"Forgive the pain I have caused you," continued Estevan. "I wished to save you from yourselves; and I could only do so by bluntly laying his machinations open before you. The question is now, whence this inveterate hatred to Don Pedro? Satan alone can tell. But let us not mind that; his plans are unmasked; we have nothing to fear from him."
"Thanks, Estevan," said Doña Hermosa, holding out her hand.
"But how were you able to return?" cried Stoneheart.
"Easily enough. I had nothing to do but to tell the Tigercat plainly that I did not choose to travel in his company any longer. Our man was thunderstruck at my deliberate desertion; but found no words to oppose me. As for me, I had nothing more to say, so, at the first turn of the road, I left him."
"It was a capital idea, Estevan, and I thank you heartily. But now, what are we to do? I have given my word."
"Nonsense, Fernando! You must be mad. Are we obliged to keep promises which have only been extorted from us to do us harm? If you take my advice, you will leave this place instantly, to thwart any new plots this man may brew."
"True, true!" cried Doña Hermosa. "Estevan, you are right. We will follow your counsel, and go."
"Let us go," said Stoneheart, "since you wish it. As for me, there is nothing I should like better than to leave this accursed cavern. But how are we to get Doña Hermosa through the forest?"
"In the same way I crossed it before," she said firmly.
"How was that?" cried Estevan.