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May the light of those eyes never be withdrawn from these old walls, nor the lips lack a Spanish blade to guard them from all trespassers!" The Governor, who understood not the French words, lifted his glass in courteous imitation of his nephew's gesture; but Mr. Rivers coloured hotly and set down his upon the table. "I like not your toast, Señor Melinza, whichever way I construe it.
Melinza had retired with the troops; but just as the last rank disappeared from view he came galloping back at full speed, flung himself from the saddle, and, throwing the reins to an attendant, mounted the pavilion stair. I felt that Doña Orosia's eyes were upon me, and I believed that she liked me none the less for my hostility to the man.
A week went by, the longest week I had ever known, and then we heard that Melinza would recover. However, it was not until he had lain ill a fortnight that Doña Orosia came to visit me. I was sitting by the window with my head upon my hand, and Barbara was putting some stitches in the worn places in her gown, when the door opened to admit my hostess.
Another had joined our group, but his bare feet had sounded no warning tread. The sight of the coarse habit and the tonsured head struck a chill through me. Two sombre eyes held mine for a moment, then their owner turned silently away and re-entered the chapel door. Melinza was standing by, with a gathering frown on his forehead. "Such condescension on your part, Doña Orosia, is needless.
Presently, with the blare of trumpets and the deep rolling of the drums, the King's troops came in sight, three hundred strong. At the head of the little band, which marched afoot, rode Melinza and the Governor. 'Twas the first time I had seen a horse in the town.
"Melinza also decides that these orders do not include the English señorita, Doña Margaret, whom he intends to detain here for for reasons best known to himself; although the other Governor of San Augustin decrees" she started up from her nest of pillows and continued in a wholly different tone: "I say I say that you shall quit this place with the other prisoners, and my husband dares not oppose me!
The Governor's lady was fairly gracious to me; old Señor de Colis was profuse in his leering smiles and wordy compliments, none of which I could understand; I saw Mr. Rivers and Melinza from time to time, and they seemed upon good terms with each other: but I did not believe this state of affairs could last, and I was right in my fears. Rivers and Melinza were our guests.
His Excellency Don Pedro Melinza decrees that these orders from Spain shall be carried out except in the case of one Señor Rivers, who will be held here to answer for an unprovoked assault on one of his Majesty's subjects, whom he severely wounded; also for inciting others of his fellow prisoners to break their parole, and for various other offences against the peace of this garrison, all of which charges Melinza will swear to be true."
This noon, when I joined the Governor's wife as usual under the vine-hung balcony, I boasted cheerfully of the promise I had wrung from Melinza; and she demanded at once to hear all that had passed between us, then called me a fool for my pains! "Little marplot! Had you shown less concern for the fate of your Englishman, it would have been vastly better. You do but cast obstacles in my way.
I am sick of your white face and your saintly blue eyes; I am wearied to death of your company; but I swear Melinza shall not have you! Therefore go you must, and speedily." "And leave my betrothed at Don Pedro's mercy?" "What is that to me? Let him rot in his dungeon. I care not so I am rid of your white face." She shut her eyes angrily and thrust out her slippered foot at the sleeping hound.
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