are the victuals, I beg. And as for you, my
brother, I invite you too to eat what you please. And I place this
young lady in your charge. Don't forget that. She's had a fright, and
good reason for it; she's been hurt. I leave her in your care with
every confidence that you will protect her."

Every word spoken was absorbed by Esteban with immense relish. The
words pleased him, to begin with, by their Spanish ring. Manvers had
been pleased himself. It was the longest speech he had yet made in
Castilian; but he had no notion, of course, how exquisitely apposite to
the situation they were.

Esteban became superb. He rose to the height of the argument, and to
that of his inches, took off his old hat and held it out the length of
his arm. "Let the lady fear nothing, senor caballero of my soul. I
engage the honour of a gentleman that she shall have every
consideration at my hands which her virtues merit. No more"--he looked
at the sullen beauty between him and the Englishman--"No more, for that
would be idolatrous; and no less, for that would be injustice. _Vaya,
senor caballero, vaya V|d| con Dios_." Manvers nodded and strolled
away.

CHAPTER VI

A SPANISH CHAPTER

His removal snapped a chain. These two persons became themselves.

Manuela with eyes ablaze strode over to Esteban. "Well," she said.
"You have found me. What is your pleasure?"

He sat very still on his donkey, watching her. He rolled himself a
cigarette, still watching, and as he lighted it, looked at her over the
flame.

"Speak, Esteban," she said, quivering; but he took two luxurious
inhalations first, discharged in dense columns through his nose. Then
he said, breathing smoke, "I have come to kill you, Manuelita--from
Pobledo in a day and a half."

She had folded her arms, and now nodded. "I know it. I have expected
you."

"Of course," said Esteban, inhaling enormously. He shot the smoke
upwards towards the light, where it floated and spread out in radiant
bars of blue. Manuela was tapping her foot.

"Well, I am here," she said. "I might have left you, but I have not.
Why don't you do what you intend?"

"There is plenty of time," said Esteban, and continued to smoke. He
began to make another cigarette.

"Do you know why I chose to stay with you?" she asked him softly. "Do
you know, Esteban?"

He raised his eyebrows. "Not at all."

"It was because I had a bargain to make with you."

He looked at her inqui