The count smiled, and she flew away like a bird, leaving behind her very sad and naked the little room which she had illumined for a short time with her presence.
"Come," the count said, as he fell hack in a butaca so soon as she was gone, "it seems that tomorrow will bring the finale: all the better. Still the man that takes me will have to pay dearly for it."
The next day, as had been arranged, the delegates of the volunteers waited on the general, who received them in his usual way, lavishing protestations and promises on them. The delegates pressed for a settlement, on which Don Sebastian, who was doubtlessly ready to deal the blow he had so long meditated, changed his tone and dismissed them, bidding them await his good pleasure. The delegates withdrew, exasperated by the roguery of the man in whom they had been so weak as to place confidence, and who now proved to them that he had been deceiving them from the beginning.
The volunteers were anxiously expecting the answer their delegates were to bring them. When the latter described what had taken place their exasperation reached its height: the cry "To arms!" was raised, and everyone prepared for fighting. The chief of the battalion completely lost his head.
"Bid them form a square," the count said to him. The order was obeyed. The count placed himself in the centre of the square, and raised his hand to command silence.
All were still: the moment was a solemn one, and all perceived it. In spite of himself, a certain degree of hesitation was depicted on the count's handsome face: not that he feared for himself personally, but he felt that he was about to risk his last stake, and it would be decisive. Everyone had his eyes fixed upon him.
"You hesitate, count," an officer said to him. "Why did you join us, then? Are you no longer the man of Hermosillo?"
At this sharp remark a vivid blush suffused the count's cheek, and he trembled with suppressed passion.
"No," he exclaimed, "no, by heavens! I do not hesitate. My friends, reflect: there is yet time. Remember that, the sword once drawn, we become outlaws. What will you do?"
"Fight—fight!" the volunteers shouted, waving their weapons enthusiastically.