"I shall love thee forever."
"Nay, but wilt thou tell me so, with every day, every week, every hour, every moment, with kisses like to these?"
"Oh, tempt me not!" he whispered; but he returned again and again her caresses.
"Ah, my Alvarado, if you have once fallen, what then? Is not one kiss as bad as a thousand?"
"Be it so; we will be happy until that time."
"One month, one month of heaven, my love, after that let come what may," she answered, her cheeks and eyes aflame, her heart throbbing with exquisite pain in her breast. They would enjoy the day, the future could take care of itself.
"Some one approaches!" he said at last, and at the same moment the rest of the party came around the bend of the road. The poor duenna was consumed with anxiety and remorse.
"Bernardo," said Alvarado to the sergeant, "we will take our siesta here. Unsaddle the horses and prepare the noon-day meal under the trees. Send one of the troopers ahead to bid Fadrique stop on the road until we rejoin him, keeping good guard. Señora Agapida, you must be tired from the long ride. Let me assist you to dismount."
"The Señorita Mercedes!" she asked, as he lifted her to the ground. "Where is her horse?"
"He slipped and fell," answered the girl promptly.