or an hour. I want to settle
down."

"To marry?" inquired Mrs. Wilders, contemptuously. "In your own
station? That is better."

"I have not forgotten you, senora. But the wound was beginning to
heal--"

She held up her hand with a menacing gesture.

"I will not deny that I have cast my eyes upon a maiden that pleases
me," Benito confessed. "I have known her from childhood. Her friends
approve of my suit, and would accept me; but what lot can I offer a
wife?"

"Well, how is it to be mended?"

"For a small sum--five hundred dollars--I could purchase a share in
these stables."

"You shall have the money at once as a gift."

"I will promise in return never to trouble you again."

"I make no conditions; only I warn you if you ever offend, if you ever
presume--"

"I shall fully merit your displeasure."

"Enough said!" she cut him short. "You know my wishes; see that they
are fulfilled. You shall hear from me again. For the present,
good-day."

She gathered up the skirts of her dress, turned on her heel, and swept
out of the place.

In the gateway she ran up against Serjeant McKay, who had been
hovering about the stables from the moment he saw Mrs. Wilders enter
the courtyard. He had seen nothing of what passed inside, and as the
interview with Benito occupied some time he had grown uneasy. Fearing
something had happened to the general's wife, he was on the point of
going in to look after her when he met her coming out.

"You have been following me," said Mrs. Wilders, sharply, and jumping
with all a woman's quickness at the right conclusion. "Who set you to
spy on me?"

"I beg your pardon, madam; I am not a spy," said the young serjeant,
formally saluting.

"Don't bandy words with me. Tell me, I insist!"

"The general was afraid something might happen to you. He thought you
might need assistance--perhaps lose your way."

She looked at him very keenly as he said these last words, watching
whether there was any covert satire in them.

But McKay's face betrayed nothing.

"How long have you been at my heels? How much have you seen?"

"I followed you from the Convent, madam, to this door. I have seen
nothing since you went in here."

"I daresay you are wondering what brought me to such a place. A person
in whom I take a great interest, an old woman, lives here. I knew her
years ago. Psha! why should I condescend to explain? Look here, Mr.
Sergeant"--she took out her purse and produced a sovereign--"