"You are pleased to be merry," said I, riding with her to the gate, "but I hope you do not seriously think that the Spaniards have any chance of winning."
"Why not? It is you who live in a fool's paradise Juan. Before long the king's flag will be floating over Lima again."
She spoke so confidently that I looked at her uneasily. Was there really a Royalist plot on foot, and did she know of it?
Perhaps I acted foolishly, but what I did was done with a good motive.
"Send your horse on," said I, "and let me walk with you to the house. There is something on which I wish to speak seriously to you."
"Is it a penance for my sins?" she laughed, holding up her riding-habit. "Please don't be too severe, Juan! Now begin, and I will try to be good."
"To begin is not so easy as you think, Rosa; but first let me tell you one thing—the Spaniards will never again be masters of Peru."
"Pouf!" cried she, tossing her head; "that is rubbish, and says little for your understanding, Juan."
"I am sorry you don't believe it; yet it is true, nevertheless. There are Royalists in Lima who hope otherwise, but they will be disappointed. More than that, some of them who are working secretly against us will meet with just punishment."
"What is that to me? I can't work for the king, being only a girl, but no one can accuse me of hiding my opinions."