It was a mere question of a few days or weeks, and in the meantime
the people of San Antonio were "making a little profit and pleasure to
themselves out of the extravagant reprobates." There was not a day in
which they did not anticipate their revenge in local military displays,
in dances and illuminations, in bull-fights, and in splendid religious
processions.

And Antonia found it impossible to combat this influence. It was in the
house as certain flavors were in certain foods, or as heat was in
fire. She saw it in the faces of her servants, and felt it in their
indifference to their duty. Every hour she watched more anxiously
for some messenger from her father. And as day after day went by in a
hopeless sameness of grief, she grew more restless under the continual
small trials that encompassed her.

Towards the end of January, General Urrea, at the head of the vanguard
of the Mexican army, entered Texas. His destination was La Bahia or
Goliad, a strong fortress garrisoned by Americans under Colonel Fanning.
Santa Anna was to leave in eight days after him. With an army of twenty
thousand men he was coming to the relief of San Antonio.

The news filled the city with the wildest rejoicing. The little bells
of the processions, the big bells of the churches, the firing of cannon,
the hurrahs of the tumultuous people, made an uproar which reached the
three lonely women through the closed windows of their rooms.

"If only Lopez Navarro would come! If he would send us some little
message! Holy Mary, even he has forgotten us!" cried the Senora in a
paroxysm of upbraiding sorrow.

At that moment the door opened, and Fray Ignatius passed the threshold
with lifted hands and a muttered blessing. He approached the Senora, and
she fell on her knees and kissed the hand with which he crossed her.

"Holy father!" she cried, "the angels sent you to a despairing woman."

"My daughter, I have guided you since your first communion; how then
could I forget you? Your husband has deserted you--you, the helpless,
tender lamb, whom he swore to cherish; but the blessed fold of your
church stands open. Come, poor weary one, to its shelter."

"My father--"

"Listen to me! The Mexican troops are soon to arrive. Vengeance without
mercy is to be dealt out. You are the wife of an American rebel; I
cannot promise you your life, or your honor, if you remain here. When
soldiers are drunk with blood, and women fall in their way, God have
merc