sented himself at the gate in the
guise of an officer of Hussars, Don Carlos Santander. Nor was he alone,
but with an escort accompanying. They were seated in the verandah of
the inner court, but saw him through the _saguan_, the door of which was
open, saw him enter at the outer gate, and without dismounting come on
towards them, several files of his men following. He had been
accustomed to visit them there, and they to receive his visits, however
reluctantly, reasons of many kinds compelling them. But never had he
presented himself as now. It was an act of ill-manners his entering
unannounced, another riding into the enclosure with soldiers behind him;
but the rudeness was complete when he came on into the _patio_ still in
the saddle, his men too, and pulled up directly in front of them,
without waiting for word of invitation. The stiff, formal bow, the
expression upon his swarthy features, severe, but with ill-concealed
exultation in it, proclaimed his visit of no complimentary kind.

By this both were on their feet, looking offended, even angry, at the
same time alarmed. And yet little surprised, for it was only
confirmation of the fear that had been all day oppressing them--its very
fulfilment. But that they believed it this they would have shown their
resentment by retiring and leaving him there. As it was, they knew that
would be idle, and so stayed to hear what he had to say. It was--

"_Senoritas_, I see you're wondering at my thus presenting myself. Not
strange you should. Nor could any one more regret the disagreeable
errand I've come upon than I. It grieves me sorely, I assure you."

"What is it, Colonel Santander?" demanded the Countess, with
_sang-froid_ partially restored.

"I hate to declare it, Condesa," he rejoined, "still more to execute it.
But, compelled by the rigorous necessities of a soldier's duty, I
must."

"Well, sir; must what?"

"Make you a prisoner; and, I am sorry to add, also the Dona Luisa."

"Oh, that's it!" exclaimed the Countess, with a scornful inclination of
the head. "Well, sir, I don't wonder at your disliking the duty, as you
say you do. It seems more that of a policeman than a soldier."

The retort struck home, still further humiliating him in the eyes of the
woman he loved, Luisa Valverde. But he now knew she loved not him, and
had made up his mind to humble her in a way hitherto untried. Stung by
the innuendo, and dropping his clumsy pretence at polite