"Trust Lieutenant Pike to attend to the diplomacy. In his direct communications with Salcedo, he will flourish the steel blade in a velvet sheath. Aside from that, we have decided that the bolder our talk and bearing the better."
"Yet consider his absolute power—I fear for you, Juan!"
"What odds of the danger, if I have your love—Alisanda?"
A quick blush leaped into her pale cheeks, and she looked down, in sweet confusion.
"No, no, dear friend," she murmured. "Do not speak of that now. It would be too cruel, if later—Juan, you must see Father Rocus!"
"At once!" I assented.
"Go, then, now! You will find him at the Parroquia."
"But first, dearest one—"
"No, no! Go at once. We approach my uncle's house, and it is as well he should not see you."
"Then, if you bid me go, au revoir!" I said, stopping short.