text:  He thought of his childhood spent in the sunny _vegas_ of Andalusia--of the companions of his military studies high-spirited free-hearted lads of whom some had achieved honours and fame but by far the greater part had died on the battle-field--the smoke of the bivouac fire the merry laugh of the _insouciant_ soldier--the din and excitement of the fight--the exultation of victory and the well-won and highly relished pleasures of the garrison town after severe duty in the field;--the graceful form of Gertrudis now flitted across the picture--her jetty hair braided over her pure white forehead the light of her swimming "eye that mocked her coal-black veil " flashing from under the mantilla