Dona Luisa did not commit herself; yet she realized that Raquel Estevan might have a few battles to fight along the line of race, as well as against the Americanos; for of course Rafael was a favorite; of course there would be burning hearts and jealousy at first. [Illustration: KEITH BRYTON] [Music: _Esta Noche_] Esta noche voy a verte, Al otro lado del rio Te encargo que estes despierta ay! Para quando te haga (_se silva_) Ay! Paloma, daca el pico De ese rico manantial, Ay! Paloma, daca el pico De ese rico manantial! [Music] CHAPTER IV From Las Flores, where the Indian village still held together in a shiftless sort of way, Raquel Estevan and her friend Ana Mendez galloped north mile on mile over the mesa above the sea. "Art never tired, Raquel?" demanded the older and darker of the two as they halted to let their animals drink where a rivulet ran full from the foothills. "Since we left the ranch house thou hast never lessened the gallop." "Tired? I should shame to acknowledge that, when Dona Luisa never rests on the way. She endures it all, while only the young ones complain." "Endures! What would she not endure for her beloved Rafael--now your beloved Rafael?" Ana was not malicious, but there was a touch of mockery in her tone and questioning glance. "Why should he not be beloved?" asked the other, smoothing carefully the mane of her horse and bending low to conceal the slight flush of cheek. "Is he not handsome and good?" "It is not easy to be good when a man is so handsome," laughed Ana; "still, I will take your word for it! But, Raquel, you always get clear of the question; not once have you said that you find him beloved. Are you going to be coquette to the wedding-day?" "You talk to amuse yourself," and the violet dark eyes were lifted an instant. "You learn to coquette when you marry, and cannot forget; but the nuns never teach us that." "What need?" and Ana showed her white teeth in a laugh. "They did not teach us we must breathe to live; yet some way we learned it! But confess! You outride all the party to reach San Juan, and Rafael; yet how are we sure what urges you?" "My promise." "But why the promise, if the man is not beloved? You have had no harsh guardian, as I had; you were all free." "Free? Oh yes, I had always the choice between some husband and the veil of a nun. And then--then Dona Luisa came with her love and her son, and her great plans of good work I could do out in the world. And so--and so we are riding to meet him, and I outride you!" "I never hasten to trouble," remarked Ana Mendez; "and if we should meet him on the way, you would send me at once to the carriage. I should put in hours listening to the virtues of Rafael Arteaga and peril my soul pretending to agree with his mother." "Why should you do that?"