"Well, Excellency," the Major-domo said presently, "you have seen the ladrones, what do you think of them now?" "They are rough men," he said, shaking his head sadly, "possessing brutal and indomitable natures, but relatively frank and honest, at least from their point of view." "Yes, yes, you are right, Excellency; and thus they gain more ground every day, and if they were left alone, I am afraid that the whole island would soon belong to them." "Oh, we have not reached that point yet," he said with a smile. "Pardon me, Excellency, for asking you the question, but do you intend to inform the Señora of this meeting?" "I should like not to do so; unfortunately, after what you had told me of the things that have taken place between my sister and these men, my silence might have very serious consequences for her. Hence it is better, I believe, to tell her frankly all about it, and she will be a better judge than I of the line of conduct she should pursue." "I believe you are right, Excellency. The Señora has perhaps a great interest in knowing the contents of that letter." "Well, let us trust in Heaven!" It was an hour past nightfall when they reached the hatto. They noticed with surprise an unusual movement round the house. Several fires lighted on the plain illumined the darkness. On approaching, the Count perceived that these fires were lit by soldiers, who had established their bivouac there. A confidential servant was watching for the Count's arrival. So soon as he saw him, he handed him several letters that had arrived for him, and begged him to go at once to the Señora, who was impatiently expecting him. "What is there new here?" he asked. "Two fifties arrived at sunset, Excellency," the servant answered. "Ah!" he remarked, with a slight frown. "Very good. Inform my sister that I shall be with her in an instant." The domestic bowed and retired. The young gentleman dismounted, and went to the apartments of Doña Clara, considerably puzzled by the unforeseen arrival of these troops at a spot which apparently enjoyed great tranquillity, and where their presence was unnecessary. CHAPTER XXIII. COMPLICATIONS. We must now return to one of our characters, who up to the present has played but a secondary part in this story; but, as frequently happens, is now called on by the exigencies of our narrative to take his place in the foreground. We refer to Count Don Stenio de Bejar y Sousa, grandee of Spain of the first class, _caballero cubierto_, governor for His Majesty Philip II. of Spain and the Indies, of the island of Hispaniola, and husband of Doña Clara de Peñaflor.