Wherefore, it may be doubted whether at any time the curly-haired young Cuban had that playful affection for his Celtic comrade, which a habit of giving little velvet taps to Galahad's cheek made a show of.
Such was the Cafe des Exiles, such its inmates, such its guests, when certain apparently trivial events began to fall around it as germs of blight fall upon corn, and to bring about that end which cometh to all things.
The little seed of jealousy, dropped into the heart of Manuel Mazaro, we have already taken into account.
Galahad Shaughnessy began to be specially active in organizing a society of Spanish Americans, the design of which, as set forth in its manuscript constitution, was to provide proper funeral honors to such of their membership as might be overtaken by death; and, whenever it was practicable, to send their ashes to their native land.

Next to Galahad in this movement was an elegant old Mexican physician, Dr .-- ,--his name escapes me--whom the Cafe des Exiles sometimes took upon her lap--that is to say door-step--but whose favorite resort was the old Cafe des Refugies in the Rue Royale (Royal Street, as it was beginning to be called).

Manuel Mazaro was made secretary.
It was for some reason thought judicious for the society to hold its meetings in various places, now here, now there; but the most frequent rendezvous was the Cafe des Exiles; it was quiet; those Spanish Creoles, however they may afterward cackle, like to lay their plans noiselessly, like a hen in a barn.

There was a very general confidence in this old institution, a kind of inward assurance that "mother wouldn't tell;" though, after all, what great secrets could there be connected with a mere burial society?
Before the hour of meeting, the Cafe des Exiles always sent away her children and closed her door.

Presently they would commence returning, one by one, as a flock of wild fowl will do, that has been startled up from its accustomed haunt.