"Don Isidro," said he, "I am going to see my friend Don Carlos Evaña. I shall tell him plainly that he is suspected, and advise him to avoid the society of these English for the present." "You will not find him," said Don Isidro; "Beresford gives a dinner to-day at the fort to the authorities, and to some of our principal men; naturally his great friend will be there." "I doubt it," said one of the visitors, who had been talking to Don Isidro; "Don Carlos never goes anywhere where he is likely to meet Spaniards." "My father will be at the fort," said Marcelino. "I know he is, and the two Don Gregorios also," said another; "I saw them go together." "Then I will go and see my mother. I have avoided our house whenever I have been in the city, for I feared to compromise my father." "You have done well," said Don Isidro. "More than once I have been asked by English officers whether I knew anything of the eldest son of Don Roderigo Ponce de Leon. If you go to-night you will see some of them there, there are always English officers there in the evenings, tertulias are things of every day. As your father will not fight them, Doña Constancia does her part in amusing them." "Hum!" said Marcelino. "I do not wish to meet any of them until we meet sword in hand." "No fear," said another; "the officers will be all on duty to-night." "I will go at any rate," said Marcelino. "I may meet Carlos there, so good-night to you all until _the_ day." But Don Isidro would not let him depart thus coldly, he sprang to his feet, and grasping him warmly by the hand said: "Before many days we will meet again; meantime, warn your friend that he keep within his own house and I guarantee you that no harm shall come to him." Marcelino found no difficulty in reaching his father's house, his name was his passport. He walked boldly along the streets, met several patrols of British soldiery, was questioned by them, but was immediately permitted to pass on, as he gave his name, speaking in English, and told them where he was going. As he drew near he heard sounds of music; in the first patio he found several English soldiers muffled in their grey great-coats, unarmed, walking up and down and joking in a rough, good-humoured way with the mulatta girls and negresses, the servants of his father's household. "What are you women doing here?" asked Marcelino sternly. "The night is fine, and the Señora permits us to watch the dancing," answered one. "It is Don Marcelino," whispered another. "What joy for the Señora; I will run and tell her." "Stay where you are; I want to see who are here first." So saying Marcelino went up to one of the sala doors, and opening it softly looked in.