"There is another visitor coming to make inquiry into your welfare--it is Senor Mon."
And she looked for the gleam that immediately lighted Marcos' dark eyes.
Sarrion was out. He had ridden to a distant hamlet earlier in the day. The tidings of this journey might well have reached Evasio Mon's ears. Cousin Peligros was taking the siesta by which she sought to forestall a possible fatigue later in the day. There are some people who seem to have the misfortune to be absent on the rare occasions when they are wanted.
"He is not coming into this room," said Juanita, coolly. "I will go down and see him."
Evasio Mon greeted her with a gay smile.
"I am so glad," he said, "to hear that all goes well with Marcos. We heard of his accident at Pampeluna. I had a day of leisure so I rode out to pay my respects."
He glanced at her, but did not specify whether he had come to pay his respects to her as a bride or to Marcos as an invalid.
"It is a long way to come for a mere politeness," replied Juanita, who could meet smile with smile if need be. But the eyes before which Evasio Mon turned aside were grave enough.
"It is not a mere politeness," he answered. "I have known Marcos since he was a child; and have watched his progress in the world--not always with a light heart."
"That is kind of you," replied Juanita. "But why watch him if it gives you pain?"