Lewis's for supper.

The women were seated on the porch after their meals when up the
driveway rode two horsemen. A moment later a tall figure mounted the
steps and came forward with outstretched hand, crying, in Spanish:

"Senora! I surprise you. Well, I told you some day I should give myself
this great pleasure. I am here!"

"General Longorio! But--what a surprise!" Alaire's amazement was naive;
her face was that of a startled school-girl. The Mexican warmly kissed
her fingers, then turned to meet Paloma Jones. As he bowed the women
exchanged glances over his head. Miss Jones looked frankly frightened,
and her expression plainly asked the meaning of Longorio's presence. To
herself, she was wondering if it could have anything to do with that
expedition to the Romero cemetery. She tried to compose herself, but
apprehension flooded her.

Alaire, meanwhile, her composure recovered, was standing slim and
motionless beside her chair, inquiring smoothly: "What brings you into
Texas at such a time, my dear general? This is quite extraordinary."

"Need you ask me?" cried the man. "I would ride through a thousand
perils, senora. God in his graciousness placed that miserable village
Romero close to the gates of Heaven. Why should I not presume to look
through them briefly? I came two days ago, and every hour since then I
have turned my eyes in the direction of Las Palmas. At last I could
wait no longer." A courtly bow at the conclusion of these words robbed
the speech of its audacity and tinged it with the licensed extravagance
of Latin flattery. Nevertheless, Paloma gasped and Alaire stirred
uncomfortably. The semi-darkness of the veranda was an invitation to
even more daring compliments, and, therefore, as she murmured a polite
word of welcome, Alaire stepped through the French window at her back
and into the brightly lighted living-room. Paloma Jones followed as if
in a trance.

Longorio's bright eyes took a swift inventory of his surroundings; then
he sighed luxuriously.

"How fine!" said he. "How beautiful! A nest for a bird of paradise!"

"Don't you consider this rather a mad adventure?" Alaire insisted.
"Suppose it should become known that you crossed the river?"

Longorio snapped his fingers. "I answer to no one; I am supreme. But
your interest warms my heart; it thrills me to think you care for my
safety. Thus am I repaid for my days of misery."

"You surely did not"--Paloma swallowed hard--"come alone?"

"