time. How many hours do you think,
Enrique?"

"Oh! we shall be gone days, I fear."

"Days! Oh, papa! Oh, Enrique! Days!"

"Come, little chit; they will soon pass. Go! Help your mamma to make
the coffee."

"Oh, papa! Days; long days. They will not soon pass when I am alone."

"But you will not be alone. Your mamma will be with you."

"Ah!"

And with a sigh, and an air of abstraction, she departed to obey the
command of her father. As she passed out at the door, she again sighed
audibly.

The doctor was a silent and wondering spectator of this last scene; and
as her figure vanished into the hall, I could hear him muttering to
himself--

"Oh ja! Poor leetle fraulein! I thought as mosh."

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

UP THE DEL NORTE.

I will not distress you with a parting scene. We were in our saddles
before the stars had died out, and riding along the sandy road.

At a short distance from the house the path angled, striking into thick,
heavy timber. Here I checked my horse, allowing my companions to pass,
and, standing in the stirrup, looked back. My eyes wandered along the
old grey walls, and sought the azotea. Upon the very edge of the
parapet, outlined against the pale light of the aurora, was the object I
looked for. I could not distinguish the features, but I easily
recognised the oval curvings of the figure, cut like a dark medallion
against the sky.

She was standing near one of the yucca palm trees that grew up from the
azotea. Her hand rested upon its trunk, and she bent forward, straining
her gaze into the darkness below. Perhaps she saw the waving of a
kerchief; perhaps she heard her name, and echoed the parting prayer that
was sent back to her on the still breath of the morning. If so, her
voice was drowned by the tread of my chafing horse, that, wheeling
suddenly, bore me off into the sombre shadows of the forest.

I rode forward, turning at intervals to catch a glimpse of those lovely
outlines, but from no other point was the house visible. It lay buried
in the dark, majestic woods. I could only see the long bayonets of the
picturesque palmillas; and our road now descending among hills, these
too were soon hidden from my view.

Dropping the bridle, and leaving my horse to go at will, I fell into a
train of thoughts at once pleasant and painful.

I knew that I had inspired this young creature with a passion deep and
ardent as my own, perhaps more vital; for my heart h