"When you left the house without warning me, contrary to your habit, madam, to get ready to accompany you, I was at first very sad, for I was afraid that I had displeased you; then, on reflection, and after seeking in my mind what the motive could be that urged you to exile me from your presence, I supposed that I should be more useful to you here than if I followed you." "Quite right," she answered, with a smile. "Go on; but first sit down here by my side," she added, affectionately. The young man bowed respectfully, and took the chair pointed out to him. "I need not tell you, madam," he continued, "what is the motive of this day's meeting, or who the persons present are." "No, pass over that." "But among these persons there is one whose presence you are assuredly far from suspecting." "Who is it?" "Father Sandoval." "Father Sandoval!" she exclaimed, with a start. "Impossible! He is a prisoner of the Spaniards." "It is he, madam." "That is strange. How is it that I have not been informed of his presence?" "He arrived at the hacienda with Don Aurelio Gutiérrez." "But I was close to Don Aurelio: he only had with him Yankee or Canadian wood rangers and two Mexican peons." "Well, madam, one of those peons was no other than Father Sandoval. The reverend father thought it wise to assume this disguise in order, probably, more easily to escape the Spanish spies." "Yes, that must have been the reason; prudence commanded him to act so. Go on." "Father Sandoval has made himself known to all our adherents, and has been unanimously elected their chief." "In truth, he alone possesses sufficient influence over the haughty hacenderos to command them. And what measures have been adopted?" "Pardon me, madam, but I must tell you of another person whose presence was neither expected nor desired, and who arrived suddenly." "The Count de Melgosa, I suppose. I was aware that he was coming. He was doubtless the bearer of some tremendous message. Has he gone again?" "Not yet, madam; he will not leave the hacienda till sunrise tomorrow, accompanied by Colonel Don Oliver Clary, one of the Canadian adventurers brought by Don Aurelio, whom Father Sandoval has entrusted with his answer to the governor's manifesto." "Very good, we have time before us; we will set out tonight. You will accompany us, Melchior; so be careful that everything is prepared for midnight, and our departure kept secret." "You shall be obeyed, madam." "And the majordomo?" This question was asked in a tone which showed what importance Doña Emilia attached to it. "Still impenetrable, madam," he answered; "ever full of zeal and devotion. His conduct does not offer the slightest pretext to suspect him of treachery."