La Feria belongs to me."
"Nevertheless, his conduct is regrettable," Longorio went on.
"Probably evil men have lied to him--San Antonio is full of rebels
conspiring to give our country into the hands of outlaws. What a
terrible spectacle it is! Enough to bring tears to the eyes of any
patriot!" He turned his melancholy gaze from Alaire to her
companion, and for the first time Dolores stirred.
She had watched her countryman with a peculiar fascination, and
she had listened breathlessly to his words. Now she inhaled
deeply, as if freed from a spell; then she said:
"Pah! Nobody pays heed to Senor Ed. We do not consider him."
Dolores lacked diplomacy; her bluntness was often trying. Alaire
turned upon her with a sharp exclamation, conscious meanwhile that
the woman's tone, even more than her words, had enlightened
Longorio to some extent. His lifted brows were eloquent of
surprise and curiosity, but he held his tongue.
"Am I to understand, then, that you rob me because of my husband's
action?" Alaire asked.
"No. But we must combat our enemies with the weapons we have--not
only those who bear arms with Candeleria, but those who shelter
themselves beyond the Rio Grande.
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