“I have just seen young Dewees, Maria. He and Jack left San Felipe together. Dewees brought instructions to General Burleson; and Jack carried others to Fannin, at Goliad.”
She took her husband’s hands and kissed them. “That indeed! Oh, Roberto! If I could only see my Jack once more! I have had a constant accusation to bear about him. Till I kiss my boy again, the world will be all dark before my face. If Our Lady will grant me this miraculous favor, I will always afterwards be exceedingly religious. I will give all my desires to the other world.”
“Dearest Maria, God did not put us in this world to be always desiring another. There is no need, mi queridita, to give up this life as a bad affair. We shall be very happy again, soon.
“As you say. If I could only see Jack! For that, I would promise God Almighty and you Roberto to be happy. I would forgive the rebels and the heretics—for they are well acquainted with hell road, and will guide each other there without my wish.”
“I am sure if Jack has one day he will come to you. And when he hears of the surrender of General Cos—”
“Well now, it was God’s will that General Cos should surrender. What more can be said? It is sufficient.”
“Let me call Antonia. She is miserable at your displeasure; and it is not Antonia’s fault.”
“Pardon me, Roberto. I have seen Antonia. She is not agreeable and obedient to Fray Ignatius.”
“She has been very wickedly used by him; and I fear he intends to do her evil.”
“It is not convenient to discuss the subject now. I will see Isabel; she is a good child—my only comfort. Paciencia! there is Luis Alveda singing; Isabel will now be deaf to all else”; and she rose with a sigh and walked towards the casement looking into the garden.