He then sprang into the neighboring field, and made as careful a search as he could by the light of matches: he looked behind the hedges, he searched the brambles, then he went some way along the bank of a stream on his left, but his box of matches came to an end before he could discover his enemy, so he retraced his steps, mad with rage.
If the Duke of Tornos were hidden somewhere about there, he must have had an anxious time of it.
After seeing her husband disappear through the window, Ventura dressed herself quickly and left the room to find a servant. Just at this moment Pachin arrived with a disconcerted face, carrying a light.
"The señorito is rushing after the duke across the garden," he said in a hardly audible voice.
"Will he catch him?" asked the unfaithful wife, very pale, although somewhat recovered from her fright.
"I don't think so; the duke has his horse tied to the Antony vine. He had the start, and, once mounted, it will be impossible to overtake him."
"Where shall I hide myself? If he comes back he will kill me."
"It will be best to leave the house. Come with me."
The girl then followed the servant along the passages, down the back staircase and out by the kitchen door. Pachin wished to take her to the parish priest's house, which was near to the estate. When they were entering the garden they saw Gonzalo running toward the house, and they only just had time to hide behind the Washingtonia close to the dining-room. From there they saw him go into the stable, bring out a horse and go off full gallop, and Ventura thought she would die of fright.
"No, no; I don't want to go to the priest's house. He will return soon, and the priest could not defend me from him--he is a poor old man--I want to go to Sarrio."
"But, señorita, to Sarrio at this hour, and raining?"
"There is the landau, but there are no horses. Wait a bit. I will alter the shafts, and we will harness Señorita, Pablo's mare--I don't answer for her going in it."
Pachin carried out his idea as quickly as possible. Ventura got into the carriage, and off they went.
Although at first the mare rebelled a little, once on the highroad the thought of the stable at Sarrio, her usual abode, made her go very well.