Two muffled and shawled domestics, who sat by his side, might have been mourners, but for their voluble and incessant chattering.
"So thou art here, Faquita," said a stout virago.

"It is a wonder thou couldst spare time from prayers for the repose of the American Doctor's soul to look after the health of thy superior, poor Pereo! Is it, then, true that Dona Maria said she would have naught more to do with the drunken brute of her mayordomo ?" The awful fascination of Pereo's upturned face did not prevent Faquita from tossing her head as she replied, pertly, that she was not there to defend her mistress from lazy gossip.

"Nay, but WHAT said she ?" asked the other attendant.
"She said Pereo was to want for nothing; but at present she could not see him." A murmur of indignation and sympathy passed through the company.

It was followed by a long sigh from the insensible man.

"His lips move," said Faquita, still fascinated by curiosity.