and prayers followed, after which we went down stairs to the theater, where the fun and merrymaking began in earnest, leaving Mary and Joseph alone in the chapel.
Once seated in the theater, two of the gentlemen guests, dressed in the uniforms of gens-d'armes, presented themselves, bearing silver trays—one loaded with brilliant badges in the national colors, and the other with handsome finger rings, ornamented with settings of various stones. These badges and rings were passed to each guest with the most courtly grace by the pompous, sham gens-d'armes, who could ill conceal a smile on their sober faces. My ring was of seed-pearls and sapphires.
A long chit-chat followed, as we adorned ourselves with badges and compared rings. The ladies were seated in a circle, and the men passed around in groups, or singly, and all being acquainted, the liveliest sallies and repartee were heard on every side, and good humor and mirth to overflowing filled every heart.
At length a bell rings, the curtain rises, and an enchanting scene greets our wondering gaze: a vine-embowered stage covered with a wealth of tropical plants and flowers; mossy grottoes, sparkling fountains and mimic cascades, which seem a part of nature's own handiwork; ornaments of precious metals wrought in most elaborate patterns, gorgeously attired characters; all under the blaze of the dazzling lights, form a scene which might have been produced by the Genii of Aladdin's Lamp.
Two gentlemen in costumes of the time of Louis XIV., richly overlaid with gold and silver embroidery, were discovered. One was dressed in blue coat, with white knee-breeches, while the colors of the other were pink and cream color. Both wore flowing, curled wigs. They stood on opposite sides of a richly carved table, on which was a glittering display of magnificently wrought silver, comprising not only the plate of the Palacio family, but also the service presented by the Emperor of Austria. Two servants dressed as pages in satin suits, wigged and powdered, stood near the cavaliers, and with profound respect presented salvers loaded with fruits and flowers.
