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CHAPTER "JC
DELILAH.
THt posit-on of our two characters toward each other was somewhat singular.
Dona Angela, resting coquettisi-ly on her elbow, with her chin on the pa.m
of her dainty hand, fixed on Don Cornelio two eyes sparkling with malicious-
ness so that the Spaniard, as it were, fascinated by the brilliancy of this
irresistible glance, had not even the will to turn his head, and liberate himself
from the deceptive charm that fascinated him.
"Violanta," the girl said, in a voice soft and pure as the song of the
centeontle, the American nightingale, " have you no refreshments to offer this
caballero ?"                                                                   .    .       ......
" Oh, certainly," said the crafty camarista, with a look sufficient to tempt
St. Anthony, and «he rose.             -             ...              ....           r     r
Don Cornelio, flattered in his heart by this politeness, which he was far from
expecting, thought it necessary to break out in excuses ; but Dona Angela cut
him short by herself saying—                                   .    ......      .
" You will forgive me for receiving you so poorly, but I did not expect to
have the honour of your visit."                       ....                c   t     -~a
Naturally enough, Don Cornelio, infatuated with  the advantages he fancied
he possessed, regarded this remark as a compliment.      _
Angela maliciously bit her rosy lips, and continued, with a bow—
"But now that I have been  so  fortunate as to  meet again with an old
friend------"                                          ....                    .   ¦ •
'¦ Oh  senorita 1 " the young man said with a movement ot joy.
¦ I flatter myself that 1 shall have the pleasure of enjoying your company
more frequently."                                                    m
" Senorita, believe me that I shall be too happy.
" I know your gallantry, Don Cornelio," she interrupted him with a smue.
" Heaven is my witness, senorita. Unfortunately, adverse fate w.il possibly
ordain differently."
"Why so?"
" You are only passing through this wretched town.
" Yes.   My father is proceeding to Tepic, which, as governor of the province,
is his residence."                                                  ...       . .          -.,    c
" That is true.   You see, then, madam, that it is almost impossible for us
•«yer to meet again."
" Do you think so ? " she asked.
" Alas ! I am sadly afraid of it."
" Why so ? " she asked.                                                               .                 _
" Because, according to every probability, to-morrow, at sunrise, we Shall
take diametrically opposite routes."
" Oh, that is not possible."                                                                    .
" Yes • for when you and your father, madam, start to-morrow for Tepic, «ny
•friends and myself will set out for San Francisco."
" What need have you to go there ?"
" I !    None.»
" Well, then ? "
" I cannot leave my friends."
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