Part 2 (2/2)

In truth, both father and daughter see one whom, for different reasons, they did not desire hinance, he betrayed no sign of it Don Carlos Santander, besides being physically handsoth, withhis thoughts under a ht his demeanour was different from its wont He looked flurried and excited, his eyes scintillating as with anger at so of which still rankled in his boso Indeed, he seeh under some mysterious influence So was he, and here it h by birth an Ae, and still regarded himself as a citizen of the country of his ancestors Only to his very intih place in the confidence of Mexico's Dictator But Don Ignacio knew this, and rested certain hopes upon it

More than once had Santander, for motives that will presently appear, hinted to him the possibility of a return to his own land, with restoration of the estates he had forfeited And the exiled patriot, wearied with long waiting, was at length willing to lend an ear to conditions, which, in other days, heif not actually dishonourable

It was to talk of these Santander had now presented hi lady a side look, as much as to say, ”Leave the roolad to obey Just then she preferred a turn upon the piazza; and into this she silently glided, leaving her father alone with the guest who had so inopportunely intruded

It is not necessary to repeat what passed between the twoto a conclusion a coeneral ternacio's confiscated estates, with, of course, also the ban of exile being rehter given to Carlos Santander It was the Creole who proposed these terms, and insisted upon them, even to the humiliation of himself

Madly in love with Luisa Valverde, he suspected that on her side there was no reciprocity of the passion But he would have her hand if he could not her heart

On that night the bargain was not destined to reach a conclusion, their conference being interrupted by the tread of booted feet, just ascending the front steps, and crossing the floor of the piazza This followed by an exchange of salutations, in which the voice of Luisa Valverde was heard nacio looked more troubled than surprised He kneas there

But when the words spoken outside reached the ears of Carlos Santander, first, in openly exchanged salutations and then whispers seeer keep his seat, but springing up, exclai of an _Irlandes_!”

”Hish!+” continued his host ”The Senor Florencio will hear you”

”I wish him to hear me I repeat the expression, and plainly in his own native tongue I call him a cur of an Irishman”

Outside was heard a short, sharp ejaculation, as of a man startled by so speech, this in the softer accents of a wo two faces outside One, that of Florence Kearney, set in an angry frown; the other, Luisa Valverde's, pale and appealing An appeal idle and too late, as she herself saw The air had becoer, and between the twofor a word of invitation, Kearney stepped over the casenacio and the Creole were by this also on their feet; and for a second or so the three forular _tableau_--the Mexican with fear on his face, that of Santander still wearing the expression of insult, as when he had exclai hinant defiance

There was an interval of silence, as that of caluest latest arrived saying a feords to his host, but in cal uncereise,” pronacio ”You are here by my invitation, Senor Don Florencio, and o blood, pure in Valverde's veins, had boiled up at seeing aIrish to Santander and regarding hiy, I require _yours_”

”For what?” asked Santander, counterfeiting ignorance

”For using language that belongs to the _bagnios_ of New Orleans, where, I doubt not, you spendtone and expression of face, he added--

”Cur of a Creole! you must take back your words!”

”Never! It's not ive this!”

So saying, he stepped straight up to the Irishman, and spat in his face

Kearney's heart was on fire His hand was already on the butt of his pistol; but, glancing behind, he saw that pale appealing face, and with an effort restrained hi yourself a gentleman, you will no doubt have a card and address May I ask you to favour me with it, as to-morrow I shall have occasion to write to you? If a scoundrel such as you can boast of having a friend, you ive him notice he will be needed

Your card, sir!”

”Take it!” hissed the Creole, flinging his card on the table Then glaring around, as if his glance would annihilate all, he clutched hold of his hat, bowed haughtily to Don Ignacio, looked daggers at his daughter, and strode out into the street