“And Jack?”
“Jack also went to San Felipe. He is to bring back the first despatches. Jack is the darling of the camp. Ah, what a happy soul he has! One would think that it had just come from heaven, or was just going there.”
“Did you see Senorita Antonia to-night?”
“Si! She is a blessing to the eyesight. So brave a young girl, so sweet, so wise; she is a miracle! If I loved not Isabel with my whole soul, I would kneel at Antonia’s feet.”
“That is where I also would kneel.”
“Hark! how the wind roars, and how the rain thrashes the house! But our men have the shelter of one of the Panchos. You should have heard the padre threaten them with the anger of heaven and hell and General Cos. Good-bye, Lopez. I have stayed my last moment now.”
“Your horse has been well fed. Listen, he is neighing for you; to Doctor Worth give my honorable regards. Is Senor Parades with you? and Perez Mexia? Say to them I keep the vow I made in their behalf. Farewell, Luis!” and Luis, who had been mounting as his friend talked, stooped from his saddle and kissed him.
It was just dawn when he reached camp, and he found Doctor Worth waiting his arrival. Fortunately there was nothing but good news for the doctor. Luis had seen everything through the medium of his own happiness, and he described the midnight meal and the Senora’s amiability with the utmost freedom from anything unpleasant. Rachela’s interference he treated with scornful indifference; and yet it affected Worth’s mind unpleasantly. For it went straight to the source of offence. “She must have had Fray Ignatius behind her. And my poor Maria, she will be as dough for them to knead as they desire to!”
And, in fact, as he was thus thinking, the Senora was lying awake in her bed, anticipating her confessor’s next visit. She was almost glad the norther was still blowing. It would give her another day’s respite; and “so many things happen as the clock goes round,” she reflected. Perhaps even her Roberto might arrive; it would not be more wonderful than the visit of Luis Alveda.
But very early in the day she saw the father hurrying up the oleander avenue. The wind tossed his gown, and blew his hat backward and sideways, and compelled him to make undignified haste. And such little things affect the mental poise and mood! The Senora smiled at the funny figure he made; and with the smile came a feeling of resistance to his tyranny, and a stubborn determination to defend her own conduct.