"All right, Excellency; I will deliver the money to you, without the loss of a real, I promise you."
"May Heaven grant it: here are the bills, and now—you can start whenever you please."
"I shall be gone within an hour, Excellency," the majordomo answered.
He took up the bills, hid them in his bosom, and, after bowing to his master, left the study. José Paredes went straight to the corral, where in a few minutes he had lassoed a mustang with small head and flashing eye, which he began saddling, after he had carefully rubbed it down. Then he inspected his weapons, laid in a stock of powder and ball, placed some provisions in his alforjas, and mounted. But, instead of leaving the hacienda, he proceeded to a separate building, and twice gently tapped a window before which he pulled up. The window opened, and Don Ruiz appeared.
"Ah! Is that you, Paredes; going back to the plantations already?" he said; "Well, wait a minute, and I will be with you."
The majordomo shook his head.
"Do not disturb yourself, Niño," he said. "I am not going to the plantations, but on a journey."
"A journey?" the young man asked, in surprise.
"Yes; but only for a few days. The Marquis has sent me, and I shall soon be back."
"Can you tell me the reason why you are going, and whither?"