"Dola!" he responded, sharply. "Don't say another loud word! Are either of the senoras at home? I must see them right away." "Oh, yes!" she said, turning to run into the house. "I will tell them. They are in the parlor, and the senorita." Down sprang Ned and hitched his pony to a post, but then he hurried through the front door as quickly as Dola herself had done. Perhaps it was well that he should get in without being recognized by too many eyes. He did not have to actually get into the parlor before he was welcomed, for a light form sprang out into the hall, and Felicia herself shouted, eagerly: "Oh, Senor Carfora! Are you here? This is wonderful!" "Senorita," he interrupted her, "I have letters for your mother and Senora Paez. Where are they?" "They are right here," she said, "but we have letters, too. All the flags in the city are out and they are firing salutes of rejoicing." "I saw the flags," he said, "and I heard some firing, but what on earth are they rejoicing over? Is there any news?" The two grown-up women were standing behind her, with faces in which there was no joy whatever when Felicia exultingly told him: "Why, have not you heard? General Santa Anna has beaten your gringo army all to pieces. The United States fleet is coming to Vera Cruz with another army, and the American soldiers will not dare to come on shore. All they can do will be to sit there in their ships and look at the city." "Come in, Senor Carfora," said Senora Paez. "I cannot tell you how glad we are to see you. Yes, we have very important letters. I may suppose that yours are from the general. Please let me have them." "Do, Senor Carfora!" said Senora Tassara. "I cannot wait a moment. We will retire to read them, and, while we are gone, Felicia may tell you all the news from the great battle at the north." "Yes, so I will," she exclaimed. "And I want him to tell me all about the places he has been in, and what he has been doing." In a moment more they two were alone in the parlor, and she was repeating to him the substance of Santa Anna's report of the manner in which, at the hard-fought battle of Angostura, or Buena Vista, on the 22d of February, he had shattered the American army under General Taylor. He had, he said, effectively prevented its further advance into Mexico, and there was really a strong appearance of truth in his way of presenting the consequences of the battle, for the American army seemed to have retreated. Horse after horse had been ridden to death in taking such great tidings to the city of Mexico, and, for the hour, at least, the great Mexican commander was more firmly fixed in supreme power than ever.