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Since his arrival at the hacienda, Don Estevan, in presence of the other guests, had scarce found an opportunity to speak with the haciendado on business that concerned both of them. Only for one moment had they been alone; and then the Spaniard had briefly related to Don Augustin the contract he had entered into with Cuchillo.
"Continue!" said the haciendado; "but, in your recital, which is deeply interesting to a man who was himself during six months held captive by the Indians, I seek in vain for any details relative to poor Don Estevan's death." "I am ignorant of them," continued Gayferos, "and I can only repeat the words spoken by the youngest of the three hunters, when I questioned him upon the subject."
When Don Estevan mentioned the secret of the Golden Valley, the haciendado appeared to make a slight gesture, as of disappointment, but their short dialogue ended abruptly by a promise to return to the subject at a later hour of the night. Don Estevan awaited until all the other guests had retired to their chambers.
"Well," said the haciendado, smiling, "this is another proof of happiness, is it not?" "Of happiness!" repeated Rosarita, bitterly. "Oh! no, no, my father!" Don Augustin was now more puzzled than ever; for, as he himself alleged, his life had been spent more in studying the artifices of Indians, with whom he had long disputed his domain, than in diving into the hearts of women.
The Mexican must have partially divined my thoughts, as was proved by the speech that followed. "Yes, amigo! more than one rich haciendado would have been only too happy to have married Gabriella; and yet she consented to become my wife, though I was just as I am now. May be a little better looking than at this time; though I can't say that I ever passed for an Apollo. No no senor.
"The enemy of my house! the man who has abused my hospitality!" cried the haciendado, starting up in astonishment, and seizing a long Toledo rapier that hung by the side of his bed, "Who is the man that has acted so, Don Estevan?" "Be calm!" said Don Estevan, smiling inwardly at the contrast exhibited between the spirit of the haciendado and the pusillanimity of the Senator.
The followers, Cuchillo, Baraja, Oroche, and Pedro Diaz were already in their saddles the last mounted on a magnificent and fiery steed, which told that the generous haciendado had kept his promise. The motive for this hasty departure from the hacienda was unknown only to Benito and the other domestics.
"Bid them welcome!" replied the haciendado, "and let them enter. Whether they are known to me or not, two guests more or less will be nothing here." A few seconds after, the two travellers had advanced to the foot of the stone stairway, where they stood awaiting the presence of the master of the house.
Don Estevan was the only one who at this time was aware of the real name and family of Tiburcio, and of course knew that he was not unworthy of the daughter of a Mexican haciendado. But it had never entered his mind that this young girl, who only regarded Tiburcio in the light of a poor gambusino, would think for a moment of reciprocating his passion.
With these words the Spaniard and the Senator parted the heart of the latter beating at the same time with hope and fear. Don Estevan now awaited the haciendado, who the moment after came up to him. The proprietor of the Hacienda del Venado, as has already been seen, had given to the Spaniard more than an ordinary welcome.
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