350 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



his small black eyes, which glittered through its 

 shadow like those of a snake, never fixing themselves 

 on an object, but casting restless and suspicious 

 glances, as though apprehensive of danger or treach- 

 ery. Gliding into the room, and closing the door 

 noiselessly behind him, he approached the table, and 

 placed upon it a tolerably large casket, which he pro- 

 duced from under his cloak ; then retreating a step or 

 two, he removed his hat, and stood in an attitude of 

 silent respect, his eyes still gleaming, however, with 

 their habitual expression of mistrust and cunning. 



Without uttering a word, the lady seized the cas- 

 ket, and impatiently forced open its delicate silver 

 lock. A cry of joyful surprise burst from her lips on 

 beholding the rich contents of the jewel-case. Dia- 

 mond chains, golden girdles and bracelets, combs and 

 hair ornaments studded with orient pearls, passed 

 in rapid succession through the white and eager 

 fingers of the gratified dame, who seemed to lack 

 words to express her pleasure and astonishment at 

 the sight of such costly gems. At last she turned 

 to the bearer. 



" Of a truth, Jurissa," cried she, " you are unusually 

 liberal this time, and you must have great need of the 

 good offices of myself and Father Cipriano, to be will- 

 ing to purchase our influence with the Archduke at so 

 high a price." 



" Our last expedition was a successful one, noble 

 lady," replied the Uzcoque. "The tender-hearted 



