st of Peggys; if I had her here, what
great joy! But I must tell you of our ride. We
went, Jack and I, up to the hill camp, where we
went last year, after the terrible ride you
know of. There we spent three happy days,
camping in the green hollow among the hills,
with only Juan to cook for us and care for the
horses. Ah, Marguerite, what a time was that!
We visited every spot made sacred to us by our
love. The hiding-place, near poor Don
Annunzio's house, where I first saw my hero,
swinging in his hammock. Have I told you that I
thought him a skulker, a coward hiding to
escape warfare? How often we have laughed over
that! Then we passed along the road, so
peaceful now, so wild and horrent then (how is
this word, 'horrent,' Marguerite? I find it in
a poem, it seems to me noble; I tell Jack, he
laughs, and says something like 'high falu--' I
cannot tell what!). We paused to weep over the
gray heap where once smiled the _residencia_,
where that kind old woman and her good vast
husband sheltered the wandering maiden,
protected her at the risk of their own lives,
and--one of them, as you know--died to save her
and others. Then farther, to Carlos's old camp,
where Manuela and I lived, and where I first
learned to be of a little use in the world. Ah,
the memories, how they came crowding back! I
have told you that Manuela is married to Pepe?
Yes; two months ago. The wedding was charming!
I gave her her wedding-gown, of finest muslin,
suitable to her condition, with plenty of
lace and ribbons, which the poor child values
highly, and I dressed her hair (poor Manuela!
She would have done it far better herself; she
has a wonderful gift. My present maid is a poor
creature, but Manuela is to give her lessons),
and arranged the veil and wreath. She was a
vision of enchantment, and really thrown away
on poor Pepe, who never looked at either dress
or veil. Jack says 'neither did he.' My dear,
these men! To what purpose do we adorn
ourselves, exhaust the treasure of our souls,
in efforts to please them? But I wander from my
story. My child, this expedition, carrying back