THE FAREWELL OF THE NUN. 223 



muskets at the door, forced their way through the 

 crowd, and presenting themselves, though respectfully, 

 for an embrace, retired. By her side was a black nun, 

 with a veil so thick that not a lineament of her face 

 could be seen, whom my countrywoman had known du- 

 ring her seclusion in the convent, and described as 

 young, of exceeding beauty and loveliness, and around 

 whom she threw a charm which almost awakened a 

 spirit of romance. I would have made some sacrifice 

 for one glimpse of her face. At length our turn came ; 

 my fair companion embraced her, and, after many fare- 

 well words, recommended me as her countryman. I 

 never had much practice in embracing nuns ; in fact, it 

 was the first time I ever attempted such a thing ; but 

 it came as natural as if I had been brought up to it. 

 My right arm encircled her neck, her right arm mine ; 

 I rested my head upon her shoulder, and she hers upon 

 mine ; but a friend's grandmother never received a 

 more respectful embrace. "Stolen joys are always 

 dearest there were too many looking on. The gra- 

 ting closed, and the face of the nun will never be seen 

 again. 



That afternoon Carrera returned to the city. I was 

 extremely desirous to know him, and made an arrange- 

 ment with Mr. Pavon to call upon him the next day. 

 At ten o'clock the next morning Mr. Pavon called for 

 me. I was advised that this formidable chief was taken 

 by external show, and put on the diplomatic coat, with 

 a great profusion of buttons, which had produced such 

 an effect at Copan, and which, by-the-way, owing to 

 the abominable state of the country, I never had an 

 opportunity of wearing afterward, and the cost of which 

 was a dead loss. 



Carrera was living in a small house in a retired street. 



