need scarcely add that
Tiburcio in the accomplishment of his vow, had no thought of playing the
assassin. No. Whenever and wherever the murderer should be found, he
was to die by Tiburcio's hand; but only in fair and open fight.

But there were other painful reflections that occupied Tiburcio's mind
during the journey. The nearer he approached the object of his love the
greater seemed to be the distance between them. Though a man may hope
to obtain what he only wishes for in a moderate way, yet when anything
is ardently yearned after, the obstacles appear insurmountable. Hence
the secret of many a heroic resolution. When Tiburcio was reclining by
the well of La Poza, his sweet dream hindered him from thinking of these
obstacles; but now that the journey was nearly ended, and he drew near
to the grand hacienda, his spirits fell, and a feeling of hopelessness
took possession of his soul. Hence it was that he formed the resolution
to put an end to the painful suspense which he had now a long time
endured; and that very night, if possible, he intended to ascertain his
position in the eyes of Dona Rosarita. Come what might, he resolved to
ask that question, whose answer might render him at once the happiest or
the most miserable of men.

When Tiburcio had first met Dona Rosarita, with her father and his
servants, in the depth of the forest, he knew nothing of the rank of the
party thus wandering astray. Even during the two happy days in which he
acted as their guide, he was ignorant of the name of the beautiful young
girl, to whom his eyes and his heart rendered a continual homage. He
therefore permitted himself to indulge in those pleasant dreams which
have their origin in a hopeful love. It was only after he had learned
the quality of his fellow-travellers--that the young lady was the
daughter of the opulent proprietor, Don Augustin Pena--it was only on
ascertaining this that Tiburcio perceived the folly of his aspirations,
and the distance that lay between him and the object of his love. If
then the secret, so unexpectedly revealed to him, had given him a desire
for the possession of riches, it was not for the sake of being rich.
No; a nobler object inspired him--one more in keeping with his poetic
character. He desired riches only that with them he might bridge over
the chasm that separated him from Rosarita.

Unhappily he could not hide from himself the too evident fact that he
was not the sole possessor