"As I live, Catalina, you were right! Some one has been here, beyond a doubt! Some one has lain on this very spot! Where can they have gone to? By Heaven, it was a woman! Here is the trail of her dress!" "Vicenza!" exclaimed the lady. "It can be no other--my maid, Vicenza! _Dios de mi alma_! she has heard every word!" "No doubt it was Vicenza. She has watched and followed you from the house. What could have tempted her to such an act?" "_Ay de mi_! Heaven only knows: her conduct has been very strange of late. It is quite annoying! Dear Carlos!" she continued, changing her tone of regret to one of anxiety, "you must stay no longer. Who knows what she may do? Perhaps summon my father! Perhaps still worse-- Santisima Virgen! may it not be!" Here Catalina hastily communicated the fact of Vicenza's intimacy with the soldier Jose, as well as other circumstances relating to the girl, and urged upon her lover the necessity of instant departure. "I shall go then," said he. "Not that I much fear them; it is too dark for their carbines, and their sabres will never reach me, while my brave steed stands yonder ready to obey my call. But it is better for me to go. There may be something in it. I cannot explain curiosity that attempts so much as this girl. I shall go at once then." And so Carlos had resolved. But much remained to be said: fresh vows of love to be pronounced; an hour to be fixed for a future meeting--perhaps the last before taking the final step--their flight across the great plains. More than once had Carlos placed his foot upon the bridge, and more than once had he returned to have another sweet word--another parting kiss. The final "adios" had at length been exchanged; the lovers had parted from each other; Catalina had turned towards the house; and Carlos was advancing to the bridge with the intention of crossing, when a growl from Cibolo caused him to halt and listen. Again the dog growled, this time more fiercely, following with a series of earnest barks, that told his master some danger was nigh.