he'll dare anything--will Don Antonio Lopez De
Santa Anna. Besides, what has _he_ to fear? Nothing. He can show good
cause for our imprisonment, else he would never have had us arrested.
Enough to satisfy any clamour of the people. And how would any one ever
know of what might be done to us inside the Palacio? Ah, _Luisita
querida_, if its walls could speak they might tell tales sad enough to
make angels weep. We wouldn't be the first who have been subjected to
insult--ay, infamy--by _El excellentissimo. Valga me Dios_!" she cried
out in conclusion, stamping her foot on the floor, while the flash of
her eyes told of some fixed determination. "If it be so, that Palace
prison will have another secret to keep, or a tale to tell, sad and
tragic as any that has preceded. I, Ysabel Almonte, shall die in it
rather than come out dishonoured."

"I, too!" echoed Luisa Valverde, if in less excited manner, inspired by
a like heroic resolve.

While his fair prisoners were thus exchanging thought and speech,
Santander, in the _sala grande_ outside, was doing his best to pass the
time pleasantly. An effort it was costing him, however, and one far
from successful. His last lingering hope of being beloved by Luisa
Valverde was gone--completely destroyed by what had late come to his
knowledge--and henceforth his love for her could only be as that of
Tarquin for Lucretia. Nor would he have any Collatinus to fear--no
rival, martial or otherwise--since his master, Santa Anna, had long
since given up his designs on Don Ignacio's daughter, exclusively
bending himself to his scheme of conquest--now revenge--over the
Condesa. But though relieved in this regard, and likely to have his own
way, Carlos Santander was anything but a happy man after making that
arrest; instead, almost as miserable as either of those he had arrested.

Still keeping up a pretence of gallantry, he could not command their
company in the drawing-room where he had installed himself; nor, under
the circumstances, would it have been desirable. He was not alone,
however; Major Ramirez and the other officers of his escort being there
with him; and, as in like cases, they were enjoying themselves. However
considerate for the feelings of the ladies, they made free enough with
the house itself, its domestics, larder, and _cocina_, and, above all,
the cellar. Its binns were inquired into, the best wine ordered to be
brought from them, as though they who gave the