“You do not comprehend, friend Pancho,” he said gravely, “but those eyes in their glass are as the Espejo USTORIO, the burning mirror.  They burn, they consume me here like paper.  Let us affix to ourselves thees tree.  She will, without doubt, appear at her window.  We shall salute her for good night.”

“We will do nothing of the kind,” I said sharply.  Finding that I was determined, he permitted me to lead him away.  I was delighted to notice, however, that he had indicated the window which I knew was the minister’s study, and that as the bedrooms were in the rear of the house, this later incident was probably not overseen by the young lady or the servant.  But I did not part from Enriquez until I saw him safely back to the sala, where I left him sipping chocolate, his arm alternating around the waists of his two previous partners in a delightful Arcadian and childlike simplicity, and an apparent utter forgetfulness of Miss Mannersley.

The fandangos were usually held on Saturday night, and the next day, being Sunday, I missed Enriquez; but as he was a devout Catholic I remembered that he was at mass in the morning, and possibly at the bullfight at San Antonio in the afternoon.  But I was somewhat surprised on the Monday morning following, as I was crossing the plaza, to have my arm taken by the Rev. Mr. Mannersley in the nearest approach to familiarity that was consistent with the reserve of this eminent divine.  I looked at him inquiringly.  Although scrupulously correct in attire, his features always had a singular resemblance to the national caricature known as “Uncle Sam,” but with the humorous expression left out.  Softly stroking his goatee with three fingers, he began condescendingly:  “You are, I think, more or less familiar with the characteristics and customs of the Spanish as exhibited by the settlers here.”  A thrill of apprehension went through me.  Had he heard of Enriquez’ proceedings?  Had Miss Mannersley cruelly betrayed him to her uncle?  “I have not given that attention myself to their language and social peculiarities,” he continued, with a large wave of the hand, “being much occupied with a study of their religious beliefs and superstitions”—­it struck me that this was apt to be a common fault of people of the Mannersley type—­“but I have refrained from a personal discussion of them; on the contrary, I have held somewhat broad views on the subject of their remarkable missionary work, and have suggested a scheme of co-operation with them, quite independent of doctrinal teaching, to my brethren of other Protestant Christian sects.  These views I first incorporated in a sermon last Sunday week, which I am told has created considerable attention.”  He stopped and coughed slightly.  “I have not yet heard from any of the Roman clergy, but I am led to believe that my remarks were not ungrateful to Catholics generally.”