After rather more than an hour's ride under the steerage of Pedro, Jack and Adair reached the country residence of Don Antonio, magnificently situated on the broad shoulder of a mountain which rose clothed with gigantic trees behind it, while in front lay the blue gulf dotted over with the tiny sails of canoes--a highly cultivated plain stretched out below--hill sides and forests, plantations and villas appearing on either hand. "Faith, my new cousin is well located. It bates Ballymacree I must confess," said Adair, as they came in front of an extensive bungalow style of building, with a broad verandah running along the front and two sides, with such a garden as the tropics only can present, kept green by a clear stream taught to meander through it, and the source of which could be discerned as in a sparkling cascade it rushed down the mountain side amid the trees. "I am curious to know what sort of person my elder relative will prove, not to speak of the younger females of the family," added Adair. As he spoke a cloud of white drapery was seen moving in the verandah. It soon resolved itself into a tall, dignified old lady, another of matronly appearance, and a bevy of young ones; two or three of them mere girls; perfect Houris they seemed to Adair, and Jack was much of the same opinion. As Adair threw himself from his horse, the old lady advanced from among the rest, holding out both her hands. "My young cousin, I am delighted to greet you. It is long, long since I set eyes on one of my kindred from the old country, and you are welcome--doubly welcome as coming direct from dear Ballymacree, the home of my youth," she exclaimed, with a very perceptible Hibernian accent. Terence made a suitable reply, albeit not much addicted to the utterance of sentimental speeches, and then he was introduced to his younger cousins of the second degree; and Jack, who had modestly hung back, came forward, and went through the same pleasant ceremony. One damsel had kept somewhat behind the rest as if she did not claim to be a relation. "Irish to the core," thought Jack. "Large grey eyes, rich brown hair-- the complexion of the lily tinged with the rose--a figure a sylph might envy." "Let me make you known, Lieutenant Rogers and Cousin Terence to Miss O'Regan," said the old lady, the others having retired a few paces, thus allowing the officers to advance, which they did bowing, with admiration depicted in their countenances, to the young lady. Courtesying, not very formally, she put out her hand, and said with a laugh-- "I must beg to be considered among the cousinhood, or I shall feel like a stranger in your midst." The fair cousins gathered round laughing, and said, "Yes! yes! of course!"