A violent contest commenced within his breast, between two opposing sentiments of nearly equal strength. Whether he persisted in his resolution, or retreated from it, both courses seemed equally criminal. The voice of duty, and that of passion, spoke equally loud. To which should he listen? The struggle, long and violent, between these antagonistic sentiments, had not yet terminated, when the detachment arrived upon the ground. This decided him. It was too late to retire from his first determination. On towards the hacienda! Don Rafael drew his sword, and, placing himself at the head of his troop, rode down the hill. The bugle sounding the "advance," warned the inhabitants of the hacienda that a detachment of cavalry was crossing the ridge. A few minutes after, the squadron halted before the great gate, at a little distance from the walls. A horseman advanced in front of the line, and once more having sounded the bugle, in the name of Don Rafael Tres-Villas, Captain of the Royalist army, summoned Don Mariano de Silva to deliver up, dead or alive, the insurgents, Arroyo and Bocardo. The demand having been made, Don Rafael, with pale face, and heart audibly beating, sat motionless in his saddle to await the response. Silence--profound silence alone made reply to the summons of the horseman and the sound of his trumpet. CHAPTER FORTY TWO. BEARDING A BRIGAND. In addition to the consequences that would arise from his resolve-- already foreseen by Don Rafael Tres-Villas--there was one other of which he could not have had any foresight. A glance into the interior of the hacienda will proclaim this consequence. Within that chamber, already known to the reader, were Don Mariano de Silva, with his two daughters; and their situation was enough to justify the silence which succeeded to the summons of the dragoon. Inside the closed door, and by the side of the two young girls, stood Arroyo and Bocardo. Poignard in hand, the brigands were tracing out to Don Mariano the line of conduct he should pursue. "Listen to me, Don Mariano de Silva," said the former, with an air of brutal mockery that was habitual to him, "I rather think you are too loyal a gentleman to dishonour the laws of hospitality by delivering up your guests." "It is true," replied the haciendado, "you may rest assured--" "I know it," continued Arroyo, interrupting him; "you would not betray us of your own accord. But this demon of a dragoon captain will break open the gate, and take us in spite of your intreaties. Now, listen! and hear what I wish you to do." "Can you suggest any means of preventing him from acting thus?"