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By just revenge inflamed？〃
For many years there had never been any doubt in the mind of
Robert Worth as to the ultimate destiny of Texas； though he was
by no means an adventurer； and had come into the beautiful
land by a sequence of natural and business…like events。 He
was born in New York。 In that city he studied his profession；
and in eighteen hundred and three began its practice in an
office near Contoit's Hotel； opposite the City Park。 One day
he was summoned there to attend a sick man。 His
patient proved to be Don Jaime Urrea； and the rich Mexican
grandee conceived a warm friendship for the young physician。
At that very time； France had just ceded to the United States
the territory of Louisiana； and its western boundary was a
subject about which Americans were then angrily disputing。
They asserted that it was the Rio Grande； but Spain； who
naturally did not want Americans so near her own territory；
denied the claim； and made the Sabine River the dividing line。
And as Spain had been the original possessor of Louisiana； she
considered herself authority on the subject。
The question was on every tongue； and it was but natural that
it should be discussed by Urrea and his physician。 In fact；
they talked continually of the disputed boundary； and of
Mexico。 And Mexico was then a name to conjure by。 She was as
yet a part of Spain； and a sharer in all her ancient glories。
She was a land of romance； and her very name tasted on the
lips； of gold； and of silver； and of precious stones。 Urrea
easily persuaded the young man to return to Mexico with him。
The following year there was a suspicious number of American
visitors and traders in San Antonio； and one of the Urreas was
sent with a considerable number of troops to garrison the
city。 For Spain was well aware that； however statesmen might
settle the question； the young and adventurous of the American
people considered Texas United States territory； and would be
well inclined to take possession of it by force of arms； if an
opportunity offered。
Robert Worth accompanied General Urrea to San Antonio； and the
visit was decisive as to his future life。 The country
enchanted him。 He was smitten with love for it； as men are
smitten with a beautiful face。 And the white Moorish city had
one special charm for himit was seldom quite free from
Americans； Among the mediaeval loungers in the narrow streets；
it filled his heart with joy to see at intervals two or three
big men in buckskin or homespun。 And he did not much wonder
that the Morisco…Hispano…Mexican feared these Anglo…Americans；
and suspected them of an intention to add Texan to their
names。
His inclination to remain in San Antonio was settled by
his marriage。 Dona Maria Flores； though connected with the
great Mexican families of Yturbide and Landesa； owned much
property in San Antonio。 She had been born within its limits；
and educated in its convent； and a visit to Mexico and New
Orleans had only strengthened her attachment to her own city。
She was a very pretty woman； with an affectionate nature； but
she was not intellectual。 Even in the convent the sisters had
not considered her clever。
But men often live very happily with commonplace wives； and
Robert Worth had never regretted that his Maria did not play
on the piano； and paint on velvet； and work fine embroideries
for the altars。 They had passed nearly twenty…six years
together in more than ordinary content and prosperity。 Yet no
life is without cares and contentions； and Robert Worth had
had to face circumstances several times； which had brought the
real man to the front。
The education of his children had been such a crisis。 He had
two sons and two daughters； and for them he anticipated a
wider and grander career than he had chosen for himself。
When his eldest child； Thomas； had reached the age of
fourteen； he determined to send him to New York。 He spoke to
Dona Maria of this intention。 He described Columbia to her
with all the affectionate pride of a student for his alma
mater。 The boy's grandmother also still lived in the home
wherein； he himself had grown to manhood。 His eyes filled
with tears when he remembered the red brick house in Canal
Street； with its white door and dormer windows； and its one
cherry tree in the strip of garden behind。
But Dona Maria's national and religious principles； or rather
prejudices； were very strong。 She regarded the college of San
Juan de Lateran in Mexico as the fountainhead of knowledge。
Her confessor had told her so。 All the Yturbides and Landesas
had graduated at San Juan。
But the resolute father would have none of San Juan。 〃I know
all about it； Maria；〃 he said。 〃They will teach Thomas Latin
very thoroughly。 They will make him proficient in theology
and metaphysics。 They will let him dabble in algebra and
Spanish literature； and with great pomp； they will give him
his degree； and ‘the power of interpreting Aristotle all
over the world。' What kind of an education is that； for a man
who may have to fight the battles of life in this century？〃
And since the father carried his point it is immaterial what
precise methods he used。 Men are not fools even in a contest
with women。 They usually get their own way； if they take the
trouble to go wisely and kindly about it。 Two years
afterwards； Antonia followed her brother to New York； and this
time； the mother made less opposition。 Perhaps she divined
that opposition would have been still more useless than in the
case of the boy。 For Robert Worth had one invincible
determination； it was； that this beautiful child； who so much
resembled a mother whom he idolized； should be； during the
most susceptible years of her life； under that mother's
influence。
And he was well repaid for the self…denial her absence
entailed； when Antonia came back to him； alert； self…reliant；
industrious； an intelligent and responsive companion； a neat
and capable housekeeper； who insensibly gave to his home that
American air it lacked； and who set upon his table the well…
cooked meats and delicate dishes which he had often longed
for。
John； the youngest boy； was still in New York finishing his
course of study； but regarding Isabel； there seemed to be a
tacit relinquishment of the purpose； so inflexibly carried out
with her brothers and sister。 Isabel was entirely different
from them。 Her father had watched her carefully； and come to
the conviction that it would be impossible to make her nature
take the American mintage。 She was as distinctly Iberian as
Antonia was Anglo…American。
In her brothers the admixture of races had been only as alloy
to metal。 Thomas Worth was but a darker copy of his father。
John had the romance and sensitive honor of old Spain； mingled
with the love of liberty； and the practical temper； of those
Worths who had defied both Charles the First and George the
Third。 But Isabel had no soul…kinship with her father's
people。 Robert Worth had seen in the Yturbide residencia in
Mexico the family portraits which they had brought with them
from Castile。 Isabel was the Yturbide of her day。 She had
all their physic