worthy of the mission He has entrusted to you."

He paused. Then, suddenly recollecting the all-important question, he
exclaimed: "I forget, we are wasting time; we must find Carlton! This
very night word shall go forth!" and hastily snatching up his hat and
stick, he hurried out into the night.

XXXIII

Captain Forest's feelings are better imagined than described. His brain
was in a whirl, on fire. For the second time a woman had treated his
confidence lightly. The whole world seemed to spin round him in chaotic
confusion as he sought to lay hold of a single, tangible thought that
might temper his judgment, steady his nerves and check the fierce
outbursts of passion which were fast sweeping him beyond self-control.
He had reached a state of recklessness that renders a man of his
temperament most dangerous, and unless his judgment soon got the better
of his passions, he would, as likely as not, either kill Chiquita or Don
Felipe, or both of them.

The company had broken up shortly after the departure of Chiquita and
Padre Antonio, leaving the _patio_ silent and deserted, save for the
presence of the Captain, who paced silently back and forth; the moon
flooding the _patio_ with broad sheets of white light, causing objects
to appear almost as sharp and distinct as before the lights of the
lanterns were extinguished.

Blanch, who was the last to leave, would have offered him her sympathy,
but on approaching him, he gave her a look so terrifying that even she
dared not speak to him. She accordingly retired to her room and seated
herself before the open window from which she commanded a view of the
court and could observe him at her leisure. Perhaps he will come to his
senses now, she thought. At any rate, he now knew what she suffered. She
experienced a feeling of cruel satisfaction and exultation while calmly
watching the struggle going on within him as he paced slowly back and
forth.

How strange that they should be there in that out-of-the-way place! In
spite of the terrible ordeal through which she had passed and the
dramatic climax in which the struggle had just culminated, it still
appeared so unreal, so unnatural to her, that she wondered whether she
was not still dreaming and must soon awaken to find herself back in the
old life again and Jack near her, as in the old days. Who could have
foreseen this tragedy, this end to their lives? But a few months
previous all things appeared so clear and defined,