I'ii'* was tlii* widow of the (’mint of
l*uiitos. who, knowing h»-r vivacious
Batiirr. had. before his death, appointed
n guardian for ids two little sons. ’Die
fortun* which Veronica inh<*rit<*d from
tiie count conslstftl of valuable city
property and two magnificent hacien
das in one of the fertile valleys near
the < ity of tlio Kings.
Ah soon as the first months of
mourning had passed, and after having
fuliillod all forms retpiinxl by social
etiquette. Veronica abandoned the
house in i.ima. and. with multitudinous
trunks and boxes, established liersrif
in one of her country homes. Here she
reigned a queen, and could give full
sway to all whims and caprices. That
a slight conception may bi* formed of
her power, it Is sudicient to say that
she had nt call some two thousands
slaves.
Among these then* was a robust and
graceful young mulatto, godson of the
late count.who had always been treated
with especial care ami distinction. At
the ago of thirteen, the count, ids
padrino, had taken Pantaleon ti Lima
to enter upon the study of that quack
ery. pure and simple, which in those
days passed for the science of medi
cine.
When the count considered Ids god
son wise enough to correct even a pres
cription of Hippocrates, he brought
him back to the hacienda. There lie
was employed ns niedieo-apothcary:
quarters wen? assigned him. with the
control of a number of slaves. He
was authorized to clothe himself in a
manner betitting ids profession, and
permittetl to occupy a sent nt the
table when* ate the mnyordomo, the
overseer, and the chaplain.
The mnyordomo wns a Galliciun.
coarse ns a cork tree, aud the ovcrse<*r.
apparently, was cast in the same mold.
