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"A solid silver service for the new mission chapel at San Juan, I swear it," was the quick response; "that is, if you succeed." The friar folded his arms silently. "Nay, then, in any case! only do your utmost," whispered Doña Orosia hurriedly. "The result is as God wills it," said Padre Felipe calmly, and, pointing to the stretcher, he bade me lie down upon it.
My heart beat quickly, and I drew the mantle closer round my face; but one of them proved to be the friar, the other, my dear, dear Barbara. I sprang to meet her with a quick cry; but Doña Orosia laid a hand upon my lips and hurried me on. Padre Felipe now led the way, and we followed him for some moments more until he paused before a low doorway and motioned us to enter.
One day in the early spring Doña Orosia had called me to see a new pet which had been brought to her, a young crocodile, loathsome and hideous; and she had forced me to touch the tethered monster as it crawled, the length of its chain, over the floor.
'Twas a strange meal; the memory of it is like a picture stamped upon my brain. From the tall brass candlesticks upon the table, the unflickering tapers shone down upon gleaming damask and glistening silver, and kindled sparks amid the diamonds that caught up the folds of lace on the dark head of Doña Orosia, and that gemmed the white fingers clasping her slow-moving fan.
Doña Orosia had ordered her couch to be placed in the shadiest part of the breezy garden, close against the gray stone wall.
As I watched her a great pity overcame me, so that I held my peace. The 20th of March a day never to be forgot! I have seen Mr. Rivers. It is the first time since that night nine months ago. I have seen him and spoken with him in the presence of Melinza, Doña Orosia, and the Governor. Whatever may befall us now, nothing can take away the memory of this last hour.
As my eyes fell upon Doña Orosia, I cried out bitterly that I had been a fool to trust even to her hate; for now she had grown weary of her revenge, and would discard her tool without paying the price for it. She covered my mouth with her hand, laughing shortly. "Melinza thinks he has been too sharp for me. He despatched the prisoners in great haste to the English ship without my knowledge.
Or, perhaps, if thou couldst play Othello to my Desdemona, it might seem a gentler prelude to the grave. How heavy is a lie, good dame? Think you it would drag a soul to hell? If so, I need not to go alone; for if I lied to Melinza, he also lied to me and Doña Orosia also" then a strong shudder shook my frame. "Barbara, Barbara, must I e'en have their company for all eternity?"
"If the little Margarita believed Melinza's pretty fable about Habana, and the excellent company there which his wife would enjoy, 'tis no wonder that she made a tangle of her own little web." "But Doña Orosia, think you he would deal unfairly with me? His words rang so true even a bad man may love honestly! And if I trifle with the one saving virtue in his heart, will it not be a grievous sin?"
Doña Orosia turned quickly. "Go! Leave me!" she cried. "Do you linger? Can I never be rid of you? Out of my sight! I would have a moment's respite from your great eyes and your white face. Go!" And I obeyed her. March, the 9th day. Doña Orosia sent for me at noon to-day. There was news to tell, and she chose to be the one to tell it.
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