Rachela says that Santa Anna has sent off a million of men to fight the Americans. Some they will cut in pieces, and some are to be sent to the mines to work in chains.
God is not dead of old age, Iza. Santa Anna is a miraculous tyrant. He has committed every crime under heaven, but I think he will not cut the Americans in pieces.
And if the Americans should even make him go back to Mexico!
I think that is very possible.
What then, Juan?
He would pay for some of his crimes here the rest he would settle for in purgatory. And you, too, Iza, are you with the Americans?
Luis Alveda says they are right.
Oh-h! I see! So Luis is to be my brother too. Is that so, little dear?
Have you room in your heart for him? Or has this Dare Grant filled it?
If I had twenty sisters, I should have room for twenty brothers, if they were like Dare and Luis. But, indeed, Luis had his place there before I knew Dare.
And perhaps you may see him soon; he is with Senor Sam Houston. Senor Houston was here not a week ago. Will you think of that? And the mother and uncle of Luis are angry at him; he will be disinherited, and we shall be very poor, I think. But there is always my father, who loves Luis.
Luis will win his own inheritance. I think you will be very rich.
And, Juan, if you see Luis, say to him, Iza thinks of you continually.
At this moment Rachela angrily called her charge
Are you totally and forever wicked, disobedient one? Two hours I have been kept waiting. Very well! The Sisters are the only duenna for you; and back to the convent you shall go to-morrow. The Senora is of my mind, also.
My father will not permit it. I will go to my father. And think of this, Rachela: I am no longer to be treated like a baby. But she kissed Juan farewell, and went away without further dispute.
The handsome room looked strangely lonely and desolate when the door had closed behind her. Jack rose, and roughly shook himself, as if by that means he hoped to throw off the oppression and melancholy that was invading even his light heart. Hundreds of moths were dashing themselves to death against the high glass shade that covered the blowing candles from them. He stood and looked at their hopeless efforts to reach the flame. He had an unpleasant thought; one of those thoughts which have the force of a presentiment. He put it away with annoyance, muttering, It is time enough to meet misfortune when it comes.