n, "intend doing the same to his
grand-daughter."

"In that case, we're both in the same boat; and, as there's no rivalry
between us, we can pull pleasantly together. I've no objection to being
your uncle; even admitting you to a share in the old Spaniard's
property--proportioned to your claims of kinship."

"I don't want a dollar of the Don's money; only his grand-daughter. I'm
deeply in love with her."

"And I," continues De Lara, "am just as deeply in love with his
daughter--it may be deeper."

"You couldn't. I'm half-mad about Inez Alvarez. I could kill her--if
she refuse me."

"I _shall_ kill Carmen Montijo--if she refuse _me_." The two men are
talking seriously, or seem so. Their voices, the tone, the flashing of
their eyes, the expression upon their faces, with their excited
gesticulation--all show them to be in earnest.

At the last outburst of passionate speech they turn in their saddles,
and look each other in the face. De Lara continues the dialogue:

"Now, tell me, Faustino; what hope have you of success?"

"For that, fair enough. You remember the last _fandango_ held at Don
Gregorio's--on the day of the cattle-branding!"

"Certainly I do. I've good reason to remember it. But go on."

"Well, that night," proceeds Calderon, "I danced twice with Inez, and
made many sweet speeches to her. Once I went farther, and squeezed her
pretty little hand. She wasn't angry, or at all events didn't say or
show it. Surely, after such encouragement, I may ask that hand in
marriage--with fair presumption of not being refused. What's your
opinion?"

"Your chances seem good. But what about himself. He'll have something
to say in the matter."

"Too much, I fear; and that's just what I do fear. So long as his bit
of grazing-land was worth only some thirty thousand dollars, he was
amiable enough. Now that by this gold discovery it's got to be good
value for eight or ten times the amount, he's become a different man,
and in all likelihood will go dead against me."

"Like enough; it's the way of the world. And therefore, on that
account, you needn't have a special spite against the Senor Montijo.
You're sure no one else stands between you and your sweetheart? Or is
there something in the shape of a rival?"

"Of course there is--a score of them, as you ought to know; same as with
yourself, De Lara. Suitors have been coming and going with both, I
suppose, ever since either was old enough to recei