"He was, mamita," said Marcelino; "but his exile was short. Elio sent an armed vessel to rescue him and the others; he has been living at his ease in Monte Video for nearly a month now."
"My God! Is there then war between us and Monte Video?"
"Not now, Señora," said Evaña. "This new Viceroy of ours will doubtless soon bring us all to order and make us all good friends again."
As he spoke, another horseman came up the road, and, dismounting at the gate, threw his reins over a post, and walked up the narrow pathway to the house. It was Don Roderigo.
The three younger men stood in silence waiting for him, their anxiety visible in their faces.
"Ah! Marcelino has been before me," said Don Roderigo cheerfully. "You know the news already."
"Yes," replied Don Manuel Belgrano. "How long has this new Viceroy been in Monte Video."
"A week. The north winds have kept the news from us till now. He was expected in Colonia to-day."
"Then to-morrow or the next day we may expect him here," said Evaña.