The half-breed bowed without replying, for he knew that when his young mistress spoke thus he must obey.
The maiden walked forward a step, laid her white and delicate hand on the half-breed's shoulder, and putting her lovely face close to his, she added, with a gentle smile which made the poor fellow start with joy—
"Do not be vexed at my whim, my kind Lanzi, but I am suffering."
"Be vexed with you, Niña!" the half-breed answered with a significant shrug of his shoulders; "Why, do you not know that I would go into the fire for you? Much more, then, would I satisfy your slightest wish."
He then began carefully barricading the doors and windows of the venta, after which he proceeded to the corral to saddle the horses, while Carmela, suffering from nervous impatience, changed her attire for other clothes more convenient for the journey she designed, for she had deceived the old servant. It was not Tranquil she wished to find.
But Heaven had decreed that the plan she revolved in her pretty head should not succeed.
At the moment when she re-entered the sitting-room, fully dressed and ready to start, Lanzi appeared in the doorway of the corral with extreme agitation displayed in his face.
Carmela ran up to him eagerly, fancying that he had hurt himself.
"What is the matter with you?" she asked him, kindly.
"We are lost!" he replied, in a hollow voice, as he looked about him in terror.