midday
The English breakfast , which had been established , much to his content , by her own exertions , had quite vanished , each of the family had a cup of chocolate in private , and there was no meeting till , late in the morning , Rosita sauntered into her room , embraced her , made inquiries as to her rest , informed her that she was going to the Opera that night , and begged her to accompany her . To appear in public with Rosita was the tribute for which Mary had come out , so she readily agreed ; and thereupon the Senora digressed into the subject of dress , and required of Mary a display of all her robes , and an account of the newest fashions of the English ladies . It was all with such innocent , earnest pleasure , that Mary could not be annoyed , and good-naturedly made all her disappointing display . The midday meal brought her father -- still kind and affectionate , but never dropping the Spanish , nor manifesting any consciousness of her letters . She had hopes of the period allotted to the siesta , to which custom , in old days , she had never acceded , but had always spent the interval on any special occupation -- above all , to writing for him ; but he went off without any notice of her , and she was in no condition to dispense with the repose , for her frame was tired out , though her hopes and fears could not even let her dreams rest . Then came a drive with Rosita , resplendent in French millinery , then supper ; then the Opera , to which her father accompanied them , still without a word . Another day was nearly the same , only that this time she had to do her best to explain the newest fashions in behalf of a dress of Rosita 's , then being made , and in the evening to go to a party at the Consul 's , where she met Mr. Ward , and had some talk which she might have enjoyed but for her suspense .