As in all Mexican country houses of the class mansion, that of Don
Ignacio Valverde was a quadrangular structure enclosing an inner
courtyard--the _patio_. The latter a wide open area, flagged, in its
centre a playing fountain, with orange trees and other ornamental
evergreens growing in great boxes around it. Along three sides ran a
verandah gallery, raised a step or two above the pavement, with a
baluster and railing between. Upon this opened the doors of the
different chambers, as they would into the hallway of an English house.
Being one-storeyed, even the sleeping apartments were entered direct
from it.
That into which the ladies had retired was the _cuarto de camara_ of Don
Luisa herself. No sentry had been stationed at its door; this being
unnecessary, in view of one posted at the _patio_. But through a
casement window, which opened into the garden at the back, they could
see such precaution had been taken. A soldier out there, with carbine
thrown lightly over his left arm, was doing his beat backwards and
forwards.
As they had no thought of attempting escape, they might have laughed at
this had they been in a mood for merriment. But they were sad, even to
utter prostration.
Only for a time, however; then something of hope seemed to reanimate the
Condesa, and communicate itself to her companion. It was after a report
brought in by Pepita; for the lady's maid was allowed to attend upon
them, coming and going freely.
"He's got away--safe!" were her words, spoken in a cautious but cheering
tone, as for the second time she came into the room.
"Are you sure, Pepita?"
It was the Countess who put the question.
"Quite sure, your ladyship. I've been all around the place, to the
stable, grounds, everywhere, and couldn't hear or see anything of him.
Oh! he's gone, and so glad I am. They'd have made him prisoner too.
Thanks to the Blessed Virgin, they haven't."
The thanksgiving was for Jose, and however fervent on Pepita's part, it
was as fervently responded to by the others, the Condesa seeming more
especially pleased at the intelligence.
She better understood its importance, for, but the hour before, she had
given him conditional instructions, and hoped he might be now in the act
of carrying them out.
Upheld by this hope, which the Dona Luisa, when told of it, shared with
her, they less irksomely passed the hours.
But at length, alas! it, too, was near being given up, as the night grew
later, nearing midnight. Then the little _mertiza_ came in charged with
new intelligence; not so startling, since they anticipated it. The
_Dueno_ had got home, and, as themselves, was under arrest. Astounded
by what he had learned on return, and angrily protesting, the soldiers
had rudely seized hold of him, even refusing him permission to speak
with his daughter.
She had harboured a belief that all might be well on the coming home of
her father. The last plank was shattered now. From the chair of the
cabinet minister Don Ignacio Valverde would step direct into the cell of
a prison! Nothing uncommon in the political history of Mexico--only one
of its "cosas."
On their feet they were now, and had come close to the door, which was
held slightly open by Pepita. There they stood listening to what was
going on outside. The sounds of revelry lately proceeding from the
_sala grande_ were no more heard. Instead, calls and words of command
in the courtyard, with a bustle of preparation. Through the
trellis-work they could see a carriage with horses attached,
distinguishable as their own. It was the same which had just brought
Don Ignacio from the city. But the heads of the _frisones_ were turned
outward, as if it was intended to take them back. Men on horseback were
moving around it; soldiers, as could be seen by their armour gleaming in
the moonlight.
Those regarding their movements were not left long in suspense as to
their meaning. One of the soldiers on foot, whose sleeve chevrons
proclaimed him a corporal, stepped up into the corridor, and advancing
along it, halted in front of their door. Seeing it open, with faces
inside, he made a sort of military salute, in a gruff voice saying:
"_Senoritas_! Carriage ready. I've orders to conduct you to it without
delay."
There was something offensive in the man's manner. He spoke with a
thick tongue, and was evidently half intoxicated. But his air showed
him in earnest.
"You'll allow us a little time--to put on our cloaks?"
The request came from the Condesa, who for a certain reason was wishful
to retard their departure as long as might be possible.
"_Carrai-i_!" drawled out the _cabo_, the same who had won the dagger
from darling Perico. "I'd allow such beautiful _doncellas_ as you any
time--all night--if 'twere only left to me. For myself, I'd far rather
stick to these snug quarters, and the company of this pretty
_muchacha_."
At which, leaning forward, with a brutish leer, he attempted to snatch a
kiss from Pepita.
The girl shrunk back, but not till she had rebuked him with an angry
retort and a slap across the cheek. It stung him to losing temper, and
without further ceremony he said spitefully--
"Come, come, I'll have no more dilly-dallying: _nos vamos_!"
There was no alternative but to obey; his attitude told them he would
insist upon it, and instantly. Time for cloaking had been a pretence on
their part. They were expecting the summons, and the wraps were close
at hand. Flinging them around their shoulders, and drawing the hoods
over their heads, they issued out upon the corridor, and turned along
it--the soldier preceding, with the air of one who conducted criminals
to execution.
A short flight of steps led down to the pavement of the court. On
reaching these, they paused and looked below. There was still a
bustling about the carriage, as if some one had just been handed into
it. Several of the soldiers were on foot around it, but the majority
were in their saddles; and of these three or four could be distinguished
as officers by the greater profusion of gold lace on their jackets and
dolmans--for they were all Hussars. One who glittered more than any,
seeing them at the head of the stair, gave his horse a prick with the
spur, and rode up. Colonel Santander it was, like all the rest somewhat
excited by drink; but still not so far gone as to forget gallantry, or
rather the pretence of it.
"Ladies," he said, with a bow and air of maudlin humility, "I have to
apologise for requiring you to start out on a journey at such a late
hour. Duty is often an ungracious master. Luckily, your drive is not
to be a very extended one--only to the city; and you'll have company in
the carriage. The Dona Luisa will find her father at home."
Neither vouchsafed rejoinder--not a word--scarce giving him the grace of
a look. Which a little nettling him, his smooth tone changed to
asperity, as addressing himself to the soldier, he gave the abrupt
order:
"_Cabo_! take them on to the carriage."
On they were taken; as they approached it, perceiving a face inside,
pale as the moonbeams that played upon it. It was a very picture of
dejection; for never had Don Ignacio Valverde experienced misery such as
he felt now.
"'Tis you, father!" said his daughter, springing up, throwing her arms
around him, and showering kisses where tears already trickled. "You a
prisoner, too!"
"Ay, _nina mia_. But sit down. Don't be alarmed! It will all come
right. Heaven will have mercy on us, if men do not. Sit down, Luisa!"
She sat down mechanically, the Countess by her side; and the door was
banged to behind them. Meanwhile, Pepita, who insisted on accompanying
her mistress, had been handed up to the box by a _cochero_ strange to
her; one of the soldiers, pressed into the service for the occasion, a
_quondam_ "jarvey," who understood the handling of horses as every
Mexican does.
All were now ready for the road; the dismounted Hussars had vaulted into
their saddles, the "march" was commanded, and the driver had drawn his
whip to lay it on his horses, when the animals jibbed, rearing up, and
snorting in affright!
No wonder, with such an object suddenly coming under their eyes. An
oddly-shaped creature that came scrambling in through the _saguan_, and
made stop beneath their very noses. A human being withal; who, soon as
entering, called out, in a clear voice,--"Where is the Colonel?"