Yes, I longed for an opportunity to show, by silent deeds, what she would never believe in words.
After such a wonderful meeting between estranged souls, anything was possible, and who could say that I might not yet be given the chance for which I prayed?
You may be sure that Robbins had stood there listening to what passed, and looking the next thing to being paralyzed.
He found it hard to understand what a wild freak of fortune had been played, and that this charming woman of the alcalde’s mansion had once been very near and dear to me.
Still, the good mariner was far from being a fool, and once his benumbed faculties got into working order, he reasoned the thing out pretty well, though still aghast at the strange chance that drew us together in old Bolivar.
Having entertained some vague hope that the quest of little Carmencita might not be in vain, she had arranged things for a hasty departure. All she seemed desirous of taking with her was contained in a very small handbag.
I saw that she was dressed for walking and could not but admire her good taste. But, then, she had always been sensible in all things save one, and that, alas! the most vital, concerning her estimation of her husband’s qualities as a man.
As I watched her gather up a few trinkets and put them in the bag, I suddenly received a tremendous shock.
My eyes, in glancing toward the quaint dresser, had fallen upon a diminutive silver frame that inclosed the photograph of a man’s head.
Perhaps it is a very ordinary occurrence for a lady to thus decorate her dressing table, but, all the same, it gave me a dreadful shock.