"More treachery probably, somewhere," I replied, with an inward curse at the mischance; but then a thought occurred to me. There was a cupboard close to the door, and whispering hurriedly to Sarita, "Not a word to him of me; I believe I can save us;" I went into it, and closed the door upon myself. Meanwhile the colloquy at the front door was proceeding. "Yes, senor, I am the Mother Calvarro. Does your Excellency want provisions for your men, or forage for the horses?" "No. I want the Carlists you have hidden in the house here." "Carlists? I don’t understand your Excellency. We are no Carlists here, but simple farming folk, and for the King, God bless him," said the old crone. "Aye, King. I know your jargon. Which King? You’re near enough to the grave, I should have thought, to speak the truth," answered the bully, roughly. "Your Excellency can speak freely. I am an old woman, and have none to protect me here," was the retort, quietly spoken. "My men will search the house; and look you, it will pay you best to help, not hinder us." "I am too old either to help or hinder. Do your will." "Who is in your house? Answer plainly, and with no more sneering," he said, in a truculent voice. "The house is small to search; and there is none to resist." "Well, no matter; I’ll soon know;" and, giving some order which I could not catch, he came along the passage, and, pushing the door wide open, entered. "Ah, it is true, and you are here, Sarita. I could scarcely believe it true. Who else is in the house?" "For one there is a swaggering bully of old women, and his name is Colonel Juan Livenza," answered Sarita, scornfully. "Another is the good woman of the house whom you found it so easy and safe to insult." "Thank you for that," he cried, stung to anger. "And I’ll show my gratitude by taking good care of all we find here." "Like the gallant gentleman and King’s officer that you are." "I won’t let your gibes anger me," he said. "It is for you I came; and I must speak with you. I have come in friendship." "I have no wish to speak with you. I am ready to go at once. I can be your prisoner, but not your friend; the saints forbid that!" she cried, with intense bitterness. And I saw the purpose in a flash. To get him and his men away with her so that I might escape. And I blessed her for the thought, even while I resolved to frustrate it. I had another plan, and all unwittingly Livenza helped me. "I intend to speak to you and have an understanding, and we can have it here without fear of interruption," he said. "You were ever a chivalrous gentleman," she retorted, trying hard to goad him to anger. But he paid no heed to the sneer, and, going to the door, called up one of his men and ordered him to keep the house surrounded, but not to disturb him. Then he closed the door, locked it, and put the key in his pocket, and, feeling secure, said, "Now we can talk, Sarita, without any to overhear us."