But during that moment the Indian with the gray hair and the wrinkled face stood in front of the _placita_ doors and looked at them with evident interest. When they went indoors he shut his thin lips close together, crossed to the other side of the street, and leaned against the column of a _portal_ while he watched the doors and windows of the Governor's residence. It was only a few minutes until Lieutenant Wemple appeared again and walked rapidly away. For army discipline must be remembered and maintained, even in times of peace and days of love. The old man gazed at him until he disappeared around a corner, and then crossed the street and knocked at the Coolidge door. Colonel Kate herself opened it and at once held out her hands in welcome, crying, "_Entra_! _Entra_!" She seized his hands and drew him in, pouring forth a voluble welcome in Spanish. He did not give much heed to her words, but coldly asked, in the same tongue: "Where is my daughter?" Barbara, in the next room, heard his voice, and her first unthinking thrill of pleasure was quickly followed by a sinking of her heart which chilled and saddened her happy face. Intuitively she knew what would happen. "She is here," Mrs. Coolidge replied. "She will be so glad! Barbara! Come quickly! Here is some one very anxious to see you!" The girl came slowly and stood before her father with downcast eyes. His piercing glance ran over her dress, and then he grunted in severe disapproval. "Go, put on your own clothing. Then stand before your father." "Yes, dear," chimed in Colonel Kate soothingly, "you must seem very strange to him in that dress,--scarcely like his daughter. Put on your native costume and come back to us quickly." Barbara went to her room and Mrs. Coolidge began to tell her visitor, with her most charming enthusiasm and with all the delighted expletives which her knowledge of Spanish made possible, of Barbara's success, of her love affair, and of how very desirable the match would be. The old man listened quietly to the end, looked at her steadily for a moment in silence, and then spoke: "No!" Colonel Kate's eyes opened wide in amazement at the word. "What! Don Ambrosio! Surely--" "He wishes to marry her?" the old man broke in. "Indeed he does! He told me so scarcely ten minutes ago. He is very much in love with her and she with him!" "No!" repeated the Indian emphatically. "It cannot be!" "Surely, senor, you do not understand! You could not find a more desirable husband for Barbara! Why, he is a lieutenant in the army, a first lieutenant, too, and his position will take her into any society she wishes to enter. He has money enough to keep her well, and he loves her devotedly!"