94 



THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



upon each of the tables, placed under the mirrors ; this gave 

 me an opportunity to survey the arrangement of the furniture 

 already mentioned. A glance showed me that the three sisters 

 were delicate brunettes, with fine black eyes, wearing the hair 

 in two large ringlets or rather rolls on either temple, while 

 that of the back of the head was folded over a very large tor- 

 toise shell comb of beautiful workmanship, en Jiligrane. 

 Many of the combs worn in Chile measure from eighteen 

 inches to two feet around the top ! The shawls were of Canton 

 crape, embroidered with flos silk, (the work of the ladies' own 

 hands), and the dresses of French muslin of gay patterns. The 

 only ornaments in the hair were natural roses and pinks, dis- 

 posed with much taste. The expression of their countenances 

 was grave, intelligent, and rather pleasing. When the lights 

 were brought, the ladies on the sofa slipped their feet to the 

 floor, adjusted their dresses, and Dona Juana, the mother, said, 

 " ^El Senor, habla Castelldno?" — Does the Gentleman speak 

 Spanish ?" My friend replied that I did, and said to me in 

 English, " now I shall leave you to make acquaintance your- 

 self.'' 



I listed es recien llegado, Senor ?" — " You are recently ar- 

 rived, Sir." This question was followed by several others, 

 and the good lady seemed to manifest great interest in all my 

 replies, expressing a hope that I would be pleased with Chile. 



I Que serd la gracia de usted, Caball6ro ?" — What is your 

 (Christened) name. Cavalier?" asked Dona Carmencita, the 

 eldest daughter. ^< Francisco, para servir ^ usted, Senorita," 

 — Francis, at your service. Miss," I replied. 



Are you fond of music, Don Francisco? 



Yes ! very — do you play ?" 

 "A little" — then she requested her youngest sister, Dona 

 Ignacita, to play ^^alguna cosita," some little thing. The 

 young lady obeyed the request, as if it had been a mandate, 

 opened the piano, and played several waltzes, at the end of 

 each of which, Don Samuel said, <<mui bien, Senorita" — 

 "Very well, Miss." 



She was interrupted by a female servant, (a slattern by the 

 way) bringing in a tray of tea and maU, followed by a young 



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