le as the Sphinx, or play them to suit the
time and the tune. So, after having delivered himself, as above, with
the blandest of smiles upon his face, he remained silent, awaiting the
rejoinder.

It was the Condesa who made it.

"Your Excellency," she said, doing her utmost to look humble; "we have
come to beg a favour from you."

A gratified look, like a gleam of light, illuminated Santa Anna's
swarthy features. Ysabel Almonte begging favours from him! What better
could he have wished? With all his command of features he but
ill-concealed the triumph he now felt. It flashed up in his eyes as he
said respondingly--

"A favour you would ask? Well, if it be within my power to grant it,
neither the Condesa Almonte, nor the Dona Luisa Valverde need fear
refusal. Be frank, then, and tell me what it is."

The Countess, with all her courage, still hesitated to declare it. For
despite the ready promise of compliance, she did fear a refusal; since
it had been asked for that same morning and though not absolutely
refused, the answer left but little hope of its being conceded.

As is known, at an earlier hour Don Ignacio had paid a visit to the
Palacio, to seek clemency for a prisoner-of-war, Florence Kearney. But
pardon for a state prisoner was also included in his application--that
being Ruperto Rivas. Of all this the ladies were well aware, since it
was at their instigation, and through their importunity, he had acted.
It was only, therefore, by the urgency of a despairing effort, as a
_dernier ressort_, these had now sought the presence as petitioners, and
naturally they dreaded denial. Noting the Condesa's backwardness--a
thing new but not displeasing to him, since it gave promise of influence
over her--Santa Anna said interrogatively:

"Might this favour, as you are pleased to term it, have ought to do with
a request lately made to me by Don Ignacio Valverde?"

"'Tis the same, your Excellency," answered the Countess, at length
recovering spirit, but still keeping up the air of meek supplication she
had assumed.

"Indeed!" exclaimed the Dictator, adding, "that grieves me very much."

He made an attempt to look sorry, though it needed none for him to
appear chagrined. This he was in reality, and for reasons intelligible.
Here were two ladies, both of whom he had amatory designs upon, each
proclaiming by her presence--as it were telling him to his teeth, the
great interest she felt in another--that or sh