Part 13 (1/2)
”Your Excellency,” she said, doing her ut a favour froht, illu favours from him! What better could he have wished? With all his command of features he but ill-concealed the triumph he now felt It flashed up in his eyes as he said respondingly--
”A favour you would ask? Well, if it be within rant it, neither the Condesa Almonte, nor the Dona Luisa Valverde need fear refusal Be frank, then, and tell e, still hesitated to declare it For despite the ready promise of compliance, she did fear a refusal; since it had been asked for that sah not absolutely refused, the answer left but little hope of its being conceded
As is known, at an earlier hour Don Ignacio had paid a visit to the Palacio, to seek clemency for a prisoner-of-war, Florence Kearney But pardon for a state prisoner was also included in his application--that being Ruperto Rivas Of all this the ladies ell aware, since it was at their instigation, and through their importunity, he had acted
It was only, therefore, by the urgency of a despairing effort, as a _dernier ressort_, these had now sought the presence as petitioners, and naturally they dreaded denial Noting the Condesa's backwardness--a thing new but not displeasing to hiave proatively:
”Might this favour, as you are pleased to terht to do with a request lately nacio Valverde?”
”'Tis the sath recovering spirit, but still keeping up the air of meek supplication she had assurieves h it needed none for hirined This he was in reality, and for reasons intelligible
Here were two ladies, both of who by her presence--as it were telling hireat interest she felt in another--that or she would not have been there!
”But why, Excellentissirieve you in giving their freedouilty of crime, and who are in prison only for offences your Excellency can easily pardon?”
”Not so easily as you think, Condesa You forget that I am but official head of the State, and have others to consult--nitude Know, too, that both these ravest offences; one of theainst it; the other, I am sorry to say, a citizen, who has become a rebel, and worse still, a robber!”
”'Tis false!” exclai to forget the place she was in and the presence ”Don Ruperto Rivas is no robber; never was, nor rebel either; instead, the purest of patriots!”
Never looked Ysabel Almonte lovelier than at that moment--perhaps never wonation, attitude erect--for she had started up from her chair--she seery, but beautiful No longernow Instinct or intuition told her it would be of no use pleading further, and she had made up her mind for the worst
The traits of beauty which her excitement called forth, added piquancy to her natural charms, and inflamed Santa Anna's wicked passions all the e For now he kne much the fair petitioner was interested in the man whose suit she had preferred
With a cold cynicism--which, however, cost him an effort--he rejoined:
”That, perhaps, is your way of thinking, Condesa But it remains to be proved--and the prisoner you speak of shall have an opportunity of proving it--with his innocence in every respect Thatto Luisa Valverde, ”in whom, if I mistake not, the Dona Luisa is entlemen_ prisoners shall have a fair trial, and justice done them Now, ladies! can you askit would be to no purpose Equally purposeless to prolong the interview; and they turned toward the door, the daughter of Don Ignacio leading where she had before followed
This was just as Santa Anna wished it See, and the limp he took such pains to conceal, he jerked hined plea of politeness
Just in time to say to the Countess in a hurried, half-whisper:--
”If the Condesa will return, and prefer her request _alone_, it may meet with more favour”
The lady passed on, with head held disdainfully, as though she heard but would not heed She did hear what he said, and it brought a fresh flush upon her cheek, with another flash of anger in her eyes For she could notinto the ear of Eve
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
A WOMAN'S SCHEME