Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/301

Rh exposed under-linen—and almost sank into the earth with confusion. He felt, indeed, that he "had not on the wedding garment!"

The unfortunate Nicolo de Neñares bowed his head with a comical expression of bewildered astonishment—for he had not power to speak—and slunk to the side of the room as soon as possible. He felt himself the object to which all eyes were directed, and the consciousness was so overwhelming that it deprived him of the power of thought; and he remained in his paucity of costume, utterly helpless, and all but swooning with emotion. At length, an attendant at the other end of the room charitably threw his jaceti and sash towards him, which had the effect of rousing him to dress himself with the utmost despatch, and beat a hasty and undignified retreat from the scene.

Unlucky as this circumstance appeared at the time for the poor official, it was yet the means of his advancement in a higher degree than he had ever dreamed of. The attention of Santa Anna was drawn towards him; and after the first singular impression of the scene had worn away, he was disposed to regard the affair in a humorous light. He inquired as to