"Oh yes!" she blushed a little coquettishly--"of course! And here I rode over, post haste, to tell you the news. But first, tell me who is that wicked, dashing-looking fellow outside the courtyard? It can't be the lawyer's clerk." "I don't know who you mean; but it is, I suppose," said Donna Dolores, a little wearily. "But tell me the news. I am all attention." But Mrs. Sepulvida ran to the deep embrasured window and peeped out. "It isn't the lawyer, for he is driving away in his buggy, as if he were hurrying to get out of the fog, and my gentleman still remains. Dolores!" said Mrs. Sepulvida, suddenly facing her friend with an expression of mock gravity and humour, "this won't do! Who is that cavalier?" With a terrible feeling that she was about to meet the keen eyes of Victor, Donna Dolores drew near the window from the side where she could look out without being herself seen. Her first glance at the figure of the stranger satisfied her that her fears were unfounded; it was not Victor. Reassured, she drew the curtain more boldly. At that instant the mysterious horseman wheeled, and she met full in her own the black eyes of Mr. Jack Hamlin. Donna Dolores instantly dropped the curtain and turned to her friend. "I don't know!" "Truly, Dolores?" "Truly, Maria." "Well, I believe you. I suppose then it must be _me_!" Donna Dolores smiled, and playfully patted Mrs. Sepulvida's joyous face. "Well, then?" she said invitingly. "Well, then," responded Mrs. Sepulvida, half in embarrassment and half in satisfaction. "The news!" said Donna Dolores. "Oh--well," said Mrs. Sepulvida, with mock deliberation, "it has come at last!" "It has?" said Donna Dolores, looking gravely at her friend. "Yes. He has been there again to-day." "And he asked you?" said Donna Dolores, opening her fan and turning her face toward the window. "He asked me." "And you said"---- Mrs. Sepulvida tripped gaily toward the window and looked out. "I said"---- "What?" "NO!" BOOK V. _THE VEIN._ CHAPTER I. IN WHICH GABRIEL RECOGNISES THE PROPRIETIES.