It was during the ceremonial of our entry into the place, already described. As the van of our columns debouched into the Piazza Grande a halt had been ordered, necessarily extending to the regiments in the rear. The spot where my own troop had need to pull up was overlooked by a large two-story house, of somewhat imposing appearance, with frescoed front, _balcons_, and _portales_. Of course there were windows; and it was not likely that so situated I should feel shy about looking at, or even _into_ them. There are times and circumstances when a man may be permitted to dispense with the strictest observance of etiquette; and, though it may be quite unchivalric, the conqueror claims, on the occasion of making entry into a conquered city, the right to peep into the windows. No better than the rest of my fellows, I availed myself of the saucy privilege, by glancing toward the windows of the house, before which we had halted. In those below there was nobody or nothing--only the red iron bars and the black emptiness behind them. On turning my eyes upwards, I saw something very different--something that rivetted my gaze, in spite of every effort to avert it. There was a window with balcony in front, and green Venetians inside. Half standing on the sill, and holding the _jalousies_ back, was a woman--I had almost said an _angel_! Certainly was she the fairest thing I had ever seen, or in fancy conceived; and my reflection at the time was--I well remember making it--if there be _two_ of her sort in Puebla, the place is appropriately named--_La Puebla de los Angeles_! She was not of the fair-haired kind, so fashionable in late days; but dark, with deep dreamy eyes; a mass of black hair, surmounted by a large tortoise-shell comb; eyebrows so pretty as to appear painted; with a corresponding tracery upon the upper lip--the _bigotite_ that tells of Andalusian stock, and descent from the children of the Cid. While gazing upon her--no doubt rudely enough--I saw that she returned the glance. At first I thought _kindly_; but then with a serious air, as if resenting my rudeness. I would have given anything I possessed to appease her--the horse I was riding, or aught else. I would have given much for a flower to fling at her feet--knowing the effect of such little flatteries on the Mexican "muchacha;" but, unfortunately, there was no flower near. In default of one, I bethought me of a substitute--my sword-knot! The gold tassel was instantly detached from the guard, and fell into the balcony at her feet. I did not see her take it up. The bugle at that moment sounded the advance; and I was forced to ride forward at the head of my troop. On glancing back, as we turned out of the street, I saw that she was still outside; and fancied there was something glittering between her fingers in addition to the jewelled rings that encircled them. I noted the name of the street. It was the Calle del Obispo.