Mr Laffan and I hurriedly dressed and
accompanied him. Though ostensibly a ball, the real object was to bring
persons of Liberal principles together, of both sexes. As many of the
upper classes took a warm interest in the cause of freedom, nearly all
the ladies of the influential families were there, with their husbands
and fathers. I was surprised, also, to see several parish priests, who
were as warm in the cause as any other person. Indeed, one of these
padres had donned a semi-military costume, and announced his intention
of aiding his countrymen with his sword. Those who knew him best said
that he could fight as well as he could preach.

I soon met Dona Dolores and her father. She smiled, and beckoned me to
her.

"I was glad to see you just now with Don Juan, and I hope that you will
obtain your father's leave to join his corps," she said.

I replied that I would gladly do so, but that at present my father
wished me to remain with him at Popayan.

While we were speaking Don Juan joined us, when Dona Dolores
complimented him on his zeal and activity in so soon getting together a
body of men.

"We have got the men, the arms, and the horses, but we all require what
cannot so readily be obtained--the necessary discipline," he answered.
"I myself require to learn the duties of an officer, for, except that I
can use a sword and lance, I know little of military affairs."

"You will soon learn, Juan," said Dona Dolores in encouraging tones;
"you must obtain an expert instructor, and your own natural talents will
point out to you how to act on most occasions."

Just then a military officer approached and bowed to Dona Dolores. I
saw an expression of scorn pass over her countenance, unobserved by
Juan, who, saluting the officer, addressed him as Captain Lopez.

"The very man I want," observed my friend. "I have just raised a body
of men, who require to be disciplined. You have had experience; you
must join me, if you do not already belong to a regiment."

I did not hear the answer given by Captain Lopez, but Dona Dolores,
turning to me, said, "He is not to be trusted; a mean-spirited fellow,
though a great boaster. You must tell Juan not to accept his services."

This Captain Lopez was, I afterwards found, a rejected suitor for the
hand of Dona Dolores. With her clear perception, she had discovered
that he did not possess the qualities she could admire.

Juan and Captain Lopez had gone to some distanc