Page:Life in Mexico vol 2.djvu/412

392 About eight o'clock, accompanied even to the door of the carriage by a number of ladies who were with us to the last, and amongst these were Pa Ca and Lz En, we broke short all these sad partings, and with the As and the family of the French Minister, set off for the theatre of New Mexico! I can imagine your surprise at such a finale, but it was the only means left us of finishing a painful scene and of beguiling the weary hours yet remaining before the diligence started, for it was in vain to think of rest or sleep that night. The theatre was very crowded, the play an amusing piece of Diablerie, called the "Pata de Cabra," (the goat's foot) badly got up, of course, as its effect depends upon scenery and machinery. I believe it was very entertaining, but I cannot say we felt inclined to enter into the spirit of it. The family of General Va were there, and this being the day of a great diplomatic dinner, given by Santa Anna, various officers and diplomates came in late and in full dress. I was informed by one of the company, that six colonels stood the whole time of dinner behind His Excellency's chair! I wonder what French officer would do as much for Louis Philippe. Vogue la galére! From the theatre, which concluded about one, we drove to the house of the Minister, where we spent a very grave half hour, and then returned home with a very splendid brioche, of generous proportions, which Madame La Baronne de  had kindly prepared for our journey.

Arrived at the As, we sat down to supper, and never was there a sadder meal than this, when