"I am quite sure of it now. That he saw her last night, and alone, I am certain. As I approached the house I saw a man standing before the reja, and leaning against the bars, as if conversing with some one inside. Some friend of Don Ambrosio, thought I. "As I drew nearer, the man, who was muffled in a manga, walked off and leaped upon a horse. Judge my surprise on recognising in the horse the black stallion that was yesterday ridden by the cibolero! "When I entered the house and made inquiries as to who were at home, the servants informed me that master was at the _mineria_, and that the Senorita had retired, and could see no one that night! "By Heaven! I was in such a passion, I hardly knew what I said at the moment. The thing's scarce credible; but, that this low fellow is on secret terms with her, is as sure as I am a soldier." "It does seem incredible. What do you mean to do, Roblado?" "Oh! I'm safe enough about her. She shall be better watched for the future. I've had a hint given to Don Ambrosio. You know my secret well enough, colonel. Her _mine is my loadstone_; but it is a cursed queer thing to have for one's rival such a fellow as this! Ha! ha! ha!" Roblado's laugh was faint and unreal. "Do you know," continued he, striking on a new idea, "the padre don't like the guero family. That's evident from the hints he let drop to-night. We may get this fellow out of the way without much scandal, if the Church will only interfere. The padres can expel him at once from the settlement if they can only satisfy themselves that he is a `heretico.' Is it not so?" "It is," coldly replied Vizcarra, sipping his wine; "but to expel _him_, my dear Roblado, _some one else_ might be also driven off. The rose would be plucked along with the thorn. You understand?" "Perfectly." "That, then, of course, I don't wish--at least not for the present. After some time we may be satisfied to part with rose, thorn, bush, roots, and all. Ha! ha! ha!" "By the way, colonel," asked the captain, "have you made any progress yet?--have _you_ been to the house?" "No, my dear fellow; I have not had time. It's some distance, remember. Besides, I intend to defer my visit until this fellow is out of the way. It will be more convenient to carry on my courtship in his absence." "Out of the way! what do you mean?" "That the cibolero will shortly start for the Plains--to be gone, perhaps, for several months, cutting up buffalo-beef, tricking the Indians, and such-like employments." "Ho! that's not so bad." "So you see, querido camarado, there's no need for violence in the matter. Have patience--time enough for everything. Before my bold buffalo-hunter gets back, both our little affairs will be settled, I trust. You shall be the owner of rich mines, and I--" A slight knock at the door, and the voice of Sergeant Gomez was heard, asking to see the Comandante.