"Yes; and I am ready to satisfy you; but to do that, you must follow me."
"But what good will it do me to know these matters? Perhaps it would be better to leave them untold."
"As you please; I do not force you to listen to me. Everyone is free to act as he chooses. If you prefer to sit down under insult without avenging yourself, I have no objection."
These words were uttered with such a sneer, that Don Torribio could not help shuddering.
"Do you in truth offer me revenge?" he asked in a voice half stifled with the rage surging at his heart.
"You shall judge, if you will follow me."
"Demon!" cried Don Torribio, "Whoever thou may'st be, lead on, since it must be so! I will follow thee, even unto hell."
"Amen," said the stranger, with a sinister chuckle.
The two riders dashed into the darkness, and the sound of their furious pace was soon merged in profound silence.
Don Fernando and his friend, as we have related, left the hacienda a little before Don Torribio. They had made all haste to reach their dwelling. The _tertulia_ had ended at nine o'clock; and by eleven they were at the _rancho_.
Doña Manuela was expecting them. In a few words they reported to her all that had happened at the _tertulia_, and hastened to their couches; for they were obliged to leave again at daybreak, if they wished to arrive in good time at San Lucar without over-fatigueing Doña Manuela, who was to accompany them. In fact, according to agreement, they mounted their horses a little before four in the morning.
In Mexico, on account of the intense heat of the day, people generally travel by night; that is to say, from four in the morning till eleven, and from six in the evening till midnight. Nine o'clock struck as the three entered the _presidio_. Don Fernando left his friend and the mother to find their way to the house he possessed in San Lucar, which he had placed at their disposal, while he himself repaired to the governor's house, whither affairs of grave importance called him.
The worthy governor overwhelmed the visitor with civilities,--for the latter had, on more than one occasion, rendered him important service,--and seemed unable to show him sufficient courtesy But, in spite of the efforts of his host, Don Fernando perceived that Don José Kalbris was a prey to anxiety, which all his sense of the attentions due to his guest did not enable him wholly to conceal.