Part 32 (1/2)

What the Condesa hinted at was that disaffection in the south, the expected _pronunciamento_, which, if successful, would not only depose the Dictator, but of course also his Cabinet Ministers, her friend's father a events, she declined iht was she, also, in her surer; none had been intercepted, none having been sent out, just for the reason surrounds, thus conversing, when both ca exclamations of alarm, ”_Santissiasped Dona Luisa ”Is it a ate, since her question referred to that strange creature on the top of the wall, see

That he was huifted with the power of speech, put forth on the instant after Before the Countess could make answer to the question (of course overheard by hi--

”Pray, don't be alarmed, your ladyshi+ps, at a poorbut shapely; but my soul-- that, I trust, is different But, Senoritas, surely you re, he had raised hi upon hirotesqueness of outline This, with his words, at once recalled their having seen hi Texan had swung up to the box of their carriage

Astonishatory, he continued--

”Well, your ladyshi+ps, I' one of your best friends, or, at all events, the friend of your friends”

”Of whom do you speak, sir?” asked the Countess, first to recover coatory Both were alike anxious for the answer, better than half divining

”Torthy gentleet shut up in the Acordada; more than that, set to work in the filthy sewers Thanks to the luck of your ladyshi+p's carriage co past at a convenient ti the search that's been made for us”

”You have succeeded--all?” both asked in a breath their eagerness throwing aside reserve

”Oh yes; as I've said, so far But it's been hard tiht well have wished ourselves back in the prison”

”How so, sir? Tell us all! You needn't fear to speak out; we'll not betray you”

”_Por Dios_! I' that Why should I, since I'm here on account of your own friends, and on an errand of mercy?”

”An errand of mercy?”

”Yes And one of necessity as well Ah! that far more”

”Go on, sir! Please tell us what it is!”

”Well, Senoritas, I've been deputed on a foraging expedition For we're in a terrible strait--all four of us You may remember there were four”

”We do But, how in a terrible strait?”

”How? Why, for want of food; starving Up in thefor now nearly a month, all we've had to live upon ild fruits and roots; often eating them raw, too We daren't any of us venture down, as the roads all round have been beset by spies and soldiers It's only in sheer desperation I've stolen through theustin in the hope Ithe village the back hen an alguazil co made it necessary for me to climb up here and hide et safe in, I haven't the ith to buy the eatables, andthem

That I fear won't be easy; people are so hard-hearted”

For a ti way to sad reflections Florencio and Ruperto starving!

”May I hope,” continued the lying wretch, ”your ladyshi+ps will let me look upon this accidental encounter as a God-send, and that you will giveto buy--”

”Oh, sir,” interrupted the Countess, ”ill give you that Luisa, have you any nify”