nds and thousands who looked upon her with smiles of wonder and
adoration.

"Just as this particular Madonna came slowly in sight, a glorious sunset
poured its last beams upon us, filling the square with an atmosphere of
sifted gold. In the midst of this refulgence, and just as our Lady of
Montes Serat was approaching the royal balcony, a strange scene
surprised us.

"The worshipers of a rival Madonna, composed of priests in sweeping
robes that trailed along the street some ten or fifteen feet, and tall
caps, like extinguishers, on the head--crowded so close upon our Lady of
Montes Serat, that the whole procession was thrown into confusion. One
priest trod on the trailing garments of another, forcing him back
against his brethren. Bitter rivalry between the followers of both
Madonnas was at work. The two images were crowded together and hustled
before the balcony in which the Infanta sat, surrounded by her royal
guests; but the priests still in confusion broke line and fell upon each
other, dealing blows that might have come from prize-fighters. The guard
took alarm, swords flashed from their scabbards. A wild cry arose from
the crowd. The tornado of a great panic swept over it, and while we
looked on terrified, a cloud of dust, a few troopers riding madly about
with drawn swords, and the rival Madonnas, standing stiff and stately
before the Infanta's balcony, were all that remained of the crowd, or
the pageant.

"The square was empty, but every street leading to it was closed up with
frightened people. The Infanta arose, knelt first to one virgin, then
to the other, with impartial homage, and one of her officers gave some
order from a window of the house. Instantly every lamp in the square
blazed into brilliant light, and the people came crowding back rapidly
as they had left. The priests fell into line, and the Infanta, sweeping
down those balcony steps with her four train bearers, placed herself in
front of our Lady of Montes Serat, and led the procession forward in her
own person.

"When the panic was at its height, and the rush of people underneath our
balcony was like a stampede of wild animals, I felt myself growing
faint, and looked around for something to rest against. That instant an
arm supported me and a voice whispered, 'Do not be frightened, you are
safe.'

"I started from his arms lest he should feel the quick beating of my
heart, and replied quickly that I was not afraid.

"He left me then, and I