Whereupon Liniers, calling the lad to him, complimented him upon his horsemanship, and subdued and rewarded his enthusiasm by appointing him an extra aide-de-camp, and keeping him beside himself till the evolutions came to an end.
Lamps were lighted in the sala, the table was duly set out for dinner, Marcelino and his mother yet sat side by side under the shade of the wide verandah, when the galloping of horses was heard on the road outside. As they reached the quinta gate the horsemen drew rein and dismounted, they opened the gate and two walked up the winding path to the verandah with the confidence of men who were no strangers there. As they drew near one quickened his step and took off his hat as he set foot on the brick pavement. One word only he said:
"Mamita!"
"Juan Carlos! my son!" exclaimed Doña Constancia, springing from her chair and throwing herself into his arms.
At her cry many others came forward from inside and from under the trees, and crowded round Juan Carlos, shaking him warmly by the hand or embracing him, all of them asking him but one question:
"What news?"
"What matter the news?" said Doña Constancia; "I have my son again, let me look at him."
She drew him into the sala, into the lamplight.
"You look pale, my son," said she, "and weary. These cursed wars! But you are back again!"
"We have been very anxious about you, Juan Carlos," said Don Roderigo. "Since the affair of the 20th January we could not tell what had become of you. I am glad you have come back again, it would have been useless to try to force your way into Monte Video."