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82 that our conversation, however agreeable it might be, would scarcely hold out that time. In fact, by nine o'clock, we were all nearly overcome by sleep, and by ten I believe we were already in a refreshing slumber, when we were awakened by the sound of crowds assembling before the door, and of carriages arriving and stopping. Not knowing who the occupants might be, we could not invite them in, which seemed very inhospitable, as the night, though fine, was cold and chilly. About eleven Count and Countess Ca arrived, and the Señora de Ga, a remarkably handsome woman, a Spaniard, looking nearly as young as her daughters—also the pretty daughters of the proprietress of this house, who was a beauty, and is married to her third husband, and a lively little talkative person, the Señora de Ln, all Spanish; and who, some on that account, and others from their husbands having been former friends of Cn's have not waited for the ceremony of receiving cards. Gradually, however, several Mexican ladies, whom we had sent out to invite, came in. Others remained in their carriages, excusing themselves on the plea of their not being en toilette. We had men à discretion, and the rooms were crowded.

About midnight, arrived a troop of Mexican soldiers, carrying torches, and a multitude of musicians, both amateur and professional, chiefly the former, and men carrying music-stands, violins, violoncellos, French horns, &.C., together with an immense crowd, mingled with numbers of léperos, so that the great space in front of the house as far as the aqueduct,