Isabel, cuddling in a large chair, watched Antonia, as she went softly about putting on the table such delicacies as she could find at that hour.

Tamales and cold duck, sweet cake and the guava jelly that was Isabel's favorite dainty.

There was a little comfort in the sight of these things; and also, in the bright silver teapot standing so cheerfully on the hearth, and diffusing through the room a warm perfume, at once soothing and exhilarating.
"I really think I shall like that American tea to-night, Antonia, but you must half fill my cup with those little blocks of sugar--quite half fill it, Antonia; and have you found cream, my dear one?
Then a great deal of cream." Antonia stood still a moment and looked at the drowsy little beauty.

Her eyes were closed, and her head nestled comfortably in a corner of the padded chair.

Then a hand upon the door-handle arrested her attention, and Antonia turned her eyes from Isabel and watched it.