‘’If I am not greatly mistaken, you are a native of la belle France.’

’The beautiful stranger turned pale.  ’What possible interest, Senor, can it be to you as to who or what I am?’ This she asked with an earnest look, so piercing and fixed as to astonish me in any woman.

’’No interest, madame, but it would be a pleasure; for my mother’s ancestors were French, and I am, therefore, ever happy to have an opportunity to be of any service to one whom I am permitted to look upon as in some degree a country-woman.’

’’I am not from France, Senor, although my ancestry, like yours, is French.  I am a native of New-Orleans.’

‘’Better still, madame,’ Said I, ’for then I am indeed your fellow-countryman; for I was born in the Sunny South, not far distant from Mobile—­but, madame, I fear you feel ill?’

’’Oh! no—­ill—­it is nothing—­the heat—­and I am fatigued, sir; pray, are we far from the Cathedral Square?’

’’Three minutes more will bring us to it, madame; you can already see the steps of the cathedral.’

‘’Then, sir, I have only to thank you for your kindness,’ she replied, bowing her head most gracefully.

’There was no mistaking her thanks for any thing but a desire to dismiss me, so I once more bowed to her, and she, to dispel every possibility of doubt, quickened her pace, so as to be rid of me as soon as possible.

’Without altering my gait, I pursued the even tenor of my way, when, what was my surprise to see her stop before the door of my domicile.

’As she was in the act of ascending the steps, she turned round, and as I was not many yards behind her, it happened that I was the first person who met her eye.  I noticed she seemed for a few moments to hesitate, and then apparently obeying some sudden impulse, she walked toward me.

‘’Sir,’ said she, with the same earnest, piercing glance, which had before struck me; ’Sir, this conduct is neither polite nor honorable, and if you really are an American, you must know that to play the spy on a lone female is not manly.’

‘’Good heavens! madame,’ said I, as coolly as possible, ’perhaps you will allow me to explain, that my conduct is simply that of a man who is returning home to dine.’

‘’Home! why, is this your residence?’

‘’Exactly so, madame.’

’This explanation evidently annoyed her, but she added coldly: 

’’Excuse, then, sir, the error into which my hastiness has betrayed me.  I regret my ill-judged impetuosity.  May I inquire, sir, if you are acquainted with any of the persons dwelling in this house?’

’’With the exception of Donna Lopez, the landlady, I do not know a single soul.’

‘’Would you inform her, sir, that I wish to speak with her?’

‘’With much pleasure.’

’Opening the door, I immediately proceeded to summon Donna Teresa.

‘’Senora,’ said I, ‘here is a lady who is anxious to see you.’