ct his partner.
After a while she would dance up--deformed also--and the two, bringing
their bodies into contact, and performing various disgusting
contortions, would give place to another pair. These would appear
without arms or legs, walking on their knees, or sliding along on their
hips!

One danced with his head under his arm, and another with one leg around
his neck; all eliciting more or less laughter, as the feat was more or
less comical. During the dance every species of deformity was imitated
and caricatured, for this is the tagarota. It was a series of grotesque
and repulsive pictures. Some of the dancers, flinging themselves flat,
would roll across the open space without moving hand or foot. This
always elicited applause, and we could not help remarking its
resemblance to the gymnastics we had lately been practising ourselves.

"Och, be me sowl! we can bate yez at that!" cried Chane, who appeared to
be highly amused at the tagarota, making his comments as the dance went
on.

I was sick of the scene, and watched it no longer. My eyes turned to
the portale, and I looked anxiously through the half-drawn curtains.

"It is strange I have seen nothing of _them_! Could they have turned
off on some other route? No--they must be here. Narcisso's promise for
to-night! He at least is here. And she?--perhaps occupied within--gay,
happy, indifferent--oh!"

The pain shot afresh through my heart.

Suddenly the curtain was drawn aside, and a brilliant picture appeared
within--brilliant, but to me like the glimpse which some condemned
spirit might catch over the walls of Paradise. Officers in bright
uniforms, and amongst these I recognised the elegant person of Dubrosc.
Ladies in rich dresses, and amongst these--. Her sister, too, was
there, and the Dona Joaquiana, and half a dozen other ladies, rustling
in silks and blazing with jewels.

Several of the gentlemen--young officers of the band--wore the
picturesque costume of the guerilleros.

They were forming for the dance.

"Look, Captain!" cried Clayley; "Don Cosme and his people, by the living
earthquake!"

"Hush! do not touch me--do not speak to me!"

I felt as though my heart would stop beating. It rose in my bosom, and
seemed to hang for minutes without moving. My throat felt dry and
husky, and a cold perspiration broke out upon my skin.

He approaches her--he asks her to dance--she consents! No: she refuses.
Brave girl! She has strayed a