"Blanche! Blanche! Wake up! We've overslept and lost our train. Here's a note the Baron's just sent up. The servant has neglected to call him as well, and he thinks we could not by any exertion catch the train we intended. He has ascertained that a 'special' leaving Guatemala two hours after regular train time will reach San José an hour at least before the steamer can possibly sail. He has engaged this 'special' and will see us safely on board at ten o'clock. He begs I will excuse his absence at breakfast, as he has already been served, and remains with assurances of his profound regard, my obedient servant, Federico Guillermo de Bach! So there's no time to be lost!"
My friend returns to her room to dress; I sit bolt upright in bed staring straight before me at the great shaft of yellow sunlight that lies across the floor. "You and I go not back to San Miguel unless you air my vife." Was it a curious dream or had he said those words?
"Are you hurrying, Blanche?" calls Mrs. Steele. "It won't do to miss our last train unless you've decided you would like to stay in Guatemala."
I fly out of bed and begin to rush into my clothes. Mrs. Steele's voice has a touch of sarcasm in it that reminds me she may still be dissatisfied and suspicious about last night. "She mustn't think there's been any scene," I admonish myself; "she would say it was entirely my fault, and she will lose all confidence in me. No! Mrs. Steele must never know!"
As we enter the breakfast room an officious waiter bows and scrapes, and seats us at a table giving full view of the sunny patio. We have a quiet breakfast, boasting neither special cheer nor appetite, and it is soon finished. We are beginning to wonder how we shall manage to find our train if the Baron does not come for us, when the doorway is darkened and a shadow falls across the table.
Without looking up, I am sure it is he.
"Gude-morning, Madame Steele. Gude-morning, Señorita. I hope you haf slept well?"
"Good-morning," I say, observing how white and heavy-eyed he looks in the sunlight.
"Yes, thank you, we've slept well," says Mrs. Steele, "too well, I'm afraid."