If they failed in making the acquaintance of their fair countrywoman, Miss De Haro, it was through the lady's pre-occupation in her own work, and not through their ostentatious endeavors.
"Miss De Haro is peculiar," explained the politic Mrs.Plodgitt to her guests; "she makes no acquaintances, which I consider bad for her business.

If it had not been for me, she would not have known Royal Thatcher, the great quicksilver miner,--and had his order for a picture of his mine!" The two foreign gentlemen exchanged glances.

One said, "Ah, God! this is bad," and the other, "It is not possible;" and then, when the landlady's back was turned, introduced themselves with a skeleton key into the then vacant bedroom and studio of their fair countrywoman, who was absent sketching.

"Thou observest," said Mr.Pedro, refugee, to Miguel, ex-ecclesiastic, "that this Americano is all-powerful, and that this Victor, drunkard as he is, is right in his suspicions." "Of a verity, yes," replied Miguel, "thou dost remember it was Jovita Castro who, for her Americano lover, betrayed the Sobriente claim.

It is only with us, my Pedro, that the Mexican spirit, the real God and Liberty, yet lives!" They shook hands nobly and with sentimental fervor, and then went to work, i.e., the rummaging over the trunks, drawers, and portmanteaus of the poor little painter, Carmen de Haro, and even ripped up the mattress of her virginal cot.