"It is nothing--a mere scratch. How delighted I am to see your dear face once more, my Dolores." Eulalia put out her hand timidly under the shelter of her fan, and touched Philip gently on the hand. She was unable to do more, as Doña Serafina, severe, and vigilant, was present. Their engagement had not yet been made public. "Querido," she murmured, looking at her lover tenderly. "Constantly have I prayed for thee." Philip kissed her hand, and then that of Doña Serafina, to avert suspicion. The old lady was voluble, and after the first greetings were over, burst forth into speech with much dramatic gesture. "Alas, señores! How sad look you all. Don Pedro! Pobrecito! And the city is in the hands of the rebels. Ay di mi! Ah, the evil ones! Yet, if they win on land, they lose at sea." "What is it you say, Señora?" asked Tim, ever on the alert for news. "Have you not heard, Señor Correspoñsal? No; you have been away. Gracios á Dios! The torpederas have captured _The Columbus_." "Bravo!" cried Jack, delightedly; "this is indeed good news! And Rafael?" "Rafael is here," said that young man, hastily entering the court. "Ah, my dear friends, how delighted I am to behold you." "Even though we bring bad news?" "Yes; for I can tell you good. We followed _The Columbus_, and by threatening to sink her with torpedoes, forced her to strike her flag. Now she is lying in the harbour, with a crew of our own men. Her rebel sailors are all in prison." "What about _The Iturbide_?" "She is there also, but in a crippled condition. One of her masts was shot away by _The Columbus_ before she surrendered." "And what do you do now?" "Sail south to-morrow at dawn." "Alas!" said Jack, sadly, "you will be too late to relieve Janjalla." "Never mind," replied Rafael, hopefully; "we shall capture or sink _The Cortes_, and bring her back to Tlatonac with the transports. Then Don Hypolito will be irrevocably cut off from Acauhtzin." "That does not matter to him," interposed Philip, overhearing this remark; "he has most of his troops at Janjalla, and will simply hold the south instead of the north." "At all events, Señor Felipe, we have crushed him by sea." "It will be a more difficult task to crush him by land, especially as Don Francisco is so dilatory." "Don Francisco! Don Francisco!" cried Rafael, stamping his foot with rage. "He is not fit to be President. Through him have we lost Janjalla. Even my father, who was his firm supporter, has turned against him." "What do you say, Rafael?" "I cannot tell you yet; but there will be a stormy meeting of the Junta to-morrow." "You are going to depose Don Francisco." "It's not improbable." "More trouble," said Tim, reflectively. "There will be three Presidents shortly. Don Francisco, Don Hypolito, and--Don Miguel!" "No more, mi amigo," said Rafael, doubtful even in his own house. "It is dangerous to speak like that--as yet."