At this moment someone could be heard ascending the marble steps. "Hist!" the hunter said, sharply; "be on your guard."
"But what must we do?" Doña Laura asked, in a low voice.
"Wait, and have confidence."
"What, are you going?"
"Leave us already?" they exclaimed together, with a movement of terror.
"I will return. Leave me to act. Once again, hope and patience."
"Oh, if you were to abandon us; if you did not save us," Laura said, in despair, "we should have nothing left but to die."
"Oh, have pity on us!" Doña Luisa murmured;
"Trust to me, poor children," the hunter answered, more affected than he liked to seem by this simple and profound sorrow. "Remember this carefully—whatever happens, whatever may be told you, whatever sound you hear, trust to me—to me alone—for I am watching over you. I have sworn to save you, and I will succeed."
"Thanks!" they replied.