s done. The Royalists are getting a strong
following in the city again."

"Bah!" exclaimed Plaza scornfully, "they're just weather-cocks,
twisting about with every wind that blows--first Royalist, then
Patriot, then Royalist again! It's enough to take away one's breath.
Did you hear about Camba?"

"He was one of us," said Alzura, "went over to the Royalists, and came
back again."

"And was appointed second in command of the Legion!"

There was a cry of amazement from every one in the room; but Plaza
continued, "It's a fact; only Miller put his foot down. 'My officers
are gentlemen,' said he. 'If you appoint this man over them they will
break their swords, and I shall be the first to do so.' That stopped
the game, and Camba was pushed in somewhere else."

"It's a wonder he hasn't changed again," I said.

"He is only biding his time, like a good many others."

"I know nearly a dozen myself," said Alzura, "and one of them is a
neighbour of yours, Crawford."

"Do you mean the fellow with the pretty daughter?" some one asked.

"Yes. I respect the girl. She is an out-and-out Royalist, and makes
no attempt to deny it; but the old man is a schemer--he runs with the
hare and hunts with the hounds."

"Don't vent your opinion too freely, my boy; Montilla has powerful
influence in high quarters."

"Well," said Alzura doggedly, "if he isn't working hard to bring back
the Royalists, I am very much mistaken."

The young officer's words made me very uneasy. I knew little of Don
Felipe's proceedings, as, although he was an occasional visitor at our
house, a certain coolness had sprung up between us. For this feeling
it would have been difficult, perhaps, to give any particular reason.
To all appearance the man had acted fairly enough; indeed, according to
his own account, he had always been my best friend.

Still, I had very little love for him, and no respect at all. I was
rather suspicious of a man who changed sides just when it best suited
his interests. With Rosa things were different. She was a born
Royalist, and though I thought her views mistaken, I admired her pluck
in holding so stoutly to them.

But the idea that her father was preparing to turn his coat again
worried me. True, he might win a big reward by helping the Spaniards;
but in the event of discovery, he could hardly expect to escape death.
I told myself the punishment would serve him right, and that the
business was none of mine; yet som