It was some seconds before I could see any one. My eyes dazzled with
the splendour of the church adornments, refused to do their office.
Before I could trace out either his shape, or countenance, the
whispering stranger again addressed me:--
"I hope, senor, you will not be offended by my free speech? It
gratifies us _Catolicos_ to perceive that our Holy Church is making
converts among the Americanos. I've been told there is a good deal of
this sort of thing. Our _padres_ will be delighted to know that _their_
conquest by the Word is likely to compensate for _our_ defeat by the
sword."
Despite the impertinence, there was something so ingenious in the
_argument_ thus introduced, that I was prevented from making immediate
reply. Stark surprise had also to do with my silence.
I waited upon my eyes, in order that I might first see what sort of
personage was speaking to me.
Gradually my sight overcame the obscurity, and disclosed what the corner
contained: a man several degrees darker than the shadow itself, up to
his ears in a _serape_, with a black sombrero above them, and between
hat and "blanket" a countenance that could only belong to a scoundrel!
I could see a bearded chin and lip, and a face lit up by a pair of eyes
sparkling with sinister light. I could see, moreover, that despite the
_badinage_ of the speeches addressed to me there was _real anger_ in
them!
The sarcasm was all pretence. He, who had given utterance to it, was
too much in earnest to deal long in irony; and I did not for a moment
doubt that I was standing in the presence of one who, like myself, was a
candidate for the smiles of Mercedes Villa-Senor.
The thought was not one to make me more tolerant of the slight that had
been put upon me. On the contrary, it but increased my indignation--
already at a white heat.
"Senor!" I said, in a voice with great difficulty toned down to a
whisper, "you may thank your stars you are inside a church. If you'd
spoken those words upon the street, they'd have been the last of your
life."
"The street's not far off. Come out; and I shall there repeat them."
"Agreed!"
My challenger was nearest to the door, and started first. I followed
three steps after.
In the vestibule I paused--only for a second--to see whether my exit was
being noted by the kneeling Mercedes.
It was. She was gazing after me--no longer by stealth; but in surprise;
I fancied in chagrin!
Had she divined the cause of my abrupt departure?
That was scarcely probable.
In the position lately occupied by my unknown challenger, she could not
have seen him. The statue interposed; and the column covered him, as he
stepped towards the door.
I returned her glance by one intended to reassure her. With my eyes I
said:--
"A moment, sweet saint, and you shall see me again!"