"By Heaven," he said, "you are more beautiful than ever your mother was! If I had not promised the Governor—"
"Spare her your insults," said Ana, her indignation aroused. She pushed the door against his thick figure, and shot the bolt. They heard Escobeda's laugh as he flung it back at them. "What shall we do now?" asked Raquel. "Shall I drop from the window and run away? There must be some one who will aid me."
Ana approached the closely drawn jalousies. She put her long nose to a crack and peered down. The slight movement of the screen was seen from the outside.
"It is you that need not look out, Anita Maria," came up to her in Joyal's rasping voice. "This is not the front door."
"He has been quick about it," said Ana. "No matter, sweet, we must pack. Some one must help us. When the Señor Silencio gets that devilish message he must do something."
"What was the devilish message, Ana?" asked Raquel.
"Do not ask me, child; just hateful words, that is all."
Raquel put her young arms round Ana's old thin shoulders.
"Promise me one thing, Ana," she said.
"Promise! Who am I to make promises, sweet? All that I can, I will. That you must know."