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'Since the senorita has done me the honour of confessing it, I must ask you to believe it, answered Conyngham steadily and coldly. 'La discretion est l'art du mensonge. The Alcalde blew out his cheeks and looked at General Vincente. Senora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham's arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
And a few minutes later Concepcion rode across the Bridge of Alcantara, some paces behind Conyngham, who deemed it wise to return to his duties at Madrid without delay. Despite the great heat on the plains, which, indeed, made it almost dangerous to travel at midday, the streets of Toledo were cool and shady enough, as Sir John Pleydell traversed them in search of the Palazzo Barenna.
'But to advise me to help me. I have been, all my life, cast upon the world alone. No one to help me no one to understand. No one knows what I have suffered my husband 'Was one of the best and most patient of mortals, and is assuredly in heaven, where I hope there are a few mansions reserved for men only. Senora Barenna fetched one of her deepest sighs.
'Policemen policemen, not soldiers, corrected Father Concha patiently, as if it did not matter much. They were sitting in the broad vine-clad verandah of the Casa Barenna, that grim old house on the Bobadilla road, two miles from Ronda. The priest had walked thither, as the dust on his square-toed shoes and black stockings would testify.
Senora Barenna was chattering in her deep husky tones immediately behind them. Julia turned and looked up at the windows of the house, which commanded a full view of the garden. The dwelling rooms were as usual upon the first floor, and the windows were lightly barred with curiously wrought iron. Each window was curtained within with lace and muslin.
But General Vincente, in pursuit of that peace which had earned him such a terrible reputation in war, turned to Senora Barenna with his most reassuring smile. 'It is nothing, my dear Inez, he said. 'In these times of trouble the officials are so suspicious, and our dear Alcalde knows too much. He remembers dear Julia's little affair with Esteban Larralde, now long since lived down and forgotten.
The city has been wrecked by a tornado I myself almost perished. He paused, shrugged his shoulders. 'What will you? he added carelessly. 'What is life a single life- -in Spain to-day? Julia winced. It is marvellous how an intelligent woman may blind herself into absolute belief in one man. Senora Barenna shuddered. 'Blessed Heaven! she whispered. 'Why does not someone do something?
During his servant's absence, Conyngham had written a short note in French, conveying, in terms which she would understand, the news that Julia Barenna doubtless awaited with impatience; namely, that her letter had been delivered to him whose address it bore. 'I have ordered your cocida and some good wine, he said to Concepcion. 'Your horse is feeding.
She laughed as she spoke, but her eyes were grave, even while her lips smiled, and watched the Englishman's face with an air almost of anxiety. There are some faces that seem to be watching and waiting. Julia Barenna's had such a look. 'Conyngham, said Madame Barenna reflectively. 'Surely I have heard that name before.
'If it is possible, I will do it. 'It is quite easy, she answered, raising her head and looking out of the window with an air that seemed to indicate that her interests lay without and not in this room at all. 'How can I do it? She gave a short, hard laugh, which to experienced ears would have betrayed her instantly. 'By showing me the letter you wrote to Julia Barenna, she said.
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