United States or French Polynesia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
The acquisition of the Golden Valley, and even the remembrance of Dona Rosarita, were forgotten by the ardent wish of revenging his mother. Pepe, on his side, was not the man to draw back from his vow; and as for Bois-Rose, his whole affections were centred in his two companions, and he would have followed them to the end of the world.
The impetuous passions of Fabian, for a moment softened by thoughts of Rosarita, were again inflamed to their utmost. He had already sworn to avenge the death of Arellanos, and here was anew object of vengeance, the murderer of his own mother! The bland image of Rosarita at once disappeared, paling away as the firelight eclipsed by the brighter gleams of the rising sun.
It was not without repugnance that he reflected on this means of winning the heart of Rosarita or rather of purchasing it at the price of gold for Tiburcio believed that it was closed against any more tender appeal. He had mentally resolved never to return to the hacienda; but notwithstanding this vow he still indulged in a slight remnant of hope perhaps the echo of his own profound passion.
A hundred times, in the silence of the night, I recalled that suppliant voice, and asked myself in anguish, What did he then hear? I ask it of you this evening, Rosarita." "Once, once only, did my lips betray the secret of my heart. It was here, in this very spot, when you had quitted our dwelling. I will repeat to you what I then said."
"It is too late," said he with a bitter smile, "the evil is done. Adieu! I have been too long your guest. The hospitality of your house is fatal to me. Under your roof my life has been threatened, my dearest hopes have been crushed! Adieu, Rosarita! Adieu!" As he pronounced the last words, he turned and walked hastily away.
"Oh, my father!" cried Rosarita, "this marriage would now prove a sentence of death to your poor child!" At this sudden declaration, which he had not expected, Don Augustin was quite stupefied, and it was with difficulty he subdued the anger to which it had given rise. "What!" he cried with some warmth, "did you not yourself consent to this marriage only a month ago?
No do better than spin. To-morrow Don Augustin has a hunt among his wild steeds; there will be an opportunity for you to distinguish yourself by some daring exploit. Mount one of the wildest of the horses, for the honour of the beautiful eyes of Rosarita, and after having tamed him, ride him up panting into her presence.
"No, not a suspicion of you, but a fear of some one else. Have you noticed the young man whom chance brought into our company? I have a secret presentiment that there is something between him and Dona Rosarita. He is young he is good-looking and they appear to have known each other a long while." "What!" exclaimed Don Estevan, "jealous of this ragged rustic?"
As she said these words, Dona Rosarita threw her arms round her father's neck, and leaning her head upon his breast burst into a passion of tears; but in these tears there was no bitterness, they flowed softly, like the dew which the American jasmine sheds in the morning from its purple flowers.
Almost on the instant he inquired, with impudent assurance: "But your Excellency has not proved to me that this young fellow is in love with Dona Rosarita; and until I have proof of this I shall not doubt my penetration " "Hush!" interrupted the Spaniard; "I fancy I hear voices!" Both remained silent.
Word Of The Day