It was strange, on Christmas day; but to country people, who have no fixed hours, it was not alarming.
In the evening Maria arrived at the usual time.
"Did Ventura not come to the village to-day?" asked Anna.
"Yes," answered Pedro, "but there is an entertainment, and his friends carried him off. He has always been so fond of dancing that he would at any time leave his dinner, for a fandango."
"And Rita," said Elvira, "was she not at your house. Aunt Maria?"
"She came there, my daughter, but wanted to go with a neighbor to the entertainment. I told her she had better stay at home, but as she never minds me--"
"And you told her right, Maria," added Pedro, "an honest woman's place is in the house."
They were oppressed and silent when Perico abruptly entered.
The light was so deadened by the lamp-shade that they did not perceive the complete transformation of his face. Dark lines, which appeared the effect of long days of sickness, encircled his burning eyes, and his lips were red and parched like those of a person in a fever. He threw a rapid glance around, and abruptly asked, "Where is Rita?"
All remained silent; at length Maria said timidly,