I did not undeceive her; and while the servant carried my name to his master, we entered one of the rooms and continued our conversation. I saw she was troubled; yet with great skill and grace she put me at ease, and led me to talk of what had happened during the last two years. "What a fire-eater you are, Juan!" she cried banteringly. "I am quite afraid of you. But what a fine sword you have! Ah, if I were only a boy! Can you guess what I would do?" "No," I replied, with a shake of the head. "No one can guess what a girl will do." "But I said a boy." "Ah! that would be altogether different." "I will tell you then," she said, standing up and speaking very earnestly. "I would get a sword and pistols and join the king's friends. I would be a loyal Spanish cavalier, Juan, if I were the only one in Peru!" "Then it is lucky you are a girl, Rosa, or you would soon be killed. I would not harm the king, even if he were here instead of being in Spain, thousands of miles away; but I have no love for those who rule in his name." "No," said she, casting down her eyes, and I thought her voice sounded sad; "you have suffered at their hands. But it is not the king's fault, Juan; he would have seen you righted." "It is a long way from Peru to Spain," said I, trying to speak carelessly, "and it seems as if in these days one must right one's own wrongs." After that we sat speaking very little, each afraid lest the talk should drift into an awkward channel, for I felt sure that she knew how her father had robbed us of our estates. On the return of the servant she whispered earnestly, "My father has changed greatly. I am sure he is unhappy. If he should appear cross and irritable, you will bear with him, won't you, Juan?" "I will do my best, Rosa. But why should he be angry with me? I am only going to ask him a question." Don Felipe was truly much altered. His dark hair was plentifully sprinkled with silver; there were deep lines in his forehead and around his lips; his eyes had become shifty, and there was a look of cunning in them. He gave me just one swift, searching glance, and then looked away. It was an awkward meeting, and I hardly knew what to say. Fortunately Don Felipe took the lead. "You have grown almost out of knowledge, my young friend; and I notice you have obtained military rank," said he, with a covert sneer. "I have the honour to be a lieutenant in the army to which we both belong, senor," I replied. He winced at that, and his eyes glowed angrily. "If you have brought me a message from your general," said he, "will you at once deliver it? I am very busy just now." "I will not take up more than five minutes of your valuable time, senor. My errand is an important one, though _at present_ it has nothing to do with General San Martin." Again he glanced at me sharply, and I thought he seemed slightly nervous. "I must ask you to be quick with it," he said coldly.