ed for a while in that state of
silent uncertainty which follows the receipt of calamitous news. The
servant having finished his report had joined his three companions, and
Don Mariano was alone.

Just then the curtains of the _litera_ were drawn inside by a hand from
within, and the voice of Gertrudis interrupted for the moment his gloomy
reflections.

"My sleep has refreshed me," said the young girl; "do you intend soon to
continue your journey, father? It is near daybreak, is it not?"

"It is not yet midnight, nina. It will be long before the day breaks."

"Then why do you not go to sleep, dear father? We are in safety here, I
think; and there is no reason why you should keep awake."

"Dear Gertrudis, I do not desire to sleep until we are under the roof of
Marianita, and I can see you both together."

"Ah! Marianita is so very happy," sighed the invalid. "Her life has
been like one of the flowery paths we have been following through the
forest."

"And so will yours be yet, Gertrudis," rejoined Don Mariano, with an
effort to console her. "It will not be long before Don Rafael comes to
see you."

"Oh, yes! I know he will come, since he has sworn it upon his word of
honour. He will come, but what then?" murmured Gertrudis, with a
melancholy smile.

"He will arrive to tell you that he still loves you," said Don Mariano,
affecting a conviction which, in reality, he did not feel. "It is only
a misunderstanding," he added.

"A misunderstanding that causes death, dear father," rejoined Gertrudis,
as she turned her head upon the pillow to conceal her tears.

Don Mariano was unable to reply, and an interval of silence succeeded.

Then Gertrudis, by one of those sudden reactions common to invalids,
seemed all at once inspired with a fresh hope, and raising her head, she
inquired--

"Do you think the messenger has had time to reach Don Rafael?"

"He would be three days in getting from Oajaca to the hacienda Del
Valle; and if Don Rafael, as we have since heard, is at Huajapam, in two
days more the messenger should reach him. He has been gone four days;
therefore, in four more, at the most, Don Rafael should arrive at San
Carlos, where he will know we are awaiting him."

"Four days!" murmured Gertrudis. "Oh! it is a long, long time!"

Gertrudis did not dare to add, what she feared at the moment, that her
life might not last so long.

After a moment of silence she continued--

"And besides, when,