Many opportunities were given for a careful examination of his walk and carriage, and the more this unknown senorita looked the deeper grew her interest until at last she exclaimed softly, yet with no little rapture: "_Madre de Dios!_ it is no other than he--there cannot be two men so fashioned by Heaven, so perfect in figure, so brave in movement, so altogether charming; but what does he seek--what the object of his tramp back and forward?" Evidently milady of the balcony entertained the warmest affection for the party whose identity she thought she had discovered under Roderic's disguise. Her curiosity being aroused she began to cast about for some object that would explain this sentinel tramp of the man on the plaza. It was not long before she decided that his interest was wholly taken up with the little shop of the plaza tobacconist. Now doubtless the quaint establishment of Senor Pedro was a gem in its way, and worthy of considerable notice--she chanced to know it well and that many lovers were wont to designate it as a point near which they appointed a rendezvous--indeed, certain tender memories even made her gentle bosom heave, and a sigh escaped her lips as she looked again at the shop. But there must be some other reason why this man of the striking figure, and walk so energetic, so different from the usual run of Spaniard or native Porto Rican should haunt the vicinity. "Ah! he expects some one--he has friends in San Juan he said--it is a rendezvous for business. How little does he dream that eyes filled with tender love are on him. I do not think I can much longer refrain from letting him know--our old signal, ah! how he would hasten thither did I but dare to give it. The temptation is irresistible. _Carramba!_ I love him so, why should I resist since he is mine. How he will turn and look around, and when I make one beckoning movement, ah, me, with the speed of love he will fly to me. All else is forgotten--my hungry heart clamors for the sound of his voice, which is life and light to me. Yes, I will cast prudence to the winds--the spell of his presence is over me--to feel the warm clasp of his hand, to hear his voice that has haunted my dreams tell me again how he loves only me--ah, that will be Heaven on earth. And to think I can enter Paradise just by one little bird whistle--ah! what delightful suspense while I linger and anticipate; but it is cruelty to him I love. So then, the signal that has often in the past called him to my side." It chanced, however, that whatever this signal may have been she did not make it just then. On the contrary, bending forward she watched the man on the plaza with new interest, a different feeling having crept like an icy hand into her heart. There was reason. Roderic's slow saunter had become a quick walk, and in his whole attitude could be seen an eagerness that animated his frame--in a word he had become electrified.