Part 32 (2/2)
”That is possible, my good Lanzi,” she answered softly; ”but what I have to say to you admits of no delay.”
”Oh, oh,” he said, in a slightly suppressed tone, ”what is the matter, then?”
”Nothing very extraordinary, my good man; everything in the venta is regular as usual. But I have a service to ask of you.”
”Speak, senorita; you know that I am devoted to you.”
”It is growing late, and it is probable that no traveller will arrive at the venta to-day.”
The half-breed raised his head, and mentally calculated the position of the sun.
”I do not believe that any travellers will arrive to-day,” he at length said, ”for it is nearly four o'clock; still, they might come for all that.”
”Nothing leads to the supposition.”
”Nothing, indeed, senorita.”
”Well, I wish you to shut up the venta.”
”Shut up the venta! What for?”
”I will tell you.”
”Is it really very important?”
”Very.”
”Speak, then, Nina, I am all ears.”
The maiden gave the half-breed, who was standing in front of her, a long and searching glance, leant her elbow gracefully on the table, and said, quietly--
”I am anxious, Lanzi.”
”Anxious? What about?”
”At my father's long absence.”
”Why, he was here hardly four days back.”
”He never left me alone so long before.”
”Still,” the half-breed remarked, scratching his head with an embarra.s.sed air--
”In a word,” she interrupted him, resolutely, ”I am anxious about my father, and wish to see him. You will close the venta, saddle the horses, and we will go to the Larch-tree hacienda; it is not far, and we shall be back in four or five hours.”
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