"My dear uncle, have you forgotten the old adage of 'early to bed, and early to rise?'"
"I am not sure that I ever learned it, Mary;" he dryly replied, seating himself at the table.
"One would suppose you had taken a draught from the 'Elixir of Life;'" said Florence, glancing affectionately at her beaming face.
"I have discovered the fountain of perpetual youth, so vainly sought in South America!"
"Indeed! Is it located in this vicinity?"
"Yes; and if you will rise to-morrow with Aurora, when 'she sprinkles with rosy light the dewy lawn,' I will promise to conduct you to it."
"Thank you; but, Mary, what induced you to ramble so early?"
"I have been nearly two miles for some roots Mrs. Carlton expressed a wish for. See, Florry, how I have dyed my hands pulling them up!"
"Were you alone, Mary?" asked Mr. Hamilton.
"I was, most of the time. As I came back, Dr. Bryant overtook me. He spent the night at San Jose mission, with a sick Mexican, and was returning. But where is Aunt Lizzy?" continued Mary, with an inquiring glance round the room.
"She went to mass this morning," replied her cousin.
"Oh, yes! It is St. ----'s day. I heard the bells at daybreak."
"It is a savage, heathenish custom they have adopted here, of tearing up and down the streets from morning till night. I wish, by Jove! they would ride over their canting Padre! I think he would find some other mode of celebrating the festival!"
"He would lay claim to saintship on the strength of it," replied Mary.
"You had better keep out of the street to-day, girls," rejoined Mr. Hamilton, pushing his cup away, and rising from the table.
At this moment Aunt Lizzy entered; and after the morning salutation, turned toward the door.
"You are later than usual this morning, aunt. Do sit down and eat your breakfast, or it will be so cold you cannot touch it," said Mary.
"No really devout Catholic tastes food on this holy day," she answered, motioning it from her.
"It must be quite a penance to abstain, after your long walk," said Mr. Hamilton with a smile.
"Father Mazzolin said, this morning, that all who kept this holy day would add a bright jewel to their crown, and obtain the eternal intercession of the blessed saint;" and she left the room.