"It is true," answered Don Rafael, in a husky voice. "I am subject to severe palpitations; but presently--" The Colonel, for support, fell back against the domestic, his herculean strength having yielded to the powerful emotions which were passing within him. "Presently," he continued, "I shall get over it. I feel better already. Go on with your history. This man--this officer--did he ever tell Dona Gertrudis that he no longer loved her? Does he love any other?" "I do not know," was the response of the domestic. "Could she not have sent him word--say by some means agreed upon--which should bring him back to her from the farthest corner of the earth? Perhaps then--" Don Rafael could not finish what he intended to have said. A bright hope, long time suppressed, began to spring up within his heart, and with such force, that he feared to know the truth--lest it should be crushed on the instant. "Senor, you ask me more than I am able to answer," rejoined the domestic. "I have told you all I know of this sad story!" Heaving a deep sigh, the Colonel remained for some moments silent. After a while, he resumed the conversation, by putting a question, the answer to which might terminate his doubts. "Have you ever heard the name of this young officer?" "No," replied the domestic; "but were I in his place, I should not leave this young lady to die, for one lovelier I never beheld in all my life." These were the last words spoken on either side: for at that moment the voices of the sentinels, challenging from the walls of the hacienda, put an end to the conversation. "Say to Lieutenant Veraegui," commanded Don Rafael, in reply to the challenge, "that it is Colonel Tres-Villas." The sound of the trumpets inside soon after signalised the joy felt by the garrison at the return of their old commandant, while the domestic of Don Fernando flung himself promptly to the ground, asking a thousand pardons for not recognising the quality of his _compagnon de cheval_. "It is I who have most reason to feel obliged," said Don Rafael. "Remain here till I see you again. I may, perhaps, need you for an important message." The domestic bowed respectfully, taking hold of the bridle of Don Rafael's horse, while the Lieutenant Veraegui, the _alferez_, with several soldiers of the garrison, came forth with torches to congratulate their superior officer on his escape from the dangers that had so lately surrounded him. As soon as their first greetings had been exchanged, Veraegui informed the Colonel that they were just about preparing to start upon an expedition against the banditti of Arroyo. "You know where they are, then?" said Don Rafael. "Not the precise spot. But it is not difficult to find the traces of these gentry," replied Catalan.