The man's sudden change of manner puzzled me. After all, I was only a boy, with little ability and no training to seek for things lying beneath the surface. And Montilla seeing the state of my mind, played upon it with consummate skill.
I cannot truthfully say that he made any definite promise, but this was the impression I received:—Knowing that all my father's property was forfeit to the law, he had exerted his influence to secure it. At that time he thought the trouble would be settled without fighting, and intended in a year or two to restore the estates. When the war broke out, he endeavoured to bring the viceroy over to the cause of reform, but finding that impossible, was compelled reluctantly to join the Patriots. Of course, in the matter of the estates, nothing could be done now till the war was over.
"Thus," said he cheerfully, "the future is safe. If the Patriots win, we can have the confiscation revoked; while, on the other hand, I count so many friends among the moderate Royalists that the viceroy would hardly care to thwart me."
"In any case," said I bluntly, though with no wish to vex him, "the Indians will see that I am not wronged!"
"Trust me," he answered, his voice sounding now like the purring of a cat; "Felipe Montilla never makes mistakes."
I had a stinging reply on my lips, but refraining from giving it utterance, I bade him farewell.
"Come again, Juan," said he, "if the general can spare you!" And though not overburdened with wits, I had a sense of being laughed at.
I was joined in the corridor by Rosa, who wanted to know why I was going so soon.
"I really must," I answered, smiling. "I have spent no time with my mother yet, and I may be sent for at any moment."
"But this will not be good-bye?"