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〃Pardon； Senorita Isabel； Sunday comes not into a pasquinade。
Senora； let me tell you that it draws near to eleven。 If we
leave now we shall reach San Antonio in time to say the prayer
of gratitude before the blessed day of the seven is past。〃
〃Holy Mary！ that is what I should desire。 Come； my children；
I thank you； Senor； for such a blessed memory。 My heart is
indeed full of joy and thankfulness。〃
A slight disappointment； however； awaited the Senora。 Without
asking any questions； without taking anything into
consideration； perhaps； indeed； because she feared to ask or
consider； she had assumed that she would immediately re…enter
her own home。 With the unreason of a child； she had insisted
upon expecting that somehow； or by some not explained efforts；
she would find her house precisely as she left it。 Little had
been said of its occupancy by Fray Ignatius and his brothers；
perhaps she did not quite believe in the statement； perhaps
she expected Fray Ignatius to respect the arrangements which
he knew had been so dear to her。
It was therefore a trialindeed； something of a shockwhen
she found they were to be the guests of Navarro； and when it
was made clear to her that her own home had been dismantled
and rearranged and was still in the possession of the Church。
But； with a child's unreason； she had also a sweet ductility
of nature； she was easily persuaded； easily pleased； and
quite ready to console herself with the assurance that it only
needed Doctor Worth's presence and personal influence to drive
away all intruders upon her rights。
In the mean time she was contented。 The finest goods in San
Antonio were sent early on the following morning to her room；
and the selection of three entire wardrobes gave her abundance
of delightful employment。 She almost wept with joy as she
passed the fine lawns and rich silks through her worn fingers。
And when she could cast off forever her garment of heaviness
and of weariful wanderings； and array herself in the splendid
robes which she wore with such grace and pleasure； she was an
honestly grateful woman。
Then she permitted Lopez to let her old acquaintances know of
her presence in her native city； and she was comforted when
she began to receive calls from the Senora Alveda； and judge
and Senora Valdez； and many other of her friends and
associates。 They encouraged her to talk of her sufferings and
her great loss。 Even the judge thought it worth his while；
now； to conciliate the simple little woman。 He had
wisdom enough to perceive that Mexican domination was over；
and that the American influence of Doctor Worth was likely to
be of service to him。
The Senora found herself a heroine； more than that； she became
aware that for some reason those who had once patronized her
were now disposed to pay her a kind of court。 But this did
not lessen her satisfaction； she suspected no motive but real
kindness； for she had that innate rectitude which has always
confidence in the honesty of others。
There was now full reconciliation between Luis and his mother
and uncles； and his betrothal to Isabel was acknowledged with
all the customary rejoicings and complimentary calls and
receptions。 Life quickly began to fall back into its well…
defined grooves； if there was anything unusual； every one made
an effort to pass it by without notice。 The city was
conspicuously in this mind。 American rule was accepted in the
quiescent temper with which men and women accept weather which
may or may not be agreeable； but which is known to be
unavoidable。 Americans were coming by hundreds and by
thousands： and those Mexicans who could not make up their
minds to become Texans； and to assimilate with the new
elements sure to predominate； were quietly breaking up their
homes and transferring their interests across the Rio Grande。
They were not missed； even for a day。 Some American was ready
to step into their place； and the pushing； progressive spirit
of the race was soon evident in the hearty way with which they
set to work； not only to repair what war had destroyed； but to
inaugurate those movements which are always among their first
necessities。 Ministers； physicians； teachers； mechanics of
all kinds； were soon at work； churches were built； Bibles were
publicly sold； or given away； schools were advertised； the
city was changing its tone as easily as a woman changes the
fashion of her dress。 Santa Anna had said truly enough to
Houston； that the Texans had no flag to fight under； but the
young Republic very soon flung her ensign out among those of
the gray nations of the world。 It floated above the twice
glorious Alamo： a bright blue standard； with one white star in
the centre。 It was run up at sunrise one morning。 The
city was watching for it； and when it suddenly flew out in
their sight； it was greeted with the most triumphant
enthusiasm。 The lonely star in its field of blue touched
every heart's chivalry。 It said to them； I stand alone！ I
have no sister states to encourage and help me！ I rely only
on the brave hearts and strong arms that I set me here！〃 And
they answered the silent appeal with a cheer that promised
everything； with a love that even then began to wonder if
there were not a place for such a glorious star in the grand
constellation under which most of them had been born。
A short time after their return； the Senora had a letter from
her husband； saying that he was going to New Orleans with
General Houston； whose wound was in a dangerous condition。
Thomas Worth had been appointed to an important post in the
civil government； and his labors； like those of all the public
men of Texas at that date； were continuous and Herculean。 It
was impossible for him to leave them； but the doctor assured
his wife that he would return as soon as he had placed Houston
in the hands of skilful surgeons； and he asked her； until
then； to be as happy as her circumstances permitted。
She was quite willing to obey the request。 Not naturally
inclined to worry； she found many sources of content and
pleasure； until the early days of June brought back to her the
husband she so truly loved； and with him the promise of a
return to her own home。 Indeed the difficulties in the way of
this return had vanished ere they were to meet。 Fray Ignatius
had convinced himself that his short lease had fully expired；
and when Dr。 Worth went armed with the legal process necessary
to resume his rights； he found his enemy had already
surrendered them。 The house was empty。 Nothing of its old
splendor remained。 Every one of its properties had been
scattered。 The poor Senora walked through the desolate rooms
with a heartache。
〃It was precisely in this spot that the sideboard stood；
Roberto！the sideboard that my cousin Johar presented to me。
It came from the City of Mexico； and there was not another
like it。 I shall regret it all my life。〃
〃Maria； my dearest； it might have been worse。 The silver
which adorned it is safe。 Those rmonks did not find
out its hiding…place； and I bought you a far more beautiful
sideboard in New Orleans； the very newest style； Maria。〃
〃Roberto！ Robert