"Mariquita did not avoid me, so for several days after this I never missed an opportunity, especially when old Senor Escudero was not present, of pressing my suit, and giving her assurances of my unalterable love! Unalterable! Oh, mal hay as tu, Pedro de Barradas, into how many charming ears had those same words been poured, and in the same tender accents, too!
"But Mariquita, who had become more mistress of herself, always heard me with composure, and with a bearing unlike that she had exhibited in the wood; but I could see that the simplest remark, or most casual tone of my voice, made her heart vibrate with pleasure, and her colour deepen.
"One evening we were standing together at an open window, which was shaded by a vine-covered verandah, and faced the usually flaming summit of the volcano of Orizaba. It was wonderfully still on that occasion; a column of thin smoke only ascended from it to the very zenith. The evening was lovely, and the sun's farewell rays were gilding the mighty summit of the cone; all was calm and quiet, save in our hearts, which beat tumultuously. I drew closer to Mariquita, and as she stood before me, I passed my arms round her, kissed the back of her delicate neck tenderly, and whispered:
"'How long shall I speak to you of love, Mariquita?'
"'As long as you please, Senor Don Pedro,' she replied, with a tender smile, as she half turned round her head.
"'Call me Pedro, my beloved one, without the ceremonious don—and senor, too, oh, fie!'
"'Bueno—Pedro mi querida.'
"'Sweeter still!' I exclaimed, in a low voice.
"'Well?'
"'Well, dearest Mariquita; how long shall we speak of love?'