s became contracted, and his eyes shone with a sombre fire.

By little and little he ceased to take part in the conversation, and at
length appeared wrapped in a profound meditation. Insensibly also an
air of melancholy stole over the features of Rosarita. As for Don
Augustin and the Senator they appeared at once to be on good terms with
each other, and carried on the conversation without permitting it to
flag for a moment.

Just then Cuchillo, accompanied by Baraja, entered to pay their respects
to the master of the hacienda. Their entrance within the sala of course
created some slight disarrangement in the tableaux of the _dramatis
personal_ already there. This confusion gave Tiburcio an opportunity to
carry out a desperate resolution he had formed, and profiting by it, he
advanced nearer to Rosarita.

"I will give my life," said he to her, in a side whisper, "for one
moment alone with you. I wish to speak of an affair of the highest
importance."

The young girl regarded him for a moment with an air of astonishment,
further expressed by a disdainful movement of the lip; although,
considering their former relations, and also the free familiarity of
Mexican manners, she might have been expected to have excused his
freedom. Tiburcio stood waiting her reply in a supplicating attitude,
and as everything seemed spontaneous with her, he had not long to wait.
She answered in a few words:

"To-night then--at ten o'clock I shall be at my window."

Scarcely had the thrilling tones of her voice ceased to vibrate on the
ear of Tiburcio, when supper was announced, and the guests were shown
into another room. Here a table, splendidly set out, occupied the
middle of the apartment, above which hung a great chandelier fitted with
numerous waxen candles: these gave out a brilliant and cheerful light,
that was reflected from hundreds of shining vessels of massive silver of
antique forms, arranged upon the table below.

The upper end of the table was occupied by the host himself and his
principal guests. His daughter sat on his left hand, while Don Estevan
was placed upon the right. After them, the Senator and the chaplain,
and Pedro Diaz. At the lower end were seated Tiburcio, Cuchillo, Baraja
and Oroche.

The chaplain pronounced the _benedicite_. Although it was no longer the
same jumbling formula, _sans facon_, which he had used at the death-bed
of the widow of Arellanos, yet the air of mock solemnity and unction
w