_first_ well-beloved Fernando!"

* * * * *

In less than an hour the whole party was well on its way. The
Queen-Regent was mounted on a white mule, which had been brought in from
the hill pastures above El Mar. Behind came Piebald Pedro's donkey, with
a basket-chair strapped upon its back for the little Princess, who was
in high glee, holding Concha's hand and singing for gladness to be done
with La Granja. The Sergeant and El Sarria walked one on either side of
Senor Munoz, who, by suggestion of Rollo, had assumed a coat less
decorative than that in which he had proposed to make his exit from
life.

In addition to the Queen's mule and the donkey, the Sergeant led a horse
which was presently to be mounted by Munoz, so soon, that is, as the
rest of the party should regain the steeds they had left behind at the
deserted farmhouse on the hill. But till that time it was judged most
safe that the Queen's consort should walk between Ramon Garcia and the
Sergeant. Rollo, with a wandering eye towards Concha and the Queen,
walked and talked with Etienne and John Mortimer, whom of late the joint
compulsions of love and war had compelled him somewhat to neglect.

But these good fellows bore no malice, though certainly Etienne grew a
little red when Rollo, with the frankness that distinguished his every
word and action, launched into enthusiastic praise of the nobility,
courage, fidelity, and every other virtue characteristic of La Senorita
Concha.

"In addition to which she is very pretty!" added Etienne, significantly.

Rollo stopped with the semi-indignant air of a horse pulled up short in
full career. But in a moment he had recovered himself.

"Yes," he said doggedly, "she _is_ very pretty!"

"Not that you are a man to care for beauty. You never were!" persisted
Etienne, with a side look at Mortimer. "You have always said so
yourself, you know!"

"No! I never did care!" Rollo agreed a little hastily. "But yonder is
the farmhouse. I wonder if we shall find our horses as we left them."

Here Etienne laughed sardonically for no reason at all.

"I am in hopes that they will be fed and refreshed," continued Rollo,
imperturbably; "we must let them have a feed of corn, too, before they
start."

La Giralda, who had been leading the Queen's white mule, at that moment
gave up her post to Concha, and fell back in order to whisper something
to the Sergeant.

"Ah," said he aloud, as soon as he