“Me too. Those American songs always speak of death or dying. Ugh! You sing something lively.” Then he added, “I wonder why the Darrells haven't come? I suppose they are going to remain in town until to-morrow.” So saying he walked to the window. His eyes were too well trained to distinguish objects in the darkness not to have quickly perceived the phæton, though it could not be seen very distinctly. He saw it, but thought it must be Gabriel and Elvira returning unexpectedly. He ran to the gate, exclaiming:
“Hallo! What made you return? Didn't the Holmans come? What has happened?”
“Nothing,” Clarence answered. “The Holmans came all safe and sound, and I delivered them into the hands of Don Gabriel, who, accompanied by Doña Elvira, came to meet them. Doña Elvira requested me to say that they will remain in town a couple of days and then come home.”
“And where is your family?” asked Tano, coming to the phæton.
“They are coming, and here is a small part and parcel of the same—called our sister Alice. Don Victoriano permit me to present Miss Alice Darrell.”
“Miss Alice, your humble servant,” said Victoriano, bowing. “Allow me to go to the other side of the phæton to try a more graceful bow a little nearer, and the honor of shaking hands, a la Americana”.
Mercedes came now, tripping down in the path, also thinking that their carriage had returned, because some accident had happened to somebody.
“Is that you, Gabriel?” said she.
“You come and see,” said Victoriano.
She came close to the phæton, right between the wheels, but still thinking she saw Gabriel, said: “What has happened? Ah! it is Mr. Darrell,” she added, with a tremor in her voice, that made Clarence think she was alarmed.