"It's a pity we've nothing better to do than to make fools of ourselves," said I savagely, when young Alzura burst in on me excitedly. He was dressed to represent some hideous monster that never was known on sea or land, and in his hand he carried a grotesque mask. "Hullo!" he exclaimed; "some one been rubbing you down the wrong way? Caramba, you are in a towering rage! Pray what has offended your Royal Highness?" "Why, all this tomfoolery! Fancy a masked ball with Canterac in the mountains ready to swoop down on us at any moment!" "The more reason why we should enjoy ourselves while we can. Besides, you are as bad as the rest: you promised to go!" "I have forgotten it, then." "Well, you did; so make haste--the carriage is waiting." "I have no dress ready," said I coldly. "That doesn't matter in the least. Go in your uniform; you look very well in it." "Thanks, I prefer to stay here." "You forget the ball is given in our honour! Colonel Miller won't be too pleased at finding you absent. 'Twill be a slight on our host and hostess." "Very well, if you put it that way, I'll join you in the messroom shortly," said I indifferently. "That's right. Slip your things on sharp; the animals will get restive." Alzura was in high spirits. He loved fun of all kinds, and this ball was just to his taste. Plaza and Cordova shared our carriage, and both of them rallied me on my glum looks. "Crawford's a bloodthirsty fellow," cried Alzura banteringly--"never happy unless he's fighting!" "That's a libel!" said I warmly; "I'm sick of the whole thing. When this war's over, I hope never to hear a shot fired again." "Be easy," laughed Cordova; "you'll be an old man by then, and too deaf to hear even the report of a pistol." "There may be more truth in that than you think," I observed, bitterly. "Never mind, my boy," said Plaza; "you won't hear any shots fired to-night. There's no great harm in enjoying ourselves for an hour or two. Here we are! What a crowd outside!--Put on your mask, Alzura; the people will like the fun." There was a roar of laughter from the spectators as Alzura, appeared, and we went into the hall amidst a round of cheering. Most of the guests wore some fanciful costume, but several officers, Miller and O'Brien among them, were in uniform. The magnificent _salons_ were illuminated by thousands of lights; the guests were numerous, and represented most of the beauty and wealth of Lima. My father and mother had not come, neither did I see Montilla. Rosa, of course, would have scorned to attend a ball given to the Patriots. Despite the lights and the music and the striking gaiety of the scene, I could not banish my feeling of dread. I felt, as people say, that "something was going to happen," and moved listlessly among the brilliant assembly, wondering what it would be. "You look bored, Crawford," remarked O'Brien, coming across to me. "Is anything the matter?" "No, thanks; I'm a bit off colour--that's all."