"Thanks, Dominique, I expected no less from you."
"Eh," said the vaquero, "look there, Oliver, someone is coming, I fancy: hang it, they are riding fast, they will be on us in ten minutes."
"They are doña Dolores and Count Ludovic."
They rose to go and receive the young people, who, in truth, were coming up at full speed.
"Here we are at last," the young lady said, as she stopped her horse, with the skill of a practised rider.
With one bound the newcomers reached the ground; after bowing to Dominique, the count held out both hands to the adventurer.
"I see you again then, my friend," he said to him; "thanks for remembering me."
"Did you suppose I had forgotten you?"
"On my word," the young man said gaily, "I almost had the right to do so."
"My Lord Count," the adventurer then said, "permit me first of all to introduce to you M. Dominique, he is more than a brother, he is another self: I shall be pleased if you will transfer to him a small portion of the friendship you deign to testify to me."