"Yes," the count answered pensively, "tomorrow will probably decide my fate, and that of the woman I love."
"What do you mean?" Don Rafaël exclaimed.
The count looked anxiously around him: he saw that he could speak, and that those who pressed toward him were sincere friends.
"Tomorrow," he said, "I shall attack Hermosillo and take it, or fall dead in the breach."
All present were in a state of stupor. Don Rafaël made Black Elk a sign to stand outside the door to keep off all comers, and then returned to the count.
"Have you really that idea?" he asked him.
"Were it not so, should I be here?" he said simply.
"But," Don Rafaël continued urgently, "Hermosillo is an inclosed town with strong walls."
"I will force them."
"It has a garrison of 1200 men."