"Confound his impudence!" muttered Jack, in English.
"What say you, Juan? Oh, it was terrible! He said, if I became not his wife, that he would plunge the country into war. I did not believe that he could do so or would dare to do so. I refused. Then he spoke of my love for you, and swore to kill you."
"He'll have to catch me first, Dolores."
"'There will be war,' said this terrible one, 'and I will tear down the walls of Tlatonac to seize you. This Americano will I slay and give his body to the dogs.'"
"All idle talk, mi cara," said Duval, scornfully; "I can protect myself and you. What more did he say?"
"Little more; but it was the same kind of talk. When he departed, I spoke to my uncle; but Don Hypolito had by that time gone to Acauhtzin."
"Was Don Miguel angry?"
"Very angry! But he could do nothing. Don Hypolito was far away on the waters."
"And will return with fire and blood," said Jack, gloomily; "but never fear, Dolores. My friends and myself will protect you from this insolent one. If we are conquered, we shall fly to my own land in the vessel of Don Felipe!"
"But what of Eulalia?"