He was distracted at
the news of his cousin's murder, and came to me--"
"His cousin was not murdered."
"Exactly! I told him so when I had learned the facts. A poor
fellow this Panfilo--evidently a very bad man, indeed--but Jose
admired him and was harboring thoughts of revenge. I said to him:
'Jose, my boy, it is better to do nothing than to act wrongly.
Since it was God's will that your cousin came to a bad end, why
follow in his footsteps? You will not make a good soldier. Go back
to your beautiful employer, be loyal to her, and think no more
about this unhappy affair.' It required some argument, I assure
you, but--he is here. He comes to ask your forgiveness and to
resume his position of trust."
"I am glad to have him back if he feels that way. I have nothing
whatever to forgive him."
"Then he will be happy, and I have served you. That is the end of
the matter." With a graceful gesture Longorio dismissed the
subject. "Is it to be my pleasure," he next inquired, "to meet
Senor Austin, your husband?"
"I am afraid not."
"Too bad. I had hoped to know him and convince him that we
Federales are not such a bad people as he seems to think.
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