Part 44 (2/2)

Ladies in rich dresses, and amongst these--. Her sister, too, was there, and the Dona Joaquiana, and half a dozen other ladies, rustling in silks and blazing with jewels.

Several of the gentlemen--young officers of the band--wore the picturesque costume of the guerilleros.

They were forming for the dance.

”Look, Captain!” cried Clayley; ”Don Cosme and his people, by the living earthquake!”

”Hus.h.!.+ do not touch me--do not speak to me!”

I felt as though my heart would stop beating. It rose in my bosom, and seemed to hang for minutes without moving. My throat felt dry and husky, and a cold perspiration broke out upon my skin.

He approaches her--he asks her to dance--she consents! No: she refuses.

Brave girl! She has strayed away from the dancers, and looks over the bal.u.s.trade. She is sad. Was it a sigh that caused her bosom to rise?

Ha! he comes again. She is smiling!--he touches her hand!

”Fiend! false woman!” I shouted at the top of my voice as I sprang up, impelled by pa.s.sion. I attempted to rush towards them. My feet were bound, and I fell heavily upon my face!

The guards seized me, tying my hands. My comrades, too, were re-bound.

We were dragged over the stones into a small room in one corner of the patio.

The door was bolted and locked, and we were left alone.

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.

A KISS IN THE DARK.

It would be impossible to describe my feelings as I was flung upon the floor of our prison. This was cold, damp, and filthy; but I heeded not these grievances. Greater sorrows absorbed the less. There is no torture so racking, no pain so painful as the throbbings of a jealous heart; but how much harder to bear under circ.u.mstances like mine! She could sleep, smile, dance--dance by my prison, and with my jailer!

I felt spiteful--vengeful. I was stung to a desire for retaliation, and along with this came an eagerness to live for the opportunity of indulging in this pa.s.sion.

I began to look around our prison, and see what chances it afforded for escape.

”Good heavens! if our being transferred to the cell should destroy the plans of Narcisso! How is he to reach us? The door is double-locked, and a sentry is pacing without.”

After several painful efforts I raised myself upon my feet, propping my body against the side of the prison. There was an aperture--a window about as large as a loophole for musketry. I spun myself along the wall until I stood directly under it. It was just the height of my chin.

Cautioning my companions to silence, I placed my ear to the aperture and listened. A low sound came wailing from the fields without. I did not heed this. I knew it was the wolf. It rose again, louder than before.

A peculiarity in the howl struck me, and I turned, calling to Raoul.

”What is it, Captain?” inquired he.

”Do you know if the prairie wolf is found here?”

”I do not know if it be the true prairie wolf, Captain. There is one something like the _coyote_.”

I returned to the aperture and listened.

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