y by making some such expedition on my
own account."

"Ah!" said the general, eying him with some intentness. "Well, we may be
able to show you something more curious than you anticipate.--And now,
Senor de Mendoza, there is only you left. May we count on your company
into the desert?"

But the Mexican, with a bow and a grimace, excused himself. Scientific
curiosity was an unknown emotion to him; but he foresaw an opportunity
to have Grace all to himself, and he meant to improve it. He also wished
leisure to think over some plan for getting rid of Senor Freeman, in
whom he scented a rival, and who, whether a rival or not, had behaved to
him with a lack of consideration in the presence of ladies.

CHAPTER IV.

General Trednoke's household went early to bed. As there was
more accommodation in the old house than sufficed for its present
inhabitants, it followed that each of them had a regal allowance of
rooms. And when Grace Parsloe became one of the occupants, she was
allotted two commodious apartments at the extremity of the left wing.
They communicated, through long windows, with the veranda in front, and
by means of doors with the passage, or hall, traversing the house from
end to end. If, therefore, she happened to be sleepless, she might issue
forth into the garden, and wander about there without let or hinderance
until she was ready to accept the wooing of the god of dreams; or, if
supernatural terrors daunted her, she could in a few seconds transfer
herself and her fears to Miriam's chamber, which occupied the same
position in the right wing that hers did in the left.

The night, as is customary in that climate, where the atmosphere is pure
and evaporation rapid, was cool and still. By ten o'clock there was no
sound to indicate that any person was awake; though, to an acute ear,
the rise and fall of regular breathing, or even an occasional snore,
might have given evidence of slumber. At the back of the house,
the Indian retainers were lapped in silence. They were a harmless
people,--somewhat disposed, perhaps, to small pilferings, in an amiable
and loyal way, but incapable of anything seriously criminal. There were
no locks on the doors, and most of them stood ajar. Tramps and burglars
were unknown.

Miriam, having put on her night-dress, stood a few minutes at her
window, gazing out on the soft darkness of the garden. All there was
peacefulness and fragrance. The leaves of the plants hung motionless;
t