CHAPTER XIX

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LERIDA.

Picturesque country--Approaching Lerida--Rambling inn--Remarkable duenna--Toothless and voiceless--Smiles upon H. C.--Nearly expires--Civilised chef--A procession--Lerida Dragon--City of the dead--Night study--Charging dead walls--A night encounter--Armed demon--Wise people--Watchman proves an old friend--No promotion--Locked out--Rousing the echoes--Night porter appears on the scene--Also El Sereno--Apologetic and repentant--The charming Rose--Porter congratulates himself--Cloudless morning--H. C. confronted by the Dragon--In the hands of the Philistines--A Lerida fine art--Boot-cleaner in Ordinary--Remarkable character--H. C. hilarious--Steals a march 285

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