"These friends mourn relatives who fell in the recent contest with Yoscolo. To-day the Department, through me, considers the demands for pensions." "Then I interrupt." "Indeed not, my friend. This reception room meets never a guest more welcome than Señora Valentino." "But these sad ones? You must not neglect them for my sake." "I shall not forget you, nor neglect them. Besides, my work with the pensioners has about concluded." The peonas had nearly all dried their tears, had gathered their restless pocos niños together and were preparing to depart, with many blessings murmured on the "very good and very handsome comandante." The señora seated near the Captain was greatly interested in the scene. "Their praises for you, señor, are fervent, if not loud," she remarked. Soon the man and woman were alone in the reception room. She regarded him gravely. He started from a revery and caught her look. He flushed. She laughed a little. "Well, Captain, I have done as you requested." "What?" "I have seen the Señorita Mendoza and have told her for you that----" She paused. He waited for her to continue. "I must say I do not quite understand the girl, charming, indeed, as she is." "How so, señora?" "O, friend of my heart, I would spare you pain." "Tell me everything, señora." "O, Don Alfredo, everything? My heart fails me. How can I wound you?" "Do not fear for me, gentle one. Let me know the truth. Please go on." "Well--if I must. I made occasion to do your bidding by visiting the Mendoza house, ostensibly to express to the host of the great baile at Mission San José my appreciation of that event. The señor was away, but his daughter received me. This was just the opportunity I would have wished for. Nothing could have been better for our purpose, Don Alfredo." He bowed in recognition of the fact. "We passed bits of conversation from one to the other on chance topics. The young lady was delightful. As we sat in the cool drawing room sipping tea and nibbling dulces I thought continually of you, my friend. Small wonder, truly, that you wished to wed this beautiful and talented young woman. Small wonder, again, that the swains of the valley lay their hearts before her, as she beckons." The soldier's face grew gloomy. "When our time had in a measure sped I introduced the subject on which you wished me to speak with her." "How did she receive it?" "I am puzzled to know how to explain. It is but a step, often, from joy to sorrow; at times, discourtesy seems waiting on the threshold of courtesy. Well, enough to say that our pleasant relations underwent a change most unaccountable. The Doña Carmelita grew cold and drew within herself. Try as I might I could not bring back the former cordiality. In the course of the conversation I said: 'Señorita, Captain Morando loves you and you only.' She replied: 'Señora Valentino, I cannot listen to you; even though you are a guest in this house I cannot.'