Not so, however, Monsoon, he ate heartily, approved of everything, and pronounced my wine to be exquisite.

He gave us a perfect discourse on sherry and Spanish wines in general, told us the secret of the Amontillado flavor, and explained that process of browning by boiling down wine which some are so fond of in England.

At last, seeing perhaps that the protection had little charm for us, with his accustomed tact, he diverged into anecdote.

"I was once fortunate enough," said he, "to fall upon some of that choice sherry from the St.Lucas Luentas which is always reserved for royalty.

It was a pale wine, delicious in the drinking, and leaving no more flavor in the mouth than a faint dryness that seemed to say, another glass.