"When?" Evelyn asked eagerly.
"As soon as you are ready. I have ordered the mules, and you can bring what you think needful. We could start after dinner, and I offer myself as escort for part of the way."
"But this is impossible!" Señora Herrero exclaimed in horrified protest.
Gomez spread out his hands deprecatingly.
"With apologies, señora, I think not. My plan is that you should go with your guest until I can place her in some other lady's hands."
"But it is years since I have ridden a mule, and exercise makes me ill! Besides, I cannot leave my husband and my household."
Evelyn remembered afterward that her hostess's indignant expression suddenly changed, as if Gomez had given her a warning look; but he answered good-humoredly:
"I have seen Don José. He feels desolated at the thought of losing you for two or three days, but he agrees that we must do all we can to suit the wishes of our American friends. Besides, you can travel to Galdo, where we stay the night, in a coach. I will see that one is sent, but it may take an hour or two to find mules."
"They must be good," said the señora. "I am heavy, and the road is bad."
"We will pick the best; but until you overtake us the señorita Cliffe will, no doubt, be satisfied with my escort. We should reach Galdo soon after dark. The señora Romanez will receive us there, and we start early the next morning on our journey to the hills."