Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 140: what you’re looking at

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

LADY BESS’S HISTORY 123 me thither, were lounging about, most of them smoking; and four or five women, in the picturesque Catalan attire, added to the interest of the scene. These women were young and beautiful; the men were all fine athletic fellows, and the age of none appeared to exceed forty. I immediately became the object of curiosity and attention on the part of these persons, but the curiosity partook not of rudeness, while the attention was courteous and kind. Two of the young women spoke French, and thus I was enabled to understand what they said. I may here at once observe — what I did not discover till later in the day —that the individual who had brought me thither was the chief of this band, and was styled Don Diego Christoval; but what the occupations of the band itself were I did not so speedily ascertain. Don Christoval bade the women bustle about and supply me with refreshments. I was introduced into one of the tents, where bedding was stretched upon the eround, and there the two women who spoke French desired me to repose myself. This invitation I gratefully accepted. Hot coffee, eggs, biscuits, and butter, together with some cold meat, was speedily served up, and I made a copious meal. The women then bade me rest myself as long as I thought fit, promising that I should not be disturbed, for that the encampment would remain in that spot for some days. I thanked them for their kindness, and they left me, closing the canvas of the tent over the entrance. ‘““T slept soundly for several hours. Indeed, it was not till late in the afternoon that I awoke, and then I was com- pletely refreshed. Presently the handsome countenance of one of the women peeped into the tent, and perceiving that I was awake, she pointed to certain arrangements which she had made for my comfort while I had been steeped in slumber. On a rudely constructed table all the necessary materials for ablutions and the toilet were spread; and as these details are not without their interest, I may add that I found a hair-brush, a comb, nail and tooth brushes, all completely new, together with fragrant Barcelonese soap, and perfumed oil for the hair. There was likewise a change of linen, and, in short, every care had been taken to minister to my wants and comforts. All this was cheering enough, and I could not help feeling rejoiced at having fallen into such comfortable quarters. The young woman, whose CORNICE DOOKS (C(O)