"Ah!" said he, "I had forgotten you, Don Ramón."
The latter bit his tongue and repented too late.
"Did you not tell me," Don Tadeo resumed, "that you would give a great deal to be at your hacienda?"
The senator shook his head affirmatively.
"I will offer you," Don Tadeo continued, "a chance of regaining the happiness you sigh for. You will set out immediately for Concepción. One would think you did not like the mission."
"I will go."
"That is well; a pleasant journey to you."
The senator asked—
"If the Araucanians surprise me, and get possession of this paper?"
"You will be shot—that's all," said Don Tadeo.