"Like Florencio!"
In fine, when made known to them how the fugitives had mounted and
ridden off, both cried out together, in terms almost the same--
"Thanks to the Virgin, blessed Mother of God! We now know they are
safe."
Their confidence was strengthened by further questioning, for the
trusted _cochero_ was able to tell them more. How his horses had been
caught, and brought back to him by two Hussars, one of whom he chanced
to have a speaking 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'm sure. Ruperto knows the Pedregal,
every path through it, as well as we the walks of the Alameda. I shall
sleep this night 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. Recompense for the service he
had done them--so modestly declaring it--was not in his thoughts at that
moment, though it might be after. But the Condesa was thinking of it
then. Sure to promise and contract, she said to him--
"Faithful fellow--courageous as faithful--take this; you've fairly
earned it."
Whilst speaking, she drew the jewelled watch from her waist, and,
passing the chain over her head, held it out to him.
"And this too!" added the Donna Luisa, plucking a diamond ring from one
of her fingers, and presenting 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 ladyship a service--if I
have."
"But, good Jose," urged the Countess, "you must either take my watch or
the worth of it in gold _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 gentlemen get safe off. Till we're sure of that, I beg your
ladyship won't look upon me as a creditor."
"If her ladyship 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 arms around his neck, and giving him a sonorous
kiss upon the cheek! Then, as she released her lips after the smack,
adding--
"I've given you that, _hombre_, for what? Why nothing more than doing
your duty. Ha, ha, ha!"
The laughter neither disconcerted nor vexed him. It was not scornful,
while the kiss had been very sweet. Long-coveted, but hitherto
withheld, he looked upon it as an earnest of many others to follow, with
a reward he would more value than all the watches and rings in Mexico--
the possession of Pepita herself.