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86 by the affair; and unless something came of it soon, they appeared likely to set aside their avocations entirely in consequence.

Now this, of all others, was the time for the new-comers to ingratiate themselves with their curious fellow-townsmen. Had they been prudent people, they would have hastened to satisfy the general curiosity; and enabled each gossip to tell his or her fellow-gossip the whole truth, ''and more. Not'' being prudent people, however, they let the opportunity pass by; and very soon the current of public opinion set against them. The little tailor and tortilla-baker, as well as several other estimable tradesmen and house-dwellers, waited upon the family on numerous occasions, and were most considerate in making due inquiries; but the Bogotas—resolving to abide by their determination of living retired—evaded such kind advances, and steadily resisted all neighbourly investigations. To this obstinacy, then, was attributable all the misfortunes which afterwards saddened the existence of this fated family.

For a while, they lived on in quiet unconcern respecting their future fate; the gossips only waiting for some slight pretext to originate all