When they entered Cordova, night had already fallen; the sky was sprinkled with stars; on either side of the road, which now ran between the houses, great, many-armed century plants shone in the darkness.
Quentin drove the carriage to the Countess’ palace, and jumped from the box, much to the astonishment of the porter.
“Good-bye, my lady,” said he, holding out his hand and assisting her from the carriage.
“Good-bye, Quentin,” she said rather sadly.
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE MASON’S MESSAGE
“SO you know nothing about him?” asked the Swiss.
“Not a thing,” replied María Lucena. “He left here the very night they tried to arrest him, and he hasn’t showed up yet. They say that he and Pacheco kidnapped the Countess.”
“The devil! An abduction!”
“Yes. Let me tell you, that man disgusts me, and I wish I hadn’t met him.”
Paul Springer contemplated the pale face of the actress sympathetically.