The officers stood apart, watching him by stealth, waiting with visible anxiety the determination which doubtless he would not be long in taking—a determination on which depended the life or death of the unhappy prisoners.
Captain Quiroga at last approached him, and respectfully barred his passage at the moment when, after having terminated his promenade in one direction, he was turning to continue it in the other.
Don Zeno raised his head.
"What do you want?" said he.
"The order, General."
"What order?"
"The confirmation of that you have given me."
"I!" said he, with astonishment.
"Yes, General; I wish to know if it is necessary to shoot immediately the twelve Brazilian prisoners there."
The general started as if a serpent had stung him; he stealthily darted a look towards the beautiful young girl. She was weeping, her face hidden in her mother's bosom.