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Rh of manufacturing and mixing alcoholic drinks, for in this respect, notwithstanding all their knowledge, we had gained a march on them.

However, I got up, threw the heavy curtains aside, and opened the windows. The bright crimson sunbeams streamed into the room, which had now a more cheerful appearance. I knew that I should feel better after a constitutional, so I went outside.

Yes, it was glorious outside, and everything was still and quiet about the palace. I paused for a moment as to where I should go, but turned, as if influenced by some sudden impulse, in the direction of the romantic stream where I first walked with Alvarez.

I went along in a meditative mood, with my head bent down, till I approached the current, then unconsciously stood perfectly still, wholly oblivious to the surroundings, and should probably never have been aware of this fact, were it not that my thoughts were startled out of their channel by the sound of a musical voice close by. On looking up, I saw the beautiful form of Alvarez, seated on the leaning trunk of a tree near the edge of the water, with an open volume in her lap. My first impulse was to clasp her to my bosom, but she looked at