. In the hot weather, and during the northers, we
find it more agreeable to live under the ground. Follow me, Senores."

We descended, with the exception of Oakes, who returned to look after
the men.

At the foot of the staircase we entered a hall brilliantly lighted. The
floor was without a carpet, and exhibited a mosaic of the finest marble.
The walls were painted of a pale blue colour, and embellished by a
series of pictures from the pencil of Murillo. These were framed in a
costly and elegant manner. From the ceiling were suspended chandeliers
of a curious and unique construction, holding in their outstretched
branches wax candles of an ivory whiteness.

Large vases of waxen flowers, covered with crystals, stood around the
hall upon tables of polished marble. Other articles of furniture,
candelabra, girandoles, gilded clocks, filled the outline. Broad
mirrors reflected the different objects; so that, instead of one
apartment, this hall appeared only one of a continuous suite of splendid
drawing-rooms.

And yet, upon closer observation, there seemed to be no door leading
from this hall, which, as Don Cosme informed his guests, was the
_ante-sala_.

Our host approached one of the large mirrors, and slightly touched a
spring. The tinkling of a small bell was heard within; and at the same
instant the mirror glided back, reflecting in its motion a series of
brilliant objects, that for a moment bewildered our eyes with a blazing
ligh