Part 57 (1/2)

”Ah! he is always committing some crime,” rejoined the servant.

”And your mistress--the Dona Marianita--what of her?”

”It was to make him tell where she was concealed that Arroyo was flogging my master,” replied the man. ”Fortunately I was able to get her out of the way, by a.s.sisting her to descend from the window of the chamber where they had hidden her. Afterwards I got off myself, and am now on my way to the hacienda Del Valle, in hopes of getting a.s.sistance from its brave defenders, who themselves never violate the laws of war.”

”But how will you get in there? Are not some of Arroyo's guerilleros still besieging the place?”

”No, Senor. The whole band is now at San Carlos.”

”Good!” exclaimed the Colonel. ”Come along with me, and I promise you a prompt and b.l.o.o.d.y vengeance.”

Without further explaining himself, Don Rafael leaped upon his horse, directing the domestic to mount behind him, and then started off at a rapid trot in the direction of Del Valle.

”Where did you leave your mistress?” inquired Don Rafael, as they rode on.

”In truth, sir,” replied the domestic, ”I was so confused when she left me, that I did not think of reminding her to fly to Del Valle. I only told her to make into the woods near San Carlos. But the most important matter was for her to get out of the reach of Arroyo; and I hope she will be safe in the chapparal. Poor young creature! She was so happy this morning. She was expecting on this very night the arrival of her father and sister--neither of whom she has seen for a long time.”

The Colonel could not hinder himself from shuddering.

”Are you sure that it is to-night that Don Mariano and Dona Gertrudis are expected at San Carlos?” he inquired, with a tone of anxiety in his voice.

”Yes; a letter had reached my master to say so. G.o.d forbid that they, too, should fall into the hands of these merciless men! They say, too, that Arroyo is an old servant of Don Mariano.”

”Let us hope they may not come!” said the Colonel, with a choking effort.

”It may be,” continued the domestic, ”that the illness of Dona Gertrudis may detain them a day or two on the journey. That would be the luckiest thing that could happen.”

”What say you? is Dona Gertrudis ill!”

”Senor!” exclaimed the domestic, ”you, who appear to know the family, are you ignorant that Dona Gertrudis is only the shadow of her former self, and that some secret grief is wasting her away? But, Senor, why do you tremble?” inquired the man, who, with his arm round his waist, felt the nervous agitation of Don Rafael's body.

”Oh, nothing,” replied the latter; ”but tell me--does any one know the cause of her grief?”

”Rather say, who is there who don't know it, Senor? Dona Gertrudis was in love with a young officer; and so fondly, that it is said she cut off the whole of her beautiful hair, as a sacrifice to the Holy Virgin, for saving his life on an occasion when he was in danger! And yet for all this, he who was thus loved proved faithless, and deserted her!”

”Well?” mechanically interposed Don Rafael.

”Well,” continued the servant, ”the poor young lady is dying on account of being so deserted--dying by inches; but surely--why, Senor, you are certainly ill? I feel your heart beating against my hand as if it would leap out of your bosom!”

”It is true,” answered Don Rafael, in a husky voice. ”I am subject to severe palpitations; but presently--” The Colonel, for support, fell back against the domestic, his herculean strength having yielded to the powerful emotions which were pa.s.sing within him. ”Presently,” he continued, ”I shall get over it. I feel better already. Go on with your history. This man--this officer--did he ever tell Dona Gertrudis that he no longer loved her? Does he love any other?”

”I do not know,” was the response of the domestic.

”Could she not have sent him word--say by some means agreed upon--which should bring him back to her from the farthest corner of the earth?

Perhaps then--”

Don Rafael could not finish what he intended to have said. A bright hope, long time suppressed, began to spring up within his heart, and with such force, that he feared to know the truth--lest it should be crushed on the instant.

”Senor, you ask me more than I am able to answer,” rejoined the domestic. ”I have told you all I know of this sad story!”

Heaving a deep sigh, the Colonel remained for some moments silent.