"And by whom, pray?"
"That I will not tell you. I do not betray those who are kind to me. You told me early this morning that I was to be taken away. You will see now that I, too, have a friend."
Ana's steps interrupted this conversation.
"Well?" asked Escobeda. "The messenger is—will you speak?"
"It is the man Rotiro from Palmacristi," said Ana, in a low voice.
Raquel gave a quick little draw of her breath inward. The sound made a joyous note in that cruel atmosphere.
"It will do you no good," said Escobeda. "Go and tell him that I will see him presently. I will lock you up, my pretty Señorita, that you send no more notes to that truhan.[5] You have now but a few hours to make ready. Put in all your finery; though, after all, your new master can give you what he will, if you please him."
FOOTNOTE:
[5] Mountebank.