He was jealous of Don Juan. He had noticed the latter on the day of the fiesta. He had observed him in the company of the cibolero and his sister. He saw them talking, drinking, feasting together. He was jealous _then_; but that was light, for then he still anticipated his own easy and early triumph. That was quiet to the feeling that tortured him now--now that _he had failed_--now that he had seen in the very hour of his humiliation that same rival on his road to the rancho--welcome, no doubt--to be told of all that had happened--to join her in jeering laughter at his expense--to--Furies! the thought was intolerable. For all that the Comandante had no idea of relinquishing his design. There were still means--foul, if not fair--if he could only think of them. He wanted some head cooler than his own. Where was Roblado? "Sergeant! tell Captain Roblado I wish to speak with him." Captain Roblado was just the man to assist him in any scheme of the sort. They were equally villains as regarded women; but Vizcarra's _metier_ was of a lighter sort--more of the genteel-comedy kind. His forte lay in the seductive process. He made love _a la Don Giovanni_, and carried hearts in what he deemed a legitimate manner; whereas Roblado resorted to any means that would lead most directly to the object--force, if necessary and safe. Of the two Roblado was the coarser villain. As the Comandante had failed in his way, he was determined to make trial of any other his captain might suggest; and since the latter knew all the "love stratagems," both of civilised and savage life, he was just the man to suggest something. It chanced that at this time Roblado wanted counsel himself upon a somewhat similar subject. He had proposed for Catalina, and Don Ambrosio had consented; but, to the surprise of all, the Senorita had rebelled! She did not say she would _not_ accept Captain Roblado. That would have been too much of a defiance, and might have led to a summary interference of paternal authority. But she had appealed to Don Ambrosio for time--she was not ready to be married! Roblado could not think of time--he was too eager to be rich; but Don Ambrosio had listened to his daughter's appeal, and there lay the cause of the captain's trouble. Perhaps the Comandante's influence with Don Ambrosio might be the means of overruling this decision and hastening the wished-for nuptials. Roblado was therefore but too eager to lay his superior under an obligation. Roblado having arrived, the Comandante explained his case, detailing every circumstance that had happened. "My dear colonel, you did not go properly to work. I am astonished at that, considering your skill and experience. You dropped like an eagle upon a dovecot, frightening the birds into their inaccessible holes. You should not have gone to the rancho at all." "And how was I to see her?" "In your own quarters; or elsewhere, as you might have arranged it."