me, here in this dear, white hand I put my heart."

Is there any woman who cannot imagine Isabel's shy glances, and the low,
sweet words in which she answered such delightful protestations? And
soon, to add a keener zest to his happiness, Luis began to be a little
jealous.

"With us is Dias de Bonilla. Do you remember, my beloved one, that you
danced with him once?"

"How can you say a thing so offensive?"

"Yes, dear, at the Senora Valdez's."

"It may be. I have forgotten."

"Too well he remembers. He has dared to sing a serenade to your
memory--well, truly, he did not finish it, and but for the Senor Doctor,
I should have taught him that Isabel is not a name for his lips to
utter. Here, he may presume to come into your presence. Will you receive
him with extreme haughtiness? It would be a great satisfaction to me."

"The poor fellow! Why should I make him miserable? You should not be
jealous, Luis."

"If you smile on him--the least little smile--he will think you are in
love with him. He is such a fool, I assure you. I am very distressed
about this matter, my angel."

"I will tell you Luis--when the myrtle-tree grows figs, and the fig-tree
is pink with myrtle flowers, then I may fall in love with Dias de
Bonilla--if I can take the trouble."

No one heeded this pretty, extravagant talk. It was a thing apart from
the more serious interests discussed by Doctor Worth and his wife and
eldest daughter. And when Ortiz and Navarro joined the circle, the
story of the fall of the Alamo was told again, and Luis forgot his own
happiness, and wept tears of anger and pity for the dead heroes.

"This brutal massacre was on the morning of the sixth, you say,
Navarro?"

"Last Sabbath morning, Senor. Mass was being offered in the churches,
and Te Deums sung while it went on."

"A mass to the devil it was," said Ortiz.

"Now, I will tell you something. On the morning of the second, Thomas
was in Washington. A convention sitting there declared, on that day,
the independence of Texas, and fifty-five out of fifty-six votes elected
General Houston Commander-in-Chief."

"Houston! That is the name of victory! Gracias a Dios!" cried Navarro.

"It is probable that the news of this movement influenced Santa Anna to
such barbarity."

"It is his nature to be brutal."

"True, Ortiz; yet I can imagine how this proclamation would incense him.
On the morning of the sixth, the convention received the last express
sent by poor Tr