Almost instantly she became very drowsy, and, closing her eyes, she fell asleep in her chair. In a short time her heavy breathing told how surely the charm had taken effect.
“Now for the ball!” said Rosebud. So the young girls dressed themselves quickly, but with great care—looping their sleeves with rare flowers from the garden, and tying their ribbons very tastefully.
“I think we shall do,” said Rosebud, looking at the beautiful girl reflected from her mirror, then at the softer beauty of her sister.
Snowdrop answered by a kiss, and they went out softly, and down the garden path to the gate, where the faithful Miguel waited for them.
An hour’s ride brought them to the brilliantly lighted mansion of the consul, and all the young señors were delighted at the arrival of the fair sisters.
No one was so much courted and admired, among all the fair señoritas at the ball that night, as Snowdrop and Rosebud; and none of the gay hidalgoes were more happy than old Miguel, who was peeping from behind the hall door, enjoying the triumph of his darlings. At last he became uneasy, and, approaching them with a respectful bow, told them it was time to go home.
Taking special leave of their host and hostess, bowing gracefully to the guests, they started for home—leaving all, admirers, and many lovers behind them.
When they entered their chamber, they found the duenna still sleeping soundly. They undressed themselves noiselessly, putting away all their clothes but their slippers, which they forgot.
In the morning, when the sun arose, the duenna awoke, and was much surprised to find herself sitting in a chair, instead of being in bed.
She had but a confused recollection of things, and began to think she must have taken a little more wine than she intended at dinner the day before. She thought she remembered Rosebud giving her a glass of water when she was very thirsty, but she was not sure that it might not have been wine.