172 Ten Years of my Life. 



were only his pupil, and he himself the principal personage in 

 all Mexico. To me, howeveif, he was very condescending, and 

 his sinister swarthy face was all friendly wrinkles. He had cut 

 off his beard, which generally concealed the scar from a shot in 

 his face, and he did not look the better for it. 



He spoke however, of the Prince in the highest terms, said 

 that he was one of the bravest officers in Queretaro, and that 

 he had very recently distinguished himself by taking six guns 

 from the Liberals at the head of a handful of men. For his 

 brave behaviour on this occasion /le had decorated him, and /u 

 had appointed him General, the very day before he left. 



We went also to visit General Vidaurri, who came with 

 Marquez. He confirmed what Marquez had told us about the 

 state of affairs in the besieged city, that all was going on ex- 

 tremely well there, and that my husband had greatly distin- 

 guished himself. The worthy old General spoke of him with 

 great vv^armth, and said that he loved him like his own son. 



The good news which Marquez brought to Mexico about the 

 state of affairs in Queretaro gladdened all our hearts, and festi- 

 vals, balls, fire-works, &c., followed each other in rapid succes- 

 sion in Mexico during the next two days ; whilst at the same 

 time preparations were being made to march against Porfiric 

 Diaz, who was advancing on Peubla. To attack him, and 

 annihilate his army, were, said Marquez, the instjuctions of the 

 Emperor. 



Everything was at last ready, and Marquez marched from 

 Mexico with all the foreign troops, leaving only a very small 

 garrison of Mexicans in that city, which were not even suffi- 

 cient to prevent the Liberal guerillas from coming with^ the 

 garitas (gates), and fighting was going on all the time around 

 Tacubaya. 



After Marquez and the army had left us three days, reports 

 of a great victory reached Mexico. Porfirio Diaz was beaten, 

 and his whole army dispersed. That report, however, did not 

 last long. On the fourth day after his absence, Marquez, 

 accompanied only by twelve horsemen, returned a fugitive, 

 twelve hours in advance of his whole army, which had been 

 totally defeated at San Lorenzo on the 8th of April, and lost all 

 its guns. 



Had Porfirio Diaz been able to follow up his victory fist 

 cnoucjh to reach Mexico within two days after the return of our 



