"Your faith in my son is very gratifying. We will hope, with you, for the best," she replied.
The prince retired to his room, where he sat long, meditating on the possibilities of the future; and as the panoramic pages of fantasy passed athwart his brain, a picture not unlike the laughing face of Itlza beamed upon him from everyone.
The day passed in solitude to him. He would not risk exposure, and, therefore, remained in close seclusion.
Night and darkness came at last, and soon after Oza made his appearance.
At an early hour the fugitives took their departure from the villa.
When about to leave, the prince said, as a further encouragement to his friends:
"Have courage, good Teochma." Then turning to Itlza, he continued with a fervency he did not try to conceal: "And you, my boyhood's sweet child friend, continue faithful to the cause for which, in golden words, you have proven your devotion."
Addressing both, he spoke hopefully: "The darkness of the night is but the obscurance of the sun, the giver of light; so the darkness of this hour in our country's enthrallment, let us hope, but precedes the dawn of a bright and glorious day for her. Farewell, dear friends. May the gods of our fathers shield and keep you!"
He turned away, and a moment later was gone.
The mother and daughter were again alone; and thus we leave them to contemplate, in sad silence, the rapidly changing conditions of their lives.