at it is to-night that Don Mariano and Dona Gertrudis
are expected at San Carlos?" he inquired, with a tone of anxiety in his
voice.

"Yes; a letter had reached my master to say so. God forbid that they,
too, should fall into the hands of these merciless men! They say, too,
that Arroyo is an old servant of Don Mariano."

"Let us hope they may not come!" said the Colonel, with a choking
effort.

"It may be," continued the domestic, "that the illness of Dona Gertrudis
may detain them a day or two on the journey. That would be the luckiest
thing that could happen."

"What say you? is Dona Gertrudis ill!"

"Senor!" exclaimed the domestic, "you, who appear to know the family,
are you ignorant that Dona Gertrudis is only the shadow of her former
self, and that some secret grief is wasting her away? But, Senor, why
do you tremble?" inquired the man, who, with his arm round his waist,
felt the nervous agitation of Don Rafael's body.

"Oh, nothing," replied the latter; "but tell me--does any one know the
cause of her grief?"

"Rather say, who is there who don't know it, Senor? Dona Gertrudis was
in love with a young officer; and so fondly, that it is said she cut off
the whole of her beautiful hair, as a sacrifice to the Holy Virgin, for
saving his life on an occasion when he was in danger! And yet for all
this, he who was thus loved proved faithless, and deserted her!"

"Well?" mechanically interposed Don Rafael.

"Well," continued the servant, "the poor young lady is dying on account
of being so deserted--dying by inches; but surely--why, Senor, you are
certainly ill? I feel your heart beating against my hand as if it would
leap out of your bosom!"

"It is true," answered Don Rafael, in a husky voice. "I am subject to
severe palpitations; but presently--" The Colonel, for support, fell
back against the domestic, his herculean strength having yielded to the
powerful emotions which were passing within him. "Presently," he
continued, "I shall get over it. I feel better already. Go on with
your history. This man--this officer--did he ever tell Dona Gertrudis
that he no longer loved her? Does he love any other?"

"I do not know," was the response of the domestic.

"Could she not have sent him word--say by some means agreed upon--which
should bring him back to her from the farthest corner of the earth?
Perhaps then--"

Don Rafael could not finish what he intended to have said. A bright
hope, long time