"Marcelino was not with you to-day," said Doña Constancia, as she sat with her two guests under the verandah.
"No, he could not leave the city," replied Don Carlos; "I shall see him to-morrow, have you any message for him?"
"You will not have to wait till-to-morrow, for here he comes," said Dolores, jumping up from her chair as a horseman passed along the road, and walking away to greet him as he dismounted.
"Is Carlos here?" asked Marcelino, as he walked with his sister to the house after giving up his horse to a slave.
"Yes, and Don Manuel Belgrano," said Dolores; "they did not expect you, they said you were too busy to leave the city."
"I have news. I could not have slept to-night if I had not seen Carlos to tell him."
"It is good news, I can see by your face. Is Juan Carlos coming back?"
"No, but some one has come."
"Who?"
"Guess."