按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
on the point of war； and its fortunes might give him some
opportunities no one now foresaw。 But if Isabel's mother had
once declared that she would 〃never sanction the marriage；〃
Antonia knew that； however she might afterwards regret her
haste and prejudice； she would stand passionately by her
decision。 Was it not better； then； to prevent words being
said which might cause sorrow and regret in the future？
But as regarded Isabel's father； no such reason existed。 The
happiness of his children was to him a more sacred thing
than his own prejudices。 He liked Don Luis； and his
friendship with his mother； the Senora Alveda； was a long and
tried one。 The youth's political partialities； though
bringing him at present into disgrace； were such as he himself
had largely helped to form。 Antonia was sure that her father
would sympathize with Isabel； and excuse in her the lapse of
duty which had given his little girl so much happiness。 Yes；
it would be right to tell him every thing； and she did not
fear but Isabel would agree in her decision。
At this moment Rachela entered。 The Senora wished her
daughters to call upon the American manteau…maker for her； and
the ride in the open carriage to the Plaza would enable them
to bow to their acquaintances； and exhibit their last new
dresses from New Orleans。 Rachela was already prepared for
the excursion； and she was not long in attiring Isabel。
〃To be sure； the siesta has made you look charming this
afternoon；〃 she said； looking steadily into the girl's
beaming； blushing face； 〃and this rose silk is enchanting。
Santa Maria； how I pity the officers who will have the
great fortune to see you this afternoon； and break their
hearts for the sight！ But you must not look at them； mark！
I shall tell the Senora if you do。 It is enough if they look
at you。 And the American way of the Senorita Antonia； which
is to bow and smile to every admirer； it will but make more
enchanting the becoming modesty of the high…born Mexicaine。〃
〃Keep your tongue still； Rachela。 Ah！ if you strike me； I
will go to my father。 He will not permit it。 I am not a
child to be struck and scolded； and told when to open and shut
my eyes。 I shall do as my sister does； and the Holy Mother
herself will be satisfied with me！〃
〃Chito！ Chito！！ You wicked one！ Oh； Maria Santissima； cast
on this child a look of compassion！ The American last night
has bewitched her！ I said that he looked like a Jew。〃
〃I am not wicked； Rachela； and gracias a Dios； there is no
Inquisition now to put the question！〃
Isabel was in a great passion； or the awful word that had
made lips parch and blanch to utter it for generations would
never have been launched at the offending woman's head。 But
its effect was magical。 Rachela put up her hands palm
outwards； as if to shield herself from a blow； and then
without another word stooped down and tied the satin sandals
on Isabel's restless feet。 She was muttering prayers during
the whole action； for Isabel had been quick to perceive her
advantage； and was following it up by a defiant little
monologue of rebellious speeches。
In the midst of this scene； Antonia entered。 She was dressed
for the carriage； and the carriage stood at the door waiting；
but her face was full of fear； and she said； hurriedly：
〃Rachela； can you not make some excuse to my mother which will
permit us to remain at home？ Hark！ There is something wrong
in the city。〃
In a moment the three women were on the balcony； intently；
anxiously listening。 Then they were aware of a strange
confusion in the subtle； amber atmosphere。 It was as if they
heard the noise of battle afar off； and Rachela； without a
word； glided away to the Senora。 Isabel and Antonia stood
hand in hand； listening to the vague trouble and the echo of
harsh； grating voices； mingled with the blare of clarions； the
roll of drums； and the rattle of scattering rifle…shots。 Yet
the noises were so blended together； so indistinct； so
strangely expressive of both laughter and defiance； that it
was impossible to identify or describe them。
Suddenly a horseman came at a rapid pace towards the house；
and Antonia； leaning over the balcony； saw him deliver a note
to Rachela； and then hurry away at the same reckless speed。
The note was from the doctor to his wife； and it did not tend
to allay their anxiety。 〃Keep within the house；〃 it said；
〃there are difficulties in the city。 In an hour or two I will
be at home。〃
But it was near midnight when he arrived； and Antonia saw that
he was a different man。 He looked younger。 His blue eyes
shone with the light behind them。 On his face there was the
impress of an invincible determination。 His very walk had
lost its listless； gliding tread； and his steps were firm；
alert and rapid。
No one had been able to go to bed until he arrived； though
Isabel slept restlessly in her father's chair； and the Senora
lay upon the couch； drowsing a little between her frequent
attacks of weeping and angry anticipation。 For she was sure
it was the Americans。 〃Anything was possible with such a man
as Sam Houston near the city。〃
〃Perhaps it is Santa Anna；〃 at length suggested Antonia。 〃He
has been making trouble ever since I can remember。 He was
born with a sword in his hand； I think。〃
〃Ca！ And every American with a rifle in his hand！ Santa Anna
is a monster； but at least he fights for his own country。
Texas is not the country of the Americans。〃
〃But； indeed； they believe that Texas is their country〃； and
to these words Doctor Worth entered。
〃What is the matter？ What is the matter； Roberto？ I have
been made sick with these uncertainties。 Why did you not come
home at the Angelus？〃
〃I have had a good reason for my delay； Maria。 About three
o'clock I received a message from the Senora Alveda； and I
visited her。 She is in great trouble； and she had not been
able to bear it with her usual fortitude。 She bad
fainted。〃
〃Ah； the poor mother！ She has a son who will break her
heart。〃
〃She made no complaint of Luis。 She is distracted about her
country； and as I came home I understood why。 For she is a
very shrewd woman； and she perceives that Santa Anna is
preparing trouble enough for it。〃
〃Well； then； what is it？〃
〃When I left her house； I noticed many Americans； as well as
many Mexicans； on the streets。 They were standing together；
too； and there was something in their faces； and in the way
their arms were carried； which was very striking and
portentous。 I fancied they looked coldly on me； and I was
troubled by the circumstance。 In the Plaza I saw the military
band approaching； accompanied by half a dozen officers and a
few soldiers。 The noise stopped suddenly； and Captain Morello
proclaimed as a bando （edict） of the highest authority； an
order for all Americans to surrender their arms of every
description to the officials and at the places notified。〃
〃Very good！〃
〃Maria； nothing could be worse！ Nothing could be more
shameful and disastrous。 The Americans had evidently been
expecting this useless bombast； and ere the words were well
uttered； they answered them with a yell o