[Illustration: "AFTER THE VERY GAY SUPPER"]
But that other woman, the Mexican, would hold it all, always! Another woman might win Rafael's smile and his love-songs, but the acres, the herds, the coin, and the jewels (he had allowed Doña Maria to show the latter to her guests that evening), all those things would be held always in the slender strong hand of Raquel Arteaga--Raquel Arteaga, who stood guard over even his soul, lest the heretics--
Then she smiled a little to herself, an involuntary smile of triumph. Had he not said in the dusk of the corridor last night that his soul was at her feet? With that battle won from the intolerant Mexican girl, were the jewels and the coin out of reach? Had he not said a boat left no track on the ocean,--the boat he had sworn to find a harbor for,--sworn to?
Of course it was only a fleeting fancy, but it drifted across her brain as a sort of solace for her fretful, feverish rebellings against the uneven division of things, and it served its purpose, for she was at last lulled into slumber by the dream, though of course it was only a dream.
But dreams, when dreamed by two, suggest such alluring possibilities!
Mujer! Mujer! Mi corazon de fuego, Te adore con delirio y con ternura, Porque eres bella angelical criatura, Como los flores que adoran a' Dios;
Lejos de ti no me importa la existencia El mundo todo y sus mentidas glorias. Lejos de ti la vida es ilusoria, Porque tu eres mi vida, Tu eres mi amada, Tu eres mi Dios!
It was two days later, before the sun was high, that Raquel Arteaga rode into the plaza, and, slipping from her horse, walked directly into the little private chapel and closed the door. From the other wing of the corridor Doña Maria and Doña Angela saw her, and exchanged startled glances. Their hostess had arrived, and had not even cast her eyes in their direction. They were both relieved when Rafael and Señor Downing emerged from the portal of the patio.
"Ah, she has arrived--my wife," remarked Rafael as he noticed her saddle-horse nibbling at the geraniums. "I sent an Indian messenger this morning. He has been quick; and, Santa Maria! so has she. Look at the horse!"
The animal was dripping, and as an Indian boy removed the saddle the water ran down his sides and made little pools in the dust.