On the return of the servant she whispered earnestly, "My father has changed greatly. I am sure he is unhappy. If he should appear cross and irritable, you will bear with him, won't you, Juan?"
"I will do my best, Rosa. But why should he be angry with me? I am only going to ask him a question."
Don Felipe was truly much altered. His dark hair was plentifully sprinkled with silver; there were deep lines in his forehead and around his lips; his eyes had become shifty, and there was a look of cunning in them. He gave me just one swift, searching glance, and then looked away. It was an awkward meeting, and I hardly knew what to say. Fortunately Don Felipe took the lead.
"You have grown almost out of knowledge, my young friend; and I notice you have obtained military rank," said he, with a covert sneer.
"I have the honour to be a lieutenant in the army to which we both belong, señor," I replied.
He winced at that, and his eyes glowed angrily.
"If you have brought me a message from your general," said he, "will you at once deliver it? I am very busy just now."
"I will not take up more than five minutes of your valuable time, señor. My errand is an important one, though at present it has nothing to do with General San Martin."
Again he glanced at me sharply, and I thought he seemed slightly nervous.
"I must ask you to be quick with it," he said coldly.