d the Condesa for speaking with him; and he was soon in their
presence, getting interrogated with a volubility which made sober reply
almost impossible.

His questioners, however, after a time calming down, listened to his
narration in a detailed form, though not without repeated interruptions.
He told them about the slow driving of the carriage along the garden
wall of San Francisco, the putting on the disguises, and how cleverly
they had outwitted the guard at the _garita_.

"Like Ruperto!" at this juncture exclaimed the Countess.

Then, of their onward course along the _calzada_, horses in a gallop,
till stopped on the Coyoacan road, with the action taken there--quick as
it was varied and strange.

Donna Luisa, in her turn, here interrupted in triumphant exclamation--

"Like Florencio!"

In fine, when made known to them how the fugitives had mounted and
ridden off, both cried out together, in terms almost the same--

"Thanks to the Virgin, blessed Mother of God! We now know they are
safe."

Their confidence was strengthened by further questioning, for the
trusted _cochero_ was able to tell them more. How his horses had been
caught, and brought back to him by two Hussars, one of whom he chanced
to have a speaking acquaintance with. From the soldier he had learnt
all about the pursuit, after it had passed beyond him; how they had
searched the _chapparal_, but fruitlessly; the latest reports being that
the _escapados_ had got into the Pedregal.

That was enough for the Countess, who, springing to her feet and
clapping her hands, cried out--

"Joy, Luisita! They're safe, I'm sure. Ruperto knows the Pedregal,
every path through it, as well as we the walks of the Alameda. I shall
sleep this night better than the last, and you may do the same."

So assured, Luisa Valverde, devout as was her wont, responded with a
phrase of thanksgiving, arms crossed over her bosom, eyes turned to the
picture of Santa Guadalupe on the wall.

Jose stood waiting, not for any reward. Recompense for the service he
had done them--so modestly declaring it--was not in his thoughts at that
moment, though it might be after. But the Condesa was thinking of it
then. Sure to promise and contract, she said to him--

"Faithful fellow--courageous as faithful--take this; you've fairly
earned it."

Whilst speaking, she drew the jewelled watch from her waist, and,
passing the chain over her head, held it out to him.

"And this too!