od son, who always loved me so dearly!"

At length Isabel came in to weep in her mother's arms. "Luis is going
away," she cried. The father felt a momentary keen pang of jealousy. "I
am going also, queridita," he said mournfully. Then she threw her arms
around his neck and bewailed her bad fortune. "If I were the Almighty
God, I would not give love and then take it away," she murmured. "I
would give orders that the good people should always be happy. I would
not let men like Santa Anna live. He is a measureless monster, and ought
to go to the d--to purgatory, at the very least."

While the Senora soothed her complaining, the doctor left. One troubled
glance of a great love he cast backward from the door ere he closed it
behind him; and then his countenance suddenly changed. Stern and strong
it grew, with a glow of anger in the steel-blue eyes that gave an
entirely new character to it.

He called Antonia into his study, and talked with her of the crisis
which was approaching, and of the conduct of their affairs in it. He
showed her the places in which his gold coin was hidden. He told her on
whom to rely in any emergency.

"We have sure information that General Urrea, with the vanguard of a
large Mexican army, will be here next month. Santa Anna will follow him
quickly. You see that the city must either be defended or our men must
retreat. I am going to Houston with this dilemma. Luis and Dare will
join Fannin at Goliad. Now, my dear child, you have my place to fill. If
Santa Anna takes possession of San Antonio, what will you do?"

"If we are not disturbed in any way, I will keep very quiet within my
own home."

"If Fray Ignatius attempts to interfere with you--what then?"

"I will fly from him, and take Isabel and mi madre with me."

"That is your only safety. I shall hear if the Americans desert the
city; then I will send your brother Thomas, if by any possibility it can
be done, to guard you to the eastern settlements. But I may not be able
to do this--there may be no time--it cannot be depended upon--Lopez
Navarro will help you all he can, and Ortiz. You may always rely on
Ortiz."

"My father, I cannot trust Ortiz. Every man is a master to a peon. He
would mean to do kindly, but his cowardice might make him false."

"Ortiz is no peon. He is a Mexican officer of high rank, whom Santa
Anna ordered to be shot. I saved his life. He wears the clothes of
a peon--that is necessary; but he has the honor and grati