RESULT OF THE INTERVIEW.

29

The comandante was in a fever, and knew not what to do, but he earnestly deprecated my going to Corrientes. He wished, at the same time, to know what my demand of the governor would be. "The apprehension and committal," I said, "of your uncle Mora, on the charge of usurping the military power lodged with you, and of false imprisonment of my brother and myself." "The committal of my uncle!" ejaculated the nephew. "I dare not; indeed, I dare not take any such step." "I thought so," I rejoined, "and therefore I wish to go to Corrientes."

The comandante asked for a day's delay, which I refused; but I gave him till one o'clock to return me my passport, or place his uncle in limbo.

In the mean time the occurrences of the night were bruited about the village, and Mora's conduct was the theme of general condemnation. We were glad to hear, in particular, that old Gonzalez was quite enraged with his quondam friend, for having had the insolence to commence his proceedings in his (Gonzalez's) house: and the pretty Rosa slily took advantage of her father's humour to remind him what friends Don Juan and Don Guillermo had always been of theirs, and

30

DONA ROSITA WINS OVER HER FATHER.

what influence they had at head-quarters in Corrientes, and how necessary for his own safety it was that her dear papa should stand clear of all imputation of having connived at so wicked an act as Mora's. When these eloquent arguments had worked their due effect on her father's mind, she threw her arms most lovingly round his neck, and added, in a tone half reproachful, half jocular, "Is this the man, dear papa, that you would have me marry? If a stupid jealousy before he has any control over me could lead him to such vindictive proceedings, what might I not expect from him if he had the authority of a husband over me? He shows by his acts that he has no respect for you,no love for me; no regard to common decency: and would you consign me for life to the tender mercies of such a man? Duval," (here Rosa's voice faltered, and a tear dimmed her blue eye;) "Duvàl may not be the man of your choice, but, surely, my dear father, you will never now bestow me on Mora!"

The appeal was irresistible, and old Gonzalez kissed away the tear that had bedewed the cheek of his daughter as he said, "No, my child! Mora shall never have thee; thou shalt be the wife of Duval !"

MORA'S CHAGRIN.

31

Rosa's arms were again round the worthy old estanciero's neck, and the tears began one to chase another in their downward course; but they were tears of silent joy, and soon gave way to the smiles which forthwith lit up her soft and pleasing features. Her younger sister was also hugging papa. The mother looked on in quiet satisfaction, seeing that the long hitch in their domestic happiness was at an end; and Rosa's oldest brother, Pèpe, a lad of fifteen, stuffed his hands into his pockets, and said he was glad she was to have him after all; for I need not say that Duval was the favourite suitor among the younger branches of Gonzalez's household.

In the mean time Mora began to see all the real difficulties of his position, and determined to make use of the three hours I had given the comandante for the signing of my passport: he made the latter use his influence with Quesnèy to and endeavour to bring us to terms.

speak to us,

Mora himself

Here they

went to do the same with Gonzalez. would scarcely open the door to him; and when admitted, he was met with a storm of angry words, and told never more to visit the house. Finding affairs in this untoward state, Mora went straight

32

THE COMANDANTE'S REBUKE

to his rival Duvàl, who was as yet unaware of the happy change which had taken place in his matrimonial prospects. The enemy offered immediately to resign all pretensions to Rosa, and to leave Goya for the present, if Duval should succeed in dissuading me from going to Corrientes.

Full of his mission, on which he felt so much of his happiness to depend, Duvàl came in a flurry before my brother and myself, warmly to plead the cause of Mora. The fact is that the journey to Corrientes was scarcely ever contemplated by us as likely to be performed, for we made sure that such terms as would satisfy the exigency of the case would be granted by Mora. According to the custom of the country, we had set out by asking more than we intended to take; and we therefore now authorized Duval to say to the comandante, that if he would reprehend Mora in the presence of the parties who had witnessed the insult put upon us, and would then state that it was by our forgiveness and by no other right or plea that he could urge, he was not made legally amenable for his conduct, the business should be considered as closed.

After some negociation, these terms were pain

fully acceded to by the defeated Mora, and Duvàl ran to Gonzalez's house to proclaim his triumph to Rosa. He then learned how matters stood; and that Rosa, with the quick diplomacy of a woman in affairs of love, had been beforehand with him, and secured that success to his constant attachment which he fancied was due to his own good management. Rosa, however, carried off her laurels with as much modesty as a little piquante turn she had of showing herself off to the best advantage would allow; and although Duval was laughed at as the dupe, instead of being praised as the diplomatist, he found such a consolation in the affectionate looks and tender little squeezes of the hand of his charming Rosa, that he declared he would like to be so taken in every day of his life, to be so rewarded in return.

The following morning at ten o'clock, the guard was turned out, and our friend the Captain stood at its head. Gonzalez and Duval were placed in front, Captain M'Dougall and our capataz at their side, and my brother and myself left our cottage at the same moment that we saw the comandante approach from his own house, accompanied by Mora. They halted when they got to the one end of the little