Part 25 (2/2)

”_Caballeros_, your sleeping rooms are ready”

CHAPTER FORTY ONE

ANXIOUS HOURS

”See, Luisita! Yonder go soldiers!”

”Where?”

”Along the calzada of Nino Perdido--under the trees--by the thick clu!”

”_Santissima_, yes! I see thee! _Ay Dios_!”

”_Ay Dios_, indeed! It's to be hoped they won't, though And I have less fear of it now than ever It one that way, or the soldiers wouldn't be there; and as it couldn't have stopped at the _garita_, it should now be a good distance on Keep up your heart, _aa mia_, as I do mine They'll soon be safe, if they're not yet”

This exclaue was carried on while the alar The speakers were on the azotea of Don Ignacio's house, up to which they had hastened soon as ho dismissed their escort below, and left orders for no visitors to be adlasses to their eyes, they had been scanning the roads which led south and south-west froot back, and as the carriage having already rounded the turning to Coyoacan, they saw but the pursuing soldiers Those were the Hussars, with Santander at their head, though the ladies knew not that

Fortified by the hopeful speech of the Condesa, the other responded to it with an added word of hope, and a prayer for the safe escape of those they were concerned about

Then for a while both re thethe road Soon these were out of sight, but their whereabouts could be told by the cloud of white dust which rose over the trees, gradually drifting farther and farther off

At length it too disappeared, settling down; and as the bells ceased to ring, and the cannon to be fired, the city, with all around it, seemed restored to its wonted tranquillity

But not so the breasts of Luisa Valverde and Ysabel Almonte Far from tranquil they; instead, filled with anxiety, keen as ever And now, asto escape

In their haste to effect this, they had taken no thought of as to come after But it was now forced upon them As they looked back on what they had the, with all its details of action--apprehensions hitherto unfelt began to steal over theer they dwelt upon them

But ould be the upshot of all?

What if the carriage got overtaken with the fugitives in it, and beside theentleo_ and _serape_! Odd assort! They had no fear of the _cochero_ betraying them; but this paraphernalia surely would, if it fell into the hands of the pursuers They s, if produced, would bring about an exposure unavoidable

No wonder at their soon becoitated And they had no one to take council with Soon after their co of what happened, had sallied forth to make inquiries, and direct pursuit Furious about his fine carriage and horses carried off, he little drea pistols and blue broadcloth cloak

Nor would it do to tell him of those matters, unless theythemselves on his affection more than his s-- unsuspicious man--had not even been told who the _forzados_ were that had taken away his equipage

Closeted alone, for soht to do They did not yield to despair, however; instead, kept on scheht meet the worst--if the worst came

But one way seenacio If they could prevail on hiht be well Only to say the carriage had been made ready for a journey to his _casa de ca, taking his daughter and the Condesa along with him That would explain the presence of the weapons; no uncoe travellers to take such with theood reason, there being footpads and robbers everywhere And the cloaks for protection against the night air!

In this way they groped about, as drowning people clutch at sticks and straws, still without being able to get rid of their apprehensions

Even should Don Ignacio agree to the deception they thought of--he would, no doubt, when er--it was questionable whether it would serve them For there was a file too--a small matter, but a most conspicuous link in the chain of circue would have been using it, before being taken--if they should be taken Finally, the worst of all, the relations known to exist between the escape

Athe rele anacio's return home in any way relieve them They were not yet prepared to surrender up their secret even to him The tian to look better, and the suspense easier to bear No report from the pursuers, which there would or should have been, were the pursued taken