That afternoon, immediately after the , Pike and I received the first fruits of our course of action with regard to the Government. Malgares came to us from His Excellency, bearing a most and ceremonious message. The Governor-General expressed himself as more than pleased to supply us with the official loan for which Pike had , and offered to render us any and all other service which lay within his power. Pike returned thanks, while I looked at Walker and smiled.
In the evening we accompanied Malgares to the south border of the town, where we found a beneath the intertwining of a triple row of fine trees. Here gathered the society of Chihuahua, to loll in the many seats or saunter to and fro, the gentlemen with their cigarros, the ladies with their fans, and few of either sex indisposed toward an exchange of glances. All displayed the utmost graciousness toward the Americano guests of the Government, and, as usual, we found ourselves highly entertained.
Among the ladies were Señora Vallois and Señora Malgares, and I was pleased that Pike was introduced to them by their husbands. We met many other ladies, but, with one exception, there was none other than Señora Vallois whose husband was free from the old ideas about women to permit his wife to keep a . Needless to say, this gave me little concern. I was far too disappointed over the absence of Alisanda.
When Don Pedro introduced Pike, I asked Doña Marguerite if my friend might not have the pleasure of meeting her niece. She replied, in a most gracious tone, that he should meet her as soon as we called, but that this evening the señorita was indisposed and would not be present. A little later, when the company assembled in the circular seat at the end of the promenade, Doña Dolores found an opportunity to slip me a note.
With the missive in my pocket I could not enjoy the love songs which the company sang in solo and chorus. I slipped away, in the midst, while Medina was airing his really fine . A torch at the first gave me light to read my lady's note. It was short, but, ! too much to the point:—
"We were seen in the . They are not angry, but are resolved to keep us apart. To save myself the shame of lock and key, I have promised not to see you for a week. Be patient, for I must keep my word, and our friends are not idle."
That was all, but it was enough to fill me with bitter disappointment. That she would keep her word with honor I had not the slightest doubt. Yet how was I to endure a week without so much as a glimpse of her?
Nevertheless we often suffer burdens which at first seem , and I was strengthened to play a good part by the knowledge that my words and manner would be reported upon in detail to Don Pedro and Doña Marguerite. To mislead them with regard to the depth and resolution of my passion, I managed to go about to our many dinners and calls with a smiling face and merry words.
During the week we again dined with Salcedo, who this time was hardly less urbane to myself than to the . We both, however, received greater from our dinner at the house of Colonel Mayron, the father-in-law of Malgares. There was present an officer from the Province of Texas who was able to give us many correct details as to the fiasco of Colonel Burr.
Among other things, we now learned that the Colonel had been arrested at Bayou Pierre in January, but had been released because of the failure of the grand jury to bring in a true bill against him. Later he had fled through the Cherokee nation toward the Spanish port of Mobile. But it was that had been captured in Alabama during February, and was to be taken to Richmond, Virginia, for trial. This news from home in part consoled me for the fact that Doña Dolores had no missive for me from Alisanda.
We returned to Walker's quarters, and were still discussing Burr, when, soon after the siesta, Malgares called by for us in his coach. We drove around past several points of interest which we had not before viewed, and then, without a word of warning from Malgares, suddenly cut across the plaza to the of Don Pedro.
When we stopped before the entrance the great gate was flung wide open for Malgares to drive into the court. Instead he left his spirited bays in the charge of a , and led us in afoot. When we came to the court he dropped back beside Pike. I followed in the rear, wondering what would be the nature of my reception by Don Pedro and his señora, and whether I should be permitted to see Alisanda in the presence of her relatives.
These questions were soon answered. The moment we appeared Don Pedro hailed us from the head of the stairway and hastened down to welcome us. His manner to me was quite as cordial as it had ever been, and when he led us up into the sala, Señora Vallois was no less pleasant. Alisanda was not present. But immediately after our hostess had invited us to be seated, she pulled what I presume must have been a bell-cord. Within half a minute Chita appeared at one of the inner .
Doña Marguerite signed to her and called quickly: "Go, tell your mistress we should be pleased to have her join us. We have guests of her acquaintance and also Lieutenant Pike, whom I particularly wish to introduce."
Chita gave me a blank stare, and disappeared. Malgares smiled at my heightened color, and Pike looked about, with a twinkle in his blue eyes that his solemn face. Yet I managed to force my gaze away from the inner , and even joined in the conversation with some lightness. In the midst of a sentence, I saw Pike's eyes suddenly widen and glow with . By that I knew Alisanda had entered the sala, and I could not resist the impulse to turn about.
It was small wonder my friend stared fascinated and that Malgares uttered a quick of delight. Alisanda stood before us in the costume she had worn at the Blennerhassets'. Her loveliness was overpowering—intoxicating! No Grecian goddess could have exceeded her in grace of movement and modelling of form, while the beauty of her pale, oval face, with its eyes and lips and crown of tresses, was beyond all compare.
Regardless of Spanish , I hastened to her side. She rewarded me with a glance of adorable tenderness, and took my arm that I might lead her down the long apartment to where the others were grouped. Don Pedro frowned at my , but the señora could not resist a smile at my ready gallantry as I led up her niece to be presented to Pike. Their first remarks opened a conversation as lively as it was elevated in tone, and I took a seat to one side, eager for my lady and my friend each to discover the wit and fine sentiments and high breeding of the other.
But neither I, nor, I fancy, our host and hostess had bargained on the of the Lieutenant's for me. Without ceasing to render the most delicate of compliments to my lady, he turned the conversation upon myself. Such a as he upon me I had not thought it possible even for his fond to . A man may deserve some praise for his character, since that is acquired, but why give him credit for the qualities of with which he was born?
Notwithstanding my , it was most blissful to watch my dear girl flush and glow, and to see her lovely eyes with love and pride, as Pike went on and on, to cast a over the most commonplace of my qualities and deeds. As may be , my feelings were directly opposite to those which racked Don Pedro and Do&ntil............