“Tiburcio Arellanos.”
“What! Tiburcio Arellanos my enemy! I do not believe it. Loyalty and courage are the characteristics of the young man. I shall never believe him a traitor.”
“He knows the situation of the Golden Valley! Furthermore, he loves your daughter!”
“Is that all? Why, I was aware of these facts already!”
“Yes, but your daughter loves him—perhaps you were not aware of that fact?”
Don Estevan here detailed the events that had just transpired, and which proved that the passion of the young gambusino was reciprocated by Rosarita.
“Well!” calmly rejoined Don Augustin; “so much the worse for the Senator!”
This reply could not fail to astonish the Spaniard, and create a feeling of disappointment.
“Remember,” said he, “remember, Don Augustin Peña; that you have engaged your word—not only to me, not only to Tragaduros, but to a prince of the blood royal of Spain, from whose brow this apparently simple incident—the caprice of a young girl—may snatch a crown. Think too of your country—its future glory and greatness—all dependent on the promise you have given—”
“Why,” interrupted Don Augustin, “why set forth all these considerations? After my promise has been given, I never retract my word. But it is only to the Duke de Armada I have engaged myself, and he alone can free me from that engagement. Are you satisfied with this assurance?”