the same boat.' What is this?" she added, stooping, and
taking up the gilded card which had been all the while lying upon the
floor. "Oh, indeed! Invitation to an airing in one of the State
carriages--with such a pretty compliment appended! How free El
Excellentissimo is with his flattery. For myself I detest both him and
it. You'll go, won't you?"

"I don't wish it."

"No matter about wishing; I want you. And so will your father, I'm
sure."

"But why do you want me?"

"Why, so that you may take me with you."

"I would rather wait till I hear what father says."

"That's all I ask, _amiga_. I shall be contented with his dictum, now
feeling sure--"

She was interrupted by the pattering of feet upon the stone stairway;
two pairs of them, which told that two individuals were ascending. The
heavy tread proclaimed them to be men. Presently their faces showed
over the baluster rail, and another step brought them upon the roof.
Both ladies regarding them with looks of eager inquiry, glided down out
of the mirador to meet them.

For they were the two messengers that had been despatched separately,
though on errands so very similar.

Returning, they had met by the front door, and entered the house
together. Each having had orders to deliver his report, and without
delay, was now acting in obedience to them.

Two and two they stood upon the azotea,--the men, hat in hand, stood in
front of their respective mistresses; not so far apart, but that each
mistress might have heard what the servant of the other said; for on
their part there was no wish or reason for concealment.

"Senorita," reported Jose, "the gentleman you sent me to inquire about
is not in Tacubaya."

Almost a cry came from Luisa Valverde's lips, as with paled cheek, she
said,--"You've not heard of him, then?" But the colour quickly returned
at the answer,--"I have, Senorita; more, I have seen him."

"Seen Don Florencio! Where? Speak, quick, Jose!"

"In the Acordada!"

"In the Acordada!" in still another voice--that of the Condesa speaking
in a similar tone, as though it were an echo; for she, too, had just
been told that her lover was in the same gaol.

"I saw him in a cell, my lady," continued the Countess's man, now taking
precedence. "They had him coupled to another prisoner--a Tejano."

"He was in one of the cells, Senorita," spoke Jose, also continuing his
report, "chained to a robber."

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

POR LAS ZA