"Has the child spoken?" said Doña Serafina, waving her fan towards Dolores, who stood with downcast eyes, inwardly convulsed, outwardly demure. "Oh yes; a little. She has not the brilliant tongue of her aunt," replied Jack, artfully. "Pobrecita! She is young; she is a kitten. She will yet improve. I was the same at her age." "The deuce you were," thought Jack, with secret apprehension, surveying her portly form. "I hope Dolores won't be the same at your age." "And Don Pedro?" asked the duenna, languidly. "Will lay his heart at your feet this evening, Señora." "It is his Don Juan," responded the lady, graciously. It was a mere figure of speech; but Jack was secretly amused to think how alarmed Peter would be hearing of such an offer. "Oh, this war, Señor Americano; this terrible war! How I fear it." "Do not be afraid, Señora. We will protect you." "Oh yes; I am sure of that. But my nephew, Señor? Don Rafael! He is much angered." "At the war?" "Santissima, no! At his ship, which still sails up and down in front of Tlatonac. What does it mean, Señor?" Jack turned in the direction indicated by her fan, and saw a large ship far out on the wrinkled sea. "Is that _The Pizarro_? I did not know," he said in some perplexity. "I understood she had departed to Acauhtzin." "My cousin says it is _The Pizarro_," interposed Dolores at this moment; "and we know not why she stays." "I notice she keeps well out of the range of the fort guns," muttered Jack, anxiously. "Hum! it is curious. Perhaps she is sent by Don Hypolito to carry off Doña Dolores." The old lady made a gesture to avert the evil eye. "Say not such things, Señor. That terrible man! He might carry me off even here." "So he might, Señora," replied Jack, trying to be serious. "I would advise yourself and the young ladies to keep within doors." "If Don Hypolito can carry us off from the middle of Tlatonac, he is cleverer than I think," said Dolores, contemptuously; "but what can be the reason of _The Pizarro_ thus guarding the town?" "I have it!" cried Jack, suddenly enlightened. "She is watching for the arrival of the torpedo-boats. Yes, that is her game. She wishes to meet them before they know of the revolt, and thus seduce them to the cause of Xuarez!" "Impossible, Señor!" exclaimed both ladies at once. "It is true! I am sure of it," responded Jack, hurriedly. "I must speak to Don Rafael about this. 'Adios, señoritas! Con Dios vayan ustedes.'" The young engineer kissed the hands of both ladies, and clattered down the steps on his way to the patio. Just as he was passing through the zaguan, he heard a light foot hasten after him, and before he reached the door, Dolores was in his arms. "I left my aunt on the azotea," she said, breathlessly. "One kiss, querido, before you go! There;--and there! Oh, my soul! Be careful of yourself. I go, at vespers, to pray for you at the shrine of our Lady." "Angel! Such prayers will be my safeguard in all dangers!"