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272 in making it secure, he discovered that it was placed a little on one side, and he had to take it off again. Time sped quickly on while the little official was at work; but so intensely was he absorbed in the affair that he did not perceive it: there he stood polishing and scraping at the nose, dressed only in his white under linen and pantaloons; and still the time passed on. At length he thought the reparation appeared satisfactory, and was just wiping away the last indications of the plaster with a napkin, when he was startled by the sound of several voices close behind him in the apartment.

To his astonishment and dismay, he saw that he was overlooked by the President himself, and a select body of guards and officials—all dressed in their richest state uniforms, and standing at but a short distance behind. All eyes were turned upon him; and as Santa Anna made some remark in a low tone to an attendant at his right hand, poor Nicolo observed a perceptible dark shade upon his countenance. He gazed first at the splendid uniforms of the President and his staff, and the elaborate attire of the other officials; then down upon his own prominent pantaloons and