"Oh, never mind your aunt. If I mistake not, she admires a heretic herself." "El hombrecillo!" "If by the little man you mean Don Pedro, yes. But oh, my soul, do not let such things as this separate us. You love me, Dolores? You will be true to me?" "I swear it!" cried the girl, throwing herself on his breast; "I swear it--by the opal!" "No, no! not that. You surely don't believe in the devil stone?" "Am I a child to believe?" laughed Dolores, scornfully. "No; I am a true daughter of the Church; but I believe this opal to be mine, and if I can get it I will do so." "We will both try and obtain it, though I am afraid there is but little chance of doing so. We know not where is the temple." "Cocom knows." "Yes; but Cocom will not tell. But enough of the opal. We will talk of it again. Meanwhile, tell me to whom is Rafael engaged? He has told me nothing about it." "No; he has told no one save me, lest it should reach the ears of my uncle, and thus anger him. The lady my cousin loves is Doña Carmencita de Tejada----" "What!" ejaculated Jack, in surprise. "The daughter of Xuarez's right-hand man?" "Yes, the daughter of Don José de Tejada, the rebel. So, you see, he does not let his father know of his love, for Don Miguel would never consent to his son becoming the husband of a traitor's child." "True, true. Poor Rafael! The course of his love does not seem likely to run smooth. Still, when the war is over, he may be more fortunate." "Ah! the war," said Doña Dolores, sadly. "This terrible war. How I tremble to think of what is before us. Should Don Hypolito conquer----" She covered her face with her hands, shuddering violently. "Don Hypolito will not conquer," replied Jack, soothingly taking her to his breast. "We will humble him to the dust before three months are ended. Besides, if the worst comes, we can fly to Europe." "Ay, de mi. May it not come to that." "Amen!" said Duval, solemnly; and they remained clasped in each others arms, with hearts too full for speech. Suddenly they heard the sound of a prolonged yawn, and had just time to separate before Doña Serafina caught them in that close embrace. Fortunately, they had been hidden by an angle of the azotea wall, so the good lady, who had just awakened, and was still bemused with sleep, saw nothing. When she was thoroughly awake, however, she espied Jack in all the bravery of his uniform, and came forward with a light step and an exclamation of delight. "El Regimiento de los Caballeros!" she exclaimed, admiringly. "Santissima! how the uniform does become you, Don Juan. I do so admire handsome Americanos," added the lady, languidly. Dolores laughed at this naïve confession, but Jack, modest Jack, blushed through the tan of his skin. "Really, Doña Serafina, I am much obliged, I kiss your hands," he answered, confusedly. "I have just arrived"--he had been there half an hour--"just arrived, Señora, and I had not the heart to disturb you."