ceived notice from the
grand colonel, who has eyes only for you; so he's not jealous of
Ruperto. As the obsequious servant of his master, hostile to him no
doubt; but that might be overcome by your doing as I should direct."

"But what would you have me do."

"Show yourself _complaisant_ to the Colonel. Only in appearance, as
I've said; and only for a time till you've tried your power over him,
and see with what success."

"I'm sure it would fail."

"I don't think it would, _amiga mia_; and will not, if you go about it
according to instructions. Though it may cost you some unpleasantness,
Luisita, and an effort, you'll make it for my sake, won't you? And as a
reward," pursued the Countess, as if to render her appeal more surely
effective, "I shall do as much for you, and in a similar way. For I,
too, intend counterfeiting complacency in a certain quarter, and in the
interest of a different individual--Don Florencio. Now, you understand
me?"

"Not quite yet."

"Never mind. I'll make it more plain by-and-by. Only promise me that
you'll do--"

"Dearest Ysabelita! I'd do anything for you."

"And Don Florencio. I thought that would secure your consent. Well,
_mil mil gracias_! But what a game of cross-purposes we'll be playing;
I for you, and you for me, and neither for ourselves! Let us hope we
may both win."

By this the carriage had stopped in front of the Casa Valverde to set
down Dona Luisa. The Countess alighted also, ordering the horses home.
It was but a step to her own house, and she could walk it. For she had
something more to say which required saying there and then. Passing on
into the _patio_, far enough to be beyond earshot of the "cochero," and
there stopping, she resumed the dialogue at the point where she had left
off.

"We must set to work at once," she said; "this very day, if opportunity
offer. Perhaps in the procession--"

"Oh! Ysabel?" interrupted the other. "How I dislike the thought of
this procession--making merry as it were, and he in a prison! And we
must pass it too--its very doors! I'm sure I shall feel like springing
out of the carriage and rushing inside to see him."

"That would be just the way to ensure your not seeing him--perhaps,
never more. The very opposite is what you must do, or you'll spoil all
my plans. But I'll instruct you better before we start out."

"You insist, then, on our going?"

"Of course, yes; for the very reason--the very purpose