we did not expect to have the honour
of your company this evening, you are always welcome."

Notwithstanding this polite speech, there was a certain constraint or
hesitancy in the way it was spoken, that told of some insincerity. It
was evident that on that night at least Don Carlos' host looked upon him
in the light of an intruder. Evidence of the same was still more marked
on the countenance, as in the behaviour of Don Ignacio's daughter.
Instead of a smile to greet the new-comer, something like a frown sat
upon her beautiful brow, while every now and then a half-angry flash
from her large liquid eyes, directed towards him, might have told him he
was aught but welcome. Clearly it was not for him she had several times
during the same night passed out into the piazza and looked through its
lattice-work.

In truth, both father and daughter seemed disturbed by Santander's
presence, both expecting one whom, for different reasons, they did not
desire him to meet. If the Creole noticed their repugnance, he betrayed
no sign of it. Don Carlos Santander, besides being physically handsome,
was a man of rare intellectual strength, with many accomplishments,
among others the power of concealing his thoughts under a mask of
imperturbable coolness. Still, on this night his demeanour was
different from its wont. He looked flurried and excited, his eyes
scintillating as with anger at some affront lately offered him, and the
sting of which still rankled in his bosom. Don Ignacio noticed this,
but said nothing. Indeed, he seemed to stand in awe of his guest, as
though under some mysterious influence. So was he, and here it may as
well be told. Santander, though by birth an American and a native of
New Orleans, was of Mexican parentage, and still regarded himself as a
citizen of the country of his ancestors. Only to his very intimates was
it known that he held a very high place in the confidence of Mexico's
Dictator. But Don Ignacio knew this, and rested certain hopes upon it.
More than once had Santander, for motives that will presently appear,
hinted to him the possibility of a return to his own land, with
restoration of the estates he had forfeited. And the exiled patriot,
wearied with long waiting, was at length willing to lend an ear to
conditions, which, in other days, he might have spurned as humiliating
if not actually dishonourable.

It was to talk of these Santander had now presented himself; and his
host suspe