"Well, your ladyships, I'm sorry you don't recognise me; the more from
my being 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
composure, the Dona Luisa echoing the interrogatory. Both were alike
anxious for the answer, better than half divining.
"Two worthy gentlemen, who, like my poor self, had the misfortune to get
shut up in the Acordada; more than that, set to work in the filthy
sewers. Thanks to the luck of your ladyship's carriage coming past at a
convenient time we all escaped; and so far have been successful in
eluding 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 times with us in our
hiding-place; so hard, indeed, we might 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'm not afraid of your ladyships doing 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 the mountains, where
we've been hiding for now nearly a month, all we've had to live upon was
wild 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 them; the
Senor Don Ruperto sending me to San Augustin in the hope I might be able
to pick up some provisions. I was just slipping the village the back
way, when an alguazil coming along made it necessary for me to climb up
here and hide myself. The unlucky part of it all is, that even if I get
safe in, I haven't the wherewith to buy the eatables, and must beg them.
That I fear won't be easy; people are so hard-hearted."
For a time his surprised listeners stood silent, giving way to sad
reflections. Florencio and Ruperto starving!
"May I hope," continued the lying wretch, "your ladyships will let me
look upon this accidental encounter as a God-send, and that you will
give me something to buy--"
"Oh, sir," interrupted the Countess, "we will give you that. Luisa,
have you any money in your purse? I haven't in mine--nothing to
signify."
"Nor I either--how unfortunate! We must--"
"Never mind money, your ladyships; money's worth will do quite as well.
A _reloja_, rings, anything in the way of jewellery. I chance to know a
place in the village where I can convert them into cash."
"Here, take this!" cried the Countess, handing him her watch, the same
which had been hypothecated to Jose, but redeemed by a money payment.
"And this!" said the Dona Luisa, also holding out a watch, both of which
he speedily took possession of.
"'Tis very generous of your ladyships," he said, stowing them away among
his rags; "the proceeds of these ought to support us for a long time,
even allowing for the reduced rate I'll have to accept from the
pawnbroker. Afterwards we must do the best we can."
As he spoke, his little sparkling eyes were avariciously bent upon
certain other objects he saw scintillating in the moonlight--bracelets,
rings upon their fingers and in their ears. The hint was hardly needed.
Enough for them the thought that more help might be required by those
dear to them, and at a time when they could not extend it.
In less than five minutes after both had divested themselves of every
article in the way of gold or gems adorning them. They even plucked the
pendants from their ears, thrusting all indiscriminately into the
outstretched hands of the hunchback.
"_Gracias!--mil gracias_!" he ejaculated, crowding everything into his
pocket. "But your ladyships will scarce care to accept thanks from me.
'Twill be more to your satisfaction to know that your generosity will be
the saving of valuable lives, two of them, if I mistake not, very dear
to you. Oh! won't the Senores Don Ruperto and Don Florencio be
delighted at the tale I shall take back--the Virgin seeing me safe! Not
for the provisions I may carry, but how I obtained the means of
purchasing them. But as time's pressing, Senorita, I won't say a word
more, only _Adios_!"
Without waiting for permission to depart, or rejoinder of any kind, he
slipped down from the wall, and disappeared on its other side.
It was an abrupt leave-taking, which alike surprised and disappointed
them. For they had many questions to ask, and intended asking him--many
anxieties they wished set at rest.