Part 26 (1/2)
Soth Jose back ho besides--no weapons nor spare wraps! All gone off, the tell-tale file along with theence in to the ladies, who longed to have a private intervieith the _cochero_ But he had first to deliver his to Don Ignacio, who had sallied out into the stables to receive it
A strange tale it was, i, looked upon his costly harness, patched and mended with ropes, where it had been cut His fine _frisones_ too, abused, possibly injured for good, the ear of one of theh he was, this was enough to e of his other losses, about which Jose took care _not_ to enlighten him
At a later hour the circumspect _cochero_ told his tale to other ears in terms somewhat different, and with incidents His ave the opportunity sowith hiated with a volubility which made sober reply almost impossible
His questioners, however, after a ti down, listened to his narration in a detailed forh not without repeated interruptions
He told thearden wall of San Francisco, the putting on the disguises, and how cleverly they had outwitted the guard at the _garita_
”Like Ruperto!” at this juncture exclai the _calzada_, horses in a gallop, till stopped on the Coyoacan road, with the action taken there--quick as it was varied and strange
Donna Luisa, in her turn, here interrupted in triumphant exclamation--
”Like Florencio!”
In fine, when itives had ether, in terin, blessed Mother of God! We no they are safe”
Their confidence was strengthened by further questioning, for the trusted _cochero_ was able to tell theht back to hi acquaintance with From the soldier he had learnt all about the pursuit, after it had passed beyond him; how they had searched the _chapparal_, but fruitlessly; the latest reports being that the _escapados_ had got into the Pedregal
That was enough for the Countess, who, springing to her feet and clapping her hands, cried out--
”Joy, Luisita! They're safe, I'h it, as well as we the walks of the Alaht better than the last, and you may do the same”
So assured, Luisa Valverde, devout as was her wont, responded with a phrase of thanksgiving, arms crossed over her bosom, eyes turned to the picture of Santa Guadalupe on the wall
Jose stood waiting, not for any reward Reco it--was not in his thoughts at thatof it then Sure to promise and contract, she said to hieous as faithful--take this; you've fairly earned it”
Whilst speaking, she drew the jewelled watch fro the chain over her head, held it out to hi a dia it at the same time
”No!” protested the faithful servitor ”Neither the one nor the other
Enough reward to me to know I've done your ladyshi+p a service--if I have”
”But, good Jose,” urged the Countess, ”you old _doblones_! That was the understanding, and I shall insist on your adhering to it”
”_Muy bein, Condesa_; I consent to that But only on the condition that the gentle your ladyshi+p won't look upon me as a creditor”
”If her ladyshi+p should,” here put in a third personage of the sex feminine, who had just entered upon the scene, ”if she should, I'll pay the debt myself I pay it now--there!”
It was Pepita who thus delivered herself, as she did so bounding forward, flinging her ar him a sonorous kiss upon the cheek! Then, as she released her lips after the s--