"Strange," she murmured; "still it is evident to me that this man is a traitor, and playing a double part. How can I unmask him? Oh, a proof, a proof, however slight it be. Still it cannot always be so; heaven will not permit it. Patience, patience! I thank you, Don Melchior, for the zeal you have displayed; continue to be faithful. Now you can withdraw." The young man rose. "Madam," he ventured, timidly, "will you allow me to ask you one question." "Speak." "I have not had the happiness," he continued, with hesitation, "to see Doña Diana since her return. I trust that the fatigue she must have felt has not made her ill, and that her precious health is still good." Doña Emilia frowned, and a cloud of dissatisfaction spread over her face; but at once recovering herself, she replied, gently-- "Doña Diana is well, Melchior." "Oh, all the better, madam," he said, with an outburst of passionate joy which he could not repress. Then, bowing deeply to Doña Emilia, he fell back to leave the room. "Poor boy!" Doña Emilia murmured, as she looked after him. At the moment when he reached the door, she called him back. "I forgot," she said; "be kind enough to tell Father Sandoval that, if his occupations permit, I should like to speak with him for a few moments after oración this evening." "I will tell him, madam. Have you any further commands for me?" "No, you can go." The young man bowed for the last time, and went out. Doña Emilia was hardly alone ere her daughter rushed from her bedroom, and ran up to her. "Well," she said, "what is the meaning of this, Niña? Why have you come without being called?" "Oh, mother," she answered, as she threw herself into her arms, "forgive me, but I was suffering too greatly." Doña Emilia recoiled, and looked her daughter in the face. "What is the meaning of these words, señorita!" she said to her, sternly. "To what are you alluding?" The girl, ashamed of the confession she had allowed to escape her, buried her head in her hands, and burst into tears. "Diana, Diana!" her mother said, with ineffable sadness, as she drew her daughter gently to her heart, "You are preparing great suffering both for yourself and me." "Mother!" she murmured, with a sob. "Silence, Niña!" Doña Emilia quickly interrupted, "Do not add a word which might, perhaps, cause, irreparable misfortunes. I know nothing, and wish to know nothing. Dry those tears which burn my heart, and take your place again by my side." "Yes, mother," she answered, in a voice choked by sobs and trying to obey. "Diana!" Doña Emilia continued presently, in a firm voice, "Remember that we have a mission of vengeance to accomplish against the Indians, and that they are the cause of the terrible misfortunes which have overwhelmed us."