d receive from her the avowal of her love--alas! too soon
forgotten!

These souvenirs--but more especially that recalling the daughter of Don
Mariano--formed the aegis of the ex-student. A bitter smile curled upon
the lip of Don Rafael, as he looked upon the pale and feeble youth
within his grasp. "If such a man," thought he, "has been able to give
his death-blow to the valiant Caldelas--whose very glance he could
scarce have borne--it must be that the hours of the vice-royalty are
numbered."

"You may thank your stars," he continued, addressing himself to
Lantejas, "for having fallen into the hands of one, who is hindered by
old memories from revenging upon you the death of the valiant Caldelas,
the bravest of the Spanish chiefs."

"Ah! is the brave Caldelas dead?" inquired Don Cornelio, scarce sensible
of what he was saying. "Is it possible? But it must be so, if you say
it. In any case, I pardon him, and you too."

"Very gracious of you," rejoined Don Rafael, with a sarcastic smile.

"More than you think," replied the ex-student, a little restored to his
senses at finding his exploit was to be forgiven. "You have no idea of
the terrible fright that he and you caused me just now. But, Senor Don
Rafael--with your permission--I am in a _very_ uncomfortable position
for conversing--"

"Perhaps you will pardon me again for setting you safe and sound upon
your feet?" said Don Rafael, permitting the captain to slide gently to
the ground. "Adieu, then, Captain!" continued he, about to ride away.
"I leave you, regretting that I have not time to inquire how it is that
the peace-loving student, so terribly frightened at the mandate of the
Bishop of Oajaca against the insurrection has become transformed into an
officer of the insurgent army?"

"And I," replied Lantejas, "I should like to know how it is that a
captain in the Queen's Dragoons, who did not appear to view that same
mandate with a favourable eye, is to-day one of the bitterest
adversaries of the insurrection? If it pleases you, Senor Don Rafael,
to sit down here beside me, and let us discourse a bit--like the old
Paladins, who often interrupted their deadliest combats for such a
purpose--it would be much more agreeable to me than returning to the
battle-field."

A sombre shadow passed over the countenance of Don Rafael at the
allusion made to the change of his opinions. Both officers presented a
striking example of how little man can do to direct