at gave rise to Dona
Rosarita's deep dejection.

Another source of anxiety to the haciendado, was the absence of all news
from the Duke de Armada; and to this anxiety was added impatience. The
projected marriage between Rosarita and the Senator had been devised by
Don Estevan. Tragaduros had urged its fulfilment. Don Augustin had
laid the proposal before his daughter, but she replied only by tears;
and her father still hesitated.

However, at the expiration of six months, it was determined to put an
end to the uncertainty by sending to the Presidio for information
concerning the expedition commanded by Don Estevan. It was the last
respite that poor Rosarita had ventured to demand.

The Senator had absented himself for some days from the hacienda, when
the major-domo returned, and Don Augustin was informed of the arrival of
a stranger who could remove his uncertainty. He ordered the stranger to
be introduced into the chamber already known to the reader; and Dona
Rosarita, who had been sent for, speedily joined her father.

In a few moments the stranger presented himself. A wide felt hat, to
which on entering he raised his hand without removing it, shaded his
face, upon which a keen anxiety was visible. From beneath the broad
brim of his hat a red handkerchief fell so low upon his forehead as
almost to conceal his eyebrows, and from beneath its shadow he gazed
with a singular interest upon the pale countenance of the young girl.

CHAPTER FIFTY THREE.

THE STRANGER'S STORY.

Her head veiled by a silk scarf which partly concealed the luxuriant
tresses of her dark hair as they fell in luxuriant clusters upon her
bosom, Dona Rosarita's countenance gave evidence of long and secret
suffering.

As she seated herself, a look of deep disquietude increased her
paleness. It seemed as though the young girl feared the approach of a
moment, in which she might be required to renounce those sweet dreams of
the past, for the reality of a future she dared not contemplate.

When the stranger was also seated the haciendado addressed him.

"We are indebted to you, my friend," he said, "for travelling thus far
to bring us news which I have been forewarned may prove of a very sad
nature; nevertheless we must hear all. God's will be done!"

"My news is in truth sad; but as you say, it is necessary," and the
stranger, laying a stress upon these last words, seemed to address
himself more particularly to Dona Rosarita, "th