The Girl from Hong-Kong: A Story of Adventure Under Five Suns — page 306: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

300 THE GIRL FROM HONG-KONG. _ Doris is deeply interested in the ladies she sees in their carriages out for a drive—shopping at the mercerias or dry goods Stores is all done in the cool: of the morn- ing—and the rebosa and serape, together with sombrero and slashed velvet jacket, are objects of wonder: when seen by tourists upon Mexican natives. A laugh, a woman’s laugh close by, causes her to start visibly-and look distressed, so that it does not require much of an effort for Terry to judge that the sound emanates ' from his new mother-in-law, erstwhile the Widow Richelieu. ~ Really, the situation is about as strange as anything could be, and Terry is unable to decide. whether the climax will be a ludicrous contretemps, or a dramatic Situation. So long as Doris is satisfied he is ready for whatever fortune may have in store. Cg The madam may believe her game won and make merry” over her victory, but it has been said that the laugh is much louder and stronger for coming in last. Night settles down with little warning. — : It is to be remembered—no one ever forgets the first night.in this city of the Montezumas.. Softly its charms steal upon the senses, the aroma of myriads of flowers, the languid atmosphere, the delightful music of the mili- tary band upon the Alameda, or it may be the sound of a serenader’s guitar or mandolin accompanied by a song breathing deathless love, and which is seldom, if ever, heard in our Northern cities. Seated at a window or upon a balcony, Terry and his beloved heed not the passage of time. With love hover-— ing near, and painting everything with magic fingers, they are in fairy land—sounds and sights form a delight-: ful maze that thrills the senses. Truly the night was made for song and love, and no- where do these facts appear more positive than under the magical influence of some Southern city, where life drones and sleeps at midday, to arouse as the shadows lengthen. The towers and domes of the city are hidden from their view by the darkness, but below the many lights disclose moving crowds, houses with heavy columned portales comliclbooks,. conn