_Irlandes_! have him
shot, or have him despatched by _La Garrota_, whichever seems best to
you. But no--stay! That won't do yet. There's a question about these
Tejanos with the United States Minister; and as this Kearney is an
Irishman, and so a British subject, the representative of that country
may make trouble too. So till all this is settled, the _Irlandes_
mustn't be either shot or garrotted. Instead, let him be treated
tenderly. You comprehend?"

The staff-colonel did comprehend; the emphasis on the "tenderly" made it
impossible for him to mistake the Dictator's meaning, which was just as
he desired it. As he passed out of the presence, and from the room, his
countenance was lit up, or rather darkened, by an expression of fiendish
triumph. He now had it in his power to humiliate them who had so
humbled him.

"Quite a little comedy!" soliloquised Santa Anna, as the door closed on
his subordinate, "in which, before it's played out, I may myself take a
part. She's a charming creature, this Senorita Valverde. But, ah!
nothing to the Condesa. That woman--witch, devil, or whatever I may
call her--bids fair to do what woman never did--make a fool of Lopez de
Santa Anna."

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

A WOODEN-LEGGED LOTHARIO.

For some time the Dictator remained in his seat lighting cigarrito after
cigarrito, and puffing away at them furiously. The look of light
frivolity had forsaken his face, which was now overcast with gloom.

At this time, as said, he wielded supreme unlimited power over the
Mexican people--even to life and death. For although he might not
recklessly or openly decree this, he could bring it about secretly--by
means which, if rumour spoke true, he had more than once made use of.
Indeed, there stood against his name more than one well-confirmed record
of assassination.

Thought of this may have had something to do with the cloud that had
come over his features; though not for any qualms of conscience for the
murders he may have committed or hired others to commit. More likely a
fear that he himself might some day meet a similar fate; like all
despots he dreaded the steel of the assassin. By his corrupt
administration, he had encouraged bravoism till it had become a
dangerous element in the social life of his country--almost an
institution--and it was but natural he should fear the bravo's blade
turned against himself.

Another apprehension may at this time have been troubling him.