CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
A LITTLE FAIR WEATHER AGAIN.
On re-entering the _sala_ the picture of woe was again presented, but in an altered aspect.

A change, sudden as the atmospheric one we had just witnessed, had taken place; and the scene of wild weeping was now succeeded by one of resignation and prayer.
On one side was Dona Joaquina, holding in her hands a golden rosary with its crucifix.

The girls were kneeling in front of a picture--a portrait of Dolores with the fatal dagger; and the "Lady of Grief" looked not more sorrowful from the canvas than the beautiful devotees that bent before her.
With their heads slightly leaning, their arms crossed upon their swelling bosoms, and their long loose hair trailing upon the carpet, they formed a picture at once painful and prepossessing.
Not wishing to intrude upon this sacred sorrow, we made a motion to retire.
"No, Senores," said Don Cosme, interrupting us.

"Be seated; let us talk calmly--let us know the worst." We then proceeded to inform Don Cosme of the landing of the American troops and the manner in which our lines were drawn around the city, and pointed out to him the impossibility of anyone passing either in or out.
"There is still a hope, Don Cosme," said I, "and that, perhaps, rests with yourself." The thought had struck me that a Spaniard of Don Cosme's evident rank and wealth might be enabled to procure access to the city by means of his consul, and through the Spanish ship of war that I recollected was lying off San Juan.
"Oh! name it, Captain; name it!" cried he, while at the word "hope" the ladies had rushed forward, and stood clinging around me.
"There is a Spanish ship of war lying under the walls of Vera Cruz." "We know it--we know it!" replied Don Cosme eagerly.
"Ah! you know it, then ?" "Oh, yes!" said Guadalupe.

"Don Santiago is on board of her." "Don Santiago ?" inquired I; "who is he ?" "He is a relation of ours, Captain," said Don Cosme; "an officer in the Spanish navy." This information pained me, although I scarcely knew why.
"You have a friend, then, aboard the Spanish ship," said I to the elder of the sisters.