Without replying, the lady rose, wrapped herself carefully in her mantilla, and went out.
An hour later, she left Nevis, accompanied by Fray Arsenio Mendoza.
Montbarts had reached St. Kitts long before.
[CHAPTER XIX.]
THE EXPEDITION.
During the entire passage from Nevis to St. Kitts Montbarts was in a strange state of excitement.
The interview he had held with the monk had rearoused in his heart a profound sorrow which time had deadened but not cauterized, and at the first word that fell in this hour's conversation the wound burst open again, bleeding and livid as on the day of its receipt.
How had this woman, whom he would not name, of whose presence in America he was ignorant, whom, in short, he fancied he had escaped by hiding himself among the filibusters, succeeded in so short a time, not only in learning his presence in the islands, but also in finding him again? For what object did she insist on finding him? What interest could she have in seeing him?