MYSTERY
The conference lasted for some time longer, but we omit what followed as not being necessary to a clear understanding of our story. At last they separated, Señor Don Inocencio remaining to the last, as usual. Before the canon and Doña Perfecta had had time to exchange a word, an elderly woman, Doña Perfecta’s confidential servant and her right hand, entered the dining-room, and her mistress, seeing that she looked disturbed and anxious, was at once filled with disquietude, suspecting that something wrong was going on in the house.
“I can’t find the señorita anywhere,” said the servant, in answer to her mistress’ questions.
“Good Heavens—Rosario! Where is my daughter?”
“Virgin of Succor protect us!” cried the Penitentiary, taking up his hat and preparing to hurry out with Doña Perfecta.
“Search for her well. But was she not with you in her room?”
“Yes, señora,” answered the old woman, trembling, “but the devil tempted me, and I fell asleep.”
“A curse upon your sleep! What is this? Rosario, Rosario! Librada!”
They went upstairs and came down again, they went up a second time and came down again; carrying a light and looking carefully in all the rooms. At last the voice of the Penitentiary was heard saying joyfully from the stairs:
“Here she is, here she is! She has been found.”