He questioned her anew, but she contented herself with answering, while her lips were parted by a smile, and her eyes were still moist.
“To-morrow I shall tell you all, my father.”
The good haciendado did indeed require the explanation of this mystery, when he was left in ignorance of the chief fact concerning it.
“We have another duty to fulfil,” continued he; “the last wish expressed by Don Antonio, on parting from me, was that you should be united to the Senator Tragaduros. It will be in compliance with the request of one who is now no more, that this marriage should no longer be delayed. Do you see any obstacle to it, Rosarita?”
The young girl started at these words, which reminded her of the fatal engagement she had sought to banish from memory. Her bosom swelled, and her tears flowed afresh.
“Well,” said the haciendado, smiling, “this is another proof of happiness, is it not?”
“Of happiness!” repeated Rosarita, bitterly. “Oh! no, no, my father!”
Don Augustin was now more puzzled than ever; for, as he himself alleged, his life had been spent more in studying the artifices of Indians, with whom he had long disputed his domain, than in diving into the hearts of women.
“Oh, my father!” cried Rosarita, “this marriage would now prove a sentence of death to your poor child!”
At this sudden declaration, which he had not expected, Don Augustin was quite stupefied, and it was with difficulty he subdued the anger to which it had given rise.