e you and he
are on the same side. My father is a Patriot now, and cries, 'Down
with the king!' I suppose your meddlesome general has sent you with a
message."

I did not undeceive her; and while the servant carried my name to his
master, we entered one of the rooms and continued our conversation. I
saw she was troubled; yet with great skill and grace she put me at
ease, and led me to talk of what had happened during the last two years.

"What a fire-eater you are, Juan!" she cried banteringly. "I am quite
afraid of you. But what a fine sword you have! Ah, if I were only a
boy! Can you guess what I would do?"

"No," I replied, with a shake of the head. "No one can guess what a
girl will do."

"But I said a boy."

"Ah! that would be altogether different."

"I will tell you then," she said, standing up and speaking very
earnestly. "I would get a sword and pistols and join the king's
friends. I would be a loyal Spanish cavalier, Juan, if I were the only
one in Peru!"

"Then it is lucky you are a girl, Rosa, or you would soon be killed. I
would not harm the king, even if he were here instead of being in
Spain, thousands of miles away; but I have no love for those who rule
in his name."

"No," said she, casting down her eyes, and I thought her voice sounded
sad; "you have suffered at their hands. But it is not the king's
fault, Juan; he would have seen you righted."

"It is a long way from Peru to Spain," said I, trying to speak
carelessly, "and it seems as if in these days one must right one's own
wrongs."

After that we sat speaking very little, each afraid lest the talk
should drift into an awkward channel, for I felt sure that she knew how
her father had robbed us of our estates.

On the return of the servant she whispered earnestly, "My father has
changed greatly. I am sure he is unhappy. If he should appear cross
and irritable, you will bear with him, won't you, Juan?"

"I will do my best, Rosa. But why should he be angry with me? I am
only going to ask him a question."

Don Felipe was truly much altered. His dark hair was plentifully
sprinkled with silver; there were deep lines in his forehead and around
his lips; his eyes had become shifty, and there was a look of cunning
in them. He gave me just one swift, searching glance, and then looked
away. It was an awkward meeting, and I hardly knew what to say.
Fortunately Don Felipe took the lead.

"You have grown almost out of knowled