ere, take the cup! See! the coin is no
longer in it! You will pardon me for having offered it?"

Vizcarra saw that she was offended, and by this apology endeavoured to
appease her.

She received the gourd-shell from his hands, and then went back to the
house to bring him the light he had asked for.

Presently she reappeared with some red coals upon a small "brazero."

On reaching the gate she was surprised to see that the officer had
dismounted, and was fastening his horse to a stake.

As she offered him the brazero, he remarked, "I am wearied with my ride;
may I beg, Senorita, you will allow me a few minutes' shelter from the
hot sun?"

Though annoyed at this request, the girl could only reply in the
affirmative; and the next moment, with clattering spur and clanking
sabre, the Comandante walked into the rancho.

Rosita followed him in without a word, and without a word he was
received by her mother, who, seated in the corner, took no notice of his
entrance, not even by looking up at him. The dog made a circuit around
him, growling angrily, but his young mistress chided him off; and the
brute once more couched himself upon a petate, and lay with eyes
gleaming fiercely at the intruder.

Once in the house, Vizcarra did not feel easy. He saw he was not
welcome. Not a word of welcome had been uttered by Rosita, and not a
sign of it offered either by the old woman or the dog. The contrary
symptoms were unmistakeable, and the grand officer felt he was an
intruder.

But Vizcarra was not accustomed to care much for the feelings of people
like these. He paid but little regard to their likes or dislikes,
especially where these interfered with his pleasures; and, after
lighting his cigar, he sat down on a "banqueta," with as much
nonchalance as if he were in his own quarters. He smoked some time
without breaking silence.

Meanwhile Rosita had drawn out her loom, and, kneeling down in front of
it, went on with her work as if no stranger were present.

"Oh, indeed!" exclaimed the officer, feigning interest in the process,
"how very ingenious! I have often wished to see this! a reboso it is?
Upon my _word_! and that is how they are woven? Can you finish one in a
day, Senorita?"

"_Si, Senor_," was the curt reply.

"And this thread, it is cotton; is it not?"

"Si, Senor."

"It is very prettily arranged indeed. Did you place it so yourself?"

"Si, Senor."

"Really it requires skill! I should like muc